Do you adjust grind from double to single espressos?

[CoffeeOwl]

Do you adjust grind from double shots to single shots? If yes, how?
(I think it could do as a poll, hopefully you do make singles... )

[Kaffee Bitte]

I most certainly do. I adjust the grind to a finer setting for singles. I also adjust my tamp pressure. Singles blond quickly with a double grind setting and a normal tamp. Try one or two notches lower, maybe more even. Then tamp with just the weight of the tamper. This has worked wonders for me on commercial machines and should work well on many home models. Remember to be very careful about the dose, since small single baskets will be much more likely to hit the shower screen.

[John P]

We actually adjust our grind coarser for the singles. About 2 notches on a Super Jolly.
OR adjust your tamp a little lighter and watch the dosing... don't mound.

[Mark08859]

I have to adjust coarser for singles. So, I pretty much don't bother with them.

[cannonfodder]

Odd, I tighten up the grind but keep the tamp the same. less coffee=less resistance=finer grind to maintain the same extraction time.

[malachi]

I use the same grind and just put the demi under one of the two spouts rather than both.

[cafeIKE]

Odd, I tighten up the grind but keep the tamp the same. less coffee=less resistance=finer grind to maintain the same extraction time.

Ditto

[cannonfodder]

I use the same grind and just put the demi under one of the two spouts rather than both.

That is what most café's do when you order a single, at least from my observation of café's in this country. They just dump half of the shot so they do not have to change grind/baskets. Personally, I think there is a taste difference between the single and double (when pulled using their respective baskets). So when I want a single it is for that change. However, I have not split a shot in years to compare a true single against a split double, sounds like an evening test.

[Kaffee Bitte]

Personally, I think there is a taste difference between the single and double (when pulled using their respective baskets). So when I want a single it is for that change. However, I have not split a shot in years to compare a true single against a split double, sounds like an evening test.

This is a worthy and enjoyable, if somewhat highly caffeinated evening test. I often equate singles flavor profile to something more similar to what spring levers will produce. When pulled correctly they will have more clarity and make for very tasty single origin shots, where often a double on a pump machine will just muck it up.

[CoffeeOwl]

When pulled correctly they will have more clarity and make for very tasty single origin shots, where often a double on a pump machine will just muck it up.

I found that out too (a brighter vs a kind of loaded taste*).

I also adjust the grind to a finer setting for singles, keeping tamp the same (actually trying to keep it the same, espro tamper is on order )
I put 9 grams into the single basket (fits easily) vs. 14 grams into the double.

Adjustment to a coarser grind for singles is a surprise
(but I've already heard about it)


EDIT: *of a double shot, I haven't yet had a single made by splitting a double at home

[Kaffee Bitte]

Adjustment to a coarser grind for singles is a surprise
(but I've already heard about it)
EDIT: *of a double shot, I haven't yet had a single made by splitting a double at home

A single made by splitting a double will taste just like a double, just less volume.

The coarser grind is a bit strange to me too. I would think it would flow at a faster rate and become quite watery.

[Mark08859]

I would think the coarser grind would be due to many single baskets being more narrow than their 2x bretheren and having fewer holes. At least on the ones I've seen.

[cannonfodder]

But it is relational; I would bet the coffee to basket ratios are near the same. While the dose is less, the basket is smaller in relation. I would guess the difference in taste is from the way the flow progresses through the puck and possibly more/less dissolved solids. I would have to pull a double and single at the same brew ratio and use the TDS meter on it, but that is more work than I want to go through right now.

[zarko]

Am I the only one that doesn't change grind?

[Mark08859]

Am I the only one that doesn't change grind?

You may be the luckiest person on the forum.

I don't know how relational the single basket/reduced dose would be. I would imagine that you'd have to cut the dose in half in order not to go coarser. People certainly reduce the dose when using a single basket. But, is it a 50% reduction?

[zarko]

I don't know how relational the single basket/reduced dose would be. I would imagine that you'd have to cut the dose in half in order not to go coarser. People certainly reduce the dose when using a single basket. But, is it a 50% reduction?

Yes it's 50% reduction.
Single is too small for me to make on regular basis but it's a good thing to make when you want to experiment. Otherwise you end up with lots of wasted coffee or too much caffeine in the system :D

[barry]

Am I the only one that doesn't change grind?

Nope.


I changed baskets until I found a single basket which matched performance with our double baskets.

[jesawdy]

I changed baskets until I found a single basket which matched performance with our double baskets.

Barry, What did that combination of baskets (and dose) turn out to be?

[barry]

Nouvo Simonelli single and La Marzocco double, both updosed a bit.

[malachi]

Updosed?!?!
Philistine!


grin.