Enjoy this machine with wand replacement (there are even snap on wand replacements now), also open basket with Baratza Encore grinder. Really happy with the shots from machine. Neat trick to increase temp before shot is to put machine into steam mode for around 4 seconds before pulling shot. Fresh coffee beans a must!
This feels like when my friend's gave me the up, down, left, right, a,b cheat code from back in the day. Will definitely be trying this out. Question, what milk are you using? Cheers
my machine, makes a very loud sound (pounding sound) I hear yours in the background but it is very low, mine is super high and the machine gets very warm quickly. do you happen to know what could be the issue (i still can return it).
That's the water pump, it's pumping hot water/steam into the milk, mine is noisy too and I think his is, it's just further away from the mic when he made the video so you can't hear it as much.
The best improvement for me at this moment is non pressurised basket and a hand grinder. Also if you like a flat white, pay attention when buying a coffee on a profile or flavor notes. You don't want flat to have a sour taste, try to buy a coffee with taste like prunes, chocolate or red apple rather then more fresh notes like green apple, cherry, strawberry, etc.
na doesn’t work, all I get is just some mediocre milkfoam, also I don’t see why you supposed to switch to hot milk mode, I watched james hoffmann how to make milkfoam and he is not switching any modes, he using the same settings all the way through
Cheap, Cheap, Cheap!! Another failed attempt to make a small and affordable espresso machine. You'll need to hold the machine down when putting the portafiller for the not to flips on the counter. Either provide a better attachment to the kitchen countertop (like smoothie makers) or make a heavier appliance at the base.
Thank you! You've just made me relaise that I haven't actually been clicking the steam button before turning on the wand crank.. it's just been given me pure hot water and no bubbles rather than steam 😂 perfect, can't wait for my flat whites!!
Just to give an explanation of what happens is that the wide steam wand (panarello) has a pinhole in it that keeps airing the milk making it frothier than silkier. The idea is to close that hole to let it heat rather than air. I have a machine where I can take that off and have a one-hole steam wand at the very bottom. That I can use to first air the milk at the top and when i have enough microfoam I can soak it deeper to start swirling and heating the milk instead. (I'm still a newbie so please correct if wrong ;)
Thanks… I’ve followed your vid and countless others but I still end up getting really runny milk at the start of the pour and then just froth at the end… I thought this trick might be the solution for me but still the same results… has anyone else had the same experience? Any other tips out there??
some mistakes in this video: you don't program the brew time but the volume of coffee - it has a volumetric, not just a timer (which is in fact even better...); the steam wand is really not good - but you can upgrade with the steam wand from the Rancillio Silvia and than it works fine. And in any case you should change the pressurized basket (which is absolute garbage) with a good one (ideally the ICS type). And then you have a really nice espresso machine for a very affordable price. Btw: one of the biggest advantages of this machine you didn't mention: the extreme short heating time! When you have to wait 15-25 min with other espresso machines, this one is ready to brew in less than one minute!
Two things 1. You should probably run water through the portafilter too not just the group head for better temperature stability 2. You probably want to look in to getting a unpressurised basket as you have a lot more control over the taste and it tastes way way better
I have the exact machine, but when I push the far left button to start the extraction, it often just drips a bit and does nothing. I then have to push the same far left button 2-3 times before it starts the extraction process fully. Anyone know why it won't start the process after just one button push like it should?
I came across this video and they say for Latte milk you just remove the end piece. See here: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE--qTKg_oFBZU.html
going to give this a try! I was doing it the other way around, starting with the hot milk then going to cappuccino mode. Also interesting you keep your spout near the top of the milk. I'd seen others saying the wand should go right to the bottom to get the milk swirling but I'm going to try your way. ATM my wand seems to want to keep boiling the milk with these big explosive bubbles. I've checked for blockages, I don't know what's going on!
just wanted to say thanks. been making real foamy unsatisfying boys for a while, and nailed a silky flat white first time after watching this. respect.
Now tried your method, milk is wonderful. your life hack is absolutely the best. now I will not change the panarella, saving $ 50, thanks a lot a lot 😀
You will buy one like me and after one ore two years you wl definitely upgrade just like me and many others. So be smart and buy a decent machine with a grinder from the beginning
Good video mate, get a good conical burr grinder or manual one for finest grinding also buy an open bottom unpressurized portafilter and you can improve it a long way I've been finding out, I've just bought these and not set up yet any of it but got it when I do/learned the techniques plus the puck preparation aswell. So hoping I can dive in at a decent level (fingers crossed!) Lol 😂 cheers from London 👍🏴🇬🇧
I have the same problem with the machine also. Either to slow flow with dropps or to watery. Think that changing the portafilter to a bottomless may make it better. The standard filter that comes with it is terrible and gets clogged every time regardless tamping pressure or grindsize.
@@christofferandersson6126 This is true, I haven't used an open portafilter yet. But I think the machine's basket should work fine. I mean, come on, this is the standard original piece and should fit the machine. Anyways, I believe I should have bought a capsule machine, Nespresso or so. Easier, cheaper where I live, and more convenient.
I am a newbie and read about changing the milk wand for this EC685. May I just ask the experienced coffee makers that if I use the method this video is showing, there is basically no need to change the milk wand for EC685? Thanks in advance.
I am going out on a limb here. I didn’t know how to steam milk so I just stuck the wand near the bottom of the mug half filled with milk and got a cup full of big unstable bubbles on the Cappuccino setting. I thought it might be the little appendage (with a hole in it)inside the metal wand sleeve making such big bubbles so I ripped it off with a metal skewer. I still find it better to keep the wand well down in the cup ( I raise it slowly at the end) and use full cream milk - but now I get the silkiest, thickest, fine bubble, "melted icecream" milk I’ve ever seen, better than cappuccinos from cafés. I just eat out of the mug, never mind coffee! For heating milk I use the hot milk settling and the wand deep down but keep the mug still. For really flat hot milk I use skim milk. To each their own but this really works for me and I don’t really understand the problem anymore.
It's better to not put your wand so deep in the milk. For my machine (a gaggia) that I modified with a proper wand, I barely submerge the wand. It's probably the same here.
I just bought this - looks great But I have enormous trouble fitting in and turning the coffee handle - it is so stiff and I can only get it part way round - it won’t turn to the front - can anyone suggest something
It is supposed to be that way but unfortunately the machine has no weight to keep it still on the bench. You have to hold the machine while you pull the filter basket in to place. Having said that, it is worth buying a bottomless filter holder and the filters that go with it for much better tasting coffee.
When you put the portafilter into the machine you can align the right prong with the the front of the machine. I typically hold the portafilter from the basket when inserting, and turn it part way before going to the handle, this helps to get a stable connection. When turning with the handle I will use my other hand to hold the machine itself, pressing down from the warming tray. If it feels too tight and cannot turn all the way, you may have to remove some coffee from the portafilter. Too much will make it impossible to turn.
I have been trying from last two months to froth the milk like silky smooth but It's always runny. Any tips how long I need to froth it? I am using same machine.
I have the same machine. I am with you up until the pouring of the milk. After that, I disagree. I usually pour my milk really slowly using a thin stream and the cup at 45 degrees. The aim is to preserve the dark, velvety surface of the coffee. Then as the milk reaches half full, I level the cup and slowly move the pouring stream of milk like a brush to makes the shapes I want. This way, you get a lovely contrast between the milk and the coffee. Just my two cents.
if you are looking to make a good espresso, try buying a similarly priced coffee grinder or use a cheaper handheld one, to get a small grain. Then you can make fresh coffee and even use a different strainer with not just one hole on the bottom to make a top tier espresso for just over 200 dollars over all if you use a handheld grinder thats unbeatable
Too foamy... I advice you to use just the hot milk option even tho last longer to get the result this will be better or straightforwardly take off the silver "sleeve" of the steam wand.
