OK, how to deal with consecutive shots? Do you rinse/clean the PF and grouphead with a blank shot before each real pull? I assume this is necessary to clean out previous coffee oils and to heat up the PF again as well, yes? Does anyone have any tips on how to manage a "higher-than-normal" workflow when 8 - 12 people want an espresso? Rinsing and re-heating the PF seems to slow things down quite a bit, at least for me. Obviosuly, I am an amateur home user. Thanks for any tips.

Use either two PFs or two baskets with the spring clip removed from a single PF. Grind, and clean. then load, level, and tamp the next shot while pulling the current one. Know how long it takes to for the group to recover. Use no cooling flush, just a quick cleaning one. Make sure you get the last shot in the line. If it's good, give yourself a pat on the back.

Now ask a tough question: lots of people wanting milk drinks.

Jim, you got it. Getting milk drinks for more than two people is also a hopeless task for me. I even learned to microfoam correctly (pat on back). However, it is a real challenge to maintain both the microfoam and the crema, as either one disappears after sitting too long. I am thinking the only real solution is a second dedicated machine for steaming.

I use a two group machine. Is that cheating? What kind of machine are you on? Maybe I'll tradeja...

Well, I see that Versalab is making an individual steamer unit (no coffee brewing capability) for sometime later this year. If this is compact, efficient and affordable, I think this is just what I need......otherwise, it looks like the Brewtus II. I sure like the S1, but I need to be mobile.

SinkShot wrote:If this is compact, efficient and affordable, I think this is just what I need......

I have never seen the word "Versalab" and "affordable" used in the same sentence.

another_jim wrote:Use either two PFs or two baskets with the spring clip removed from a single PF. Grind, and clean. then load, level, and tamp the next shot while pulling the current one. Know how long it takes to for the group to recover. Use no cooling flush, just a quick cleaning one. Make sure you get the last shot in the line. If it's good, give yourself a pat on the back.

Now ask a tough question: lots of people wanting milk drinks.

Hi Jim! -- If you are a slowish shot builder, with say 4 minutes between consecutive milk-based drinks, is a quick cleaning flush still all that's needed? Or is a cooling flush recommended with that kind of shot pace? I ask because I go back and forth myself -- sometimes I just wiggle rinse, then build the shot, then pull, without a flush -- even if 4-5 minutes have gone by -- but then of course the shot seems hot. Alternatively, when I do a flush for consecutive shots, generally 2-4 ounces -- then the shot is kinda cool! I imagine there is a happy medium somewhere --

I absolutely flush & PF wiggle group after every shot and rinse PF with off boil water (from hot water on demand unit at sink by machine) after every shot, followed by drying PF/basket of course before next build. Never want residual grounds etc. in next shot! (I know, some people who even call themselves clean freaks say never rinse just wipe out PF basket between shots 'cuz water follows water, that's what the terry bar towel kept over my right shoulder during shot production is for IMO.)

Actual speed and shot building sequence entertaining will likely depend on machine. With the Bric' doesn't matter. This past Saturday had 15 people and 9 espresso machines hosting an End of Summer Espresso Jam. My Bric' and Alchemist's Gaggia Factory Lever probably pulled the most shots since they were setup in the kitchen and the rest of the machines setup outside on covered deck. Most consecutive cappuccinos orders I had was four. My biggest problem was only having two 12oz steaming pitchers having to quickly clean them out and refill with another 3oz milk since I refuse to compromise and steam for more than one cap at once. I start steaming right after starting the pull so production time wise no biggy.

After dinner made a full dozen back to back Panama Geisha Americanos to go with dessert. Actually made more than a dozen 'cuz a couple people came back for a second one (even after a full day of all kinds of shots, Americanos, caps etc from various machines various blends and SOs) Did take about 20 minutes non-stop Bric' work but didn't actually time it. (Bric' only needs ~35sec recovery time after post shot group flush and wiggle to have flash for next flush & go to pull next shot, that's with boiler set 1bar) So limiting factor is really my PF build speed, I never need to wait on the Bric'!)

OK, you got me on this one. What is a Panama Geisha Americano?

Yikes I could never build so many drinks at once -- I'd have to be hospitalized! Happily I am of the generation where everybody wants alcohol, all the time!

Yes I do know people who don't rinse their portafilters after a shot -- eeeeww! The result is blech.