I'll give the dosing into the basket outside of the portafilter a try.

da gino wrote: That said, I do often dose into the basket outside of the portafilter as I find getting an even distribution easy that way and more work in the portafilter since my doser throws a bit to the left.

I have a K10PB and this is what I do. After weighing my dose, I grind into the basket without portafilter and then distribute. Then I place the basket into the bottomless portafilter, give the bottom a level tap on my coffee bench to settle, and then tamp. I always single dose since I change beans frequently and I'm the only coffee drinker in my house. So hopper feeding doesn't make sense for me.

I do a brief WDT with a toothpick. I don't think it's absolutely necessary. But I've found it gives me that extra level of consistency. And since I only pull 2 or 3 shots per day, I'm extra fussy about my prep to stave off the dreaded sink shot. I wouldn't be so picky if making multiple back-to-back shots.

The doser does throw grinds to the left when dispensing, so I position and rotate the basket to compensate.

Edit: sometimes when I'm in a big rush, I fire up my ceramic Vario. The prep time is reduced, since there's no sweeping, retention, or bump n' grind involved. As expected, the shot quality isn't as good. But I'm still amazed at what Baratza has packed into such a small package, for a very reasonable price. The Vario isn't in the same league as the Titans, but it's a great value for its price.

My K-10 WBC does the same thing. I always use a bottomless PF and channeling is hit or miss, even on successive days or the same day using the same roast. I never buy a roast over 6 days old. Don't like oily, either. I have only been using the same fresh custom roast for the last six months.

Channeling is not extreme, one can just notice inhomogeneity as the stream develops. Occasionally it is unacceptable and occasionally it is perfect; like a bell-curve occurrence. And the K-10, like all of them, throws to the left.

I used the machine w/o the doser and, because of the less-than-perfect distribution, put the doser back on and there is no difference in the brew, just in the procedure.

When I really need consistent, dependable results, I WDT, for instance, if I am investigating a change in water formulation or 'sous-viding' the beans. In my hands, the K-10 is not dependable without WDT. I do not like the operation of it much, nor the build, and thought about a Mahlkonig, instead, but the K-10 is better for single dosing.

I wonder how prevalent this is among H-Bers? I would think there is a tendency to shy away from admitting that one's home brewing with the K-10 isn't 'spot on'.

B

Nobody has mentioned what baskets they are using. I find the VST baskets to be very finicky and demand more prep then the HQ baskets I generally prefer. I'd have no problem admitting that my K10 needed WDT with every dose if that was the case but it isn't. As I mentioned before I only single dose so after 5 years with my K10 I have a pretty good idea of what is & is not required to avoid channeling/spritzers/ect. Using the HQ baskets I have zero issues with the prep I mentioned previously. If I'm using a VST basket I may do a quick stir or I just live with what looks like a less then picture perfect pour.

As far as the K10 doser throwing to the left, it does, but it's very minor compared to the Mazzer grinders that I've owned. I use a bottomless pf so I simple hold the pf slightly to the left when filling the basket.

JohnB. wrote:Nobody has mentioned what baskets they are using. I find the VST baskets to be very finicky and demand more prep then the HQ baskets I generally prefer.

Good point. I should have mentioned I mostly use an 18g VST basket. I also have stock Bezzera double and single baskets, and a generic triple that came with my bottomless portafilter. But I use the VST 95 per cent of the time.

I wonder if I would find another basket easier to use. But with my prep I don't get channeling or spritzers. When I first got my machine and grinder, I did struggle with these issues. But everything was new to me all at once. I was learning a new machine, grinder, basket etc. So a lot of new variables to contend with at the same time.

I use the standard Londinium baskets that come with the machine, for now. I would like to try an IMS.

No one has mentioned their tampers, either. I bought the machine from the an estate and it came with a round-bottom tamper, which I dislike. I have been putting off getting a flat tamper, but I should.

B

Could it be the coffee? I've found that certain (lighter) roasts just never really form a nice cone, no matter the roast date. While I don't own a K10, I've observed this with my HG-One and Major.

I use an HQ14 90% of the time. I also have the double and triple IMS which work pretty good too. I have the 15g, 18g and 20g VST and I am terrified of them. Even using WDT give me subpar extractions on those most of the time.

I'm also using the HQ 14g basket quite often, but I just got a double IMS which works very slightly better IMO. Requires same grind for me.

None have any problems. Is it that your K10 burrs are very new or something?

I switched from a HG1 to the K10 just because the routine was a little easier. All I need to do is brush out the chute.

With the Compak E10 as well as the Fresh we single dose 16-20g without issue (never need to WDT), but lighter roast coffees are definitely more challenging with the bottomless than medium to dark. But I also find that flat sided baskets are a little more challenging than double baskets which taper or slope.

@BP