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I grind up some beans and put them into a portafilter on a small scale, to a rough ~16-17g weight, then tamp it down and run a no-fuss ~$100USD breville espress

by wcarss 5y ago

I grind up some beans and put them into a portafilter on a small scale, to a rough ~16-17g weight, then tamp it down and run a no-fuss ~$100USD breville espresso machine on it until it's about 34-40g pulled, then pour in ~140g of water I boiled in an electric kettle. Your method sounds to me like it'd have some grounds and fines floating around in it, which is okay but I'm not a huge fan personally, and it'll also be multiple things to wash (though, they sound like easy washes). I also don't have nice coverable drinking bowls, or even very nice cookware for boiling water up in. My method's pretty easy twice a day, but it's not perfect either: I couldn't make this somewhere else, but... I do live here. :) That said, it did take a while for me to find a good grind size with my machine, and to find scales and cups that fit under my espresso machine's group head and had the right range etc required, and I've got to wash my little espresso cup I pour into, and I had to buy my own non-pressurized portafilter basket, so it took some real time to come together right. I'll have to try your way out!

Elora 5y ago
What is this $100 Breville Espresso Machine? The Bambino is $299.
- wcarss 5y ago
  oof, good callout! I received it as a christmas present and must have lowered the cost in my memory: it's a breville café roma, which isn't listed on their site in the US these days, but is still in Canada? Which is where we ordered it! At the time I think it was actually ~$200 CAD, but it appears to be about $200 USD now when I view US Amazon. Sorry for the misinformation :)
  - zikzak 5y ago
    I have the same machine and have learned I can get really good results but need to be precise. I even trained myself to do a consistent tamp (I mean I do my best). What I wanted to say is a year or so ago I started doing a pre infusion. Run the pump for about 5 seconds until the first drip comes out. Then turn it off and let it sit until the heating indicator turns off again. Now pull your full shot. I get a much better result doing this. Do you have a grinder that works well with it? I have just been buying Illy espresso as I find it gets the best result compared to any grinder I willing to buy (I love the cans, too). I'd like to get back into roasting and grinding but just haven't found the right grinder in my admittedly cheap price range.
    - wcarss 5y ago
      We admittedly splurged on the grinder and got another breville product, the Dose Control Pro I think, which was as much as the darn espresso machine. It has a timer and a good grind setting dial, and you can put the portafilter right into it, but I still just grind into a little tupperware container and then measure out by weight with a spoon though, as right into the basket always makes a mess imo. I've never got the preinfusion step to work the way I want. I tried it a bunch after buying the non-pressurized basket, and found I'd get pours coming out way too fast (like <5s) no matter how hard I tamped, even at >18g in the basket, doing almost exactly what you mentioned! I think they worked okay in the pressurized one though. I've since settled on ~16.5-17.5g at ~12.5 on the grinder (from 1-50), and tamped briefly about as hard as I can comfortably press. Comes out good enough every time that I stopped timing anything and just pull to the 34g weight (+5-6g of drip after) these days. I'm inspired to go grab a coffee. :)
      - zikzak 5y ago
        Thank you for this great info. I forgot too mention I'm using an older portafilter from a machine I had years ago. I put it in storage when my son was born (counter space) and the pump siezed while in storage. I was unable up repair it and my wife took pity on me getting me the current one for me as a gift. :) I kept the old portafilter as it much heavier than the one that came with the machine and seems to pull a better shot.

by wcarss 5y ago

Elora 5y ago

What is this $100 Breville Espresso Machine? The Bambino is $299.

wcarss 5y ago
oof, good callout! I received it as a christmas present and must have lowered the cost in my memory: it's a breville café roma, which isn't listed on their site in the US these days, but is still in Canada? Which is where we ordered it! At the time I think it was actually ~$200 CAD, but it appears to be about $200 USD now when I view US Amazon. Sorry for the misinformation :)
- zikzak 5y ago
  I have the same machine and have learned I can get really good results but need to be precise. I even trained myself to do a consistent tamp (I mean I do my best). What I wanted to say is a year or so ago I started doing a pre infusion. Run the pump for about 5 seconds until the first drip comes out. Then turn it off and let it sit until the heating indicator turns off again. Now pull your full shot. I get a much better result doing this. Do you have a grinder that works well with it? I have just been buying Illy espresso as I find it gets the best result compared to any grinder I willing to buy (I love the cans, too). I'd like to get back into roasting and grinding but just haven't found the right grinder in my admittedly cheap price range.
  - wcarss 5y ago
    We admittedly splurged on the grinder and got another breville product, the Dose Control Pro I think, which was as much as the darn espresso machine. It has a timer and a good grind setting dial, and you can put the portafilter right into it, but I still just grind into a little tupperware container and then measure out by weight with a spoon though, as right into the basket always makes a mess imo. I've never got the preinfusion step to work the way I want. I tried it a bunch after buying the non-pressurized basket, and found I'd get pours coming out way too fast (like <5s) no matter how hard I tamped, even at >18g in the basket, doing almost exactly what you mentioned! I think they worked okay in the pressurized one though. I've since settled on ~16.5-17.5g at ~12.5 on the grinder (from 1-50), and tamped briefly about as hard as I can comfortably press. Comes out good enough every time that I stopped timing anything and just pull to the 34g weight (+5-6g of drip after) these days. I'm inspired to go grab a coffee. :)
    - zikzak 5y ago
      Thank you for this great info. I forgot too mention I'm using an older portafilter from a machine I had years ago. I put it in storage when my son was born (counter space) and the pump siezed while in storage. I was unable up repair it and my wife took pity on me getting me the current one for me as a gift. :) I kept the old portafilter as it much heavier than the one that came with the machine and seems to pull a better shot.