Where did you get  your coffee making skills?

cheeky

Hi there

Do I have to do a barista course before using an espresso machine?  We've been too scared to use our new machine because I am worried that I'd damage it.  Do you think that's likely? We will do a course eventually.  We are just too busy at the moment.

Steamed

Hi there Do I have to do a barista course before using an espresso machine?

If you go by the number and quality of people letting loose in cafes each and every day of the week the answer would have to be a resounding NO!  ;D Seriously though, your new machine should have a manual. Have a read. You'd already be a step ahead of most 'baristas' out there!  

mattyj

is this a home setting, or are you running a cafe? If you're at home, you can learn enough from forums like this, www.coffeegeek.com, www.home-barista.com ... to make great espresso. I did. If you're running a cafe, I'd recommend doing a barista course, but I hear that you should be careful which course you do. And maybe your roaster should provide training. p.s. for the first few weeks of owning a machine, I was scared that the pressure would build up inside the machine too much, and it would blow up when I'd try to make a coffee.

FreshCoffee2

With regard to "damage". About the only couple of detrimental things you can do are to: a) run the water reservoir dry, thereby also running the vibrating solenoid pump dry. This can damage or destroy the pump but it doesn't do anything spectacular when it fails...it just quietly stops functioning, and b) in the case of a domestic *boiler* (rather than ^thermoblock^) machine, run it very low on water and burn out the element...again, nothing spectacular happens, there is simply a quiet failure to heat... So. I would be a little careful, and I would seek out some proper information on the use of the model you have purchased. A simple "barista" course geared to home machine ownership is a good way to go because you are being *shown* rather than just reading something that you dont quite understand yet but then again, if you buy from a coffee machine trader rather than a department store you will probably get this kind of service before you even leave the store with your new machine under your arm (we do this). A further note on doing a course, is that you might find it interesting and a great way to spend an evening or two, or a Sat afternoon...so it may well increase your level of satisfaction / experience from having purchased the machine & going into home espresso brewing. And dont forget that any questions that you could ask in overseas based coffee websites...you can ask here...spend a little time going back through the topics in each section of this site and you will find more than enough info to get you on your way.... Good luck with it, FC.

Reschsmooth

Another fantastic resource is 'Barista Techniques' written by John Doyle (aka Pinot). www.coffeetraining.com. Just a point on the issue of people working in cafe's - my fiance & I had lunch at a nice little restaurant in Crows Nest which had one of those counter style hot-air roasters. They also had one of those lever-tampers. I had reasonable expectations of the coffee, but was surely disappointed - I asked for a double ristretto macchiatto. It came out with an inch of bubbly froth, which I think had been scalded a painful death. Paying the bill inside, I spotted to half full jugs of milk, ready to be topped up with cold milk and reheated. Wouldn't it be easier for these people just to serve plunger coffee with a small jug of milk? P

Remus

your new machine should have a manual. Have a read. You'd already be a step ahead of most 'baristas' out there!

deanK

didn't the people you bought your machine from show you how to use it? ???

Unknown

what kind of machine did you buy?  I'm sure you'll get some tips with recommendations from this forum.  I'll certainly help out where I can.   I started out with a Breville Cafe Roma machine which retails for about $160 now.  Aside from running it dry (which I didn't ever do) I don't think there is anything you could do to hurt this thing.. I blocked it up experimenting with fine grinds many a times.   Most of the techniques that I have learned came from this very website.. there is a wealth of knowledge here is you are specific in what you ask. Good luck!!! Paulie 8)

cheeky

Thanks for your help.  I will try not letting the water run dry.   I bought a Gaggia Classic and a Lux.  The manual for the Gaggia is hideous.  The instructions are awful.  The English translation is difficult to understand.  There is a video online, I will see if that's any better. A few questions to those who have this machine.  What happens if you need more than one tank to make a few coffees?  Can you add water from the top while the machine is on?  How many cuppaccinos can you make with one tank?   Thanks.

BeanCounter

Thanks for your help.  I will try not letting the water run dry.   I bought a Gaggia Classic and a Lux.  The manual for the Gaggia is hideous.  The instructions are awful.  The English translation is difficult to understand.  There is a video online, I will see if that's any better. A few questions to those who have this machine.  What happens if you need more than one tank to make a few coffees?  Can you add water from the top while the machine is on?  How many cuppaccinos can you make with one tank?   Thanks.

Cheeky, I had a Gaggia Baby and so the answers should be similar: You can refill the tank while the machine is on. How many cappuccinos from a tank? Depends how much water you flush between shots to give the showerscreen a bit of a wash. If memory serves correctly, I'd use the machine to make a couple of cappa-style drinks each day and I'd usually refill the tank every few days. More importantly is the necessity to empty the drip tray often since it doesn't hold much. Regards, Gary

cheeky

Thanks for your help.  I will try not letting the water run dry.   I bought a Gaggia Classic and a Lux.  The manual for the Gaggia is hideous.  The instructions are awful.  The English translation is difficult to understand.  There is a video online, I will see if that's any better. A few questions to those who have this machine.  What happens if you need more than one tank to make a few coffees?  Can you add water from the top while the machine is on?  How many cuppaccinos can you make with one tank?   Thanks.

Remus

no prob with adding water when machine is on. i would be very surprised if you ran out of water in one session. thats alot of coffees your making in one go assuming the tank was full to start. how many coffees you get out of a tank depends on what sort your making, (caps/ espresso/ short/ long etc), time of flushes after cupping etc. would be impossible to judge. you're better off just building a refill into your coffee-making routine. fill your milk jug with water first and add water beofre you do anything. that way you know that you will neer run out of water. not sure what the safety features are in your machine but running the pump dry is generally a BAD thing.

dan480

Hi guys What machine have you bought? I am very keen to help..let me know. I am in Melbourne. Daniel [email protected]