Search found 37 matches

by Mininger
July 8th, 2016, 12:58 pm
Forum: Cafes and Get-togethers
Replies: 25
Views: 1033

Chicago HBer Meetup July 9

Haven't been to one of these in a while, but should be there tomorrow. Will probably bring a salad with green goddess dressing again, if we can get a hold of good enough basil. It seemed like people enjoyed that last time I brought it (many moons ago). (Joel, after some good years of service, the Br...
by Mininger
November 5th, 2013, 8:39 am
Forum: Tips and Techniques
Replies: 12
Views: 1601

Suddenly - 3 weeks of consistently bitter espresso

Thanks for this, bmb. I am trying some things with my water at the moment, as you can see on another reply, but I will definitely try this too, if the water changes don't yield any noticeable change. It is definitely worth a shot for diagnostics
Advertisement
by Mininger
November 5th, 2013, 8:37 am
Forum: Tips and Techniques
Replies: 12
Views: 1601

Suddenly - 3 weeks of consistently bitter espresso

Sherman, I was wondering about water supply too. After the last Chicago Area Get-Together, I bought a TDS meter b/c I was concerned over whether or not I was accumulating significant scale in my machine. For some time, I'd been using Crystal Geyser water, following another_jim's Insanely Long Water ...
by Mininger
November 2nd, 2013, 2:50 pm
Forum: Tips and Techniques
Replies: 12
Views: 1601

Suddenly - 3 weeks of consistently bitter espresso

OK, this is a helpful direction to pursue. Among other possibilities, should I also be concerned about the water temperature of my machine? If the PID is failing and the temp is consistently too high, would that likely produce bitterness too?
by Mininger
November 2nd, 2013, 1:38 pm
Forum: Tips and Techniques
Replies: 12
Views: 1601

Suddenly - 3 weeks of consistently bitter espresso

Randy G., your point is certainly well taken. Is there a way to test my current grinder to see if that is a problem? I don't have another grinder at my disposal at this point
by Mininger
November 2nd, 2013, 1:36 pm
Forum: Tips and Techniques
Replies: 12
Views: 1601

Suddenly - 3 weeks of consistently bitter espresso

Wow. Thanks for the heads up on those topics, tcaton. I don't have allergies, and I haven't changed the location where I am pulling shots. But it is interesting that you have been attentive to these larger, environmental factors. I will hope that whatever my problem is is somewhat easier to troubles...
by Mininger
November 2nd, 2013, 12:32 pm
Forum: Tips and Techniques
Replies: 12
Views: 1601

Suddenly - 3 weeks of consistently bitter espresso

Thank you for your suggestions. As it happens, I had just cleaned my machine (with Cafiza detergent) and my grinder (running rice through it), along with all the rinsing and re-adjusting the grinder that come along with those processes, shortly before I started experiencing these problems. In fact, ...
by Mininger
November 2nd, 2013, 10:55 am
Forum: Tips and Techniques
Replies: 12
Views: 1601

Suddenly - 3 weeks of consistently bitter espresso

For about 3 weeks, all the espresso I've been pulling at all different doses (15g-19.5g), shot weights (17g-30g), and ratios has been consistently dull and bitter, with very little of the sweet flavors that should appear in a given bean, and I haven't been able to diagnose the problem. At first I th...
by Mininger
August 25th, 2013, 9:39 pm
Forum: Cafes and Get-togethers
Replies: 40
Views: 3622

Chicago HB Get-Together 10: X Marks the Spot

Yes, I completely agree about the thanks. And I think it bears pointing out that another_Jim not only opened up his place but provided most of the equipment and all of the main entrees, as well as a side dish and some alcohol. Probably some other things I'm forgetting or didn't know about as well. A...
by Mininger
August 23rd, 2013, 10:25 pm
Forum: Cafes and Get-togethers
Replies: 40
Views: 3622

Chicago HB Get-Together 10: X Marks the Spot

It looks like the "Tucson" side of the equation could use some more representation. So I am going to bring some homemade salsa and a grilled corn salad with honey-lime dressing. I can't vouch for anything about Tucson itself, but these are at least in the vicinity of southwestern cuisine, broadly in...