What temperature measurement equipment to use?

[mrosco]

I'm attempting to eliminate/reduce some of the controllable variables when making espresso and wanted to know what most of you use to measure shot temp's. I currently have a frothing thermometer as well as a digital cooking thermometer and both give relatively close readings on a shot of espresso. That being said they both seem to have serious drawbacks. The frothing thermometer doesn't have finite enough readings to get within 1,2 or 3 degree variance and the digital thermometer, although more precise, is meant to be fully inserted into a slab of meat and with 2 inches of the probe exposed I'm not sure it's completely accurate. So that leads to my question what tool should I use to measure the temp from beginning to end?

Along those same lines I'm contemplating purchasing a espro clicker tamper. I understand you can use a home scale but my current scale is digital and I'm not crazy about the idea of storing a home scale in the cabinet above my counter. Is there something better out there or is the espro just as good as anything else?

One last question if you will, is it worthwhile to purchase a pf pressure gauge? I have a new bric that's set to just under 1 bar (I understand that doesn't necessarily translate into brew pressure) but I'm not postive I'm brewing at the right pressure. It seems to me that even with all of my mistakes I'm getting relatively close to 2 oz in 25-30 seconds, not perfect but close.

Being that I'm on a limited budget since I recently made the big plunge I'm looking for what can help improve my espresso/technique and overall well being within a reasonable price.


Any opinions or advice would be appreciated as always! And yes Dan I am practicing as much as possible, my expenditures for coffee in the last month can attest to that!!!


Michael

[cappadoc]

Michael,
I have a La Spaz, so I haven't worried about temp, but I made my own pressure gauge for ~$15. I got a 3/8" NPT (female) to 1/4" hose barb fitting to attach to the portafilter, then 6" of 1/4" nylon hose, then a 1/4" hose barb to 1/4" NPT (female) fitting and attached this to a high pressure gauge for air compressors. All at Lowe's and it took maybe 10 minutes tops. Be sure to use teflon tape on all threads. Works like a charm, and I'm at 8.75-9 bars with no flow. Copper tubing may be better than nylon, but it is difficult to work with without crushing.

Jeff

[RapidCoffee]

I rigged up something very similar a few weeks ago (see my CG post here). You can attach the gauge directly to the PF if you don't mind reading it upside down. I checked the PF pressure gauge against the built-in pressure gauge on my Vetrano and (somewhat surprisingly) got the same 9 bar reading. (IIRC others have suggested going up to 1 bar higher on the PF gauge.)

[miKe mcKoffee]

I'm attempting to eliminate/reduce some of the controllable variables when making espresso and wanted to know what most of you use to measure shot temp's. I currently have a frothing thermometer as well as a digital cooking thermometer and both give relatively close readings on a shot of espresso. That being said they both seem to have serious drawbacks. The frothing thermometer doesn't have finite enough readings to get within 1,2 or 3 degree variance and the digital thermometer, although more precise, is meant to be fully inserted into a slab of meat and with 2 inches of the probe exposed I'm not sure it's completely accurate. So that leads to my question what tool should I use to measure the temp from beginning to end?

Thermofilter probably about the best tool for dialing in shot temps. Though can't monitor actual temp during an actual shot.

Along those same lines I'm contemplating purchasing a espro clicker tamper. I understand you can use a home scale but my current scale is digital and I'm not crazy about the idea of storing a home scale in the cabinet above my counter. Is there something better out there or is the espro just as good as anything else?

IMO a piece of junk. One of the Gatherings of home roasters espresso f(r)iends at my a friend was having all kinds of channeling problems on his Silvia. He was using one of the clicker tampers. He borrowed someones 'normal' tamper and had much better luck. (RB or Thor Hammer I forget which) Just use the bathroom scale to initially get the 'feel' for what 30 pound tamp is like. No need to use it on a regular basis. I used one a couple days almost 5 years ago and have only got it out to check once since then.

One last question if you will, is it worthwhile to purchase a pf pressure gauge? I have a new bric that's set to just under 1 bar (I understand that doesn't necessarily translate into brew pressure) but I'm not positive I'm brewing at the right pressure. It seems to me that even with all of my mistakes I'm getting relatively close to 2 oz in 25-30 seconds, not perfect but close.

that gauge on your Bric' is boiler pressure, not shot pressure. I just used a PF mounted gauge to check my Bric's shot pressure though will likely mod in the future and add actual shot pressure gauge. (using single combo gauge not punch a new hole)

Being that I'm on a limited budget since I recently made the big plunge I'm looking for what can help improve my espresso/technique and overall well being within a reasonable price.

What grinder are you using?!

[mrosco]

What grinder are you using?!

I bought the MACAP4 when I purchased my Bric from 1st-line for the low price of $319 (Bric not included). I thought about getting a stepless but based on the price I was getting and my inexperience in making espresso I figured it would be more than adequate!

Quote:
Along those same lines I'm contemplating purchasing a espro clicker tamper. I understand you can use a home scale but my current scale is digital and I'm not crazy about the idea of storing a home scale in the cabinet above my counter. Is there something better out there or is the espro just as good as anything else?

IMO a piece of junk. One of the Gatherings of home roasters espresso f(r)iends at my a friend was having all kinds of channeling problems on his Silvia. He was using one of the clicker tampers. He borrowed someones 'normal' tamper and had much better luck. (RB or Thor Hammer I forget which) Just use the bathroom scale to initially get the 'feel' for what 30 pound tamp is like. No need to use it on a regular basis. I used one a couple days almost 5 years ago and have only got it out to check once since then

I guess I'll spring the $15 for a home scale and with the money I'll save not buying the Espro I'll purchase a PF pressure gauge and thermofilter.

Thanks-Michael