What do I need to know when using a commercial machine for the first time?

Kelsey

In the next few days I'm going to be popping into one of my local caf

Koffee_Kosmo

You may still need to adjust your grind and tamp to suit the different machine You can leave the steaming of milk to them Other than that its pretty much on automatic KK

Ronin

I agree with KK but it really depends on the machine. I'd guess its you'd be fine with it unless its like a slayer or strada Sounds like a fun time ahead for you Kelsey

Brett H

All as per your home machine except the steaming: 1.  Fill the jug really, really full 2.  Place the steam wand deep into the jug 3. Tun on the wand as quickly as you can 4. If you do any of the above:disaster! Have fun!!

Kelsey

I think you a word. "You are absolutely correct... Cheers" BH

Lacehim

I had a go on the commercial and my advise would be to ask them what they do.  They will let you know what level they dose to, have a look at their grind to get you into the ball park.  In the end it's just a big version of your home machine so you should be fine. Re milk, it's faster, but they will also give you tips.  Even if your not going to drink milk based drinks, have a go anyway, it will be an experience.  Use water and a drop of dishwashing liquid if you don't want to waste milk.   I wouldn't fill the jug full because it will overflow.  :-X  Just as you do at home, to just under the lip will be perfect. Have fun, that's what it's all about mate.   Its nice to see local cafe's taking an interest in what we are doing at home.

Kelsey

They're very interested in self-improvement - because I drink ristretto they always ask my opinion and despite giving my honest assessment a number of times they keep asking! They've knocked it out of the park a few times, but the beans are all the same blend and usually a lot fresher than optimum.

Brett H

on 1352941107:

They're very interested in self-improvement - because I drink ristretto they always ask my opinion and despite giving my honest assessment a number of times they keep asking! They've knocked it out of the park a few times, but the beans are all the same blend and usually a lot fresher than optimum.

Fresher than optimum is better than the alternative.  All credit to them!  What's the name and address of the shop?

Kelsey

It's Edge Espresso on the Bulcock Beach Esplanade - Western end, Shop 5a, Grand Pacific Resort. I should also mention that the coffee is always consistently good. Sometimes it's even great. It's the atmosphere and quality of the staff that really make the place tho.

conikal

Even on a full commercial,..i would still use the manual function.

Kelsey

Wouldn't use anything else - my machine has one and two shot volumetric settings but I always use the manual button.

FreshCoffee2

I think you should let them operate their own equipment. You are kindly bringing them a few coffee samples to play with. Its personal and professional development, everybody wins, and apparently they are suitably thankful to you. However they need to operate the equipment they know, using their own barista techniques, especially if your samples are small enough that once you start trying to reconfigure the grinder between each batch, you could run out of coffee before getting it right. They are familiar with their set up and work place, and you arent...... I also dont see anything wrong with using the volumetric touch pads. They are nothing more than a volumetric stopper, which can be stopped early if you wish by simply pressing the button again when you want the flow to stop. That's it, nothing more. Also if you are a believer in "pre-infusion", note that while the machine's touchpad may be operating WITH pre infusion ON, if you bypass preset buttons and instead use the STAR (continuous flow) button on the touchpad OR the separate manual toggle switch provided on some brand machines, the pre-infusion will NOT operate. As I said, volumetric preset buttons are nothing more than pre programmed volumetric stoppers and just like "continuous flow" button OR manual toggle switches, can be stopped whenever you like by you simply pressing the button again....just like the continuous flow button.... Honestly guys, some of the things that get wrongly maligned in forums........ ::) I see your biggest problem being that you may not have enough quantity of each of your samples to get the grind just so for the best result of each sample, and I have exactly the same problem running out small samples from my sample roaster when there is a group of us that want to cup the beans. So.....man your weapons.....and enjoy the session!

Kelsey

Thanks for the (as usual) down to earth advice, Attilio! You make a good point and I tank beyond demonstrating my perceived differences in using a VST and matched tamper, I'll leave the rest to them, after a brief play just because I want to. The volumetric thing is for me mostly because I don't see the point on my machine. I get inconsistent results if the grind and tamp change, meaning if i use volumetric i still have to operate manually, so I just use the manual button all the time and don't worry about the volumetric controls.