☕ Coffee ☕: Ingredients, Roasting, Grinding, Brewing, and Tasting

[applescrap]

Haha, you would. The point of diminishing returns is probably closer to 22k now adays. There are speakers that cost 175000 and up. You would probably not be able to tell the difference between 22k and 175k. The reason is at 2k some piece of the spectrum is missing, these speakers replicate music unbelievably well from the lowest of the lows to the highest of the highs. Also they could play substantially louder and handle more power. Idk, maybe there is a speaker that can do that for 2k. Certainly a home built option.

Man that chess site is amazing. All the lessons and videos too, wow. I have no patience and that is what retired me my first stint at high level chess.

Im glad you brought up the idea of diminishing returns. I wonder about coffee too! In a blind triangle test could one tell the difference in grinders, coffee makers, esspresso makers, roasters, etc. I do wonder, but ultimately realize what makes people happy is what's most important. Also, even if their is no difference in taste, lets say, that doesnt say anything about: joy of use, quality, durability, satisfaction of ownership, fun, etc. If I had the money I would probably own those $22,000 speakers and only a 1,000 dollar grinder. Some would flip flop that i am sure. There has been many listening tests of 10k cd players and 1000 cables. They have not proven to make a difference.

 

[applescrap]

Oops here are the pics, I guess the most expensive speakers are a million now
By the way you can go to Best Buy Magnolia and listen to the 700 series and 800 series. I even have them in my garage. I love awesome speakers. Sorry way off topic.

On topic, this kenyan was only ok. Mouth puckering

.

 

[jammin]

@jimyson - I dig the color choice. I had that one in the back of my mind too. I’m stoked that you’re going full out on the refurb & powder coating is such a great finishing touch.

I see that you’re doing the bearings and from what little I understand about that, they are imperative to alignment. I’m guess you went some good ones - I wouldn’t skimp in that area. Denis Basaric of KafaTek hand builds all his grinders in house. They are highly regarded for precise alignment & the best possible bearings one can source are what he gets. I can reach out him to & see if he can give any pointers if you think it would be helpful.

EK43’s are the defacto top dog grinder for competition & now cafe use. Alignment had been their Achilles heal though and several folks have come up with solutions to improve run out. I’m not sure sanding down the inner burr carrier in a similar fashion is possible but there is a lot of good content on it you can google (Ek43 burr alignment sanding). Matt Perger’s foil trick is an easier quick solution that’s easy to look up as well.
If you nail the alignment & install SSP burrs you’re gonna have a grinder on your hands that is on the “cutting edge” haha. Seriously though - this is awesome to watch!

 

[jimyson]

I did buy new bearings, both lower and upper. I purchased some Nachi sealed bearings from Amazon. I’ve read that they should be a good choice from another group. Thoughts?

6202-2NSE9 NACHI bearing 6202-2NSE...B078N929QF/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_zBhaBbTT6YQ1S

I’m definitely glad to be rehabbing this as thoroughly as I am. I think it will make the grinder last a lifetime. I do need to psych myself up into getting the good burrs. I’d like to send the set that I have in to SSP to refinish. I thought that either you or someone in the other group mentioned that. They didn’t return my initial email though. $195 for a burr set is an investment for sure, but at this point, I feel fairly invested. If I were to do that, it would be about a $650-$700 cost in full from start to finish. All to grind coffee. [emoji23]

 

[jimyson]

And, yes, any tips are definitely welcome. I’ll do a bit of reading on the EK43 hacks for tips.

 

[jimyson]

Very helpful. Thanks @jammin

 

[jimyson]

IMS basket and screen and OE dosing funnel ordered.

 

[jammin]

Very helpful. Thanks @jammin

I'm wondering if the sanding method can translate to the Mazzer style grinder. The EK43 burr assembly is different in that the outer attaches to axle & spins - the interior burr is stationary. The Mazzer carrier assembly screws up & down to move the stationary outer burr closer/farther from the rotating inner burr. It seems that if your sanding media was attached to the bottom burr, you could screw down the collar (w/o burr of course) to align the assembly with the motors axle. This would build the foundation for perfect alignment of burrs.

Here is a video of doing this with an EK & the power of its motor. Some folks don't fully reassemble the burr carrier & turn by hand. Check the bottom video for that & what's happens inside the housing.





Here is a quick write up - check out post #16 for a glamour shot of testing run out!
https://www.home-barista.com/grinders/mahlkonig-ek43-alignment-sanding-chamber-t51398.html

 

[jimyson]

So the concept would be that you sand the lower or upper burr holder?

Got some parts delivered today.

 

[jimyson]

Reached out to Eric at LeverCraft. He just did a group buy on HB for SSP Red Speed burrs. He needs 15 people before he can order another round from SSP. I’m on the list. Who knows how long it will take to get enough.

 

[TallDan]

Hmm, got this message about the JBM order. On one hand, this should be easier to roast than the peaberry. On the other hand, kinda feel like someone is trying to pull a switcheroo here...

I picked bag #2 up this morning, got it home and discovered, lo and behold, that this bag is not a peaberry. It's a traditional grade 1 bean. I spoke to the broker and he assured me that it cups exactly the same. I roasted a batch this morning, cupped again just now and I will stand by my notes. This coffee in both forms is clean, clean clean, slightly sweet and very smooth. I'll cup again tomorrow with more rest to be sure, but I don't expect different results.

I was going to ship everything for today's mail, but now I'm going to wait until tomorrow to give everyone a chance to read this. If you think you will be unhappy at not getting a peaberry, I'll be happy to issue a refund, no questions asked. I just don't want you to be upset when you get a traditional bean if you were expecting a peaberry. If you're cool with the traditional bean, I'll send your order along in the morning.

 

[HarborTownBrewing]

I spoke to the broker and he assured me that it cups exactly the same

Lol. That's kind of funny, really.

 

[jimyson]

For $20/lb, I’d be getting a refund.

 

[TallDan]

I spoke to the broker and he assured me that it cups exactly the same

Lol. That's kind of funny, really.

Yeah, kinda what I was thinking. Seems like the broker was trying to pass off a lesser product for the same price, but...

For $20/lb, I’d be getting a refund.

This is where I'm torn. Peaberry or not, $20/lb is still a good price for grade 1 JBM.

 

[jimyson]

But for the price, I would expect a higher rating. I don’t care what kind of bean it is. YMMV

 

[jammin]

Speaking of high quality/price... Kenyan fresh crop is getting closer!

According to last years best purchases - Kenyan is 2 months out & Ethiopian is 3.

Im not messing around with this years heavy hitter Kenyans. If the Crown Jewels posts up any winners I’m probably gonna buy my first solo box. Same goes for Ethiopian.

Last year’s Ethiopian “Banko” was one the best coffees I have ever had. In hindsight I’d be OK with drinking that coffee nearly all the time.

The All-Star Kenyan Gathaithi ;
(Sweet Marias) was equally as amazing. Just a monster of a Kenyan that will make you pause in the middle of a cup to verify reality.

 

[applescrap]

^^same, and I didnt get in on the banko. So playing on tilt i got the konga. And like you im cool with drinking it every day. I have to buy other stuff though to not get too spoiled. This guat is super fruity. Both kenyans have some mouth pucker but other than that, i would brundi first, just mo.

How is the Crown Jewel coffee? I mean if this stuff is amazing I'll split an Ethiopian with you 50/50 or anyone else. I know what i like.

 

[pshankstar]

Speaking of high quality/price... Kenyan fresh crop is getting closer!

According to last years best purchases - Kenyan is 2 months out & Ethiopian is 3.

Im not messing around with this years heavy hitter Kenyans. If the Crown Jewels posts up any winners I’m probably gonna buy my first solo box. Same goes for Ethiopian.

Last year’s Ethiopian “Banko” was one the best coffees I have ever had. In hindsight I’d be OK with drinking that coffee nearly all the time.

The All-Star Kenyan Gathaithi ;
(Sweet Marias) was equally as amazing. Just a monster of a Kenyan that will make you pause in the middle of a cup to verify reality.

I assume Sweet Maria's will have some of these Kenyans and Ethiopians when they are available? I'm still new to this whole coffee roasting thing and have only bought through Sweet Maria's, but will keep an eye out at other sites since some great beans should be available in the near future. Thanks for sharing this info @jammin!

 

[jammin]

^they should & generally their offerings have at least 2-3 absolutely stunning Kenyans.
I’m not a fan of SM’s new website though. Hopefully they bring back date posted for new coffee on their site.

 

[pshankstar]

^they should & generally their offerings have at least 2-3 absolutely stunning Kenyans.
I’m not a fan of SM’s new website though. Hopefully they bring back date posted for new coffee on their site.

Thanks! I haven't even checked out their website since they did the upgrade.

 

[PeteSeattle]

So focused on getting my garage brewery together that I’ve completely forgotten HBT has a coffee thread.

^they should & generally their offerings have at least 2-3 absolutely stunning Kenyans.
I’m not a fan of SM’s new website though. Hopefully they bring back date posted for new coffee on their site.

... agreed. I have about 3 pounds left unroasted from SM from a fall/winter inventory. Used some this past year as extra gifts for Christmas and proved to be a hit.

People couldn’t believe I roasted coffee on top of brewing beer. Pretty sure most of us have experienced this reaction. It’s funny, though, when people follow up with, “are you planning on going off grid?”

 

[jimyson]

I mean, it wouldn’t be right to send a grinder to powder coat without the base of the La Pavoni to match.

 

[jammin]

I mean, it wouldn’t be right to send a grinder to powder coat without the base of the La Pavoni to match.

Dude we've been getting spoiled with nearly live updates. I'm getting a bit addicted to progress pics and wanting to hit the fast forward button (even though you're working @ warp speed) haha!



So I ground some fluffy espresso today... its pointy

 

[jimyson]

Yeah, It’ll start to slow down. Between powder coat and waiting for delivery of the doserless components, there Wil be some lag. Though, I do have a new shower basket to install soon. [emoji6]

I truly can’t wait to start grinding and pressing some shots. I hope my grinding looks as good as yours!!

 

[applescrap]

Man i love the patience to do things right. I would have already pulled about 40 shots on that thing. I wish I had that kind of devotion to be patient, take my time and do it right. I sent you a request in chess.com. what an amazing app and if you pay for it and do all those games and tactics and everything then there's no point in us playing for a couple years

My lack of patience hurts my chess game to. Weather be rushing the end game, or unwilling to wait till the time runs out with some of these losers who hope to win by resignation, I don't think I have enough patience to play that game well.
Coffee talk the kenyans have been ok. I have that kind of mouth puckering punch and are high-quality. But other than that not a whole lot to hang the hat on.

 

[jimyson]

“realapplescrap”. [emoji23]

Trust me, I wish I could have pulled 40 shots belly now. Unfortunately, the manual grinder that I had just didn’t cut it and I’m not going through all the trouble to pull shots out of the LP to get subpar results. You are not witnessing patience, rather a guy just digging himself into a rather deep hole.

I’m too quick on response with chess too. I stay away from the pay version. Instead I use other resources such as books, YouTube, and 365chess.com to study games.

 

[applescrap]

Haha, you know it. After 25 years now, can't believe people still steal my handle.

 

[jimyson]

Haha, you know it. After 25 years now, can't believe people still steal my handle.

#theofficialapplescrap

 

[jammin]

dang i thought i saw someone mention chess here recently. still love the game but it sucks getting back to a game these days. feel like a total fish out of water. can't remember any basic strategy or opening series'. such a great game though.

 

[jimyson]

I’ll be on the lookout for “realjammin!”