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question about pressurized portafilter - 2007/01/04 08:23Hi! I have a saeco superidea de luxe, that is 15 bar machine with a pressurized portafilter. I don't know if I should tamp the coffee or not. In the manual they claim it is not nessecary because the portafilter is pressurized. When I put one spoon of coffee (for the single espresso), there is a huge gap between the screen and the top of the coffee cake. When I put two spoons the screen presses on the coffee. And usually the flow of coffee is too fast, espresso brews in some 15 seconds. Please advise! Thanks in advance for everyone, best wishes and best regards Paul
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colin
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Re:question about pressurized portafilter - 2007/01/04 09:28A couple of rules (and I welcome debate)
-Always fill up your portafilter and tamp in a 1/4" gap tops -- that is the gap from the lip of the PF to the level of the coffee.
-Tamp lightly to level the coffee - and perhaps finish with a twist to polish.
Do NOT tamp at 20 to 30 pounds! Tamp lightly to LEVEL and then polish.
Let the GRIND do the work.
Pressurized PF or not, you MUST tamp to control the flow - to achieve the 25s brew time!
Cheers!Colin is the Senior editor and creator of the CoffeeCrew.Com Website
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Pawel
Visitor
Re:question about pressurized portafilter - 2007/01/05 10:34When I press the coffee lightly, single espresso brewes too fast, in 15 seconds. I only get more then 20 seconds when I press the coffee hard. With double espresso, the coffee gets pressed by the shower screen if it is not pressed hard. So it is always pressed (bythe screen or by me) and it usually brewes in some 20 - 23 seconds. On the other hand, when there is no coffee in the portafilter, when I warm up the machine and the cups, the water flow is slow and accurate (and it is driving me crazy! There is a huge gap between the coffee and the shower screen when brewing a single espresso in the huge basket. The manual sais the basket is for both single and double (it is so called 'crema filter'). I tried brewing single espresso in the basket for coffee pods, with the coffee pressed hard, and the result was satisfying. Pawel
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Zazenmaster
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Re:question about pressurized portafilter - 2007/01/05 12:53The Saeco can take a very fine grind. In fact I generally use a slightly finer grind in my Saeco at work than I do in my Rancilio at home. So don't be afraid to grind very fine.
What kind of a grinder do you have Pawel? Unless you have a decent burr grinder, you're not going to get the consistently fine grind you need to let the coffee be the limiting factor instead of the portafilter.
For what it's worth, I opened up my portafilter and removed the pressurization components a long time ago and it was definitely worth it. If your machine is relatively new, it'd be worth buying the unpressurized portafilter.
Robb
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FeTTT
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Re:question about pressurized portafilter - 2007/01/05 17:23What pieces you have removed? just the valve with the spring? can you post a photo of your PF?
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tmplo
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Re:question about pressurized portafilter - 2007/01/05 20:54I was told today by the Saeco West that they don't make the unpressurized portabfilter handle any more. You might still be able to order one from Saeco US. I found it on saecooutlet.com for around US$19 but they don't ship to Canada. So removing the pressurizing components might be the only way to have an unpressurized handle.Tmplo is a Vancouver area resident and coffee expert
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Zazenmaster
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Re:question about pressurized portafilter - 2007/01/06 09:48First I removed the pivoting pin and the associated spring by squeezing the mounting ears together. Then I turned the metal part of portafilter right side up, set it on a block of wood and pushed down on it to pop out the plastic piece which the pin fit into (which is the same piece of plastic that sits underneath the basket).
Initially I didn't remove the other spring that provides tension when you're locking the portafilter into place, but it broke a couple of years later so I took that out too. It still works fine.
I'm thinking of cutting the bottom out of the plastic piece to make a crotchless portafilter for my Saeco. What do you think?
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Pawel
Visitor
Re:question about pressurized portafilter - 2007/01/06 10:19Hi! Thanks for advice! The machine isn new, I live in Poland and it's impossible here to get even a tamper... I ordered mine in the States and I paid more for shipping then the item itself Right now I don't yet have a grinder, I use espresso blend vacuum-packed. I will remove the pressurization right now! Pawel
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Pawel
Visitor
Re:question about pressurized portafilter - 2007/01/06 13:04Hi! I have already set it up again! The coffee that was pouring out of the machine when I unmounted the pressurization parts was a disaster, no matter how I pressed it it was the same, no crema, very dark at the beginning and water after a few seconds. To set up the pressurization took me about an hour but wow! I know how it works!
Now I'm right after a cup and I'm SOOOOO HAPPY!!!!! I have pressed it delicately and I got a perfect espresso! beautiful and 23 seconds, thank you Colin very much!
Ok, but it was the single. I'm a little bit worried about the pressing the portion for a double - the screen shouldn't touch it right? Thanks to everybody and especially Colin, I think when I master your advice I will be that happy couple of times a day Best regards and all best wishes Pawel
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FeTTT
User Senior Barista
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Re:question about pressurized portafilter - 2007/01/07 08:02 -Tamp lightly to level the coffee - and perhaps finish with a twist to polish.
Do NOT tamp at 20 to 30 pounds! Tamp lightly to LEVEL and then polish. -by colin
This is the perfect technique for the Aroma, with the pressure thing installed.(when you dont have a good grinder).Im now able to make EXCELLENT taste!
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