I’ve used a home espresso machine, with built-in grinder, daily for at least 10 years. I’m generally happy with the results - there’s some variability but most everything I make is acceptable, and I fairly regularly get something I feel is good. Recently I’ve been getting a lot of “acceptable” and it’s been a long time (many months) since I’ve made one that I’d call “good”. They’re missing that bit of oily lustre that I feel really makes it perfect.
- I drink a single shot over a small amount of hot water
- I get my beans from a local (same province) roaster that say they roast to order
- I like dark roast beans - the roaster calls it their Italian roast
- my house water comes from a well and is naturally a bit hard, but we have a whole house softener
- I’ve never de-scaled the machine because of the water softener - there’s no build up or crusting at any orifices
- I don’t make any attempt to get perfect extraction quantity - I grind, tamp and trim with the tool supplied with the machine. When I first got this particular machine (about 4 years ago) I programmed the extraction time, but a can’t remember the “recipe” I used
- I’ve tried beans from one other local roaster (via a grocery store) with the same results
My experience says it’s stale beans, but I’m buying roast to order, so I’m confused.
You’re thoroughly disassembling and cleaning the grinder every once in a while, right?
It was well past due:
For anyone not familiar with this model - that’s the wheel under the burrs that directs the grounds to the output. The burrs were clean - they self clean from being used.
I only drink coffee with breakfast, so I’ll report back tomorrow.
I have done it, but it’s been a while. I haven’t noticed any change when I’ve done it in the past, but I’ll give it a try.