Coffee: we drink it or we get angry.

Discussion in 'Food and Drink' started by Jeb, Jan 16, 2016.

  1. randytsuch

    randytsuch Friend

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    Its a known defect of hario hand grinders, at least the older ones. Mine has the same issue.

    I grinded a bean on my virt at work, and took a picture of the results, and there are fines in there so its not perfect.
    I took a pic but since I don't know how to post a pic here not much use sorry. If I can't upload I can't post pics at forums, old dog new tricks kind of thing.

    I used to have a hand grinder at work, and it made a lot of fines and dust, so would take too long to extract. To "fix" this, I made a sieve to sift out the fines and dust.
    Bought a screen from mcmaster and built a frame out of aluminum square hollow bars and assorted hardware. Worked great, although kind of a pain to have to sift the coffee every time I wanted a cup. So I was happy to get a virt and no longer use my sieve.

    Randy
     
  2. bixby

    bixby Friend

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    @randytsuch

    I like the sieve idea, what gauge type, pics please, haha.

    Okay here is the trick, start typing a reply here, then hit return. Then open file explore and click on the file of the pic and drag to the reply area. Magically you will see the word drop files here to upload. Let go of mouse and walla! Pic is in the reply.
     
  3. DigMe

    DigMe Friend

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    I believe I have an extra stabilizing lower bearing that you can use to modify a Hario Skerton for more even grind. I’ll look when I get back home from out of town but if someone wants it I’ll send it to you.
     
  4. DigMe

    DigMe Friend

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    BTW, I have a Vario modified with the Ditting stainless steel burrs. It does pretty good (though now as consistent as my Lido) but it is now having motor issues for the second time. The first time they sent me a replacement in which the plastic gear was upgraded to metal. We’ll see if they’ve got a solution for me this time.
     
  5. randytsuch

    randytsuch Friend

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    If I try to drag a picture here, it says "uploads are not available"

    Whenever I've tried to link pictures to my google drive at other forums, it's never worked so I gave up on that.
     
  6. bixby

    bixby Friend

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    not sure what the problem is but I have seen that message myself before. Keep randomly trying, I suppose. Sometimes tracker blockers, and extensions can mess things up. I had to kill lastpass on firefox for breaking some web pages.
     
  7. Mngnt

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    Picked this pair up about a year ago.

    Used daily for my commute Americano. Minimal startup time, inline heater puts out a perfect cup worth of hot water. Less than 2 minutes and a perfect cup every time.

    It might not be fancy (I was considering a Silvia before buying this), but the extra little features are what I love most about it.

    [​IMG]
     
  8. randytsuch

    randytsuch Friend

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    https://drive.google.com/open?id=1AXYw7zQkiQ4VKU37F34Fy7jypJiu5DuBOA

    Hopefully you can click and see the pic

    Best I can do

    I tried at work, and now at home with my macbook, won't let me upload pics.

    BTW, from mcmaster, I ordered this screen 9238T29, and this one 9238T42
    Slightly different hole size, and I don't remember which one I used.
    Don't remember how I picked the those sizes either

    These guys stole my idea lol
    https://prima-coffee.com/equipment/...Izvu-H5aj40e7SOH1ksz99RU9pSIbltQaApVyEALw_wcB
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
     
    Last edited: Nov 20, 2017
  9. bixby

    bixby Friend

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    yes, is this for pour over? grind is tiny
     
  10. randytsuch

    randytsuch Friend

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    Yes, for a clever coffee dripper. maybe I should try a larger size lol
     
  11. xLn

    xLn Acquaintance

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    I’ve had my handground for about a year now and it’s been great. I’m sure a lido3 is more precise, but this thing stays planted on the counter and is very easy to hold and grind with my carpaltunnel hands. It was the only hand grinded I’d used until flying to a friends place and using a hario, which was a lot more work. Maybe ditch the hario and pick up the handground. It’s half the price of some of the more serious grinders and is ergonomic.

    I picked up one of notneutrals coffee cups and it changed. my. life. 100% recommend. Everyone I know is getting one for xmas from me this year. I’m still daily driving the kalita wave, but may pick up notneutrals pour over solution since it also looks beautiful on their mug.
     
  12. randytsuch

    randytsuch Friend

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    https://drive.google.com/open?id=1-IhtKP28qEQrlFdSo7nL0hpTUbbK3VNwAQ

    https://drive.google.com/open?id=1SEfJ3WkYRN49Y05hR34Zo4PVnLYynkrgHA

    Pics of my sieve in the links above.
    I'm sure I bought all the hardware from HD, except the screen from mcmaster. Just washed it well before using it.

    The gap is intentional, the "good" coffee is fed through the gap into your coffee maker.
    After sifting the coffee, I would tilt it to get all the coffee to that end, and then feed the coffee through the gap into the pourover filter.

    Randy
     
  13. bixby

    bixby Friend

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    wow, that is heavy duty, nice work.
     
  14. randytsuch

    randytsuch Friend

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    Thanks.
    Not sure if you can see it, but there is also flat al pieces. The screen is clamped in place between the flat and the square pieces.
    And there are gaps if you look close, but it does the job.
    Probably just used a drill, and either a hack saw or jig saw to make it, and some time.
     
  15. DigMe

    DigMe Friend

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    Re: Vario grinder
    Looks like this time it was just stopped up with grounds all around the bottom of the lower burr and into the chute. This is probably user error. I’m guessing I may have trapped some coffee under the mating surface of the upper burr when replacing it. I cleaned it all up and it’s working well so far. Just wanted to update so as not to cast false accusations on what has been a solid grinder once they sent me the updated motor with metal gearing.
     
  16. Cryptowolf

    Cryptowolf Repping Chi Town - Friend

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    For what it's worth, I use a rocket blower to clean my grinders after each session. It takes only a few moments and the air cleans out the burrs really well.

    The rocket blowers come in various sizes, but I think even the largest costs less than $20.
     
  17. randytsuch

    randytsuch Friend

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    Wolf, is this the rocket blower?
    https://www.amazon.com/Giottos-AA1903-Rocket-Blaster-Large-Red/dp/B0013J0502

    Dig
    Is this the ditting burr set
    https://www.baratza.com/product/steel-burr-set/

    I have ceramic burrs for espresso, but haven't made espresso for a while, but still would like the option.

    As an aside, I think its pretty cool that Baratza is selling so many of the parts for a Vario, seems like I'll be able to repair it when it breaks.


    BTW, I tried my screen again today, for the first time in a long time. Left lots of fines/dust in the trash, but I was using the last bit of beans here at work, and it came out a little weak, so kind of hard to judge. I'm sure it was different, but not sure if it was just weaker, or if sifting made a difference.

    When I roasted, and I was really into it, I would "cup" to compare different roast levels and profiles to see what worked best. May try that if I'm motivated enough as its really hard to compare cups a day, or even an hour apart, unless there is a drastic difference. Kind of like listening to music lol

    Also, this thread has made me think about coffee more, and improved my daily cup. I get lazy at times, and just go by routine. Made me reevaluate my routines.
     
  18. DigMe

    DigMe Friend

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    Sifting will probably require you to grind finer.
    Yes, that’s the burrset. They don’t say Ditting but I believe its been confirmed that Ditting makes them (Malkoenig and Ditting are same parent company). Baratza has also made it VERY easy for users to access and replace parts in addition to making them available. Motor replacement was a cinch. I recommend the steel burrs if you’re mostly doing non-Espresso methods. You can still do Espresso.
     
  19. ultrabike

    ultrabike Measurbator - Admin

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    As a lover of all things value I tried the Mr Coffee 4-cup expresso/milk frother deal:

    https://www.amazon.com/Mr-Coffee-Espresso-System-Frother/dp/B000U6BSI2

    After using this machine for a few months I can say it is a piece of shit. Here are the problems:

    • The boiler is sealed by some sort of very smelly plastic whose odor does not seem to go away. I don't even know if this kind of plastic is a health hazard, but it messes up the coffee flavor big time.
    • The frother is weak. I think I read somewhere that this is not a 15 bar machine. I think it's only 3 bar. Which translates into a weak and noisy frother. I make good amounts of froth though. Just too noisy while it settles.
    • This thing splashes coffee all over as it pours it down. The hole at the bottom is too wide. In fact, the filter holes are too wide. This is probably a design decision given the lack of power the machine has to push water down the grounds. They probably were more afraid the machine would blow up so they made the holes bigger.
    By far the biggest problem is the coffee flavor that results from the plastic seal impregnating it's horrid smell into the final product.

    Stay away from this piece of shit.

    If you want a cheap expresso maker (not necessarily 15 bar, but doesn't make your coffee taste like shit) I would continue to recommend a combo like this:

    http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/30149839/

    For frother, microwave your milk and froth with this:

    https://www.amazon.com/MatchaDNA-Handheld-Electric-Frother-Silver/dp/B018TCWL8O (or something similar).

    There is some cool factor associated with using the steamer. But it seems one will need to spend more money for something decent.
     
  20. DigMe

    DigMe Friend

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    I coulda saved ya some time and money and just told you up front that it’s a piece of shit. :piratemug:
     

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