Search found 416 matches

by Martin
February 14th, 2024, 8:42 pm
Forum: Knockbox
Replies: 48
Views: 2004

How to improve coffee beyond "good enough"?

I once thought I'd make a list of all the variables that I could think of that affect the godlyniss of my shots--you know, things like degree-of-roast, variety, temps, pressure at extraction, profiles, water, whether teeth were recently brushed, yadda, yadda. Did that for15 minutes and lapsed into a...
by Martin
January 7th, 2024, 5:38 pm
Forum: Knockbox
Replies: 80
Views: 4031

"A better way to grind coffee" from Washington Post - "Moisture-controlled triboelectrification during coffee grinding"

I weigh beans in a ramekin for use in my HG 1. Quickly pass that small cup under steam. That works
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by Martin
September 21st, 2023, 2:19 am
Forum: Knockbox
Replies: 1
Views: 222

Chatbot is coming for coffee tasters

After my first how-cool-is-that! reaction my thoughts turned to a recent book, "Optimal Illusions" with a great (if not book length) take-down of the modern penchant for always making stuff better. Progress. Not clear how language/words and meanings can be crowd sourced to nail down a sensation. Or ...
by Martin
August 22nd, 2023, 5:57 pm
Forum: Coffee Roasting
Replies: 17
Views: 1400

Coffee roasting... for coffee drinkers?

Heatgun/Dogbowl + wood stirring stick. I'm not a fully-committed Luddite, but sometimes a straightforward option can be most instructive and quite possibly the best. Sure, check out the great resources suggested here, but start roasting tomorrow
by Martin
May 18th, 2023, 4:53 pm
Forum: Coffee Roasting
Replies: 9
Views: 717

What path to follow for a beginner in the field of roasting?

By far the toughest (and most crucial) challenge to your professional/business goals is a well-trained palate. I'd concentrate on learning to taste and rembering what you tasted last week or year
by Martin
April 16th, 2023, 4:28 pm
Forum: Buying Advice
Replies: 11
Views: 767

Dual boiler espresso machine under low cabinets

Lelit Bianca at 15.75" is too tall and maybe above budget. However, possibly your bottom cab dimension is the overhang dimension (molding/reveal) that can be cut. Anyway, if you can manage to get the machine underneath (as I was able to squeeze mine) the Bianca reservoir can be installed on either s...
by Martin
April 5th, 2023, 3:12 pm
Forum: Knockbox
Replies: 8
Views: 622

How to keep coffee station clean if far from sink

Cheap packages of microfiber towels from Home Depot. Dampen, wipe out basket, steam wand, counter, polish shiny stuff, drop in small bucket
by Martin
March 27th, 2023, 6:43 pm
Forum: Buying Advice
Replies: 22
Views: 2507

Strategic design compromises in $2-3K rotary pump espresso machines?

OP raises interesting questions and I'll likely read responses. However, l hope for the OPs sake, that he gets his new machine before all his questions are answered, sorted, weighed, and hyper-rationalized. Personally, I think it's a poor idea to choose anything other than a Bianca. Because that's w...
by Martin
March 26th, 2023, 6:34 pm
Forum: Coffee Roasting
Replies: 6
Views: 681

Heatgun/Dogbowl: Still at it

A fascinating journey your roasting has taken you. Your method may be a bit more complicated than mine, but no more complicated than it needs to be--which is the advice I give to others but struggle to follow for myself
by Martin
March 24th, 2023, 1:06 pm
Forum: Coffee Roasting
Replies: 6
Views: 681

Heatgun/Dogbowl: Still at it

Welcome to H B. My 10oz roasts typically take 11-14 min. If you're at or near that, your HG is likely "good enough." A lame comparison is a newish and tuned auto vs an older beater. Both can get you where you are going. About that flour sifter: many have tried to complicate hg roasting with sifters,...