Friday, April 13, 2012

Single Boiler Espresso Machines: Temperature Surfing & Steaming






Gail talks to us about the importance of temperature surfing on any single boiler espresso machine -- it not only makes for an improved shot, but it also means your boiler will be regularly refilled and you'll have better steam performance and boiler longevity.

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24 comments:

  1. SeattleCoffeeGearApril 13, 2012 at 7:46 AM

    Haha - thank you (I think!) ;) - Kat

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  2. psyjpgApril 13, 2012 at 7:52 AM

    Kat, I have to say you are a true Coffee Geek (maybe even moreso than Velton). I just love these videos - chock full of humour - and co-host Gail (who also 'really knows her stuff'). You two have really become Internet celebrities.

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  3. SeattleCoffeeGearApril 13, 2012 at 8:22 AM

    You're welcome! Glad we could help. - Kat

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  4. roman21000April 13, 2012 at 8:36 AM

    I was having trouble with the Via, but then I remembered u lady's did a vid over temp surfing...makes sense now..
    Thank you....:)

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  5. SeattleCoffeeGearApril 13, 2012 at 8:43 AM

    The Sirena is different since it uses a thermoblock on the steam side; not sure if you can do this same functionality on that machine - Kat

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  6. oafaloafApril 13, 2012 at 8:45 AM

    I am trying to figure out how this coresponds to the starbucks sirena, I'll probably be calling you guys

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  7. SeattleCoffeeGearApril 13, 2012 at 8:58 AM

    If you pull water through the steam wand, you're good to go. - Kat

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  8. ersia87April 13, 2012 at 9:26 AM

    How do I know wether there is water in my boiler or not?

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  9. FaranGittyApril 13, 2012 at 10:36 AM

    excellent info.

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  10. SeattleCoffeeGearApril 13, 2012 at 10:39 AM

    It's a great choice! Hope you are enjoying it so far :) - Kat

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  11. giuseppes04April 13, 2012 at 11:26 AM

    You guys are great. I just purchased a VIA venezia and watch your videos to learn how to make good use of it. It is my first espresso machine so hopefully it will be good.

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  12. SeattleCoffeeGearApril 13, 2012 at 12:17 PM

    You need to temp surf whenever the machine has been sitting on for awhile; this is not about switching temps but ensuring you have a good idea of where the temp is at in its heating cycle. - Kat

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  13. shesdoinitApril 13, 2012 at 1:00 PM

    If you don't plan to use the steamer, should you still temperature surf for just brewing?

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  14. SeattleCoffeeGearApril 13, 2012 at 1:41 PM

    You want to brew somewhere between 195F - 205F, that is idea for coffee. The sweet spot for different coffees will vary, but will be somewhere in that range. - Kat

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  15. faithlan22April 13, 2012 at 2:40 PM

    hi!!just want to ask what is the temperature of single shot espresso?thank you!!

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  16. SeattleCoffeeGearApril 13, 2012 at 2:49 PM

    I great way to understand it is to watch our video on bi-metal thermostats; that will give you an idea of the technical side of what you're working with/against while temperature surfing. Let me know if you need more explanation, etc. :) - Kat

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  17. kragierApril 13, 2012 at 2:53 PM

    I need to watch this video again, it is 1 AM, and I am impaired from being tired. I never really understood temperature surfing the whole way. When I wake up, hopefully I will be able to comprehend information...

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  18. SeattleCoffeeGearApril 13, 2012 at 3:09 PM

    The happiest place on earth!!! At least the perkiest, anyway ;) - Kat

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  19. CoughEGuyApril 13, 2012 at 3:29 PM

    That would be greatly appreciated. I can't wait to see it for I love watching your videos; for me, its like visiting disneyland.

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  20. SeattleCoffeeGearApril 13, 2012 at 4:17 PM

    Sure, we can try it out for you -- I will put it on our to-do list for this week. I am still experimenting with the Brevilles so hopefully we'll have more answers soon. - Kat

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  21. CoughEGuyApril 13, 2012 at 4:34 PM

    I love the videos and have been very helpful; is it possible to pull a shot on a Breville Cafe Modena? And, use grounds from a Jura Capresso Infinity? The reason I ask is that I own these pieces and want to know if I'm pulling shots the correct way. Also, do you need to tamp with this machine? Anything you can do would help tremendously.

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  22. SeattleCoffeeGearApril 13, 2012 at 5:02 PM

    If we have one in the store, I will do one for this. It's going to be the same process with your machine, just watch for the ready lights going on/off according to your user manual. I'll post something up here if we have a model we can demo. Thanks! - Kat

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  23. MrAirshotApril 13, 2012 at 5:41 PM

    hey kat gail .
    so eventually i bought the gaggia new baby
    she looks like the one on the other video here
    so can you make a video for this action with the gaggia new baby .
    thanks

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  24. SeattleCoffeeGearApril 13, 2012 at 5:52 PM

    Steve - thanks for the tip! We are going to experiment with plugging up the air induction hole to see if we can get better results, because without the sleeve the wand is so short! Perhaps there will be a how-to video on here in the near future :) Thanks for the feedback on the videos - glad you've been enjoying them! - Kat

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