Imaging analysis of filter baskets — I started looking at filter baskets a few years ago, and I looked at how random extremely large or small holes were spatially arranged. I wanted to understand if that could be used to help explain why some baskets performed better than others. So when I got a CoffeeJack, I…

Casual Data Exploration — I have been collecting roast statistics for a few years, but I haven’t used them for anything. I didn’t feel like I had enough data until now to plot it. So I have initial data on density and weight loss from roasting green coffee. …

Let’s talk about what diversity means — Words say something, but pictures speak volumes. Often we say one thing but show something else, and it is often difficult to zoom out. However, I think coffee and the coffee industry offers a unique opportunity to learn what diversity means. “I roast coffees from all over the world; I…

Joe, Jeremy, and Robert — Refractometers have been growing in use over the past few years by people serious about consistently brewing tasty coffee as these devices provide an invaluable and relatively easy objective metric in this largely subjective space. The downside, however, is that to achieve high accuracy and precision, which is particularly important…

Cause and effect — I haven’t used a bellows on my other grinders, and I have been hesitant to get one. However, I bought a new grinder (SPK-38G), and it came with a bellows. After using it for a week, I started to wonder what happens if you use the bellows during the grind? …

Pushing the limits of espresso knowledge — I wanted to better understand how coffee grounds move around larger boulders. So I made the experiment larger using whole beans and spent grounds. While the smaller particles moved through the spacing between the beans, they moved slower and eventually clogged up. A fun experiment using whole beans and…

A short story of correcting a mistake — In the past 8 years, I have roasted around 500 roasts on my Hottop. I have only messed up a few by dropping the beans too soon or too late. One time, my son hit the button, and the beans hadn’t gone through the first crack. …