Coffee snobs

Interesting. Timing my pull is how I avoided having kids from when I was 18 to 36ish

 

How'd that work for you? I was undefeated

 

Still kidless #blessed

 

I inherited a few unruly step-kids, but all are older. #DinkLife

 

Big jump in grind size, still chocked. 18/36 1’15”, some progress

edit: 18/36 45” after another big jump, baby steps

 

Think I nailed this on espresso and the Stagg XF today. Confirming this is one of if not the favorite coffee I’ve ever had.

18:40 in about 20 sec with espresso

20g 1:16 with the Stagg. 30sec 1:2 bloom, then just filled the rest in one pour for a slow drain. The time reset on the acaia but I think it was about 3min total. Think I’ve got the grind size dialed in better on the Stagg.

 

Help please.

I travel with a V60 and small personal grinder, best tasting and not a lot of gear. Read that the No. 2 filters are the best to use.

Two issues:

1. Is there any way to speed up the process or am I just an impatient MFer? It's frustrating taking like 5-10 minutes to make one cup every time. I'm usually a 2-3 cup/morning type of person
2. Probably like 20-30% of the time, after the coffee is in and I'm doing the pour-over, the bottom of the filter collapses and all the grounds spill into the cup, ruining everything. Sometimes it's from me being impatient and pouring too fast, but not all the time -- like just now it collapsed for seemingly no reason. Is it the filters? Something with the pour?

 

Are you traveling with a kettle? If so, have you considered switching to a higher capacity system to cut the time down by half or 33%? I'd imagine you could have a packing system where the grinder fits in a french press or something and the size difference is immaterial.

Gotta say, I've been using a v60 for s decade and that's never happened to me. Having a hard time visualizing that one.

 

1) Meaning it’s taking 5-10 minutes brew time or start of process to cup?
2) these hario filters? I’ve never had one fall apart on me. Typically a size 02 v60 makes 2 cup, guess you could try a 03.

 

I do not travel with a kettle, just use whatever is in the Airbnb. Usually a basic electric one.

The bottom just drops out and the water/grounds/everything spills right into the cup. Incredibly frustrating.

This might be the culprit. I'm using cheap French-Canadian filters:

Spoiler

 

Are those flat bottom?

 

Negative

 

I'd say get better filters. If you're in Canada, Rogur wave coffee has a ton of options. Look Aramse / Pocketcoffeescience's spoon trick to break the kettle stream if you don't have a gooseneck. I has a list of filter ratings by drawdown somewhere. I'll try find it if I can but the rogue wave guys are pretty helpful.

Does your grinder generate a lot of fines?

Try out Cafec abacas or origami (made by cafec) - they're faster than regular v60 Hario filters.

 

I’ve never had an issue with the Hario brand filters… They’re like $10 for 100 or $15 for 200 on Amazon

bleached>>>natural

 

A drawback of the Stagg XF is that the filters are kind of pricey. Haven’t looked Into alternatives. Really like it though, so ordering some more.

 

Blind luck but it fits perfectly on top of my kettle to preheat while the kettle heats.

 

Hot damn.. probably my top 2 bag this year if not one of the top coffees ever.

Just like drinking a pineapple rum punch with just enough raisin sweetness following through.

 

Some good looking glassware

 

Anyone gone to a cupping event at a roaster?

Little waves does them for free once a month. I have been meaning to go to one but i keep forgetting to sign up before they’re full.

 

A roaster near me has started doing them again for the first time since covid. I’m interested. They do a number of different classes, but the cupping one seems like the only one where you get your money’s worth ($20 but you get a free bag).

 

That one seems like a no brainer. You get to spit in little cups and get beans to boot? Awesome

 

Kinto glassware I picked up from a random Amazon JP sale for 30 total for two cups and the decanter

 

After 2-3 weeks of exclusive use, the Hario Switch has supplanted all other methods... I've always been partial to v60, but the flexibility to do immersion & hybrid methods is a complete game-changer. Cannot recommend it enough.

 

I think I like the 15g/250g 2 minute closed, then open recipe best provided I have time to make another cup. Love the simplicity and consistency, just need to work on getting a flatter bed

 

I started playing with this more. Even have done some 40g 1:16 brews for two cup output.

Bloom for 30 sec with it closed. Then open it.
Then I’ve been closing, filling to near capacity, then opening again until it drains to near the bed.
Repeat until I’ve added the volume I want.

Not sure what you would call the method but it’s worked pretty good for me, and fun to mess with.

Even when my grind has been too fine, pushing the total brew time to well over 5:00, I haven’t found them over extracted.

 

I’ve mostly stuck to a 1:16 ratio, but limited myself to single pours… maxing out at 400ml

I’ve been happiest with variants of this:
205 degrees, medium grind 14-16 on v+
Start Open
Pour 50ml, swirl 2-3 times & wait 10 seconds
Pour to 1/2 remaining output
At 60 seconds, close the Switch
Add remaining water
3 minutes - open the switch

 

Fuck it. I’m in. Do y’all have the 02 or 03 size?

 

02, holds ~15/250g closed

 

02 hold less than the standard v60 02... I would go with the 03, if I was purchasing again

 

as I mention here I’m set with the Switch, the wife just gifted me a StaggX

 

I think it’s different for the X, but the XF is definitely more just mindlessly pouring in the right volume and letting it drain. Nice when it works but not too much room to adjust besides grind size. Not sure timing the pours does a whole lot.

If I would have had the switch first, I probably wouldn’t have bought the XF.

Have the 02. I’m making a 40g in workflow work, but would have gotten the 03 in hindsight to brew for two.

 

Hmm yeah think I’ll go with the 03.

 

Yeah, doubtful I would have bought it for myself either now that I have the Switch... but it was a gift, I don't have a flat-bottomed method. I'll tinker.

Based on research, the X seemed superior to the XF aside from capacity. I want to tinker... XF came across to be "set it & forget it," which you seem to be supporting

 

think we all just went with the 02 because it was marked down ridiculously

 

These are awful and you will ruin every other morning or so as long as you continue to use them.

Even if you double up, go extremely slow, etc they will just rip.

 

I know we're all snobs in here, but do we have any recommendations for super automatic espresso machines? I finally broke down my 60 year old dad this year and got him to try coffee. He enjoys espresso based drinks (lattes mostly). My mom called saying she wants to get him a machine for christmas.

Guess I'd be looking at a Gaggia, DeLonghi, Phillips, or along those lines? Probably would need to have an automatic frother. Anyone have any experience in this arena?

 

Are you using the Stagg filters, or something else? Seems like most reviews / commentary have people using the Kalita 185 filters with the X… unsure if it’s merely because they are cheaper, or thinner & allow more control, so grabbed a pack to compare.

 

Stagg ones.

I don’t think there is a solution quite like that for the XF. Kalita 185s will fit but the capacity will be reduced to that of the X. I think it’s mostly a cost thing, but obviously Fellow argues their filters are better/designed for their brewer.

 

Time will tell. It seems to create a really clean & consistent cup. Similar to the Chemex. Really easy to dial in, and the heat retention is remarkable.

Probably the best option I own, for the wife. If I worked in an office, I’d strongly consider it, due to its ease/utility

 

I do like the XF and it’s easy to use. My Mrs has not tried it like we had thought. She’s more than happy for me to make whatever I’m making and just use her nespresso when I don’t.

I’ll still use the XF some, but an enamored with the switch right now and trying different things with it. Will probably travel with XF and a cheap non-goose neck kettle I have.

 

Switch fits really good on top of my kettle too. When done like this with the kettle lid inside the switch, the whole thing is preheated nicely to start.

 

Interesting, one of the things I like about the switch is how easy it is to preheat unlike my v60 that I do park on top of my kettle. I just wet the filter with brew water and the valve closed.

 

I think if the glass isn’t heated, it will absorb a lot of heat from your water. The way I do it, the whole thing is really warm to the touch when I do the first pour. And it doesn’t really add much heat time to the kettle. Quick filter wetting and I’m ready.

 

And when I’m stretching the capacity for 40g in, I don’t really have a whole lot of water to use on the preheating part with my kettle.

 

Yeah that’s a good point. Also debating getting some more 3rd wave water which you wouldn’t want to waste on preheating

 

This is what I do

 

I’m gonna probe it before I drain tomorrow to see what the temp is

 

Oh, I bet you will

 

Ordered all of the current Botz offerings including a reorder of Las Perlitas.

 

I will probably get killed for saying this in this thread, but I love my Nespresso. I have a DeLonghi Vertuo plus at home and my office. Absolutely love it.