Macchiato with a naked portafilter

[skyryders90]

It seems that more people than ever are using naked portafilters these days. I also notice that a great many people on here talk about enjoying macchiatos. So here's my question: are you adjusting down to pulling ristrettos for these drinks? If so, is that your normal pull, or are you adjusting for the macchiato and then back for cappas, etc? I love the naked, but miss the ability to split shots.

[another_jim]

I swap baskets and change the grind some; LM double for full shots, Faema for ristrettos or macchiatos. The amount of grinder adjustment is fairly constant, if you're not too finicky about the exact volume.

The alternative I see in good cafes (where such home-barista moves are impractical) is to use 50mL to 2 ounce cups for doubles and 75mL to 3 ounce cups for macchiattos.

There is a Parkinson's Law of espresso -- "shot making fills up whatever time you allot to it"

[HB]

The only time I split a double espresso is for late night drinks for those who are concerned about the caffeine. I have several slightly larger demitasses reserved for macchiatos. My favorites for guests are the Bodum glass demitasses; they hold 90ml to the tippy top and show off the slow separation of microfoam and liquid.

[skyryders90]

So it seems the general idea is to use a normal double, and just use a slightly bigger cup. I have the bodum cups, any other recommendations on 3oz cups?

[luca]

One thing that you might like to try is running an espresso, but cutting the shot off early. It's different!

[malachi]

I'm sorry... but I'm confused.
Why would making a macchiatto require that you pull your shot ristretto if using a naked portafilter?

If you are using a smaller than normal (3oz) demi, then you can just pull a single shot (the single basket works just as well/poorly in a naked portafilter as it does in a standard one).
If you are using a standard demi, then you just pull a traditional double and mark it with the milk.

If you're looking for 3oz demis, well... that is pretty much the standard size. ACF makes a ton of them as does Ancap and pretty much everyone for that matter. I really like the Intelligentsia Black Cat demis.

[skyryders90]

I'm sorry... but I'm confused.
Why would making a macchiatto require that you pull your shot ristretto if using a naked portafilter?

If you are using a smaller than normal (3oz) demi, then you can just pull a single shot (the single basket works just as well/poorly in a naked portafilter as it does in a standard one).
If you are using a standard demi, then you just pull a traditional double and mark it with the milk.

If you're looking for 3oz demis, well... that is pretty much the standard size. ACF makes a ton of them as does Ancap and pretty much everyone for that matter. I really like the Intelligentsia Black Cat demis.

I don't think anyone has used the word "require" - the question related to the inability to split shots with a naked.

As has been stated many times here by many people, the single basket is problematic, especially for people with mere-mortal barista skills (and for me, that's probably being generous). So, using a ~2.0 oz demi and pulling a 1.5 oz - 1.75 oz double I could do a really traditional macchiatto and just mark the surface with foam, you're right. If I'm looking for a "modern traditional" macchiatto, with roughly 1/2 microfoam and 1/2 espresso (erring on the side of more espresso than more milk), it means I need a roughly 1.0 oz shot. That's either a split double or a ristretto, if we rule out the problematic single basket.

Am I missing something here?

[malachi]

You have 2oz demis?
Are you sure they're not 3oz? 2oz demis are pretty rare in my experience.


For what it's worth... I've found that I get slightly more consistent results using the new LM Swift single basket that with a traditional single...

[skyryders90]

You have 2oz demis?
Are you sure they're not 3oz? 2oz demis are pretty rare in my experience.

Yeah. I have one set of Illy knockoffs that are actually ~2.5oz. My other 2 sets are 2 oz, but I could push them to 2.25 oz if I rely on surface tension to keep the liquid in. =)

For what it's worth... I've found that I get slightly more consistent results using the new LM Swift single basket that with a traditional single...

Never seen this one - how is it different than the trad. single basket?