The water pours through way too fast, making very weak coffee. Should I use a finer grind, like espresso?
1456332
Water pours too fast if all the grounds are stuck to the side of the filter. Pour in just enough water to wet all the grinds first, and let all the water through. You'll notice that the grounds make a sort of "valley" and there's not that much on the very bottom of the filter, where the water's going through. You'll want to pour the water down the edges of the cone so that the grounds come off the sides and fall to the bottom. Pour enough water all around to get the grinds to go down, wait for all the water to go through, then repeat. Each time, you'll see that more and more of the grinds stay on the bottom of the filter and don't stick to the sides. It's easier to pour water around the edges using a kettle with a long spout (like this: http://www.amazon.com/Hario-Buono-Coffee-Drip-Kettle/dp/B000IGOXLS) but you can do it with a regular water boiler. Here's a video if you're interested: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bcBSYQZAn3w
1456333
Definitely. I'm in Oakland and I buy my coffee at Peet's. I use their finest grind and the Melitta makes great coffee. I use 1 level measure per 2 cups of water and make sure the water boils before pouring it through.
1456334
I always grind my coffee very fine. This way you can use less coffee yet get maximum flavor.
1456335
I use regular off the shelf grind and have no problem. You're supposed to just wet the coffee first, and then pour in the water a little at a time. Don't pour in all the water all at once. Maybe that will help?
1456336
http://www.bing.com/videos/search?how+to+make+pour+over+coffee+with+melita&qpvt;=How+to+make+pour+over+coffee+with+melita&FO;RM=VDREI grind my beans to a powdery consistency and pour the water slowly, keeping the kettle boiling hot...You need a good coffee like Don Francisco's Whole bean Columbian, Dunkin Donuts Whole bean, or San Francisco bay coffee (rogers family coffee), or whatever you have locally that is fresh roasted and pouring the water over the coffee making sure all the grinds are wet- I even stir it as I go to fully saturate the beans.
1456337
Hi, Melitta recommends a Fine grind. As fine as you can grind it, I have found.Cheer,Phil
1456338
I'm wondering if you are doing it right. A friend of ours was selling these when we first started using the Melitta at our cabin. He told us to pour a small amt of water over the grounds 1st. Then slowly pour the rest of the boiling water around the edge of the filter filled with coffee. Think you will find this makes stronger coffee.
1506666
You might try using less coffee beans in the grinder. Also, try using the "1-4" feature, so that the water flows a little bit slower.
1355240
The finer the grind the stronger you coffee will be. I'd start with a medium fine and them adjust from there to your taste. If using a finer grind don't pack the grounds in too firm as the water won't be able to run through. I've also found the baristas at Starbucks to be very helpful when it come to grinding and brewing coffee.
1365499
You aren't doing anything wrong. Before I bought this grinder, I really researched what I needed, and I knew going into it, from the expert reviews outside of Amazon, that this grinder is not recommended for Espresso. I didn't want or need espresso grind, so I was fine with this lower end version. I have heard that the Virtuoso model makes good espresso, though I do not have personal experience with that grinder.
274231
There certainly could be some water but your description seems like it's too much. This is a pressure system so that pressure should force the water thru the grounds. Are you filling the basket with enough coffee grounds? What is the quality of the coffee you're making? I presume you are allowing a small amount of time for the water to percolate thru when the pressure tapers off.
1129008
The knob in the bean bin sets the grind. Finer grind = stronger coffee. Less water, obviously does as well.
547246
This unit works best using espresso grind size coffee. Regular coffee grinds being too fine will not allow water to flow through the smaller grinds. This unit like other espresso units will require larger grind coffee to work efficiently.
291241
I fear that your espresso machine has probably run its course. You might try running a descaler through it (very cheap at Morrissons) in case it's just scaled up. Failing that, you'll have to replace it.
563820
I've been using Starbucks bagged Espresso. I have them grind it. I've had mine for about 6 weeks and sometimes it would struggle to push the espresso out or leak water out the side..and considering it was a new machine I was upset. I asked the girl at Starbucks and she told me to try a coarser grind. So instead of the 3 that Starbucks normally grinds it at...I asked them to grind it at a 3 1/2 and I took it home to try it and it was PERFECT! Poured at a decent rate, had good crema, and NO leaking water out the sides ;) <3 Hope that helps!
2237461
i think you can use whatever beans you want--i use decaf espresso so that i can use our coffeemaker for caffeinated. i think the manual said how fine, but i can't remember. i know it's not the super fine, like an espresso machine and it's not the really coarse grind, so it's in between. just start with a middle setting and if you start to get sludge in the bottom, it's too fine.
1362461
I pour the hot water very slowly and i dont grind the coffee too fine :) it turns out fine :)
2197704
Freeze your coffee so it isn't watered down. I don't see why not. You'll have to play around with it. The machine is very loud and slow but I'm still liking it.
41236
Do not tamp it down too hard and as long as your hear a 'chugging' noise, it is working. Check your grind, too. It may be too fine. Espresso grind is too fine, use a slightly coarser grind. Also, get a burr grinder. Blade grinders make too much fine powder and will clog the filter. Cool?
914021
I purchased the Coffee Duck refillable pods, and they worked marginally but made EXTREMELY weak coffee with no crema (the espresso foam) on top. We were so bummed! We have a custom grinder and played around with setting it to super fine, medium fine, etc. and nothing seemed to help. We tried packing the pods tight, leaving a little room, etc. and still the coffee sucked. Stick with the capsules; they're expensive up front, but worth it in the end. Plus, Nespresso's capsules are Rainforest-Alliance certified, which is the highest certification for both sustainability and fair-trade. You can also recycle your pods now by turning them into Sur La Table. Hope that helps! I purchased the Coffee Duck refillable pods, and they worked marginally but made EXTREMELY weak coffee with no crema (the espresso foam) on top. We were so bummed! We have a custom grinder and played around with setting it to super fine, medium fine, etc. and nothing seemed to help. We tried packing the pods tight, leaving a little room, etc. and still the coffee sucked. Stick with the capsules; they're expensive up front, but worth it in the end. Plus, Nespresso's capsules are Rainforest-Alliance certified, which is the highest certification for both sustainability and fair-trade. You can... » Read More I purchased the Coffee Duck refillable pods, and they worked marginally but made EXTREMELY weak coffee with no crema (the espresso foam) on top. We were so bummed! We have a custom grinder and played around with setting it to super fine, medium fine, etc. and nothing seemed to help. We tried packing the pods tight, leaving a little room, etc. and still the coffee sucked. Stick with the capsules; they're expensive up front, but worth it in the end. Plus, Nespresso's capsules are Rainforest-Alliance certified, which is the highest certification for both sustainability and fair-trade. You can also recycle your pods now by turning them into Sur La Table. Hope that helps! « Show Less
114963
It should be pretty coarse. You want your coffee grounds to be roughly 1 to 1.5 mm in size. Remember to use 2 tbsp of coffee for every cup of water and brew for 4 minutes. If you want your coffee stronger or weaker use more or less coffee. If you're still unsure how much to grind your coffee go to Starbucks and ask them to grind your coffee for a French press.
1478654
It is very fast. In fact, the water flows through so fast that I double up the paper filters to slow it down so it isn't weak. I have a pot of coffee in about 7-10 minutes? I have not timed it.
2257368
I spoke with Breville and they told me that the likely problem was too fine of a grind in the filter. They had me soak the filter in a vinegar/water mixture over nite then run the machine without coffee and I would see the grounds in the cup. Well, I did as they advised and only saw a few grounds. The problem persisted. I tried the pod and the flow was mostly drips, not a steady flow. I decided that this machine is too fussy, I just want my latte!