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VST 7g baskets

Matt WhyardMatt Whyard
in LONDINIUM R help (& 2012-2016 L1)
Hi,

I'd really like to explore producing single shots. I have an IMS "The Single" and have had mixed results. I do wonder whether it's design is something of a compromise in order to allow people to use a 58mm tamper.

Has anyone tried a dedicated 7g basket, such as the VST precision 7g? I realise this requires a separate tamper, but I wonder if it will give better results.

Comments

  • Richard GregoryRichard Gregory
    I have used the VST 7g basket, only not with a Londinium.

    You're right, it works best with a tamp that is designed to fit the basket in the basket. The results were excellent.

    I'm trying to remember where I got the tamp base from...
  • KfirKfir
    You need a 41 mm tamper, the basket can hold about 8.5 grams of coffee

    I once got a nice funnel for that basket that allows you to even tamp with it, from this store:

    http://www.tidaka.net/de/Board-Trichter/Boardtrichter-LM1-Groesse-M-mattInnendurchmesser-412mm.html

    41 mm tamper are available, concept art for example:

    http://www.amazon.de/Concept-Art-bf41-Tamper-Unterteil-Edelstahl/dp/B007CJIZIQ

    Kfir.
  • Matthew HoffmanMatthew Hoffman
    MattW post=9802 wrote: Hi,

    I'd really like to explore producing single shots. I have an IMS "The Single" and have had mixed results. I do wonder whether it's design is something of a compromise in order to allow people to use a 58mm tamper.

    Has anyone tried a dedicated 7g basket, such as the VST precision 7g? I realise this requires a separate tamper, but I wonder if it will give better results.

    I wasn't happy with results from the IMS SINGLE either. However, I am very pleased with the shots I am pulling from my LMS Strada 7g basket. They taste quite different to the singles I obtain by splitting a 14g shot with a double-spout portafilter, gentler and rounder yet full of flavour.

    Matt
  • Unknown
    I have been using the OEM single basket and The Single IMS and dose them to 10g. I use a Reg Barber Euro Curved tamper that fit snugly.
  • Reiss GunsonReiss Gunson
    i suspect when you talk single you are referring to the conventional 7g dose, 28g shot weight

    but for a ristretto using a 12g dose, 8g shot weight i couldn't be happier with the IMS The Single

    perfection as far i'm concerned.
  • Matthew HoffmanMatthew Hoffman
    Reiss Gunson post=9818 wrote: i suspect when you talk single you are referring to the conventional 7g dose, 28g shot weight

    The formula I use is 7g dose, 14g shot weight, for a brew ratio of 50%
  • Matt WhyardMatt Whyard
    Reiss Gunson post=9818 wrote: i suspect when you talk single you are referring to the conventional 7g dose, 28g shot weight

    but for a ristretto using a 12g dose, 8g shot weight i couldn't be happier with the IMS The Single

    perfection as far i'm concerned.

    This is a tad too short for me. My usual "double" ratio is something like 15g->27g so I'd like to achieve something similar in a single dose, maybe 7g->13g. I'm not really looking for a ristretto. When I've tried it with IMS The Single it doesn't seem to be able to produce good longer shots like this.
  • Reiss GunsonReiss Gunson
    fair enough too.
  • Matt WhyardMatt Whyard
    I drink fairly light roast coffee and ristrettos can be a bit harsh
  • Matthew HoffmanMatthew Hoffman
    For what it's worth, here are the parameters issued by the Italian Espresso National Institute:


    image

    Note: they use a volume measure for what's in the cup, 25ml, which given that the relatively light crema will form say 15% of that, equates to a shot weight of about 21g (brew ratio, 33%).

    Matt
  • Frans GoddijnFrans Goddijn
    Matthew Hoffman post=9824 wrote: they use a volume measure for what's in the cup, 25ml, which given that the relatively light crema will form say 15% of that, equates to a shot weight of about 21g (brew ratio, 33%).

    Volume of crema varies wildly (type of bean, freshness, timing) so I think a volume rule leaves it all to guesswork.


    image

    picture source:

    http://josumacoffee.tumblr.com/post/77619957870/robustamyth
  • Matthew HoffmanMatthew Hoffman
    Yes. Very interesting photo demonstration. I wonder what is the real weight of the average single espresso served in an Italian coffee bar.
  • Salvatore TaibiSalvatore Taibi
    Based on my experience, I'd probably say the average I've received is in the neighborhood of 12g. Some more, some less.

    I've never tried the VST single, but I have the LM Strada 7g basket and love it. I'm looking for 8g in/11g out. Of course, my normal "double" is with a IMS 24.5 and I'm dosing 14.5, shooting for 23g in the cup.

    This is with typically darker Italian roasts.
  • Matt WhyardMatt Whyard
    Salvatore Taibi post=9878 wrote: Based on my experience, I'd probably say the average I've received is in the neighborhood of 12g. Some more, some less.

    I've never tried the VST single, but I have the LM Strada 7g basket and love it. I'm looking for 8g in/11g out. Of course, my normal "double" is with a IMS 24.5 and I'm dosing 14.5, shooting for 23g in the cup.

    This is with typically darker Italian roasts.

    What is the target shot time of a single? Is it the same as a double, i.e. around 25 seconds? Or shorter?
  • Salvatore TaibiSalvatore Taibi
    Shot time should remain the same.
  • KfirKfir
    When I was using the VST 7g basket I loaded it with 8.5-9g of coffee in the center and tamped hard with a 41mm tamper.
    I aimed for 22-23 seconds usually and 17-18g in the cup.

    This basket can produce great single shots but a good thick double shot is hard to beat...

    Kfir.
  • Salvatore TaibiSalvatore Taibi
    To each his own, Kfir. I'd much prefer a good, thick single of around 12g in the cup!
  • Salvatore TaibiSalvatore Taibi
    Followed by another a few minutes later, of course!
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