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.

                          Paragon frozen ball pour over gizmo costs £140 - feck that. Decided to do a bit of DIY. Here’s the result. Used an 03 and 02 Switch.

                          Placed the frozen ball in the 02 with valve open.

                          Sat the 03 on top of the 02 and on to the jug. Bit precarious but doable.

                          Method. 30 grms roughly ground as for Chemex. 200 grms water in with valve open. At 45 secs, remainder of water with valve closed. Left until 2 min 30 secs then draw down which completed in total time of 3 mins 25 secs. EY was 19%. Temperature of coffee in jug was 69c.

                          Tastewise, can’t say I noticed much but I had a tooth out couple of days ago so I am not on top form. Will definitely try again with some other beans over coming days as the methods isn’t much extra work.

                            Systemic very innovative!

                            Poured my first espresso today using the balls but messed it up somewhat. Going to run some blind taste tests the grinder lab on the weekend. I’ll be surprised (and delighted) if I can pick the difference.

                            Is there an issue with stainless steel balls needing to be food safe? I’ve personally no idea. Boilers are SS so probably quite safe. It’s probably something our resident engineer would know about @DavecUK ?

                              Damn you tompoland! I love it!

                              If I had the taste buds and coffee preparation expertise the likes of you and many more on here possess, then I would be raiding my piggy bank right now. Having said that, when I try the heath robinson method (steel ball and sink strainer method) if I do actually notice a difference then…where’s that hammer?

                              Here’s a question though. I get it using this method for espresso as that pours in a matter of seconds. But surely the time it can take a pour over to filter through won’t the cold ball temp rise significantly with hot coffee pouring over it, thus defeating the whole objective?