Can you use dark, espresso, oily beans or will it clog it up?
315382
I read reviews before buying that said clogging was an issue. However, I have had no problems with ours. Obviously I use dark roast espresso beans, as fresh as humanly possible, and have had no issue at all. The only problem I've had has been limiting the number of drinks I pull on it. We've been on a caffeine high since we got it, and even have friends drop by for theirs more often. I do a complete clean off the new group every week as recommended, which probably is necessary to remain problem free.
315383
I use the French dark roast and they are oily. There is no problem! The beans I use are virtually black!
315384
I have found that you can use oil beans sparingly and my experience is that the freshly ground dark roast is too sticky, will clog the chute to the brew group. I blend in 10% French Roast with medium roast espresso beans but I am afraid to use more as I think the machine will not handle it as intended.
315385
I use Dark bean, which I usually buy in Costco from Starbaks or Colombian, working well but I clean machine every 5-6 days.
1833579
Depends on how fine you grind it. I think espresso will defintily go through it.
1265937
I use a coffee grinder to grind whole espresso beans for this machine. Doesn't have to be super fine but I think you get better espresso that way. Great machine especially for the price. My local Peet's coffee recommended this machine to me - it's been a great little machine. Good milk foaming too. Hope that helps.
2080816
It depends what kind of coffee you usually prefer. I like a darker roast than most people drink, so I use a medium-dark roast from a local coffee house (Caribou Coffee, Obsidian). If you are comparing to Starbucks, they usually use their Kenya blend for their espresso drinks. Start with your favorite bean, grind it medium-fine (not as fine as espresso, but not as coarse as for drip brewing). The grind matters greatly. If it's too fine, it can clog the filter and cause problems with brewing. If it's too coarse, you don't get the best flavor extraction. I hope this helps.
492951
It's already dark tint - as in Espresso. You just shake the can really well and stir it well.
1794650
No. Since it is preground you cannot control the flow through adjusting the grind size. Therefore it will only be "useable" in cheaper espresso machines that have a pressurized portafilter.
10942
Absolutely. Go for as fine a ground as you can get without coffee dust flying out of the machine. A very fine setting and dark-roast beans will get you the strongest flavor -- because the more surface area that touches the water, the stronger the brew. I also use more coffee per cup than most instructions suggest: 1/4 cup of grounds per 8-oz mug of coffee. I prefer medium dark beans and less than espresso strength. You get more coffee flavor from beans that aren't dark roasted, in my opinion and that of many coffee roasters, baristas, buyers and growers. If you like the burnt bitterness of espresso, though, go for it. Absolutely. Go for as fine a ground as you can get without coffee dust flying out of the machine. A very fine setting and dark-roast beans will get you the strongest flavor -- because the more surface area that touches the water, the stronger the brew. I also use more coffee per cup than most instructions suggest: 1/4 cup of grounds per 8-oz mug of coffee. I prefer medium dark beans and less than espresso strength. You get more coffee flavor from beans that aren't dark roasted, in my opinion and that of many coffee roasters, baristas, buyers and growers. If you like the burnt bitterness of... » Read More Absolutely. Go for as fine a ground as you can get without coffee dust flying out of the machine. A very fine setting and dark-roast beans will get you the strongest flavor -- because the more surface area that touches the water, the stronger the brew. I also use more coffee per cup than most instructions suggest: 1/4 cup of grounds per 8-oz mug of coffee. I prefer medium dark beans and less than espresso strength. You get more coffee flavor from beans that aren't dark roasted, in my opinion and that of many coffee roasters, baristas, buyers and growers. If you like the burnt bitterness of espresso, though, go for it. « Show Less
269703
It depends on how finely you grind your beans and how tightly you pack it. My wife makes her espresso just fine, so I'm sure yours will too.
934170
I use any coffee and grind it fine ( or buy it already ground). As long as you don't grind it too small there is no problem. I usually get a dark, deep roasted espresso like one. I hope this helps.
1421734
Not sure your knowledge of whole bean coffee. I for one want my beans oily. It tells me they fresh. When you grind the bean you will not notice oil.
1572225
For lattes just a pitcher to hold the milk. as far as "oily beans, most fresh ones are, usually the darker the roast the more oily
928868
Hi, did you use the coffee strength adjustment dial located where you add the beans? Check to make sure its set to a stronger setting. Also I've found that if the beans are tightly packed it works better, and we use a strong dark arabica expresso roast.
1071810
Though this machine has a "special adaptor" for oily beans, it can still clog up the works (like with most auto machines). I typically go to the local coffee shop and get a 50/50 blend of their house expresso (oily) and mix it with a full taste drier bean. Also, you can set the grind to a more courser grind (opens up the grinding head a little bit more). Finally, you can take the drip tray cover with a torx screw driver and, carefully, loosen older stuck ground coffee using a bamboo stick.
1086480
Not sure. Most espresso grounds I've seen are more fine than this. That said, I'd give it a shot. This coffee is amazing.
841072
I use medium setting but it is really the coffee that makes the difference. Perhaps try lighter coffee not espresso. I use mainly Black Cat from Intelligenzia or Illy Mokka that is for this method of making coffee.
1548800
You won't be able to use this with soy beans. Soy beans are oily and the oil will cause the grinder to clog. The instructions also mention this if you are able to access the instructions online.
2182277
It should be ground as expresso at the store. Using the usual drip ground will make weak expresso. The best is using a burr grinder. You can experiment with fine to very fine to make the espresso you like best.