Thinking About Espresso


 
LMichaels said:
OK, well both machines came. I tried the Casabrews. Actually impressed with the build quality. Very solid. There are things I have to learn about/understand. For one thing it comes only with pressurized baskets. IDK anything about them. Supposedly better using non pressurized if you grind your own. The portafilter has a little groove cut in where a little "dimple" fits in to lock it in. IDK if this is standard or not. My SIL says his Breville presses in, and he has to pry it out. Mine slips in and you rotate. You rotate again to line up groove and it slips out.
I ordered a standard one non pressurized. Cheap enough if it doesn't work I don't care. Then I may send the unit back and go to the KA unit. Which uses 58mm and has both pressurized and non pressurized depending on need.
I did try a quick double shot brew. It did a very nice job. lots of crema on it. I goofed around a little with the steam wand. That thing is crazy powerful. That will take some practice. Then once you use it you have to flush quite a bit of water through the boiler to cool it down.
One other thing I am unsure of is it seems to brew quite a bit cooler than a drip machine. Water/coffee in the cup about 175. Normal?
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175 F is definitely on the cool side. Recommended is between 195 to 205 F. With too low a temp the risk is under extracted coffee.

The slip in and rotate on Breville is the typical portafilter mechanism. Stronger mechanical linkage for 9 bar plus of pressure environment.

I have never used a pressurized filter basket but also understand they wouldn’t be the first choice. I have read they can help if you have some less than fresh coffee you are using.

Good luck and enjoy. Sounds like first outcomes were pretty good
 
I'll brew again today sometime and see what happens. One thing for sure. Way too much work to replace my daily pot from the Breville Precision. Odd you noting the twist to lock system is Breville's as my SIL has the Breville Duo Temp Pro IIRC (larger one with a gauge and 54mm basket). He said his filters are press fit, and he pries them out to remove.
I think if I end up keeping this Casabrews I may spring for a bottomless portafilter system they sell for it. Thing is I am buying (or planning to buy) all this stuff that for the most part simply is included with the KA one (nicer tamper, both pressurized and non pressurized baskets, frothing pitcher, and so on.
I guess if the non pressurized basket I bought for $8 works it's not so bad. I got the pitcher for $9, and the bottomless portafilter is $40 (if I buy it). So, all in I would end up about $180-$185. And subtract the $40 as the KA doesn't come with a bottomless which would need to be bought separately.
I bought a couple very nice double walled glass, espresso cups that fit perfectly on top in the cup warmer.
The different filter basket is due to arrive tomorrow sometime so I'll give it a go then or Wed. Busy day tomorrow. Dentist appt in AM then early PM, a deep tissue therapy appt. Today as well. Have grandson here
Have to pull the dryer out, do a deep clean behind it and pull the vent off. clean and then replace the outside vent cap. Plus have to take wife for her PT from knee replacement last week.
 
Filter baskets are press fit into portafilter, mounting portafilter into espresso machine is twist and lock. Bottomless portafilters can be messy, it’s the only type I use but more often than not I put a spout on the bottom. They tend to spit and spray unless everything else is perfect. My first “upgrade” was a spring loaded, calibrated tamper, also to be had for around $40. For me I would prioritize over a bottomless portafilter. And having a nice espresso cup just seems to be make it all the more enjoyable.

Morning drip for me as well. But a double shot of espresso often calls me late afternoon
 
I guess we're confusing 2 different parts likely due to my lack of knowledge about these machines. Here are some photos of the portafilter and the filter basket (or at least what I am referring to LOL)

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Naked portafilters do make it so much easier though to remove the filter basket for cleaning. Has saved my fingernails from trying to pry out the filter basket
 
Man, this dialog brings back memories of all I went through and purchased when trying to craft my skill with the Rancilio Sylvia. I hope it doesn't tempt me to go back, lol.
 
No clue what a "naked" portafilter is :D Sounds a little "sexy" LOL. Anyway so far only things I know come from talking to my SIL and what little I can glean from YouTube and reading articles
 
Well, I decided to have a little "pick me up". The instructions say, to warm everything up by running a brew cycle. I did, and was measuring output temps from the basket. Only hovering 150-160. Seems WAY too low. I did another and was only able to see, 160-170, finally after running a half tank of water through, letting it fully recover between cycles, I was able to see 185-190 coming out of the portafilter with 170ish in the cup.
So I ground up 15 grams and made a double shot. TBH it was very nice and tasty but NOT "hot". Even though I warmed the cup, and did 4 pre heat cycles. IDK, if this is to be expected or not?
I know the KA also has PID control, BUT, has the ability to regulate the temps right at the brew head due to having a second sensor there to adjust on the fly and keep temps constant.
As much as I want to like this little Casabrews and as good a cup as it brewed, I don't think that every time I want a shot, I want to run 4 cycles and half a tank of water to get one relatively sort of hot shot.
Am I wrong? I know one huge difference between the KA and this is the power (wattage). KA 1650, the Casabrews 1300. I guess that extra 350 watts would help with getting the water hotter, faster and keeping it there. Which was another thing I noticed. That 185-190 was a peak temp, it did not stay there, it only hit that for a couple seconds and quickly dropped back 10-15 deg.
IDK if this is conducive to a nice cup (shot)
 
Timothy F. Lewis said:
Sounds like one bucket load of headache more Thani want to “learn”. I’ll have my normal 8cupe before noon and if I want more, I’ll go to the café for coffee.
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To a point. But quite honestly I just wanted to know if it as normal to need that many cycles to "preheat" the brew heads or not. If that is normal than both will go back and I will skip Espresso. :D
 
Larry, you are an inquisitive person, you want to find out just how well something really works not just the first blush of the thing.
I do just know myself well enough to not want to develop the “rabbit hole” that I would head down with a serious espresso machine purchase. Living vicariously through you buddy!
 
LMichaels said:
So I ground up 15 grams and made a double shot. TBH it was very nice and tasty but NOT "hot". Even though I warmed the cup, and did 4 pre heat cycles. IDK, if this is to be expected or not?
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I tend to lose my memory over details that I've gotten away from. It's been 3 years since I used the Sylvia but I think I only ran ~1 shot worth of water through the head before pulling my first shot. But I may have turned the unit on up-to half an hour before a pull.
 
Well all, sadly I packed up the Casabrews. I wanted to love that machine sooooooo much. It was absolute perfection for my needs. Perfect size, easy to handle, easy to operate. But, it's going to go back. I opened the KitchenAid and the difference in those 2 machines is amazing. The KA is built like a tank. Heavy and solid. The portafilter is solid polished cast stainless steel. It is 58mm and holds about 7grams more coffee for double shot. They too recommend running one shot through first thing So I followed directions, it ran brew temps right off the bat.
It's bigger and a little more "intrusive" on the counter but not badly so. The amount of weight seems out of proportion to how compact it is. So I think we have a "keeper". I did brew a double shot and all I can say is "wow". Eye opening difference
 
But Larry, you’re a KA fan anyway, honestly I’d be surprised had you not kept it, and it’s the “right” color too right?
Thanks for doing the research!
See, I told you you are deeply involved in the pursuit of excellence!
 
Timothy F. Lewis said:
But Larry, you’re a KA fan anyway, honestly I’d be surprised had you not kept it, and it’s the “right” color too right?
Thanks for doing the research!
See, I told you you are deeply involved in the pursuit of excellence!
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Yes but I am also involved in the pursuit of a bargain. And had that little machine worked out as well as it looked, it would have been one of the all time great bargains.
 
LMichaels said:
Yes but I am also involved in the pursuit of a bargain. And had that little machine worked out as well as it looked, it would have been one of the all time great bargains.
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Larry, you “Get” the difference between price and value. Cheap and frugal are two different things. Buy one “better” more costly (initially) item and be happy for years. Buy the cheaper one which doesn’t really work as well and needs to be replaced every two years? That’s wise investment planning.
 
Timothy F. Lewis said:
Larry, you “Get” the difference between price and value. Cheap and frugal are two different things. Buy one “better” more costly (initially) item and be happy for years. Buy the cheaper one which doesn’t really work as well and needs to be replaced every two years? That’s wise investment planning.
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Yep, I think that KA will do the job for many years to come.
I now have a nice brand new drip brewer I love. A really nice grinder I picked up at great value and this espresso machine. $229 IIRC on the KA site it retails about $100 more. So, hopefully it all works out.
I do feel better about having a standardized portafilter size, and both types of baskets. It's simple enough to run I can even teach the boss if she wants a quick shot before an early start at work. Rather than that crappy little 2 cup Black & Decker.
Just have to figure out the steaming and foaming thing,
 
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