Seattle Coffee Gear Blog » Q&A

Compare: Chemex Filters vs. Hario 02 Filters

Kat — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 20:23:59 +0000

Our first time out, Allison used a Hario 02 paper filter for her brew test with the Chemex. And we didn’t hear the end of it from our YouTube fans!

So once we received our first shipment of signature Chemex filters, we decided to do a side by side brew comparison to practically determine if you could tell a difference in the cup. Watch as Allison brews up two batches on the Chemex and we taste them to find out.

How To: Dialing in a Coffee Grinder

Kat — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 22:32:19 +0000

A little bit of the ol’ science behind the magic! Dialing in a grinder is one of the most fearsome tasks for new home espresso enthusiasts, and we’re often asked for advice on how to get the hang of it.

While we produced a video a couple of years ago that covers this topic, we have had many folks ask more questions that weren’t covered in the original version and we’ve learned a few new tips and tricks along the way. Watch Gail dial in the Nuova Simonelli Grinta for the Nuova Simonelli Oscar, providing recommendations that can be applied to any home espresso setup.

Compare: Baratza Virtuoso vs. Breville Smart Grinder

Kat — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 19:10:18 +0000

For entry level espresso-grade grinders, the Baratza Virtuoso and the Breville Smart Grinder have a lot of features one might want to cuddle and caress (with the finger guards in place, of course!). At similar price points, how do their features and grind performance compare?

We asked Gail to take these out for a stroll and show them off for you. Watch her go through their features and functionality, then grind at three different settings (finest, medium, coarsest) to compare how the burrs practically perform.

Experimenting with Cold Brew Coffee

Kat — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 18:16:48 +0000

Do you really need a fancy, specially-designed gadget to brew up a batch of cold coffee? Or can you just use your trusty ol’ press pot? While we carry a couple of different cold brew options (from Hario and Sowden), we wanted to see if using one of them (namely, the Sowden) produced a better, worse or similar cup to making a cold brew with a La Cafetiere french press.

So we put Allison to the test! Watch as we brew up a batch in each, using the same grind and coffee-to-water ratios, allowing them to sit over night and then giving them a taste test. We also compare how much sediment appears in the cup. So exciting!

Baratza Grinder Line-Up

Kat — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 16:56:44 +0000

Since our last look at Baratza’s offerings, they’ve added some new options and changed their line-up, so we asked Gail to provide us with an update.

Watch as she talks us through the different features of the Maestro Plus, Virtuoso, Preciso, Vario, Vario-W and the Esatto retrofit accessory. Then we demonstrate grind differences between the Maestro burrs, the Preciso burrs (used in the Virtuoso and the Preciso) and the Vario burrs (used in the Vario and Vario-W) to see how they compare at their finest and their coarsest.

Crew Review: Klean Kanteen

Kat — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 20:03:44 +0000

Taking your favorite beverage on the road is a time honored tradition, and no matter if it’s an iced coffee, a steaming latte, a cool drink o’ water or some delicious homemade soup, the Klean Kanteen series of BPA-free bottles have got you covered! /end infomercial introduction

But seriously, we do dig these stainless steel bottles, so we asked Allison to talk to us about the insulated and non-insulated versions of the Klean Kanteen.

Milk Steaming Tips

Kat — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 18:00:46 +0000

One of the wiliest dragons to slay in the home espresso universe is milk steaming — there are basic tenets one must follow, but from there it’s just practice, practice, practice. The kind of machine you’re using will play a big part in your milk frothing success, as well as whether or not you’re working with a traditional wand vs. a panarello or a steam boiler vs. a thermoblock.

Gail walks us through tips, tricks and things to keep in mind when steaming your milk, either for the ‘wet paint’ texture for latte art or the dense, shaving cream microfoam for cappuccinos. Watch her demonstrate best practice on the Rocket Giotto and the Saeco Via Venezia.

Choose Your Own Adventure: Selecting an Espresso Machine

Kat — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 19:55:04 +0000

There are hundreds of espresso machines on the market, who knows where to even start?! We often receive feedback from folks researching gear that it’s overwhelming to determine which machine would best fit their needs, why they’d choose one type of machine over the other or how their budget might impact functionality or features.

To assist in this, we’ve developed our first interactive series of videos that provide an introductory look at the different points to consider when selecting an espresso machine. As you navigate through this, Gail offers her recommendations for machines worth researching in different machine types and budget classes.

Enjoy!

Looking for more detail on the recommended equipment? Checkout the Selecting an Espresso Machine section of our site.

Santa Gail’s Holiday Gift Ideas

Kat — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 20:16:02 +0000

If you’re not sure what to pick up for the coffee lover in your life, check out some of Gail’s favorite gear this holiday season.

New: SCG’s Espresso Lover’s Gift Package!

Kat — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 19:52:29 +0000

We wanted to help you help the ones you love by combining a few of our favorite things into one sweet little gift box. Our exclusive gift package includes the following:

1, 2, Brew Kit – for Espresso Machines
Your choice of a 1lb. bag of one of the following Velton’s Coffees: Holiday Blend (limited edition!), Bonsai or Three Ravens Decaf
Set of 2 BIA Cordon Bleu Sweep demi cups & saucers
Set of 2 Heavy Shot Glasses with line – 1.25 oz total volume
Set of 4 Rattleware Demitasse spoons

We package all these goodies in a classy black box, ready for the wrapping paper of your choice (or just a fancy shmancy bow). You’ll get over $50 in gear for $40, which is also pretty darn sweet.

Ho ho ho!