I’ve just spent the past hour teaching myself how to tune an espresso shot.  What?  An hour!?!

For several months, I’d been using the cheater’s method of a “dual wall” portafilter.  This is basically a normal filter, with many tiny tiny holes, covered by another layer of metal with only ONE tiny hole.

When using a normal filter, the tamping (or pressing) of the ground coffee must be packed evenly and firmly to build enough pressure that the water passes through the coffee equally.  Even the smallest weak spot will allow the water to ‘channel’ through and throw off the flavour of the shot.  The dual wall’s small outlet ensures that a high pressure is reached every time.  It may not be perfect, but for the beginner, it’ll do.

Dual Wall Filter vs. Normal Espresso Portafilter

I read recently that the crema produced by these filters is not “real” and that you can’t achieve top results this way.  I decided it was time to put on my “big boy pants” and try making REAL expresso.

They were RIGHT.  For the first time since getting my Gastroback ‘Pro G’ last year, I saw the pressure needle approach the top of the indicated range.  It had never gotten anywhere close to this in the past.

It took a few tries to really get it tasting right.  First it was too bitter.  Then it as too sour.  Then it was…JUST RIGHT…  Nice thick, beautiful crema.  This also explains why my Latte art attempts with the dual filter were such horrible failures.  Now making a proper crema, this too was easier to do!

One invaluable tip for using this machine, since it has no temperature control:  If you want to brew with a lower temperature, wait a few minutes after the machine is ready.  If you want a higher temperature, run the steam wand for a few seconds before pulling your shot.  This will ensure that the heater is ON and at max output while pulling your shot.

Now go grab a cup, your espresso is ready!

Brand NEW, out of the box!

Older articles:

Gastroback Pro “G” / Breville Barista Express:  Unboxing

Dialling in that perfect Espresso shot

About the author: Carly is a blogger for Smith Monitoring, a Houston home security company. She can usually be found at a local coffee shop as the internet junkie.

As you are sitting there, sipping your mocha triple splenda packet light iced shaken not stirred blah blah blah drink, take a look around. You will inevitably see at least five people around you. Sometimes more. Never less. If there are less than five, you must be there at like 5 AM. Go home. It’s way too early to be up, let alone at a coffee shop. Anyway, the five people (or more) that are sitting around you fall into five distinct categories. Don’t believe me? Read on to see how right I am.

1. The crazed student.

Ah, the days of college. You think that by going to a coffee shop, you will work harder. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t. But there is always at least one college kid who is frantically studying for something or other. You can tell they haven’t slept in days by their lack of general hygiene and the fact that they are wearing sweatpants and obviously don’t really care how they look right now, just so long as they pass this upcoming test.

2. The mom.

It must be nice to be a stay-at-home mom. I would kill for this job. I wish it paid better. You will always find at least one mom with a kid by her side. Her spouse is probably off bringing home the bacon while she is out running errands with her toddler and she just had to stop in to grab a green tea if she’s on a health kick, or a triple chocolate chip frappuccino if it’s been a taxing day with the kiddos.

3. The date.

This doesn’t necessarily mean a romantic date, although those happen quite frequently at coffee shops because it’s an easier way for you to jet if you aren’t feeling the date, rather than sit through a whole meal at a restaurant. This simply means an interaction between two individuals. Two friends catching up. An interview. A work meeting. You will always find at least two people who are engaged in some sort of compelling conversation at any coffee shop.

4. The internet junkie.

Coffee shops are notorious for having free wi-fi. Hello, easy internet access. You know these people. You might even be one of these people. You sit in the corner where the outlet is so your computer doesn’t die midday while you are busy stalking your friends on social media sites and drinking your venti espresso mocha nonfat blah blah drink. This person sets up shop and stays in the coffee house for hours and only orders one drink. Scavengers. I’m sure the employees really don’t like this person all the much.

5. The talker.

I just don’t get this person. They come into the coffee shop on their phone, usually a bluetooth ear piece thing, talking and talking. They order their drink, wait for it, and then sit down on a table as if their conversation is that important that they can’t just leave and have it elsewhere, like in their car. Everyone always talks louder on the phone. Everyone. So don’t be this guy.

Please forgive the lack of posts lately.  The weather was (finally!) good for a few days and I took advantage.  Over 100km of biking and a short hike in just a few days.  Why not get outside and breathe the fresh air?  After a long winter, it sure feels GOOD.  I’d also forgotten how nice it is to eat outside.  Sitting on a terrace by the Vltava river in Cesky Krumlov, it sure makes you appreciate life.

I also took the opportunity to start shooting a short ‘Hyperlapse video’, as described in a previous post.  Basically, they’re a long series of photos from a moving camera.  A lot like the old stop-motion movies, but way cooler!

I’m just playing around with a trial version of Adobe’s “After Effects” software for processing video.  I have to say, this software is AMAZING.  It can seemingly do anything!  I’m in awe…  When the project is done, I’ll post the results with a ‘before’ and ‘after’ video, so you can see for yourself how cool it is!

Now go outside and play…

I’ve just discovered what’s called “HyperLapse” Videos and I’m totally inspired!

They’re like time-lapse videos, but they also include motion.  Camera tilts, pans and often the moving camera over long distances but keeping it focused on one object or scene.  Amazing stuff!

Then I found a website that let’s you make *your own* video, with Google’s StreetView pictures in just a  few simple clicks.  I made this video in about 30 seconds:  YESTERDAY’S BIKE RIDE            (Or CLICK HERE to be able to make YOUR OWN video!)

This will open in a new tab/window.  Sorry!  But it’s worth it.  Just wait a few seconds for it to load.  When it’s done, take a few seconds play around with the controls.  Just zoom out and then move the A/B and camera icon to where you want them.  It’s incredibly easy!!  Have some fun…

Some HyperLapse videos from YouTube:

And these are just a small sample of what you can find.  Jump to www.YouTube.com and search for “Hyperlapse”.  You’ll be amazed!

The weather here just can’t seem to decide what to do.  It’s been raining mixed with sunshine for the past 2 days.  Several times I’ve gone running outside when I saw the sun, only to get rained on a few minutes later.  And now they’re telling us that we’ll have a low of 4c tonight.  If the wind comes from the Alps, we might just get snow…  You just can’t win!

A few days ago, I was stuck inside when it was pouring.  Desperately wanting to go for a bike ride.  What to do?  Oh look, a camera and a VERY sexy model!

Here’s the result.  What hardcore bikers might call a little “Bike Porn”:

I found a bit of sunshine yesterday to head out and try my new “wheels”.  The bike is better than I expected.  Extremely light and nimble.

It’s got a shifting system that blew my mind too.  30 gears with a great way to get use out of most of them.  Difficult to explain, but it’s really quite brilliant!!

Ok, I lied about the sunshine.  It was cloudy.  But at least it wasn’t raining.  Getting a quick ride in before it rained again was really my goal.  Naturally, it started to rain as I was nearly home.  Getting a few drops on the head will push you to go faster!

The result?  I’m definitely not in the condition I was on my last ride of the season in 2012.  BUT…  It wasn’t terrible, either.  I can’t wait to see what kind of biking skill level I can obtain this year!

Look out Klet, here I come!

No, probably not gonna happen.  The skies are gray and a thunderstorm is predicted.

I  just got a shiny new, totally AWESOME bike.  Sadly, it’s just on loan.  But for the next two weeks I can use it whenever I like!  YEAH!!!!