HB wrote:I don't fuss with the tamp. The shape of the piston sometimes makes a difference, but nothing that would explain away the dark, bitter edge you're describing. That leaves grind, dose, and of course brew temperature. A bottomless extractions that start super dark and then correct says "brew temperature is initially too hot" to me. The telltale sign in a spouted extraction is an oily, dark crema ring.

Most interesting Dan as for these shots I flush cool water through the group (porta removed) until the heater light goes out (Gaggia Coffee Deluxe) and then for another 5 or 6 seconds. Can't imagine brew temp being the problem (unless there is something wrong with my machine it was a refurb after all). Line voltage going in is 120 if that makes any difference.

I could adjust the grind (Rocky doserless), but then the cone becomes loose. I have thought this to be described as less desirable. Would a loose cone be better than an initial black flow? I suppose I could down dose a bit more and see where that puts me...

Perhaps I need to check brew temps or proper machine function (email WLL)?

I think I have figured it out (or at least I know what I want to try tomorrow).

My problem: too much headspace post tamp

Why: I have been dosing 14g by weight but using a very fine grind. After tamping the basket is barely half full. Yeah the grind is that fine. This may explain my initial black madness.

Tomorrow: I'm going to try a coarser grind that will allow the basket to fill, WDT, then level and tamp to 35lbs. I want to have the proper headroom post tamp this will be my goal. With the coarser grind I should (I think...oh boy...here I go) be able to more fill the basket yet not use too much coffee and avoid (hopefully) over extraction.

In short: Adjust grind to allow filling of basket, leveling without tap settling and tamping to 35lbs in hopes to get proper headspace. Adjust grind as needed via shot performance/taste.


Question: With my Gaggia double, I should be able to fill the basket and if my grind is "proper" I shouldn't be able to get much more than 14g or so in it (without a tap to settle grounds), correct? I tried a full, then level, then tamp thing today and then weighed the basket. A whopping 20g of coffee! Yikes! I was doing several taps to settle the grounds while filling the basket! That's it, that's my flaw. Dan I have read that you do this once or so to overdose, turns out I have been doing this thinking it was helping distribution what I wasn't realizing is that it was also allowing me to add way too much coffee to the basket! "ding ding"

The pieces of the puzzle are starting to come together in my mind as I try new things. I really appreciate all your help guys and this great community. This sure is a lot of fun!

Here is my 20g double :