Newbie Help (Gaggia classic)

[handysteel]

Hi all,
Im new to home coffee brewing and this great site. I have just purchased a Gaggia classic and grinder (First Machine). I have been playing around the last four days with the grind and tamper and producing a shot that takes about 30sec for a double 50 to 60ml, The shot looks good to me with about 7 to 10mm gold colour crema (Looks good to a newbie).

However the shot has a slight burnt smell, and the puck looks dark brown around the edges and also has a burnt smell.
I am letting out around 80 to 100ml before the shot to try and reduce the temp, as i have read on this forum. But is does not seem to make much difference.

I have also read that the over pressure valve on the gaggia could need adjusting, Could to high a pressure produce the burning smell? And does any one know how to adjust the pressure? Any help would be very much appreciated.

REGARDS:
Handysteel

[HB]

What grinder are you using? Also read over Diagnostics and Adjustments in Jim's Home Barista's Guide to Espresso. What you describe sounds like a temperature issue, but overextraction or uneven grind can produce similar flavor defects.

[handysteel]

Hi HB
I have a gaggia mdf grinder so i hope it's not an uneven grind i have it set on a grind setting of 6. this seems to produce a reasonable pour time. As i am not only new to home brewing i am new to drinking coffee period (late starter 44y), so i have plenty to learn.

I have picked up plenty from this site the last four days, it's getting better each day. But i can not get away from the burnt smell, could it be that it's normal and that it's just my lack of experience with coffee odours and flavours? Is it normal to have dark edges on the puck? Is it maybe over pressure?

WOW i have a step learning curve here LOL.... i hope i can keep up with it!

What i am sure of is that with plenty of help from more experienced brewers and plenty of patience i will one day pull a reasonable good shot........Well lets hope anyway.

Regards:
Handysteel

[handysteel]

Sorry HB,
One other thing could it be the coffee roast type? Im using a style recommended by a local roaster, was told it was their standard espresso blend (Strong to mild blend).

Being a new coffee drinker could the blend be a little to strong for me. Could this be the burnt tast im talking about? Maybe i should try using a more mild blend.

REGARDS:
Handysteel.

[HB]

A dark crema ring generally means the temperature is too high, or it's overextracted. You may wish to try one of the recommended blends in the Coffees forum, e.g., the thread Good coffees I've had recently. It's much easier to diagnose problems by comparing notes against a "known" blend. The Resources page lists the HB sponsors under Commerce. Be sure to check the banner ads as several of them offer HB member discounts.

[luca]

Unfortunately, those links list US roasters, so they won't be particularly useful!

If you want to try some lighter roast blends, Coffee Supreme are the last roasters who you will ever get a burnt taste from. Haven't had any of their blends at home, though. If you have some time, a trip to St Ali is certainly worth it - Mark and the gang will be able to recommend a blend or a single origin for you. The house blend is well worth trying, as it has had so damned much work put into it, but you might also like to try your hand at a single origin coffee like a PNG Kimel or any of the gazillion that they have on offer. Veneziano's Primo Estate and Concordia blends are my favourites from them (particularly with the new formula for Concordia), but Bella Vita is probably the lightest in flavour and roast level of the lot. If you buy any of these coffees and they taste burnt, you can be confident that it is your machine or technique.

Hope that helps,

Luca

[HB]

Thanks Luca for correcting my oversight.

[handysteel]

Thank's Luca,
Your advice has given me somewhere to go. I have checked out the sites and will try a couple of different blends. With out great information sites like these where would wanabes like me go.......

Kind Regards
Handysteel.