new basket filters...?

[icke]

i know, i know, the machine is not that important but what about the pf basket? i read on coffeegeek that it's role in the extraction process seemingly has been underated and now that vst/lm has come out with a new 'perfect' basket, the extraction improvements seem to be vast...

i had a look at the vst site but shipping cost of 75$ for a 25$ item is just a tad to much for me...

if anybody else might be interested we can perhaps share the horrendous shipping cost?

[Viernes]

whats vst?

Anyway, drop them an email asking for USPS shipment instead of an express courier.

[icke]

whats vst?

http://vstapps.com/store/vst-precision-filter-baskets/

these baskets are not ready for shipping yet anyway, so they may be able to integrate some other shipper into their site by the time they get the baskets ready in numbers...

[icke]

they seem to be available from a european source:
http://www.nuova-ricambi.de/shop/de/La-Marzocco/Siebe

shipping to france or the uk is just about 16€ - slightly more reasonable than 75$

[Aadje]

I want one!

But which, the 14 or the 17? tricky . . .

[icke]

I want one!

But which, the 14 or the 17? tricky . . .

the 14g baskets are not in stock yet but i will order three anyway: 14, 17 and 21g

[Aadje]

I only make and drink doubles/cappa's. I probably have to buy both and find out which suits my needs . . .

Not in stock? Nuova Ricambi.de claims to have them and that they will be delivered in 2 weeks.

edit: the 17 gram basket will be delivered in 3 days . . . so Icke, you are right, they don't have it in stock . . srry

[icke]

i received an email from the owner this morning. he expects delivery of the 14g and 7g baskets early july, hence the 2 weeks delivery note.

i haven't ordered yet as he is trying to source new grinder burrs for my nino too.

[double_shot]

How did your experience of the new VST Precision Ridgeless Filter Baskets workout?

For anyone is interested the data-sheet is available here VST Info PDF




Visit the VST Website $29 USD.

Available in the UK from Square Mile and Hasbean the cost is around £20 - £23.50.

Hasbean Features Info...

VST's new precision filters deliver consistent extraction performance over a wide range of concentration with reduced sediment

Designed to extract properly as a ristretto, normale or lungo with minimal or no change in grind setting at a fixed dose

Filters are matched for total square area to +/- 5% to ensure identical performance

(typical variances of standard filters range from 50-200% of nominal)

All VST Filters are warrantied for ONE-YEAR and for ZERO DEFECTS

Holes are fabricated using a new micro-machine and finishing process

100% of holes are measured on every filter for min/max range limits on area and diameter to a precision of +/- 30 µm (Unique QC report provided with every filter)

All holes are measured for circularity, placement, square area and blocked holes

Hole pattern is centered to +/- 1.0 mm and placement is oriented for uniform extraction throughout the entire puck

Wide outlet angle to prevent filters from clogging, anti-wear design ensures uniform performance for life of product

Improved structural integrity, will withstand deflection from pump cycling without premature fatigue failures (see VST Warranty)

[CakeBoy]

Bumping a very old thread here. Has anyone tried these? There is plenty written about them around the internet, including a superb explanation by James Hoffmann, who always seems to make sense of things and talk about them clearly.

In short, James explains (I hope that I paraphrase this accurately, sorry James) that traditional Italian double baskets were designed for a 14g dose but could physically hold more. So called third wave baristas used the top of the basket as a way of easily measuring a consistent and repeatable dose, and thus updosed. The downside of updosing is that the flavour profile is altered, but the upside is often a more intense shot.

The idea of the VST/Strada/new LM (more in a minute) is that it is possible to produce an 18g (or what was updosed in the past) shot in the relevant basket that has the same flavour profile as a standard 14g but retains the additional intensity. Accordingly, all the various sized baskets retain the intended flavour profile of the coffee without the volume produced altering it. Not well put by me, but the basic gist, and explained far better in numerous internet locations.

So here is the question. The retention of the intended flavour profile has been resolved, but what about measuring to the top of the basket? Does anyone know if that is roughly the correct dose for the basket in use or if scales are now required in order not to overfill?

Our Anna is always updosed to 20g in her double basket by levelling and tamping. A 20g VST would be great in order to seek the ideal flavour extraction as long as scales were not necessary every shot to dose 20g.

Back to the VST/Strada/New LM thing. Most know that the VST and LM Strada baskets are basically the same as they collaberated in the production of the baskets, that both are scanned for consistency and provide QC reports. I believe the new LM baskets (as sold in the UK by CoffeeHit and others) are also the same but just have not been individually imaged and come with no QC report. Is that basically it?

Any user experiences?

[simonp]

I have both the 20g and 18g (well it is sold as 18g but says 17g on the basket so not sure which is is). I have used both, but mostly the 18g one mainly as it suffers less from channelling from some reason.
From what I understand the baskets are designed to give you the correct clearance to the showerscreen for the given dose of the basket and that you can go +/-1g safely. I would still use scales to make sure you get consistency, though I find for most beans that I get the same amount by weighing 18g that I would by filling and levelling. However if you use high density beans you would get rather more weight by levelling, but then I find that I updose those beans a bit anyway about 1g. I reckon you would be OK with just fill distribute and level, but don't be lazy, get some scales!

I believe you are correct about the VST to LM comparison, the LM ones do not go through as thorough a check.

I can say that I get far better consistency than with previous baskets I have used, particularly when running restricted shots, no more slow drip then gush at the end.

[CakeBoy]

Top stuff Simon, thank you. Nowhere on the internet could we find confirmation of that. Do you know if the same can be said of the 20g, as in levelling is actually 20g (subject to bean mass)? It seems most people like the 18g the best. It is probably the one to go for then as our 20g was only nominal anyway borne of convenience and an unknown quantity until we actually weighed it!

I can shed light on the LM being marked 14 and the VST 15, then 17 and 18 respectively. Apparently it is because LM use the traditional Italian measurements whilst VST mark the maximum quantity. They are the same as you said.

Not sure we could cope with weighing per shot

[CakeBoy]

Any recommendations for scales?

[simonp]

From what I read (it was an article by the VST guy, can't remember where it was) the same idea applies to all the baskets regarding fill level.

If you like your shots in the ristretto style then the 20g ne will give you a nice full double size one.

As for scales, I got these http://www.hasbean.co.uk/products/pocke ... -200g-001g as I happened to be ordering some beans etc, but I think any similar ones will do.

[CakeBoy]

Nice, thanks Simon