Search found 23 matches

by djmarc1200
January 25th, 2010, 12:45 pm
Forum: Cafes and Get-togethers
Replies: 2
Views: 723

Buzz: Killer Espresso - new Chicago shop

FYI - there is a new coffee shop in Chicago. 1644 North Damen Ave (between Concord Pl & Wabansia Ave) They are using MadCap beans from Grand Rapids, MI as their 'house beans' and will be offering guest beans from some of the top roasters in the country. Already, they have had Intelligentsia and Metr...
by djmarc1200
October 19th, 2009, 10:16 pm
Forum: Espresso Machines
Replies: 19
Views: 9451

Rancilio Silvia - pulling fast then slow

Well it looks like the machine is fixed and working properly again. I re-assembled the opv without using the 2 small washers and that did the trick. Flow rate is back to around 250ml / min. and my test shots appear to be acting 'normal' again for the given dose and grind. Thanks for the responses here
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by djmarc1200
October 17th, 2009, 2:37 am
Forum: Espresso Machines
Replies: 19
Views: 9451

Rancilio Silvia - pulling fast then slow

Eric - thanks for the info. Here is a picture of the parts in the order I've been assembling them. The 2 metal washers are on the end that goes into the OPV housing? On top of the rubber pad? It looks like maybe some of the rubber pad is gone. Could that be the
by djmarc1200
October 16th, 2009, 11:07 pm
Forum: Espresso Machines
Replies: 19
Views: 9451

Rancilio Silvia - pulling fast then slow

Thanks for your help so far guys. I got the opv removed and cleaned, but there is still a small problem after re-installing. I am getting steam/water coming back through the overflow tube once the boiler nears temp. I think the problem is lack of a proper seal somewhere inside the opv? One parts dia...
by djmarc1200
October 7th, 2009, 11:16 pm
Forum: Espresso Machines
Replies: 19
Views: 9451

Rancilio Silvia - pulling fast then slow

Thanks Peppersass - I came across the following method as an easy way to approximate pressure and flow rate: "Place a blind filter into the group handle, lift the water return hose from the tank so it will empty into a calibrated container. Turn on the brew switch and time, say, for 20 seconds, noti...
by djmarc1200
October 5th, 2009, 6:38 pm
Forum: Espresso Machines
Replies: 19
Views: 9451

Rancilio Silvia - pulling fast then slow

Clean screen, routinely backflushed. Everything has been fine for 4.5 years and all of a sudden this change happens seemingly without anything else changing
by djmarc1200
October 5th, 2009, 5:49 pm
Forum: Espresso Machines
Replies: 19
Views: 9451

Rancilio Silvia - pulling fast then slow

Something strange has been going on with Silvia for a few days now. The shots are starting out faster than expected for the given grind setting/dose and then getting slow after approx. 10 seconds, yielding a very short volume shot compared to what I've always gotten using similar grind/dose. Initial...
by djmarc1200
June 27th, 2009, 1:12 pm
Forum: Coffee Brewing
Replies: 12
Views: 5718

Suggestions for iced coffee recipe?

Many people recommend brewing a stronger concentration directly over ice to capture the freshness of the brew. In the 6/19 Terrior Coffee Newsletter email, George Howell gives brewing instructions using a Technivorm with the following proportions: Coffee 102 g Water 25 fl oz Ice 480 g Brew directly ...
by djmarc1200
May 15th, 2009, 9:00 pm
Forum: Coffees
Replies: 21
Views: 1932

Coffee Metropolis's Redline

Just wondering if anyone has tried any Redline in the last week or two. My current bag has a distinct 'dark roast' component that I never experienced with Redline before...very strong in the finish. It's also lacking alot of the fruit & sweetness that I am used to. Anyone have any recent tasting not...
by djmarc1200
March 8th, 2009, 2:01 pm
Forum: Cafes and Get-togethers
Replies: 10
Views: 583

2009 US Barista Championship Finals - Sunday

I think there was some discussion in the USBC chat room about Kaldi's having been around for a while, and the fact that they have become more focused on the roasting/barista scene in recent years. They had 3 of the 6 finalists in the Midwest Region