Dear readers and experts alike,

I am curious. My simona non-top version, recently restored, provides about 10 sec of time to get a shot, whether bottomless portafilter, regular portafilter, single, double basket.

I have tried the WDT, the pre-tamp and smack process, and secondary N,S,E,W tamp...the shots are very good near as I can tell perfect for the 1oz or 1.5 oz doubles I do...blend coffee is nothing special, I just roast my own to a dark brown (8min) and go...yemen, Ethiopian, some colombian decaf and then some New Guinea Papue.

My ? is I've read all these fine notes and messages about preinfusion and times of 20+ seconds...all of which I can say never happen.

Can anyone explain why my machine is this quick...grant it - heats up and delivers everytime...no issues?

My grind is fine sand...I use a Reg Barber Basic Tamper....58mm Baskets.

Any kind explanation or advise would be appreciated.

Temp is about 185-200 given a pre-draw from the group and then wait then press the "make" button...espresso flows about 5 seconds after pushing button then total time is about 10 seconds no longer.

Thanks for taking the time to read this and maybe reply.

John

Grind finer. If you can't, get a real grinder.

Jim,

I have a Conical Burr Grinder, a Brevia (sp??) it make very very fine, Turkish grind is the setting I am using.

DO you have a Under $200 suggestion on a "proper" grinder...a real one?

Thanks for the reply.

John

No expert here, but beans, pump pressure and grind come to mind.

George

johndoe wrote:DO you have a Under $200 suggestion on a "proper" grinder...a real one?

Searching on inexpensive grinder yielded some good suggestions.

Dear Sir(s),

Thank you very kindly.

My Brevia (sp??) must not be cutting it, no pun intended.

I will check out for something in a local store front.

Thanks,

By the way, the grind, pressure and temp are all near perfect, but it comes out pretty quick and very even in the bottomless portafilter I had made the other day.

It's just mucho fast and I have to make sure I drain some steam each time from the steam valve prior to keep the temp in line or it becomes a hardcore volcanic eruption...too high temp and steam.

Outside that it's very consistent, just quick...I get great 1 oz to 1.5 oz shots.

Never a Honey or slow syrup drip as told in many of the fun notes I've read.

A long Journey this has been.

of Course $1000 later, all total.

John

Update,

Jim was correct. Once I converted to a "real" grinder getting almost confectioner's sugar type grinds...it choked the simona for 60 + seconds...then I got it a bit more coarse and about 25 sec bottomless portfilter shots with double and I was able to do a Triple that came out almost exactly like the photos I've seen

The quality was literally night and day.

Thanks for your help...now to purchase the right grinder.

I am taking the Breville back for a refund which the store 3 months later has graciously agreed to.

I think I need a Rancilio or a comparable grinder (m5)...but first I am going to see if a Commercial unit is avail locally.

I produced very nice work with a commercial one a friend allowed me to grind on last night and then try at home...10 minutes later.

John

MACAP m4 looks like the ticket