ACS Vesuvius Evo2 Lever - hints and tips on baskets and fill sizes (Part 3)

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This is a short video talking about the standard portafilter basket that comes with the Evo 2
This is my 3rd and last video in the Evo2 basket size series. I found myself saying something that I believe is more important than just a passing comment. It reflects things I've found over many years and increasingly so when trying to find a good basket (for me) to use with the Evo.
Ignore shot ratio (I was using 2:1), unless it’s on the abnormal side e.g. Allonge. I have found a fair difference in the amount of coffee used and the taste of the final extracted product. Even when I reduce the amount of water added to an americano to equalise the coffees strength to account for the reduced weight of coffee. Espressos taste different as well. I referred to this in passing in my video, but now I believe it’s important enough to mention it.
When you reduce or increase the coffee in the portafilter, to maintain the same shot time and produce the same shot ratio, you have to reduce or increase the grind fineness.. To my mind, this logically must have an effect on the final product, the level of extraction and the flavour.
I found myself in the situation of using 14, 16 or 18g of coffee in my different LSM group baskets and having to tweak the grind for each. I find myself actually preferring the shots where I use 14g of coffee (keeping the shot ratios the same). The shots are smaller, but “better”. The Americanos I also make with those shots, have less water so the “strength” is the same, but again taste “better”.
I can only put it down to having to grind progressively finer as less coffee is used and getting a different extraction from the coffee.
Has anyone else noticed this, is this something you should try yourself?

[@add2093]

Puck screen comes out very easily with the palm tap method. Just tap the top of the portafilter with your palms to create a vacuum. Then a slight tap will pop it right out.

[@DaveCorbey]

With the puck screen/sponge method, it simply falls out.

[@algr-qy5xr]

hello Dave, I dare to ask you how to completely drain steam boiler on lelit elizabeth pl92t in the simplest way. thank you in advance for your kind attention.

[@DaveCorbey]

I don't think you can completely drain it without removing fittings, but you can get almost all the the water out. See my MS Sway on how this works, I have done 2 other Elizabeth sway documents as well, so check them out sway.cloud.microsoft/qoXHjmMAg4DeFX8b?ref=Link

[@michaelblackmore883]

@@DaveCorbey Hi Dave I downloaded your useful supplement for which thank you. I have been using bottled water from Sainsbury or LeClerc in France which looks pretty good to me. Spec for the French one is Calcium 4.70, Mg 1.80, Residual solids 74mg/l, pH 7.5, Sainsbury is about the same. I use about one tank a week including cleaning. I used to check the water colour (using your double glass technique) and cleaned the shower screen about every two weeks. Since I have been flushing and brushing the screen after each shot the screen has remained clean and the two glass check both clear. I use your hybrid back flush system once a week. As I only use each machine for about half the year I plan to consider descaling (according to the handbook instructions) about every two years, if at all. Does that seem about right to you?

[@michaelblackmore883]

Hi Dave What is the dental pick for?

[@deenman60]

To pull out the groupgasket and clean under it.

[@michaelblackmore883]

@@deenman60 Understood but how often is this necessary. Given that the gasket is strongly compressed when coffee grounds are near it how much will get under it. When I replaced the original gasket with silicone ones on my two Elizabeth's after about 6 months use they were completely clean when removed.

[@DaveCorbey]

The dental pick is to remove the puck screen without trying to sport long nails and get messy fingers. I have a set and they are handy for little jobs, but I have never used a dental pick to remove a group gasket. On E61 groups I use 2 spoons, as you can see in my morning coffee video series. For the Evo 2, I will video how to remove the group gasket, when I have to do it.