Timemore Autospin WDT Tool

dfk41

In discussion on another thread one of the above was suggested. I have a basic needle thing but it annoys me intensely as the results I get look nothing like anyone else’s……this is one of the reasons I like snow……it makes my garden look like everyone else’s.

So, very quick service from Sigma who I have never used before and this morning it arrived. I stuck a bit of jungle juice in and managed to video my first attempt. It certainly looks neat!

crimson89

Are these clumps on top?

dfk41

crimson89 Nope, it may look like it but it is pretty smooth to the eye as opposed to camera lens. I will take some closer pics tomorrow. My grinder is a Eureka Atom 75mm and it very rarely produces any clumps. One thing I did notice though (and I have only made one shot so far) is that I have the Sage set to about 7bar. It actually pulled the shot at that whereas up until this shot with my prep following the older method it had been pulling at 9 plus.

If this thing proves to be a heap I will be the first person to condemn it!

drdre89

That’s pretty cool. Have you tried blind shaker

Tal

David, I thought you were a man of simplicity! Grind direct to PF, tamp, on your way!

Once you’ve consolidated the puck level with your tamper, what effect does WDT really have? All lumps are consolidated together anyway if there were any to begin with….

I’ve modelled my workflow on your previous, on demand grinder workflows, with a little Specialita. I find it works wonderfully and see no value in WDT at all. When I single dose with the niche duo, I also prefer to avoid wdt.

I’ve found simplying my workflow has done wonders, and I learnt that from the likes of you and Dave C! :)

As you now have an all singing all dancing WDT device, have you noticed any positive effect to your coffee, either consistency, time to make a coffee, cleanliness, workflow etc?

dfk41

Tal Well, a lot to unpack! I have always believed in keeping it simple stupid (KISS principle) but if by following that you are not getting the desired effect, you have to think things through. It is a few years since I have owned a Sage. One of the first things I did was to increase the pre-infusion time from 6 seconds to 60 whilst turning down the pump power from 99% to 80%. The effect of this is to reduce the bar pressure. I was aiming at around 7 bar as from memory that used to suit me.

When I did this, I noticed no real change in bar pressure, hovering around 9 ½. So, I bought a Pullman basket, no difference. I thought the extra holes might help. So, I had a WDT tool which I detest using as no matter how long I stir for I get anything but a uniform puck! SO, I looked at these spinning WDT things and luckily, found the automated Timemore one for half the cost of the ones you push down.

I have used it three times now and it seems to make a very good job (I never had a clump issue) of giving you a uniform bed. I should ad at this stage that I was finding that the pour was predominantly coming out of the right hand of the twin spouts. I could not fathom why checking everything suggested. The conclusion that I came to (i would also point out that I was using a coffee I received free with the Sage) was it must be puck prep. The first shot I pulled using the Timemore, everything was perfect. The lop sided pour was correct and more importantly the bar pressure maxed out at 7.

So happy was I, that even though I had to dash out I switched over to my beloved Cworks Chocolate Fondant and it was great!

So at the moment, even though I cannot really explain the science behind what I have told you I will continue to monitor my shots. I have only had the Sage 11 days so things are still coming back to me. The only additional steps I am making is putting the spinner on. It has a metal button that when it comes into contact with the pf it spins one way then the other, then repeats……all over in 5 seconds or so. I then use a spinning leveller (but I am about to drop that extra layer of faff and see if it really makes a difference) before tamping, chucking a paper disc on and pulling the shot.

The thing about me, is no matter what I advocate, I am happy to change my thoughts if I can see value. The Elizabeth was very forgiving and I never had these pour issues! I have ordered a bottomless which I suppose will confirm my process…..or not!

dfk41

drdre89 I already have a blind shaker but cannot use it. My grinder is a grind by weight so I do not have the room on the forks to do anything but grind in directly. I have seen folks attempt to grind into a Niche type cup but I cannot see the benefit of adding in more faff!

JonWoo187

Just another costly solution for a problem that doesn’t really exist. I will say John Weiss did bring ‘his’ technique to the masses, but people should realize he wasn’t the first out there stirring to break up clumps/redistribute ground coffee. Was doing that when he was in diapers, just saying!

dfk41

JonWoo187 Just another costly solution for a problem that doesn’t really exist.

Costly by your standards or mine matey?

JonWoo187

Created my own WTFT device for maybe $15 and will last my lifetime and beyond.

dfk41

JonWoo187 I am confused Jon. I thought the problem did not really exist?

drdre89

dfk41 Ive got the Zerno Z1. I’ve just started a new routine where I grind into the dosing cup. I then WDT inside the actual dosing cup first, then pour the grounds into the blind shaker and shake.

The grinds come out super fluffy and uniform.
There is an actual difference in how the espresso shot comes out (comes out faster) and how it tastes. But yea the process is WDT in dosing cup first, then use blind shaker. I know it’s extra faff but being a coffee nerd I like to experiment.

JonWoo187

dfk41 Thing is a 2 cent toothpick will do the same clump breaking as the expensive toy crap some spend quite a bit on. Clearly a sucker born every minute that will follow someone’s lead. Maybe work on your technique instead of relying on training wheel approaches.

dfk41

JonWoo187 I love your posts….if only you were as right as your confidence suggests…….still, rather than fight let us just agree to disagree. That said, a clump breaker is a clump breaker. No amount of technique can stop your grinder from producing clumps, unless of course you feel able to teach me something. I wonder, is your toothpick contraption very tactile? I also why you spent the princely sum of $15 when a 2 cent toothpick does the same. Are you so wasteful with all aspects of your life?

dfk41

A couple of days with this now and I quite like it. Why? Because it has one job and that is to distribute the grinds uniformly in the pf. I do not really get clumps although the camera on my Iphone suggests that I do. I might start a thread inviting folks to photo their grinds out of the grinder so we can compare.

The Timemore has a button on the inside collar that when it comes into contact with the rim of the basket activates it. It spins to the left then the right then repeats. Now, whether or not this makes a jot of difference to the shot or not I do not know……but it looks nice and neat!

Clodius

It works well, I suppose, on straight walled baskets but what about the standard ones, that are tapered?

dfk41

Clodius Unfortunately I only have straight ones but would it work if you got some shorter needles?

Adrianmsmith

drdre89

What a waste of money a z1 is then if it needs all that work to make a shot.

Adrianmsmith

drdre89

Get a mazzer mini g

Superist fluffiest grinds I’ve ever seen

Grind tamp brew.

With philos or mini g

Skip the z1!!

MediumRoastSteam

No clumps with 3D printed tool and Niche Duo…