Any Coffee Experts Out there?

Anoneemoose

coffeehound wrote: »

Hiya, 92 to 96 deg C should be okay. Thinking about it, I expect espresso grinder burrs to last about 2 years so if yours is 3 yrs old perhaps that is the more likely problem.

Probably best to wait till the hot spell is over before buying mail order as a few hours in a hot van would ruin fresh beans!

Thank you again. I’ll check everything anyway and at least I know. And I will get Mr Anon on the hunt for a new machine just in case!:rotfl:

boliston

i would carefully check the grind quality as a poor grind is probably one of the things that could have most adverse effect on coffee quality

Anoneemoose

boliston wrote: »

i would carefully check the grind quality as a poor grind is probably one of the things that could have most adverse effect on coffee quality

Thank you. I’m not too sure how to check that but will get the manual and see if there’s a way to tell.

Anoneemoose

Well, I pulled two coffees through (one single, one double)...both were showing 60 degrees celsius (using both my milk thermometer and my jam one). Although the milk one was ever so slightly higher.

Normally I would pull them through and then froth my milk to 70 on the milk thermometer and add together.

boliston

Anoneemoose wrote: »

Thank you. I’m not too sure how to check that but will get the manual and see if there’s a way to tell.

I'm not sure what happens with a bean-to-cup - presumably the machine will grind then tamp all without user interaction? Even poor tamping can have an adverse effect on the coffee - i would imagine not being able to isolate each phase could make it harder to trouble shoot.

Anoneemoose

boliston wrote: »

I'm not sure what happens with a bean-to-cup - presumably the machine will grind then tamp all without user interaction? Even poor tamping can have an adverse effect on the coffee - i would imagine not being able to isolate each phase could make it harder to trouble shoot.

Yes, it does everything itself. Just about to read the manual to see if I can see anything to try.

I really appreciate all input.

Anoneemoose

So, I’ve made another this morning, and it is still showing approximately 60 deg celsius when the coffee is dispensed into the cup, and that was after doing a heating cycle first. And there’s no taste!

What’s confusing me though is it doesn't actually seem any different from normal in that respect, as in when I drink it, it’s the same temp as I would expect. I suppose if it’s been on its way out over time, I’ve probably just got used to it gradually.

I think there’s a way of increasing the temperature so will try that and then a new pack of coffee.

coffeehound

Hiya, ah the 92-96 is the temperature of the water before it touches the coffee but perhaps you cant access that to measure it.

As the temperature in the cup is as usual then that does make the grinder burrs the more likely suspect. Are you having to use a coarser grinder setting than you used to?

Do they sell replacement burrs by the way?

coffeehound

https://www.4delonghi.co.uk/coffee-maker/magnifica/complete-grinder/product.pl?pid=1098468&path=606454,640999

Looks like a replacement grinder is about £64 plus fitting.
.

maisie_cat

Do these automatic machines have a cleaning cycle? I have an old fashioned plumbed in espresso machine and backflush it regularly with a specialist coffee cleaner. Coffee beans are oily and lack of cleaning the pipe work makes coffee bitter. Similarly, the grinder will also need cleaning to avoid oily build up, some people use white uncooked rice. Check the manual for cleaning requirements because I cannot imagine that it requires no cleaning