Don't try this
Q: I'm feeling pretty barista-ish and I get the urge to mess with the grinder settings. Should I?
A: No.
Q: I feel the urge to program a button. Should I?
A: No.
Try this
Q: Rasmus isn't here and want to use the machine, what do I do?
A: Do not use the machine or ask one of the regulars ;)
Cleaning
Q: How do I make sure the machine is ready for the next person when I'm done brewing?
A: Empty the portafilter, rinse it, and wipe it clean with a damp cloth, then lock it back into the group head.
Q: Who cleans the machine?
A: If Rasmus isn't traveling, it's his job. If Rasmus is traveling, the last person in the office cleans that used the machine the machine before heading out.
Q: So how do you actually do it?
A: Cleaning is pretty simple. You can work, check Insta, or practice counting down from 20 to 0 as fast as you can while it runs. Watch this video and do what the guy says. You do not need to use cleaning powder. That's only once a week, and Rasmus takes care of it.
Getting started
Q: How do I turn the espresso machine on and off?
A: Bottom right, underneath the machine.
Q: When is the machine ready to brew?
A: When the steel edge of the brew head is warm to the touch (15 to 20 minutes).
Q: How do I turn on the grinder?
A: The button on the right side at the bottom of the machine. The grinder is ready right away.
Beans
Q: The bean hopper is empty, what do I do?
A: Grab the KIFARU NO*8 NORDIC ESPRESSO, TANZANIA from Berry & Beans, and only those, from the fridge, and fill it up.
Q: I bought a different bean, can I pour it into the hopper?
A: Nope. The grinder and the machine are dialed in for KIFARU NO*8 NORDIC ESPRESSO, TANZANIA from Berry & Beans. So unless there's an announcement that we're switching to a different bean, that's the one, and the only one, we use.
Q: How many beans should I put in the hopper?
A: Enough for two days, max. Coffee beans don't like light and heat, so they shouldn't sit in the hopper too long. Better too few than too many.
Brewing
Q: How much coffee goes into a double versus a single espresso?
A: Don't worry about that at all. Just press the portafilter into the fork on the grinder and let it grind until the grinder stops on its own. That goes for both a single and a double espresso.
Q: How do I tamp the coffee?
A: Distribute the coffee (for example with the coffee distributor), then tamp, not too hard. You can use the preset tamper if you like.
Q: How do I brew a double versus a single espresso?
A: Lock the portafilter into the group head. For a double espresso, press the button just to the left of the stop button. Single espresso doesn't work (word from the experts). If you want a single, either find someone to share with, or let one side run out into the drip tray.
Q: What about the other buttons, do they do anything fun?
A: Nope. They're not programmed to do anything.
Steaming Milk
Q: How do you steam the milk?
A: Like this:
1. Start with cold milk and a cold pitcher.
2. Fill the pitcher about halfway.
3. Purge the steam wand to clear out any leftover water or residue.
4. Lower the tip of the steam wand to just below the surface of the milk.
5. Steam until the milk has doubled in volume (this is called “stretching”).
6. Sink the steam wand deeper into the milk and tilt the pitcher to create a whirlpool.
7. Keep going until the pitcher is almost too hot to hold (this is called “texturing”), then stop.
8. Tap the pitcher against the counter to release any air bubbles.
9. Purge and wipe down the steam wand when you're done.
Watch the video, where Jeppe Hein, winner of The Berlin Cup in milk steaming, shows you how.