Just reading the headline I was like "why X-ray them? Couldn't they just take them apart to see what's inside". But clicking on the article made me go "Oh, I get it now. This is damn interesting and very informative."
Well done!
CT scans of coffee-making equipment
31–40 of 178 posts
Re: CT scans of coffee-making equipment
#32Earlier quoted context omitted.
Proper storage is just pulling the plunger out entirely. Every few years, soaking the rubber seal in mineral oil overnight then cleaning will restore flexibility (otherwise it shrinks over time, reducing the quality of the seal). Unrelated: using paper filters is less eco-responsible than the gold foil filter, but makes for better coffee.
Why is pulling the plunger out entirely necessary for proper storage? I always just push mine all the way through so the rubber isn't under any tension. Disagreed on the paper filters, I personally enjoy using a metal filter to ensure the oils from the coffee beans are not filtered out. I suppose it is all subjective.
That works too. I call it "proper" because it removes one step before I have coffee, which, no matter how trivial, is a big deal for me in the morning.
Interesting about the filter. I prefer super dark roast, Italian espresso-grind coffees. The paper filters give me a much smoother brew. Of course, as you say, taste is entirely subjective! I'm envious, because I'd rather have just one reusable filter rather than go through a stack of paper discs each year.
Re: CT scans of coffee-making equipment
#33This site is probably one of the most clever bits of advertising since the Will It Blend folks at Blendtec
Re: CT scans of coffee-making equipment
#34This has to be a marketing exercise by the CT machine maker, right?
"We spotted casting issues with the new pot" "We can see the density difference in the plastic" "We found aluminum shavings"
For the right audience, this would definitely sell one of those big fancy CT machines.
Not that I'm complaining -- visuals, presentation, content is all thoroughly interesting, speaking as someone with an Aeropress, a Moka. Pretty awesome piece.
Re: CT scans of coffee-making equipment
#35Incredible scans! > Removing used coffee immediately after brewing and storing the AeroPress with the seal pushed all the way through the chamber (as shown) can help minimize wear by reducing compression to extend the gasket’s life. But, that's not what's shown. Pushing the gasket all the way through isn't possible unless the filter head is removed.
Proper storage is just pulling the plunger out entirely. Every few years, soaking the rubber seal in mineral oil overnight then cleaning will restore flexibility (otherwise it shrinks over time, reducing the quality of the seal). Unrelated: using paper filters is less eco-responsible than the gold foil filter, but makes for better coffee.
I've never maintained or replaced the seal on mine in over ten years, and it still seals just fine. It's made from silicone rubber, which is extreme durability even when continuously exposed to temperatures above boiling or strong acids/bases. As used in the AeroPress where it's just sitting at room temperature indoors for 99% of the time, durability is at least 20 years.
I also use a metal filter, but just for the taste and convenience of not having to buy paper filters.
The eco-responsibility argument against filters I don't get. Unless you drink extreme amounts of coffee, you use significantly more paper in a day just going to the bathroom. I hope people aren't using metal foil for that as well.
Re: CT scans of coffee-making equipment
#36The 'nature' page on there is just lovely; including Romanesco broccoli and pomegranate - just lovely.
Re: CT scans of coffee-making equipment
#37This has to be a marketing exercise by the CT machine maker, right? "We spotted casting issues with the new pot" "We can see the density difference in the plastic" "We found aluminum shavings" For the right audience, this would definitely sell one of those big fancy CT machines. Not that I'm complaining -- visuals, presentation, content is all thoroughly interesting, speaking as someone with an Aeropress, a Moka. Pre…
Correct, it's produced as a cool nerdy promo by a CT scan machine company (https://www.scanofthemonth.com/about)
Every article from them does pretty well on HN, understandably so.
Re: CT scans of coffee-making equipment
#38Such a cool idea, and attractive images. However I’m kind of disappointed they mostly picked things that are fairly simple, transparent or openable, and look exactly the way you’d expect them to inside. I assume some combination of cost & size drove this. A vintage espresso machine with 1 group head would be more novel, for example.
I actually enjoyed this one more, since it was used to point out measured tolerances and problems with manufacturing (voids, bubbles, untrimmed flash, shavings, etc).
Re: CT scans of coffee-making equipment
#39Earlier quoted context omitted.
Proper storage is just pulling the plunger out entirely. Every few years, soaking the rubber seal in mineral oil overnight then cleaning will restore flexibility (otherwise it shrinks over time, reducing the quality of the seal). Unrelated: using paper filters is less eco-responsible than the gold foil filter, but makes for better coffee.
Why is pulling the plunger out entirely necessary for proper storage? I always just push mine all the way through so the rubber isn't under any tension. Disagreed on the paper filters, I personally enjoy using a metal filter to ensure the oils from the coffee beans are not filtered out. I suppose it is all subjective.
When the plunger is at the end of travel and out of tension, the cap won't fit on.
I just tried screwing on my cap and it forces the plunger back into the shaft, compressing it.
Re: CT scans of coffee-making equipment
#40Earlier quoted context omitted.
Why is pulling the plunger out entirely necessary for proper storage? I always just push mine all the way through so the rubber isn't under any tension. Disagreed on the paper filters, I personally enjoy using a metal filter to ensure the oils from the coffee beans are not filtered out. I suppose it is all subjective.
When the plunger is at the end of travel and out of tension, the cap won't fit on. I just tried screwing on my cap and it forces the plunger back into the shaft, compressing it.
Yeah, so you just set it down cap up, not screwed in. Takes up less space than keeping the plunger separate, and is just as good on the plunger.