Ok guys, I have been through almost 2 kilo of coffee beans with the new machine and have gotten to about this point. This is a consistent shot I am pulling. The taste is pretty consistent, metallic taste of new machine is gone. Seems that bitterness is about gone but have not quite figured out the range of flavors discussed in "HB's guide to Espresso". Crema is not as thick as some of the pics I have seen in the forums but is about 1/4" or more and last about 4 minutes. Next step is to try and work on blending available coffees...any suggestions from the pics?

Please forgive the very plain glass (I feel so...novish), but it gets the best photo.

Coffee in the PF looks pretty smooth and I do not notice any clear indication of channeling. Next photos will be of singles and I think they look better than the doubles.

Espresso info:

Bean: straight Ethiopian....10 days post roast.

Water: Total solids....110
Total hardness..45
PH.....7
Bottled

Brew head E61 water temp: 195F

Shot duration: 25 seconds.

In that glass it looks like the little taste of Guiness I gave my kids I'd drink it. What happens if you bring the temp up to 200? 203?

Regards
Timo

timo888 wrote:In that glass it looks like the little taste of Guiness I gave my kids I'd drink it. What happens if you bring the temp up to 200? 203?

Regards
Timo

Ya, it does look like a shot of Guiness. Have not tried to adjust the machine temp...only have had it about 3 weeks now. It takes about 3-4 emtpy draws to get it to 192...I may try an extra one or two to see if it can get the temp any higher.

What do you think a higher temp would do? Increase crema?

Pick335 wrote:It takes about 3-4 emtpy draws to get it to 192...I may try an extra one or two to see if it can get the temp any higher.

How long is the machine on before your first shot? The Vibiemme takes 52 minutes before the group temperature stops rising.

Pick335 wrote:What do you think a higher temp would do? Increase crema?

The color could become redder, and indicator of a better flavor balance. Web colors coupled with local ambient color temperature can be very misleading. That being said yours look light, an indicator of a too low brew temp.

cafeIKE wrote:The color could become redder, and indicator of a better flavor balance. Web colors coupled with local ambient color temperature can be very misleading. That being said yours look light, an indicator of a too low brew temp.

Hmmmmm...I don't know how long it takes the temp to stop rising, will have to time it. I normally start to draw when the temp gets to 195 by thermometor in blank shot glass.