This is brilliant!!

After getting back from uni today, I decided that I needed an arvo shot. The big lever was not turned on so Forge it was. I've had this steamer with me for a while, but I've never thought about using it as a kettle. Suddenly, the HB's post about steam preheat flashed through my mind. And it occured to me, maybe I can steam up the Forge using this?

Off I try and bingo! It fits perfectly. All it took was a bit more than a minute, and the Forge's top tube is hot to touch.

Removing that heated Forge from the steamer, and I put on the ring with coffee basket. Pulled a shot as per usual, and had a sip. THAT'S IT, I recognize that taste profile! That's the profile I'm getting from Brugnetti et al. There's no mistake, with this method, it does work and the Forge can achieve 90+C brew temp. I'm too excited at the discovery and thus am sharing it now. I probably should pull more shots before posting. But I'm sure and there's no mistake about it No need for Scace to tell that and I can bet my HB-hood on this(if there is such a thing)




There is a few implication of this though! First, it confirms that the Forge by default brews at lower temp. This doesn't mean the Forge in default mode is bad. It still makes great shots, but it is different(softer & smoother) from conventional shots. Secondly, if I want, I could heat it up to get high temp shots. But precise temp control is probably not that easy. Finally, the steamer I had is a treasure!

Too bad I cannot find that steamer anywhere , because it was discontinued.

Hi Tamas,

How are you? I find that the steamer is more easily found in Australia than other place. I will keep an eye for you.


Just a bit update to my previous post, I find that the steaming method works well for getting Forge up to temp. No filling of hot water is even required. But one odd thing I found was, similar to Peter, that a proper & significant seal is required in order to 'force' the steam up the tube. For some reason, water condensates at the shower screen forming a resistance to steam passing through. So the steam tends to escape from the gasket area rather than going up the tube, unless I press the Forge down against the steamer. Oh well, it's not as fool-proof solution as I'd expected, but it does its purpose to warm up the Forge.

Also, I tend to get darker crema using this method. I'll have to investigate further (there's only so much time and so much coffee I can drink a day).

Hi Sam,

Thanks for the answer. I've been very busy, hence I disappeared. It would nice if you could let me know when you see that steamer on the market. I won't invest in a commercial steamer and I've heard great things about yours. You can really practice latte art with that steamer.

I still have the Rossa and I've decided not to get the Forge. It might do real espresso, but I feel that the design can be improved and V2 proved this. I believe that there will be a v3 , v4 and so on.
The Rossa was developed considering one thing only: to achieve the parameters for real espresso (pressure, grind, temp...) and it does that perfectly in a portable way. There is no need to "improve" on the design, because it works and any change can jeopardize these parameters.

Tamas

What is the name of that steamer?

How hot do you want the steamer to be? Baby bottle warmers might work, depending on the preheat temp you want. But they don't get over 200F.

A random search turned up this comparison test. The highest recorded temp for one of the bottle warmers was 199F. Just an idea.
http://m.babygearlab.com/Bottle-Warmer-Reviews

Hello Samuellaw178 & all.
It's wonderfull to see that it is really possible and practicable to do it this way and the result hits the bull's eye. It is now about finding a nice version available for everybody (international).
Anyway we have the possibility to choose between the two diffent ways of pre-heating and the different taste.
The darker crema is directly caused by the higher brewing temperature? Similar to the big machines?

I was busy the last days, but thanks to Andre I have now a new pressure gauge while DPD+USPS are still meditating who scrapped the original gauge on the flight.
I should have the time this weekend for either the "SCACE"-like test or at least my first coffee video watching coffee-flow and laser thermometer.
Anyway I understand the problem about limited coffee consuming capacity. At least it is a capability whose training can be fun and doesn't make tired .

two questions:
- what is an arvo shot?

- in terms of mobile use: Has anybody a jetboil or knows the diameter of the pot. (or similar system)
It would not be limited in temperature, is available on the market and might have the right diameter.
Peter

Arvo is Australian for afternoon.

scythide wrote:What is the name of that steamer?

It's a Black & Decker steamer. Unfortunately, it's been discontinued for a long time. Don't think I've seen a 110V version either.

canuckcoffeeguy wrote:How hot do you want the steamer to be? Baby bottle warmers might work, depending on the preheat temp you want. But they don't get over 200F.

From what I've observed, it has to be boiling - so at least 212F or 100C. Without steam generation, it might take a long long time to warm the device.

beananimal wrote:The darker crema is directly caused by the higher brewing temperature? Similar to the big machines?

Yes, I believe it is caused by higher temp as it doesn't happen when I don't steam preheat the Forge. It's actually much darker than the big machine. Part of the reason might be I'm still using boiling water after the preheat. A PID bonavita kettle might be helpful in this case.

markmark1 wrote:Arvo is Australian for afternoon.

My bad, yes, you're exactly right.

beananimal wrote:- in terms of mobile use: Has anybody a jetboil or knows the diameter of the pot. (or similar system)

From Google search it seems to be about 104mm, slightly bigger than needed.

Can't wait to see your 'Scace-like' result. I'm sure it'll be a fun weekend.