Espresso Parts EP HQ Baskets

Lacehim

Continuing from my post about buying some of these baskets (can be found here http://www.bestcafes.com.au/forum/off-topic/espresso-parts-hq-baskets/ ), myself and 2 other members (c-man & kelsey) purchased 1 ridgeless double, and 1 ridgeless triple.

I just thought I would start a new thread about our experience with the baskets, and if any other members want to voice their opinion they can.  On the previous thread there was some pros and cons raised, and some that didn't like them but didn't really give a reason why.

So far my observations are positive with my Achilles.  The double does need a rather fine grind so far with 17-18 grams in the basket, and the triple I have been dosing 21g, and a coarser grind.  Less channeling then my stock basket, and I've been using my nakid and some of the pours have been rather exceptional to watch!   In the cup the shots are nice as always, but it seems to be more repeatable.

I haven't compared these against anything else, but I know Kelsey has a VST which will be interesting to compare the two.  FYI these cost $24 for a double and a triple landed here in Australia.  Espresso Parts are a dream to deal with, just email them for USPS shipping to cut down on frieght costs.  Only took a little over a week for these to arrive, I got 6 baskets all up.

How are you going C-man?

coffeehorse

My observations: Baskets are well made, giving reasonably good extractions. Holes are generally a diamond shape from the top and circular underneath. I'd love to know more about the logic here. Holes stop a long way from the sides Hole pattern is generally a slight variant on hexagonal/octagonal Possibly not much less forgiving than the VST baskets unless you're dosing with triples (etc), which seem to have a lot of room for error Slightly brighter extractions than the standard synesso double when using the standard EPHQ Synesso-lite double Clarity seems lacking when compared against the VST's. What seems like clarity initially is later discarded as an increased extraction brightness I suspect the same flow volume is occuring at lower pressure in the majority of EP baskets when compared to the  Synesso/VST. This leads to a markedly 'wetter' coffee in these cases. These are not bad baskets. They're a good basket at a good price. Do I prefer a good Synesso basket? Yes. For cafe use? I'll take EP. Got funds? I'll buy VST's every time.

C-man

To be honest I only tried them a few times, so i can not make a comparison yet. I got good shots, but wetter pucks and they fit a little loose in the handle so I switched back to my orig. basket. I need to give it another go, adjust the wire and do a side by side test using the same beans. I have been too busy lately.

C-man

had another go at the EP double today, good shot, can't say it is any better or worse, But I did notice that the Tamper sunk down much lower, so I guess it is deeper does that mean I need to increase the dose? at 18.4 grams already

C-man

I am using my EP all the time now using 19+ grams in the double doing well.

Lacehim

I've been using the double with my nakid.  I've tried 15-17gm and the results are pretty good.  At the low end, it take fine grind, but I'm finding the sweet spot it 16gm.  Up at 17 it's too close to the shower screen. The triple is fantastic though, and I use that in the 2 spout.  It uses a vastly different grind (1 big click up on the vario!  ??? ), and I've been using 20gm with great success. I've been having fun playing about anyway, and I do like the ridgeless baskets.