Mirror extraction

#1: Post by **NeedBeans** » April 3rd, 2011, 8:54 pm

I can't believe it took me ~8 years to find this site...but I'm really glad I did. I often followed alt.c back in the early 2000s then I got busy and it, as you know, fell apart. I've been pleased with my setup but recently was curious to read what the latest buzz was. That's how I found home-barista. There are some really good conversations here!

I'm certainly no expert but I like to believe I've gotten quite good at making espresso. (My weak point is clearly access to freshly roasted coffee; yes, I know I should home roast

) I'm always looking to improve so in addition to finding home-barista, I also found that a lot of folks are posting their extractions on youtube. I was fascinated and spent way too much time watching.

This brings me to the purpose of this post: After watching videos of extractions I had the idea to borrow my daughter's hand mirror and propped it up so that I could watch the pour while standing straight up. The mirror rests on one fork of the grinder and leans against the bottom of the drip tray (at roughly a 30 degree angle). I know I'm not the first to use a mirror to watch an extraction (in fact, to my surprise I found an espresso supplier selling mirrors to do just that) but if you haven't tried it give it a whirl. It's much more comfortable and I swear that I can just see the pour better. I can't say if it will result in better shots but it certainly has upped my enjoyment of the process.

[One odd recent observation was that just past the halfway point of locking in the portafilter handle, the filter basket stops rotating. That makes sense but I never realized this was what happens.]

#2: Post by **drgary** » April 6th, 2011, 12:35 am

Paul,

I just love little technical tips like this one on ergonomics. It will probably save a trip to the chiropractor.

Thank you for posting!

April 6th, 2011, 12:56 am

web cam and watch on the big screen..

Best when using a Nakid

#4: Post by **cpreston** » April 6th, 2011, 9:57 am

I mounted one of those stainless shot mirrors from Espressoparts on my Bezzera. Had to shorten it with a hacksaw first, but it works well and looks like the machine came with it.

#5: Post by **sweaner** » April 6th, 2011, 8:16 pm

I have one of those little blind spot mirrors they sell in the auto parts store, just sitting on the drip tray.

April 9th, 2011, 6:39 am

I knew others had to be doing this!

cpreston wrote:I mounted one of those stainless shot mirrors from Espressoparts on my Bezzera. Had to shorten it with a hacksaw first, but it works well and looks like the machine came with it.

How did you mount it? Can it rest in place without mounting?

sweaner wrote:I have one of those little blind spot mirrors they sell in the auto parts store, just sitting on the drip tray.

I like this approach because the perspective is probably better than my approach. Being a blind spot mirror, does it distort the image?

#7: Post by **sweaner** » April 9th, 2011, 8:32 am

The mirror is slightly convex, and the image is "closer than it appears."

#8: Post by **cpreston** » April 9th, 2011, 10:28 am

How did you mount it? Can it rest in place without mounting?

The mirror comes with industrial doublesided foam tape. It does not want to come off.

#9: Post by **denniskeating** » April 12th, 2011, 1:33 pm

i used a 5" round mirror to view the p/f and found the other side of the mirror was magnified and consequently improved my view . it helps with "old persons eyesight".

#10: Post by **nixter** » April 12th, 2011, 1:55 pm

I've been wanting to do this for a while. I have erics' adapter and I can't keep an eye on it if I'm crouched down.