I recently returned to my own kitchen after a weeks' holiday, and found my espresso to be difficult to make. I investigated, and surmised that I had inadvertently increased the tamp force I was applying. Instead of going back to my old ways, I down dosed. This was decided upon because my pulls were ...

I meant a reading not a ready. Really. Go ahead punk, make your drink

I'd agree. But I'd say it's good news really. Since you already have a good warm up technique, you can take a ready before you pull the first shot, then pull a second which will also be fine, and for a third shot you could switch off for a few minutes (whilst you Pharos), and when the group

I'm finding I've come to know my machine better with using a thermapen, and can often start to anticipate the temperature a little. So if I take a group reading for a third shot, and it's a degree too hot, then I'll turn the power off whilst I go to the Pharos to grind, then when I'm done tamping

How are you finding the euro with the Pharos? I think they go together very well. I get wonderful crema. But also, I find that if I grind for a single dose, pull it and drink it, then grind for another, it gives the machine time to cool a degree or two whilst I'm working on the follow

When you say the grounds looked beaten, that sounds like they haven't been ground fine enough. How did that shot flow? If I had mine set up so that it ground very coarse, then my axle would probably extend a long way down, as you describe. Are you sure you are correctly dialling in a half turn

I wonder, would an additional cylinder help to further stabilize the pharos; if placed between the upper and middle disks; similar to that which is currently placed between the lower and middle disks?

njtnjt, I like a high dose shot, and often find myself up around 16.5g Homeburrero, that's interesting about the pour comparison. Mine's a mil spec, but that makes me feel a little better. Drgary, I think this may end up being about distribution. I tried the realignment, but found it quite hit and m...

This all makes me think it's more to do with something big (like a slight burr misalignment), Because it sounds like I take as much, if not more, care than is healthy. How common are pour irregularities for you all? Like a dead spot on the basket, with no flow. The realigned Pharos gave a good pour ...

I've just followed the alignment tips on oe's YouTube video, so when my blood can handle it again, I'll give that a go. I'll also try carefully spooning, but I'd be somewhat surprised if that is my problem: when I say I tip across from the jar, it sounds more haphazard than it is. Irritatingly, a fr...