Brewing Tests and Results

Chapter 5: Real-World Brewing

Test Methodology

NoDrip XL in action - brewing with the AeroPress XL

Equipment Used

AeroPress XL
Acaia Pearl scale (0.1g precision)
Hario V60 thermometer
Timer app
Various coffee origins

Standard Recipe

Coffee: 18g (medium grind)
Water: 250g at 85°C
Method: Inverted
Steep time: Variable
Total brew time: 2:30

Baseline Testing

Stock AeroPress Cap

Flow rate: ~125ml/30sec
Total brew time: 1:45
TDS: 1.35%
Extraction yield: 18.5%

JMC Flow Restriction Cap

Flow rate: ~60ml/30sec
Total brew time: 2:30
TDS: 1.48%
Extraction yield: 20.5%

Detailed Test Results

Test 1: Ethiopian Light Roast

Setup: - 17g coffee, 250g water - Grind: 18 clicks on Comandante

Results: | Parameter | Stock Cap | JMC Cap | |———–|———–|———| | Brew time | 1:42 | 2:28 | | TDS | 1.28% | 1.42% | | Yield | 18.8% | 20.9% | | Notes | Bright, acidic | Balanced, sweet |

Test 2: Colombian Medium Roast

Setup: - 18g coffee, 250g water
- Grind: 16 clicks on Comandante

Results: | Parameter | Stock Cap | JMC Cap | |———–|———–|———| | Brew time | 1:38 | 2:35 | | TDS | 1.41% | 1.56% | | Yield | 19.5% | 21.6% | | Notes | Chocolate, nutty | Complex, syrupy |

Test 3: Pressure Profiling

Using different pressing speeds:

Slow press (45 seconds)
- More clarity
- Higher acidity
- Clean finish
Medium press (30 seconds)
- Balanced extraction
- Good body
- Sweet
Fast press (15 seconds)
- Similar to stock cap
- Less complexity
- Efficient for rushed mornings

Temperature Stability

Heat Retention Test

Stock cap: -8°C over 2 minutes
JMC cap: -6°C over 2 minutes
Difference: Better heat retention due to restricted flow

Grind Size Adjustments

Coarser Grind Benefits

With flow restriction, coarser grinds become viable: - Reduced channeling - Even extraction - Less sediment

Recommended Adjustments

Light roasts: 2-3 clicks coarser
Medium roasts: 1-2 clicks coarser
Dark roasts: Keep same or 1 click coarser

User Experience

Positive Feedback

“Much sweeter cups”
“Less bitterness even with longer steep”
“Feel more in control”
“Great for light roasts”

Challenges

“Takes getting used to pressing force”
“Longer total brew time”
“Need to adjust recipes”

Recipe Recommendations

Light Roast Recipe

Dose: 17g
Water: 250g at 88°C
Grind: Medium-coarse
Time: 0:30 bloom, 2:00 steep
Press: 30 seconds

Medium Roast Recipe

Dose: 18g
Water: 250g at 85°C
Grind: Medium
Time: 0:20 bloom, 1:40 steep
Press: 30 seconds

Espresso-Style Recipe

Dose: 22g
Water: 100g at 92°C
Grind: Fine-medium
Time: 0:30 steep
Press: 45 seconds

Cleaning and Maintenance

Daily Cleaning

Rinse immediately after use
Weekly soap wash
Check gasket seal
Inspect holes for clogs

Long-term Care

Replace gasket every 6 months
Deep clean monthly
Store dry

Conclusion

The JMC cap consistently produces: - Higher extraction yields (+2-3%) - Increased sweetness - Better heat retention - More control over brewing

Trade-offs include: - Longer brew times - Learning curve - Regular maintenance

For those seeking better extraction and willing to experiment, the results speak for themselves.

Video Demo

A video demonstration of the NoDrip XL in action is available in the project files: images/IMG_0054.MOV

--- title: "Brewing Tests and Results" --- # Chapter 5: Real-World Brewing ## Test Methodology ![NoDrip XL in action - brewing with the AeroPress XL](images/270A7666-A640-4388-9A1A-35FDEB282E39_4_5005_c.jpeg) ### Equipment Used - AeroPress XL - Acaia Pearl scale (0.1g precision) - Hario V60 thermometer - Timer app - Various coffee origins ### Standard Recipe ``` Coffee: 18g (medium grind) Water: 250g at 85°C Method: Inverted Steep time: Variable Total brew time: 2:30 ``` ## Baseline Testing ### Stock AeroPress Cap - **Flow rate**: ~125ml/30sec - **Total brew time**: 1:45 - **TDS**: 1.35% - **Extraction yield**: 18.5% ### JMC Flow Restriction Cap - **Flow rate**: ~60ml/30sec - **Total brew time**: 2:30 - **TDS**: 1.48% - **Extraction yield**: 20.5% ## Detailed Test Results ### Test 1: Ethiopian Light Roast **Setup**: - 17g coffee, 250g water - Grind: 18 clicks on Comandante **Results**: | Parameter | Stock Cap | JMC Cap | |-----------|-----------|---------| | Brew time | 1:42 | 2:28 | | TDS | 1.28% | 1.42% | | Yield | 18.8% | 20.9% | | Notes | Bright, acidic | Balanced, sweet | ### Test 2: Colombian Medium Roast **Setup**: - 18g coffee, 250g water - Grind: 16 clicks on Comandante **Results**: | Parameter | Stock Cap | JMC Cap | |-----------|-----------|---------| | Brew time | 1:38 | 2:35 | | TDS | 1.41% | 1.56% | | Yield | 19.5% | 21.6% | | Notes | Chocolate, nutty | Complex, syrupy | ### Test 3: Pressure Profiling Using different pressing speeds: 1. **Slow press** (45 seconds) - More clarity - Higher acidity - Clean finish 2. **Medium press** (30 seconds) - Balanced extraction - Good body - Sweet 3. **Fast press** (15 seconds) - Similar to stock cap - Less complexity - Efficient for rushed mornings ## Temperature Stability ### Heat Retention Test - Stock cap: -8°C over 2 minutes - JMC cap: -6°C over 2 minutes - Difference: Better heat retention due to restricted flow ## Grind Size Adjustments ### Coarser Grind Benefits With flow restriction, coarser grinds become viable: - Reduced channeling - Even extraction - Less sediment ### Recommended Adjustments - Light roasts: 2-3 clicks coarser - Medium roasts: 1-2 clicks coarser - Dark roasts: Keep same or 1 click coarser ## User Experience ### Positive Feedback - "Much sweeter cups" - "Less bitterness even with longer steep" - "Feel more in control" - "Great for light roasts" ### Challenges - "Takes getting used to pressing force" - "Longer total brew time" - "Need to adjust recipes" ## Recipe Recommendations ### Light Roast Recipe ``` Dose: 17g Water: 250g at 88°C Grind: Medium-coarse Time: 0:30 bloom, 2:00 steep Press: 30 seconds ``` ### Medium Roast Recipe ``` Dose: 18g Water: 250g at 85°C Grind: Medium Time: 0:20 bloom, 1:40 steep Press: 30 seconds ``` ### Espresso-Style Recipe ``` Dose: 22g Water: 100g at 92°C Grind: Fine-medium Time: 0:30 steep Press: 45 seconds ``` ## Cleaning and Maintenance ### Daily Cleaning 1. Rinse immediately after use 2. Weekly soap wash 3. Check gasket seal 4. Inspect holes for clogs ### Long-term Care - Replace gasket every 6 months - Deep clean monthly - Store dry ## Conclusion The JMC cap consistently produces: - **Higher extraction yields** (+2-3%) - **Increased sweetness** - **Better heat retention** - **More control** over brewing Trade-offs include: - Longer brew times - Learning curve - Regular maintenance For those seeking better extraction and willing to experiment, the results speak for themselves. ::: {.callout-note} ## Video Demo A video demonstration of the NoDrip XL in action is available in the project files: `images/IMG_0054.MOV` :::