Not fully replicating Hugh Kelly’s WBC routine. There, he only ran the first 12 grms of extraction over the frozen block.

Also trialling a puck screen to aid better water distribution across the puck which seems to be doing its job.

Shot was 17grms with a 1:2.5 ratio in around 33 secs total.

Espresso cup was pre-warmed and the shot was 50c.

Taste was very interesting. Huge silky mouthfeel akin to using a conical grinder but mine is a flat. Nicely balanced flavour - very fruit forward but not acidic. Definitely worth the effort.

Will try with other beans and try emulating Kelly’s routine of removing the frozen block around 12 grms.

I find this hack seems to bring out the flavours of the coffee more clearly and it doesn’t drop the temperature by that much that the coffee becomes cold. My own theory is that it brings the temperature of rhe coffee down to a level where our taste buds can better differentiate between the different flavour notes and that apart from that it doesn’t really do anything to the coffee itself. I rarely employ this hack however as it does involve a little more fussing wirh the preparation.

    chlorox If it was solely about drinking temp, then you could just wait.

    My understanding is that drinking temp is a secondary concern. The main idea behind this and the Paragon for drip coffee is that volatile aromatics are very quickly lost from the brew (dissolved solids are not - an issue recognised at least 65 years ago) and the temperature drop as the liquid leaves the puck/bed is theorised help to retain otherwise lost volatiles.

    Ideally, a comparison should be made between ‘frozen ball’ shots & those left to naturally cool to the same drinking temp, to identify a difference. Or, if you feel/taste that ‘frozen ball’ shots are preferable, just do it & enjoy.

    Not sure, but I’m sure I recall some interest in retaining volatiles through temperature after Christian Klatt had some shots analysed after grinding from frozen, following his involvement in the Colonna-Dashwood, Hendon, Leighton, Perger et all paper on grinding from frozen.

        MWJB

        I would theorize that the volatiles are helping to bring out the flavour notes but becsuse the temperature is still too high for our taste buds to differentiate between them optimally, we dont get the best possible experience. It’s a catch 22 situation because if we wait for the coffee to cool then we lose the volatiles and the flavour notes with them. However by using the frozen balls, we get to have our cake and eat it too, so to speak.

          Intriguing 🤔 What happens to this apparent taste change if you use the shot in a milk drink? Like a cappuccino. And what happens if you stir the cappuccino?

            JHCCoffee What happens to this apparent taste change if you use the shot in a milk drink? Like a cappuccino. And what happens if you stir the cappuccino?

            We’re talking subtle but discernible differences. Think adding milk would disappear them.

                When I lay my hands on the double spout portafilter (recent house move), will try that.

                Systemic

                I have never tried the hack with latte as I didn’t think the differences would be worthwhile once u threw in the effect of the milk.

                  Systemic I’ve just ordered a 40mm SS ball which wasn’t expensive so I won’t be hacked off if there’s no appreciable difference in the cup.

                  I’ve just been looking and saw a 40mm stainless steel ball but they wanted £29 not including delivery. Is that about what you paid and if not where did you get yours from?

                    Ahh got it. So, the hardened chrome steel ball not the stainless steel one that costs over £25.

                    Ordered and a couple of sink strainers too.

                    Cheers!

                      Pompeyexile Ahh got it. So, the hardened chrome steel ball not the stainless steel one that costs over £25.

                      Ordered and a couple of sink strainers too.

                      Cheers!

                      Might give it a whirl if it’s relatively low cost. Where did you buy yours?

                          JHCCoffee Might give it a whirl if it’s relatively low cost. Where did you buy yours?

                          Simply Bearings off the web the same as Systemic👍

                          Oh, and a pair of sink strainers off Amazon at £2.99

                          Ordered yesterday, arrived today.

                            That’s what a I liked about this hack - it’s cheap. Those stainless steel balls they use for whiskey combined with a stainless steel sink strainer and u are good to go. I got mine from China and it was so cheap I got so many of the steel balls that I alternate between them.

                            A bit pricier than ball bearings but very pretty and that’s the main thing 😀

                            I’ll post once I’ve tried them.

                            If I read this right the idea is to have only the first 20%-50% run over the frozen ball.

                            Blimey Tompoland you never do things by halves do you… Mind you, having said that even at £44.99 plus postage over here, your golden balls are very enticing especially as you get 4 plus the holders.

                            After buying the ball and sink strainer support I realised I do not have a small espresso cup with a small enough diameter so I found a retro one on Ebay whihc should be here this week.

                            In for a penny…

                            [

                            I’ll try this filter version too. It will arrive next week and I’ll report in.

                            I figure that I’ve invested so much in grinders and burrs, that it would be silly not to give it a whirl. It’s less than the price of the last kettle I bought. That’s what I keep telling myself anyway.

                            I also tell myself that I don’t drink, smoke or do drugs. Although it’s getting to the point where a crack addiction might actually be cheaper 🤔

                              tompoland I also tell myself that I don’t drink, smoke or do drugs. Although it’s getting to the point where a crack addiction might actually be cheaper 🤔

                              Keep telling yourself that Tom 😀 while I tell myself I don’t need this before I go and check out how much it costs.