Espresso - Techniques for Home

After a few years of making espresso at home,  it's time to write up some methods and observations about home machines, grinders, coffee beans, and results.

The espresso machine:  Espressione Minuetto Professional  (~$149)
The grinder:  Capresso Infinity  (Jura, Inc)  (~$99)   Conical burr grinder.

Modifying the portafilter basket for finely ground coffee.

Top of basket showing array of fine holes in first wall.
The second wall is less than a millimeter below the first one.

Many home machines come with double-wall baskets.   The first wall has the same small holes as a single wall basket.  A second wall,  with a single larger hole , is used to slow the water flow when a  coarser coffee grind is used.   If you use finely ground coffee, the total resistance could be too high.  This can lead to a slow extraction  (see below for times,  etc.)  I used two approaches:  1. enlarge the hole in the second wall, and 2. remove the second wall entirely.   Both approaches risk penetrating the first wall which will render the basket useless. 

First method:  I used a drill to  enlarge the single hole in the second wall.  I damaged a basket by drilling though the first wall.  On the second try, I was more careful.  Second method:  I removed the entire second wall by carefully grinding around the edge of the basket.

Basket with second wall removed by
progressive grinding around the edge.

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Basket with enlarged hole in second wall.  

 Note the risk of drilling through the first wall.

Espresso Making at Home

It's easy to "choke" an espresso machine with a too fine grind or by pressing too hard with the tamper-  choking occurs if the flow rate is very small, or zero, when the basket is pressurized.   Note: Never attempt to remove a portafilter under pressure.  If the machine is choked turn it off and wait for pressure to subside.   Most machines have a pressure relief path in the off postion.  Be patient.  

Finding The Right Grinder Setting

The two finest settings on the grinder are useful for espresso.  The others are too coarse.   I found that the optimum grind depends on the bean characteristics.  Sticky beans need to be ground a bit coarser than dryer beans.  

Tamping

A solid metal tamper is required. The tamper must match the basket diameter closely - around half a millimeter smaller.    

Fifteen Years Since Cancer Diagnosis

 It's approaching 2023 - the saga started in mid 2007 - surgery in December 2007 - so it's been fifteen years.    What have I learned in the last 15 years?  Am I wiser now?   I think so.    I've asked myself how I would react if a received another cancer diagnosis or one that is serious with a much shortened life expectancy.   I'm pretty sure I won't be shocked, surprised or stunned.   It makes sense to lower one's expectations of health and vitality as we age.   The young and healthy tend to have delusions of immortality or at least,  a long life.  There is no doubt I thought I could avoid any dealing with doctors especially oncologists.