The site's must-read articles document the basic barista knowledge and techniques that apply to all espresso machines:
These articles offer more diagnostic advice:
For HX espresso machine owners, add:
These and other noteworthy articles on the web are listed in this forum and on...
Espresso machines are often not built with the utmost precision.
Fittings don't align or don't have mating thread types designed to seal, such as the mate between an Ulka bleed valve and OPV:
By making a Teflon Tape Wad Gasket, you can seal almost anything.
Very much has been written here on the subject of trapped air and spongy pulls. I am indebted to the many posts here by the late Robert R. Pavlis rpavlis and Pat Moore homeburrero where they discuss flash steam. I am looking to reignite that conversation with my current...
The fourth edition of The Coffee Guide was just published by the International Trade Centre. This publication is an amazing resource for anyone interested in coffee. It is 332 pages and is free to download. Enjoy.
Are there any aggregate comparisons of top end grinders done via blind taste testing? Googling for it hasn't yielded much other than comparison of burr vs. bladed.
Most of us with HX or dual boiler machines are aware that using the steam wand removes water vapor but not minerals, and as the boiler is refilled we end up with water in the steam boiler at higher and higher mineral concentration. Depending on what minerals are in the water it...
I was on the fence about writing this thread, but with some encouragement from Johan and some prodding by a few others on the forum, I decided to document the conversion of my new Cormorant roaster from manual to full control with Artisan.
A new member talked about his hobbies in baking as well as coffee, so I asked if he had any biscotti recipes. Biscotti is one of my favorite things with coffee, although I don't have a favorite recipe currently because I'm trying to go low on carbs. Then I saw this...
I have a 70lb ECM Barista (a bit below 60lb if I put all the extras - portafilters, drip tray, baskets, etc.- in a separate package). I need to ship it across the country, and looking through the forums for advice - I wasn't able to find anything recent, all the topics...
