Is it normal to have grounds in cup?

[arossphoto]

Sorry if this is a stupid question, but is it normal to have a few grounds in the bottom of the cup or is this an indication of a problem? I'm on my first week with a new Vetrano and Macap and I've noticed a small amount of grounds in the bottom of the last few cups. It's not a big deal, I'm just not sure if it's normal. See picture below:



Thanks,

Andrew

[cannonfodder]

That is normal. A few fines are ok. A poor quality grinder will produce a lot of irregular grinds, many of which are powder. Those pass through the holes in the filter basket and end up in the cup.

[arossphoto]

That is normal. A few fines are ok. A poor quality grinder will produce a lot of irregular grinds, many of which are powder. Those pass through the holes in the filter basket and end up in the cup.

Thanks, but I hope you're not saying the Macap is a poor quality grinder.

[cannonfodder]

Not at all, MACAP is a good machine hence the small amount of fines in the cup. Try a blade grinder, it will look like someone put dirt in your cup.

[HB]

Sorry if this is a stupid question, but is it normal to have a few grounds in the bottom of the cup or is this an indication of a problem?

Looks normal, but honestly I haven't looked as closely as you. It's still worth checking for possible grinds contamination during dosing or tamping. For example, dragging the spouts through the grinds for spouted portafilters or touching the bottom of the basket to grinds for bottomless portafilters. Grinds have a way of getting everywhere...

On a related note, barista competitors are allowed to tamp directly on the countertop and then wipe the spouts to remove an errant grinds. I work under the assumption that any horizontal surface is a bacterial haven and instead tamp with the crook of the spout against the countertop's edge so the spout never touches anything. Less chance of grinds contamination, less chance of any contamination.