I'm new here...

shape_shifter

on 1388885423:

I live in Sydney & pretty much retired which has allowed me to start thinking about getting to understand things like making good coffee rather than just tossing coffee beans into the hopper, grinding some brand & pressing the go button on the coffee machine. I just completed a barista course & found it very interesting & has certainly motivated me to become a good coffee maker. I have a Breville BES 900 which I think is a good machine but I am struggling with matching some of the concepts I learnt at my barista course with my machine, e.g. Single shot of coffee should equal 7grams of coffee - if I put that amount of coffee into my basket it is not enough to tamp down. How does the 25 to 30 seconds it should take to extract 30 Mls of coffee equate to the preinfusion etc. Does anyone have a similar machine to me that can give me some enlightenment please. I'm looking forward to participating in the coffee forum... A

Barry I have a BES900 and can get really good coffee out of it, just ask away and I'll tell you what I know.  You might want to do that in the BES900 thread though :D You can find that there here http://www.bestcafes.com.au/forum/espresso-machines/breville's-new-dual-boiler-machine/600/  I'll PM you as well with it.

lmz

Hi Barry, as I started this very informative thread mentioned above (thanks for our sponsor knowledge and participants) I feel I can share with you my journey. So from my experience : EQUIPMENT Machine - main issue is not stating the pour too hot or with too high pressure. Shape_Shifter will help you there Grinder - good one is so so important to get fine enough grind (I started 10yo with a cheap sunbeam and I never managed to get any crema out of a pour, then I upgraded) Coffee - freshly roasted of course (anything past 6 weeks from roast is getting quite old and need to wait a degas period that varies 5-12 days from roast). If more question here KK/Jeff can help you. I also suggest you get roasted beans from mycuppa.com.au as you cannot go wrong there. TECHNIQUE: 3 variables you need to control (Dose / Tamp / Grind) Dose: use double basket as suggested before and maybe (to start with-as I did) weight each basket (should hold 14-19g) whatever you choose, stick with it and repeat again and again and again. Tamp: usually 10-15kg. If you have bathroom scale use it to see what it feels like to do 15kg. As long as you tamp with the same pressure and evenly every time then you will be ok. The challenge here is to be consistent. Grind: this is the only variable you are left with. Grind so that you get your 30ml in around 25-30sec. Once you get there then you can start playing with all 3 variables (one at a time) to achieve your taste. As said above the 30ml in 25-30sec is a guideline to ensure correct Dose/Tamp/Grind. Personally I usually pour 30ml in 30-40sec. Hope this helps as it did for me. There are people on this forum far more knowledgeable than me so they are welcome to correct/add to this post. But this is what helped me when I felt a bit lost in getting a great pour. Laurent

PeteC68

Hi, my name is Pete and this is my first post. I am in Brisbane, QLD, Australia. I currently have a Bezzera Strega and Mazzer Mini combo. Looking forward to interacting with other Strega owners in particular and learning how to get the best results in the cup in general. Take care, Pete

Koffee_Kosmo

on 1397011745:

Hi, my name is Pete and this is my first post. I am in Brisbane, QLD, Australia. I currently have a Bezzera Strega and Mazzer Mini combo. Looking forward to interacting with other Strega owners in particular and learning how to get the best results in the cup in general. Take care, Pete

Hi Pete and welcome to the Crema forum I have the first Bezzera Strega to arrive in Australia and it's been a wonderful machine to own and use KK

PeteC68

Hi, Thanks for the welcome. As I said in the 'Hi I'm New' thread; I am in Brisbane, QLD, Australia. I own a Bezzera Strega and Mazzer Mini combo. I am hoping to find someone in Brisbane or QLD to discuss/assist with some Strega modifications I have been thinking about. Again thanks for the welcome and I look forward to learning lots. Kind regards, Pete

Brett H

Welcome Pete!  I don't have a Bezzera Strega but look forward to your posts!

PeteC68

Hi, Thanks for the welcome. I am hoping to discuss some Strega modifications I have been thinking about, after reading about them on the web. Ultimately, hope to find someone in Brisbane or QLD to assist with them if they turn out to be worth it. Again thanks for the welcome and I look forward to learning lots. Kind regards, Pete

Brett H

on 1397015600:

Hi, Thanks for the welcome. I am hoping to discuss some Strega modifications I have been thinking about, after reading about them on the web. Ultimately, hope to find someone in Brisbane or QLD to assist with them if they turn out to be worth it. Again thanks for the welcome and I look forward to learning lots. Kind regards, Pete

Okay Pete... Let me just warn you that by modding your machine it may turn out to be awesome so take lots of pics and start a thread!!! 

Lacehim

Kosmo Koffee is your man Pete.  He has't he strega and a contact for mods too I would imagine. Welcome to the forum.  There's quite a few lever threads here http://www.bestcafes.com.au/forum/espresso-machines/ for you too look over too.  Start a new thread about your mods and I'm sure KK and others will be happy to help you.

Journeyman

:coffee2: Hey, thanks for the welcome. Looking forward to reading/comtrinuting.

Journeyman

Hi to the members... I've been a member on a different forum for quite some time but my serious coffee journey started early 2013 when I bought a used SB EM6910 and EM0480 grinder. I had some 'interesting' times with the grinder before I got it under control and only then could I begin to refine my process and produce decent drinks. As of a couple of months back I now have an EM7000 and 3 x EM0480 grinders - 1 for decaf for the missus, 1 for my nromal brew of dark roast from a local roaster here in bendigo, and 1 for experiment beans. Latest have been a PNG med fair trade, a Costa med roast and a blend from a member of the previous forum. Due to a chronic shortage of cash my next project is to find a way to roast on the cheap - got an idea or two that SHOULD work but you never know till you have a go. :D See you around the forums...

Lacehim

on 1401690322:

Due to a chronic shortage of cash my next project is to find a way to roast on the cheap - got an idea or two that SHOULD work but you never know till you have a go. :D

Hi Journeyman, Welcome.  The best roaster IMO is the KKTO for a DIY build, it's easy to use, well priced, and can do small or large batches.  I'm not a fan of heatguns and breadmakers myself because the kids are usually around when I'm roasting.  You can build a KKTO yourself pretty cheap if you can sources the parts, and you can buy some off the shelf from Koffee Kosmo (KK). Here's a starter thread.  http://www.bestcafes.com.au/forum/projects-rebuilds/kkto-home-build/ but KK is the designer and may well be able to sell you some bits on here.  http://koffeekosmo.com.au/ Start up a new thread here http://www.bestcafes.com.au/forum/roasters-different-roasting-equipment/ about your wants, needs and budget etc, and see what other members have to offer.

Moon

Hey instant drinker .. welcome aboard .. there's hope for you yet. We all started there  ;D

Journeyman

Thanks Lacehim - will do that. Just exploring for the moment but as said, next I learn what I can about roasting - seems a much more economical way to get and store my addict... I mean beans... :D

Koffee_Kosmo

Welcome to the Crema forum JM We all share the ideas to solve problems that in the end helps all that follow KK

Journeyman

Thanks KK. I appreciate the welcome. :D

Journeyman

"Instant Drinker" - not sure if that's meant to encourage me to post more or just tell me my place in the scheme of things... How many posts do I need before I can get rid of that epithet? :D Thanks for the welcome. :D

mwcalder

Thanks! For some info, I've been working in a specialty coffee cafe on the Sunshine coast for 2.5 years so far and only started on the machine this year. Look forward to learning heaps more! I have a Bezzera Mitica and Mini Mazzer at home. Using 18 and 22g VST's. Can't wait to ask questions and contribute here! Michael

GaryatGala

Hey welcome Michael, It's a friendly and laid back forum here. Looking forward to sharing your latte art work here as well as your barista lifestyle input.  :thumb: There's a few Bezzera fans here too.

Lacehim

So where do you work on the sunshine coast?  There are a few members from the area.

Brett H

Welcome mate!

mwcalder

I work at Clandestino Roasters in Noosaville! Come visit if you're in the area I'm the young guy behind the machine Michael

Lacehim

I thought I recognise your user ID.  You were on the other forum when we had the last social a few years ago but couldn't make it, was that you?   I've probably met you a few times already, but didn't know who you were.  You've probably net C-Man from here to! Clandestino has certainly raised the bar for coffee in the area!  The only place in Noosa that I've seen manual brewing methods!  It's just a pity they are so expensive! lol  I've had a few syphons there. PS.  I moved this over to the welcome thread for you

C-man

Yep, that's him..... bit of a hipster Batista, knows his stuff. always looks after me when I drop in. Gave me a big bag of miss-roasted beans to help break in my HG one grinder Good to see you here bud......

mwcalder

That's me Lacehim! Such a privilege to make coffee at one of the highest quality places in the area. And a lot of fun as well. Doesn't really seem like work most of the time. Come in and say g'day

jwiley86

Thanks for the warm welcome. I was surprised to see my name on the post. Cheers!

jwiley86

Hi Jason here! Not really used to making introductions but I'll try my best.  :D I live in California with my wife. I have a passion for coffee. Although my first coffee wasn't brewed but instant coffee that you can do yourself with just hot water. I was already well satisfied with it back then.  :laugh: Anyway but recently my friend introduced me and let me tried his own made espresso and it just started there. The idea of making your own espresso and make it really great tasting, better than those instant ones and even Starbucks, I just had to get my own espresso machine so now I'm making my own and I use the Rancilio Silvia espresso machine. It's hard waking up early in the morning for work, and I just can get through the day without drinking a cup of coffee. It's seems incomplete without one. Aside from coffee, I like to listen to all types of music but not too much on rap. I'm not a fan of reading books, I like reading business news on newspaper. I like Sports and cars. That's about it. 

Koffee_Kosmo

Welcome to the Crema forum Jason  :thumb: We all walked a similar path to you at one point in our journey A lot of members are also keen home roasters and if your interested then you have come to the right place KK

Brett H

We are a friendly bunch here and look forward to your contributions

Concept

Hey Coffee Lovers, Excited to meet and talk to peoples. Bit about me, I've been a Barista and Cafe Manager. I love coffee (duh), and have a passion for small business and exceptional customer service. I just love walking into a cafe like it is a second home Other things about me, I love drawing, writing and being generally creative. I find pleasure in getting to know people and helping where possible. I look forward to talking to you all Cheers Nathan (aka Concept)