The Little Guy Home Barista Kit Questions & Answers (page 2 of 3)

You will need to use a butter knife to remove the dispersion plate. I think there is a video on their help section online that covers this. If this does not help send an email to The Little Guy. They are very quick at responding and providing assistance.

I'm thinking it is the grind to fine. Or maybe your coffee is to level right to the top of the group handle. The coffee swells when going through the expresso part of extracting coffee. Should be about 5 mm once has been tampered twice in group handle. Google how to grind on you tube. They are very good, very self explanatory . I had issues with mine at start, but once following these you tube clips . I have perfect coffee all the time. They show also how to use induction kit in these, should extract just after the beeps when set on otto switch in centre. Steve

I've used mine for 4 or 5 years on the TLG induction cooktop. No shrilling, just normal gurgling sounds when frothing. Have had no issues with steam power — maybe you have a seal leak? We had a tube breakdown and being in Sydney, we went straight to the original engineer who fixed it. Contact them directly for queries: [email protected]

Thanks heaps Baxter. Perhaps, there could have been a problem from day one as it did that right from the start.

TI sounds like it could be just your frothing technique- experiment with lifting and lowering the milk jug. If you sink the wand too far into the milk when you start frothing it will screech. So lower the jug and let the steam gently skim the surface of the milk for a few seconds, then try putting the steam s little lower in the milk.

I have only ever used TLG on the dedicated induction heater but the manual say you can.

Thanks for that, it saves me a bit of money!

Hi,
Had my little guy for a couple of years. My husband likes a big coffee in the morning so he makes a big mug of latte for himself whilst I usually have tea. Later in the day I will make a smaller coffee for myself so we both have a small coffee together. So its either a big coffee or a smaller one and throw out the leftovers or two regular coffees.

I think one of the things which makes TLG so unique is the temperature at which it extracts the coffee. It's a lot 'cooler' than your conventional stovetop and, for me, creates a purer flavoured extraction. If you're flat white coffee is just a bit on the cool side.... it's probably because you're not heating the milk enough. I hold my hand at the bottom of the stainless steel jug until it gets too hot to handle.

Dear Malcolmd, Thanks for your answer. You are of course right, I have been 'coffeeing' using a Gaggia Classic which produces OK coffee at a higher temperature than TLG but not comparable to the LTG's rich full taste and milk texture, so I guess that a slight adjustment should be made on my part.

[email protected]

Yep wrote to them at the same time, so we'll see what they say. Thanks for helping out anyway though.

It's probably a question for The Little Guy team, however, it kind of depends on how much water you're talking about. I think a drop or two can occur from time to time... I've seen it from the steam nozzle spout but I think this has something to do with how you cool the device. I think the recommended procedure is to expel the steam first and then close the valve and let it cool. You may be experiencing some condensation which is being forced out when it re-heats. If the seal had failed you probably wouldn't be getting the required pressure to froth your milk.

Although this question is quite old, the question forum still provides a source of info for ref purposes so I'll add my five cents. I would say you are correct in that it is likely the o-ring seals are either perished or deformed causing drips under pressure as you have observed when unwinding the steam dial. This is most likely caused due to over tightening the steam dial when the machine is hot and allowing the machine to cool while tightly wound, compressing and deforming the ring seal. The dial valve is easy enough to remove to inspect the o-ring to if this is the case. Replacement rings can be ordered through Craig. The great thing about TLG is the simplicity of its design and lack of unnecessary moving parts making for a very reliable and robust piece of kit. Hope this helps people.

First, let's clarify that this is the Little Guy Induction plate. After switching it on and selecting the Little Guy switch it will take about 8 minutes before you hear a 'double beep' which is to indicate that the 'extraction' should have begun. Whether or not the extraction has in fact begun will depend on how much coffee you put in the basket; whether or not the grind is course or fine; and finally, how hard you 'tamped' it down.
The next 'single beep' that you hear indicates that the extraction should have completed and the next beep after that will indicate that the plate has turned itself off.
I think the thing to take from all this is that the Little Guy is not a fully automated device and that's what's so nice about it. The beeps are a guide to keep you in the ball park or the 'bean arena'. You will find out what's best for you. If you're still extracting when the first 'single beep' sounds off..... then maybe your coffee amount or your tamp density is too great. You don't say whether or not the extraction begins before or after the 'double-beep' but I'm assuming that it's possibly after the double beep. Ultimately, you're looking for about 60ml of coffee in the bowl and there's nothing to stop you replacing the bowl with a cup for the final portion of the extraction.
If you've filled the boiler and set the induction plate on the Little Guy setting... you could walk away and leave it (I'm not recommending this course of action) and it will switch itself off. There will be plenty of steam pressure in the device (just like a pressure cooker) but not enough to 'explode' anything and it will dissipate as it cools.
This is all about the 'learning experience' and the engagement in your coffee making that I've read about in other people's reviews. I hope this helps.

Thanks so much Malcolmd for taking time to answer. I shall give it a go. i noticed that it does start extraction around the 8min (when I hear the first beep). However, I usually have to switch it off before the next beep as the extraction tends to look burnt if i were to leave it till the next beep. I had to put some boiled water into the collection jug as the expresso tends to dry out by the time the next beep occurred. ;(

Hi Michael Are you filling the machine with the required amount of water.As soon as my c I make my coffee first, then turn the steam nozzle on full to release any excess waterMake s

Hi Michael Are you filling the machine with the required amount of water. As soon as my coffee is made I turn on the steam nozzle on fully to release any excess water. Only steam should be coming out of the wand.The hole on the nozzle should just be below the milk.The milk will begin to swirl in the jug just keep going until small bubbles begin to appear on the top of your milk. Keep going and the milk will begin to thicken.Once the the machine starts to produce large bubbles I turn the nozzle off. However, if you like the milk frothy keep going until you run out steam. NB I do use the induction top.

An update on steaming milk. I have tried many brands of milk and milk types. My favourite is Pure Pastures Jersey milk from Harris Farm. I think full cream milk works best. Another tip, for frothy milk raise the steaming nozzle so it is nearly on the surface of the milk. This will create more aeration in the milk and produce the frothiness that some coffee drinkers prefer.

Hi Mrs C After you have made your coffee, prime the steam wand first, to let out any excess water, only steam should be coming out of the nozzle. Turn off wand. Place the steam wand in your milk jug so the nozzle is just below the surface of the milk. Turn the nozzle on full. Hold the jug on a slight angle with the wand close to the edge.You will notice the milk begins to swirl and small bubbles will start to appear. Once the milk is warm turn off steam wand.Do not carry on steaming, otherwise large bubbles will appear in the milk. (you will notice a different sound from the machine when this is about to occur). I use full cream milk with teaspoon of milk powder to make more creamy. Good luck !

I've not tried that choice. I use Lavazza Il Perfetto Espresso which comes ground and vacuum sealed in a blue bag. Many years ago, I was taught by coffee engineers that the only way to ensure good consistent quality is to buy reputable brands which are ground and vacuum packed under ideal conditions in an environmentally controlled factory, when at their peak.
I find the Il Perfetto Espresso produces a consistently creamy extraction which gives a dark base into which well frothed milk pours beautifully to create a just the right consistency.

I suggest you go to The Little Guy website and ask them the question.

https://www.thelittleguy.info/products/induction-top

I've found a "medium-fine" grind works well and starts extracting close to the 8 minute mark suggested when you brew on the induction top built for it. As a guide, i mean a grind finer than the average supermarket packs (although the kit supplies a separate basket for that courser grind), and finer than a standard stovetop - but not as fine as that demanded by some truly high pressure espresso machines. The Breville Smart Grinder is capable of the grind needed - many grinders are capable of this bur suspect this is one if the least expensive ones that does TLG justice.

i got mine from David Jones when it was on 15% discount. About $700 for the Little Guy plus the induction hotplate. need both

Yes you can. I've had mine for awhile now and used it on a gas stove before the induction unit was released. Works fine on both gas and electric stoves but as others have said the induction unit works so seamlessly with The Little Guy that it's the perfect partner for it.

The great thing about the LG is that you can make the very best coffee. But, as you suggest, it takes time to develop the necessary skills. Just like any hand-crafted product, these skills take time to acquire. But it is worth it if you value quality. Trial and error is the key.
Your problem may be that you are tamping too hard, or you are expecting something that the LG was not designed to deliver. What it is designed to do is to provide enough liquid coffee to make two espressos or two cappuccinos (about one-third of a cup before adding frothed milk). So the liquid will be concentrated, and much of the water will remain in the boiler. As you have found, if you want a long black, it is necessary to add hot water. Hope this helps. Keep trying, as the results are certainly worth it.

Hi Lyn, yes you are right, it could be your tamping pressure seeing that you are able to froth the milk well.
The first week and a half I had mine I went through a whole bag of coffee beans. The coffee seemed to take ages to come through and splashed, the was little crema, having me almost return the machine, but once I got the temp right ( I had mine down a little too low), tamper pressure not too heavy handed and the coffee ground fine enough, I haven't looked back with it and I am glad I persevered. The amount of coffee is as Graeme says, only enough to make the two espressos or two latte's.
I usually make two lattes, but there are occasions where I make one latte, so therefore I will have a little coffee left over which I put into a container and in the fridge, then use it to make a lovely iced coffee, and or my daughter uses it for her long black by just adding the hot water.
My daughter enjoys a long black, so I will make myself a piccolo and I boil the kettle to add extra volume of water for her long black.
Today for instance I was able to make three small lattes because of the left over coffee and the flavour was still amazing.
The left over coffee when made into iced coffee, is like the cold pressed coffee which you are able to purchase in some cafes.
Also when I have finished frothing the milk I remove the LG from the hot plate - as even though the hot plate is turned off it remains warm for sometime hence keeping the LG from cooling down quicker - and once the LG has finished letting off it's steam I re-fill with my filtered water and I am prepared to have another coffee to satisfy my palate for the rest of the day.
I trust I have been of some help.
Regards Leone

Leone and Graeme, Thank you for your very helpful replies. After I sent my query, I read in the manual that only 60mls of coffee is extracted. I'm not getting quite 60mls yet, so my next move is to use less muscle while tamping!

The Little Guy has recently released a new YouTube tutorial on milk steaming (just Google it). It's definitely worth a look!

Thanks Marie - will check it out.

Hi Zac. Single shot pour time is 90 secs. A double shot will take 2:30. I misunderstood and thought the double should take 90 secs, so if that's your problem then the extra minute will give you more pressure. You can also use the manual 'stove' settings instead of the Little Guy setting. I start on 5 until the coffee starts to drip, then knock it back to 3 for the rest. This is great as you can change your pour on-the-go. If you tamp too hard or grind too fine you can bump up the heat for 30 secs and have the pour come out faster, or drop the heat down if its too fast. After 30-60 secs of extra heat, put the power back down to 3. After the shot check the steam pressure. If its not enough, put the heat to 4 or 5 and that will build more steam. I use a 500ml jug and it blasts the milk around. If your pour is fine on the 'Little Guy' setting, switch it over to manual before steaming your milk, put it on 4-5 for a few secs, building up the extra pressure you are looking for. Good luck!

Hi Craig, Thanks for your very thoughtful answer - I will test it over the looming weekend and then let you (and thus the world (?)) know how I get on. Regards, Zac

No problem, I had some trouble myself in the beginning but Craig at the Little Guy put me back on track with this info. Hopefully it does help yourself and those others that have left some less than pleasant reviews, or just haven't quite got the hang of it yet. Look forward to hearing how you go!

It makes two easily. I like my coffee fairly strong and it does two large mugs no problem at all.

The little guy can make two cappuccino mugs in one brewing session. Extra milk may need to be frothed depending on mug size, but with a little practice, this is easily done.

The Home Barista kit comes with a 600ml stainless steel jug. When I saw this I realised that The Little Guy was designed to steam plenty of milk for two generous-sized cappuccinos.