Any advice on the best setting for a typical espresso? Is it the finest scale?
10941
I don't set it on the finest setting but pretty close to that. For espresso, you want the grind to be fine enough that as the water goes through it extracts the most flavor but not so fine that it becomes mud and the water doesn't go through well. If you have an espresso machine at home, you will want to play with the grind a little. The grounds should be well packed and not have excess moisture in them when the extraction is complete. If there is moisture left in the grounds, you will need to adjust.
10942
Absolutely. Go for as fine a ground as you can get without coffee dust flying out of the machine. A very fine setting and dark-roast beans will get you the strongest flavor -- because the more surface area that touches the water, the stronger the brew. I also use more coffee per cup than most instructions suggest: 1/4 cup of grounds per 8-oz mug of coffee. I prefer medium dark beans and less than espresso strength. You get more coffee flavor from beans that aren't dark roasted, in my opinion and that of many coffee roasters, baristas, buyers and growers. If you like the burnt bitterness of espresso, though, go for it. Absolutely. Go for as fine a ground as you can get without coffee dust flying out of the machine. A very fine setting and dark-roast beans will get you the strongest flavor -- because the more surface area that touches the water, the stronger the brew. I also use more coffee per cup than most instructions suggest: 1/4 cup of grounds per 8-oz mug of coffee. I prefer medium dark beans and less than espresso strength. You get more coffee flavor from beans that aren't dark roasted, in my opinion and that of many coffee roasters, baristas, buyers and growers. If you like the burnt bitterness of... » Read More Absolutely. Go for as fine a ground as you can get without coffee dust flying out of the machine. A very fine setting and dark-roast beans will get you the strongest flavor -- because the more surface area that touches the water, the stronger the brew. I also use more coffee per cup than most instructions suggest: 1/4 cup of grounds per 8-oz mug of coffee. I prefer medium dark beans and less than espresso strength. You get more coffee flavor from beans that aren't dark roasted, in my opinion and that of many coffee roasters, baristas, buyers and growers. If you like the burnt bitterness of espresso, though, go for it. « Show Less
10943
Try the finest setting with a measured dose. Something like 15 grams for a double. If the water has trouble passing through and takes more than 12 or 13 seconds to start dripping out them adjust the grind a little coarser, keeping the dose and the tamping pressure the same. Adjust just the grind until you get your desired time of around 30 seconds or your desired volume.
10944
You want expresso grind to be powder like and feel smooth between your fingers. If your beans are freshly roasted you can try one step less fine because the beans have a little more moisture in them. Really fresh ground beans should brew with some "crema" brown foam on top. That amount of crema is a clue to freshness. Different beans with different roast times also can change the "best" grind setting. Experiment, LOL
963344
You want the grind to be fine as opposed to coarse. (6 or 7) I like a strong espresso so I set my dosage more towards the plus sign.
529384
Haven't tried the Nexpresso.Rule of thumb for a better espresso is the higher number or pressure of the bar pump the better.
89360
We are in the Pacific NW. We use setting number 2 for our espresso machine. On that setting we can get a good tamp and run about 25 secs... Our machine is a rancilio.
1360504
Anyone who takes the time to carefully choose espresso beans...+grinds them finely...+spends $$ getting an espresso maker, would know this is served in intentionally tiny espresso cups w/little saucers! (get the little silver spoons when purchasing the espresso set. U+ your guests will be glad.This does make the perfect amount for 4-6 espresso cup servings w/frothed milk. I serve it for after dinner parties w/biscotti !fabulous!
397118
Espresso might be a little darker...I have cappucino and it is dark enogh. That is all I can suggest
943389
patience is the key, at least for me. if i'm making 2 cu of espresso, i put in 3 cu of water, holding a whole cu of water for frothing. when i turn to the steam/froth setting i keep the tip pretty deep into the milk till I hear the machine really building up a full head of steam. the milk clearly thickens and rises in level. then i lift the end of the frother up a bit. frankly, i run out of space in the pitcher before the water is all used up, but then that leaves me enough water to steam clean the frothing arm. hope that helps. hang in there. it takes practice.
2182278
It can be a bit of a jolt to learn that espresso machines are about half the cost of great espresso. I use this Gaggia Classic. My Rancillio grinder cost more. Think it through, there are many bean types and freshness varies. Both effect grind. If you buy truely fresh roasted beans they should be ground slightly coarser, still quite fine, for first 4 or 5 days. Then less fresh they dry out a little and need slightly finer grind to control 22sec brew time. Store whole beans in really air tight containers, non refrigerated. The "art" of great espresso is how you grind it. That takes long experience. If you get a truely fresh roast and grind just right you cup will fill with 50% golden foam and it will taste a little sweeter. I still need a little sugar but never milk or foam. Starbucks has an advantage with their always fresh roasts. By the time you can "pull" a good single shot 2oz espresso you might agree with me, LOL. They still give me trouble........... Happy Trails
1501821
There is a tuning screw. At its finest setting is pretty fine (espresso). At its lowest is good for percolators. I cant give you an exact figure though. If you need something out of ordinary, research more.
57062
I have use a medium grind and espresso grind . I like espesso( really fine) ground coffee best. I personally like a bolder strong roast but I've never had a bad cup with another mil deter flavor. I still love this machine .
1011693
We clocked this at 9 bar, a little over a moka pot at 6, but under the recommended 15 for espresso. The Nespresso line is 19 by comparison. A bar is about 14.5 psi, so you need a little over 200 for "true" espresso.
537532
I don't use French press, so can't speak to whether or not coarse grind works best. From what I've read and seen, that is the proper grind. However, if you're not happy with your results, you'll definitely be happy with the Baratza Preciso. I got mine a year ago, and have never been sorry. For me (I use several different fine grinds for lever press espresso), it is simply the best and only grinder to have. Be sure you get the Preciso. It has the most options for grinds, other than the Vario, which is way too expensive.
1144444
Hi Frank:If, cost and value and taste are your concerns, you will get far more for your dollar with the Mr. Coffee Espresso Maker. With this machine you control the flavor and number of shots. I've had many brands and they typically fail after a short time. Hands down this is the best machine yet and I use it everyday. One tip, grind beans yourself as preground is too fine and will likely block filter.Hope my feedback help! Happy brewing.
1232871
I don't make Turkish coffee but usually grind on setting 4 or 5 for espresso and it's quite fine. That still leaves a few more even finer settings if need be. Found a link you might want to view. It has a chart for recommended grind settings. http://thezenkitchen.com/2010/11/gaggia-mdf-grind-settings-chart/
1359052
I find it excellent for espresso. A bonus is that a lighter roast contains (slightly) more caffeine than the typical dark roast espresso blends.
56847
Amy, personally I am not a fan of espresso or extremely strong coffee. I make 10-cups every morning using 1 3/4 heaping Tablespoons of regular coffee grounds, and it's just right for me (probably about a 3+ on the scale). Five heaping tablespoons of coffee to 10-cups of water, would be way to strong for me. Hope this helps. Good luck! V.T.
1365499
You aren't doing anything wrong. Before I bought this grinder, I really researched what I needed, and I knew going into it, from the expert reviews outside of Amazon, that this grinder is not recommended for Espresso. I didn't want or need espresso grind, so I was fine with this lower end version. I have heard that the Virtuoso model makes good espresso, though I do not have personal experience with that grinder.