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Measuring dose by weight vs volume for brewing (not espresso)?

Postby slowhand on Mon Mar 15, 2010 5:43 pm

Is it better to weigh my brewing dose or measure by volume (scoops)? I've been weighing my coffee to brew and noticed a big difference in volume depending on how light or dark I roast.

Which is the best way and why? I know for espresso it's better to weigh (discussion) but most espresso roasts are at roughly the same level. My coffees for brewing range from City to Full City+ depending on bean. I use a Technivorm if it matters.
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Postby another_jim on Mon Mar 15, 2010 7:05 pm

Golden cup (SCAA) specifications are by weight, as are those of the European coffee bodies. If you ever bake, you'll quickly learn how foolish it is to use volume measures on powders (flours, sugars, etc), since it simply isn't consistent. I think coffee will have the same loose and tight packing problems.
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Postby JmanEspresso on Mon Mar 15, 2010 7:28 pm

I like to weigh everything, be it espresso, or brewed coffee. For Christmas, I got a 2000gram scale, that reads 0.1gram, which is quite nice to have for roasting, and brewing needs.

Weigh the ground coffee, weigh the water. Same cup, every time.
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Postby slowhand on Mon Mar 15, 2010 8:56 pm

Thanks guys, that's what I figured. Just wondered 'cause the chart I saw gave coffee to water ratios in both weight and by tablespoons, and the Techivorm manual says by scoop, which they provide.
Jman, I also have a .01 to 2000g. scale that I've been using for coffee. Love it.
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Postby ronpistolero on Tue Mar 16, 2010 1:25 am

Along this light, I am a beginner when it comes to roasting. Given the same volume, lighter roasts tend to become heavier than darker roasts. I was surprised that with the light and darker roasts, there's a 3 gram difference to fill the portafilter (15.5 to almost 19 grams) for a double shot. So, may I ask what sort of roasts you guys are doing when you "upload" to 16 grams for a double shot?

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Postby sweaner on Tue Mar 16, 2010 6:53 pm

For regular drip coffee (Clever Dripper) I use volume, as I don't think accuracy is that critical.
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Man does not live by coffee alone...we need beer too.
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