New Vetrano....also..... Tamping, one spout or two

[Fr. John]

OK, first we took receipt of our new Vetrano yesterday. Whoa! Unfortunately I'm waiting on a 58mm tamper so I had pull a couple shots today with a 53 ala Italian style. OK but not great. The machine however is such an improvement over a single boiler I know I will love using it. Plumbed is also really nice. The softener/carbon treatment we bought from Chris is quite nice. I was on the fence concerning cartridges vs. salt softeners but am happy I went with the cartridge system, it takes up much less room and will be easier to deal with for an under sink application. The John Guest fittings are pretty darn nice too.

On to my question. Coming from the SL70 with its integrated PF spouts, I am wondering what most people are doing re: one spout or two spout PFs? I used the one spout this morning and found it very hard to get a good tamp while trying to balance it on one spout. Is everyone using the 2 spout for this reason?

Obviously a bottomless PF solves all this, and I will probably go that route once I know the machine better. I suppose, after I'm sure about it, that I could sacrifice the single spout to milling and make it bottomless!

[Nickel]

I also have a Vetrano and I am loving this machine. I have taken the spring out of the single spout and I just fill and tamp the filter basket and then place into the single spout and pull my shot. Works well and allows me to flush while loading and tamping into a dry filter basket.

Nick

[Fr. John]

I also have a Vetrano and I am loving this machine. I have taken the spring out of the single spout and I just fill and tamp the filter basket and then place into the single spout and pull my shot. Works well and allows me to flush while loading and tamping into a dry filter basket.

Nick

I used to do the exact same thing with the Solis, but I did it to save time while building several drinks (4-8). I think it would have the opposite effect with this machine i.e it would more than likely slow me down, one of the hurdles I am looking to cross with the Vetrano. Plus, I'd have to buy a bunch of extra filter baskets.

[cannonfodder]

You can also get a short piece of PVC pipe to set the portafilter into for use with the single spout. You can also unscrew the spout and let the shot pull straight down through the portafilter hole.

[HB]

Coming from the SL70 with its integrated PF spouts, I am wondering what most people are doing re: one spout or two spout PFs? I used the one spout this morning and found it very hard to get a good tamp while trying to balance it on one spout.

I put a blind basket in the single spout portafilter and reserve it for wiggle rinses / backflushing. I use the double spout / bottomless portafilter for espresso.

[miKe mcKoffee]

I put a blind basket in the single spout portafilter and reserve it for wiggle rinses / backflushing. I use the double spout / bottomless portafilter for espresso.

I do the exact opposite! Double spout permanent home for blank, usually using single spout for doubles. Since I never pulled into to demi's didn't make sense to use the double spout. It did take some technique change since you can't realiably tamp rest on the tip of the single spout. I rest the bottom of the spout on the sink for tamping, not the spout end but right at the bend with the spout itself hanging over the sink. Suppose some kind of cut out would work fine too, but the sink is right there so haven't bothered. I also use the sink edge for a couple light vertical taps knocking down any initial grinds up the basket wall after initial light tamp. FWIW this is with a Rancilio Pro single spout PF. BTW, good luck getting the spout off a Rancilio Pro PF! I've tried on 3 and failed, even using a vice and rubber mallet. Maybe I was too gentle but I don't think so. Called 1st-Line and their tech said he thought it could be removed, then he tried and couldn't either. Figure they're either tack welded on or torqued with a zillion pounds!

[miKe mcKoffee]

OK, first we took receipt of our new Vetrano yesterday.

Congrats on your new Vetrano BTW

[Fr. John]

Congrats on your new Vetrano BTW

Thanks very much.

I finally got the spouts off one of the PFs, it did feel like it was spot welded. I decided to try it while it was hot and had been in the machine for a few hours. The spouts must have expanded more than the PF itself because the heat loosened everything. Now to get a hole saw and cut away. Then I'll bust off the handle and turn a custom one.

[miKe mcKoffee]

You may find you want three PFs in the future. Once the novelty of pulling shots naked wore off I've reverted to using the single spout for day in day out doubles. I now seldom go naked unless in the mood for triple a ristretto (especially wee 1oz triple) or checking my double technique. (or someone over and showing off of course ) So one PF for blank, one for "production" double use, and naked for triples, double shot technique check and fun.

[Fr. John]

Actually it's funny you say that as we were just having that discussion and I was leaning towards not going bottomless after all. As you indicated, it is largely a novelty, not something I'm terribly interested in. I certainly haven't read of it's overwhelming virtues. So I guess I'm on the fence.

[miKe mcKoffee]

Actually it's funny you say that as we were just having that discussion and I was leaning towards not going bottomless after all. As you indicated, it is largely a novelty, not something I'm terribly interested in. I certainly haven't read of it's overwhelming virtues. So I guess I'm on the fence.

Actually I highly recommend a naked PF if for no other reason checking PF build technique. Plus you'll need one if/when you buy/borrow a Thermofilter to really dial in your Vetrano HX surf shot temps. I was lucky to have a friend who bought one before I did, so I didn't and just borrow his now and then to check my flush and go surf temp technique!

[cannonfodder]

I would encourage you to go bottomless. It is a wonderful learning/teaching aid. I still switch back and forth, but a new blend or change on the machine gets the bottomless, that way I can see what is going on.

[Fr. John]

You've both convinced me. I'll sacrifice one of mine to go bottomless. I could buy one, but it seems unnecessary, expensive and less fun.

[miKe mcKoffee]

You've both convinced me. I'll ... go bottomless.

Usually I prefer naked not just bottomless, though there's a time and place for everything!

[jason_casale]

The trick is get a small pvc connector from home depot cost ya a buck I think stick the portafilter in that it rest perfectly in there then you can tamp with the needed pressure works well picked that up from alt.coffee back in the old school days when I had my first machine Silvia. I'm not old I have just been around for a while. Bottomless is cool too. I cut the bottom of my La marzocco portafilter with a keyhole saw from home depot and a drill. Had some one hold the portafilter for me while I drilled. Used a dremel tool to buff and polish on the sharp edges and make it look shiny and clean. Nothing like some self fabrication to make your day.