Understanding Slayer: Pressure vs Flow

Inside and out, so many things distinguish Slayer from other machines. We could talk about consistency. We could rave about design. We could dream about customization. But we’re fundamentally about espresso, so let’s start there.
Flow is at the center of Slayer’s unique approach to extraction. By controlling flow rate with patented technology, we reimagined pre-brew and pioneered flavor profiling. We also introduced a new variable and, with it, a thousand new questions. To offer an answer, we turn things over to Prima Coffee and the Louisville Fire Department. See the blog post on slayerespresso....
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[@corinwilson1590]

This is a great explanation of what's going on. I've seen a lot of people that don't understand the difference between controlling the pressure and controlling the flow rate during a brew. Honestly, I don't blame them because it's not an intuitive thing to understand at all.

[@andrewdevall4438]

It gets even more confusing because people, like the presenter of this video at times, conflate pressure at the group with pressure at the pump

[@hizkiakumaat2206]

But the needle valve also affects the pressure of the water prior the water make contact with the coffee puck, right? So what's the difference between pressure profiling and flow rate control? Because from my understanding, one affects the other and vice versa. Pressure affects flow rate and flow rate affects pressure.

[@tacodias]

Great and smart video! Thanks

[@primacoffeeequipment]

+tacodias Glad you enjoyed it, thanks for watching!

[@MindTheDough]

Hey hello thanks a lot for this video, it was explained in a very maniacal way. I loved it. I have a Rocket R Nine One, also has a digital gear pump and i can do flow control for flow profiling. Is there any difference between those two? Thank you

[@lelitinsider2977]

spiegazione e macchina meravigliosa! complimenti

[@primacoffeeequipment]

Grazie!

[@michaelpieper4807]

Great video! I am curious about the specifics of how the variation of flow, particularly in agitation, affect flavor - are there any resources that yall have that go into this? Or is it just kind of a trial and error thing with each specific espresso?

[@wirinharwirjawan6422]

Superb!!!

[@glichasasha750]

This is not an espresso machine, this is a hammer drill!

[@wiloghby]

How come Slayers are always needing so much maintenance? I feel most I've spoken to have needed to replace the pump within 2 years.

[@TickTocking]

It's like a Good Eats episode

[@carbon5261]

As someone who grew up watching Bill Nye I always appreciate a demonstration of a concept like pressure vs flow, but I still don't feel like I get it. Theoretically it would seem like flow profiling isn't inherently better at all; if you take your firehose and run it at a low enough pressure it will fill the barrel just as gently as the garden hose. So is the needle valve just a hack to get around line pressure? My Flair doesn't have any water lines, so what, if anything, am I missing out on?

[@osammah]

That’s my thinking, too. I totally get pressure vs flow. But what I don’t get is the difference between lower flow operating at full pressure (restricted) vs lower flow operating at lower pressure (non-restricted). Don’t they eventually lead to the same thing? I would appreciate any insight.

[@carbon5261]

@@osammah It seems like in theory it's the same thing, the only difference is it might be easier to control a little valve in the piping than to accurately regulate the pressure of a pump. Maybe having the pump do one thing reliably and then only control a much smaller, simpler thing downstream of it is beneficial somehow. It would be nice if that translated into some cost savings but I guess that's asking too much.

[@laurencegoldman4639]

I’ve been interested in Slayer for a while. I hope thread is still alive. Another KZbin had a Slayer demo where the Soak phase seemed to last too long 20-30 sec before drops. Then the shot flow looked too restricted. Ergo-not dialed in. Needing slightly coarser grind. Slayer being a non-profiler really, means grind and dose are only remedies and a cumbersome valve adjustment. Question. What if I want the ultra fine grind? Maybe Turkish even. Can Slayer do it without choking? I know I can reset needle valve to smaller opening, but then full position flow would also be restricted. So options seemed limited, whereas machines with flow valve paddle, this isn’t the case. Maybe this doesn’t matter in practice? What do you think? Would it be possible to mod out the needle valve knob so it’s accessible as a paddle to make on the fly adjustments during the shot?

[@primacoffeeequipment]

The Slayer cannot handle a turkish grind with an average dose (18 grams). Though it accepts finer grinds than a traditional esprsso machine, it can still be choked. Slayer has offered exposed needle valve mods in the past. If you'd like a quote on a custom Slayer, send a note to our sales team at [e-mail]!

[@chadgregory9037]

I thought this was a video on the music band... gooby I am disappoint