Advise Sought - 2nd Shot Early Blonding Struggles - Page 3

by **ponti33609** on Fri Jun 24, 2011 4:17 pm

HB wrote:A video of both extractions would be helpful.

Early blonding on the second shot points to puck preparation inconsistencies leading to channeling. To confirm, get a 0.1 gram accuracy scale and use the foolproof WDT + Stockfleths Move for Dummies. It's a little OCD but instructive to get two identical baskets and prep them outside of the portafilter (remove the retention clip so they drop in easily). Then you can confirm or refute with certainty if the issue is tied to the first shot/second shot preparation by preparing both at the same time, then having a helper give you one or the other to brew at random.

Thx Dan.........you guys might be right too.......I am probably much more hurried on my 2nd as I am trying to play catch-up to my wife. Have new things to try in the AM. I think I still want a thermometer as that will remove one more variable.

Do not get me wrong.....love the machine and this is all self inflicted. It has gotten worse too which again is probably me hurrying rather than taking time with the fill and tamp.

I will get a scale and was on my list but where I had success right out of the box that moved lower on the list.

Thx,
Bob

by **Beezer** on Fri Jun 24, 2011 4:44 pm

You mentioned rinsing the basket in water before the second pull. Are you rinsing the whole PF or just the basket? Is the water hot or cold?

If you rinse with water that's cooler than the group, you risk lowering the group temp and shot temp quite a bit. This can cause your second shot to be way too cold. Best to just wipe the basket thoroughly with a rag and then grind your shot into the basket.

by **ponti33609** on Fri Jun 24, 2011 6:13 pm

This is FL so nothing really cold but right out of the faucet........I have an insta-hot and will try that tomorrow too as well as just wiping out too.

Thx

by **boar_d_laze** on Sat Jun 25, 2011 7:55 pm

I'm still interested in how the tastes compare -- especially if the second shot is comparatively bitter. It would be helpful if you could write something about the comparative speed of the pours. The first speaks to brew temperature, the second to pressure. Either or both could be responsible for your misery.

Also, you say you are rushing through prepping the second shot. Are you sure your puck is level, and not canted to the side? That's also a very common cause of blonding. I ask almost in passing as you seem very detail oriented.

A scale is nice, but not critical. Dosing the way you are -- finger wiping to the basket's rim -- is both good enough and consistent enough for most purposes including dealing with premature blonding. Still a scale is good to have, and while it probably won't resolve the issue in question, they're cheap (scales, not issues). So why not?

A naked portafilter on the other hand would most likely help you and us diagnose and remedy the blonding -- as well as many other problems. It's expensive and a bit time consuming to order, but -- like a scale -- you'll probably want one eventually anyway.

The solution will probably involve you setting aside an hour or so on the weekend along with half a pound of coffee or so and pulling shot after shot until you've got everything stabilized. At least plan on spending the time.

BDL

by **cannonfodder** on Sun Jun 26, 2011 10:51 pm

ponti33609 wrote:Thank you so much for your responses..........hopefully this will assist:

I grind 2, doubles worth of coffee beans.

I am surprised no one picked up on this little tidbit. You are grinding two shots worth of coffee at once. Making a drink, cleaning up, getting ready for the second, etc.... then dosing the coffee you ground 5 minutes ago (or what ever the time frame) when you made the first shot. That is your problem. Grind per shot, dont grind all the coffee at once. I am assuming a lot of other factors are not contributing to the issue, such as dose weight, but if your second shot is a problem and the first is good, dont grind the coffee for the second until you are ready to pull that shot and see what happens.

by **ponti33609** on Mon Jun 27, 2011 11:22 am

cannonfodder wrote:I am surprised no one picked up on this little tidbit. You are grinding two shots worth of coffee at once. Making a drink, cleaning up, getting ready for the second, etc.... then dosing the coffee you ground 5 minutes ago (or what ever the time frame) when you made the first shot. That is your problem. Grind per shot, dont grind all the coffee at once. I am assuming a lot of other factors are not contributing to the issue, such as dose weight, but if your second shot is a problem and the first is good, dont grind the coffee for the second until you are ready to pull that shot and see what happens.

This is next on my list to try. Thx Dave. One thing to note. I did see an improvement by not rinsing the basket out in between shots. Just wiped with damp towel. Shot much better then when I full rinsed.

Bob

by **mitch236** on Mon Jun 27, 2011 12:00 pm

Why wipe with a damp towel? Why not use a dry towel to wipe out the basket? You want to dose your grinds into a dry basket. This is a minor point compared to all other suggestions, but still something to think about.

by **ponti33609** on Mon Jun 27, 2011 12:02 pm

Why wipe with a damp towel? Why not use a dry towel to wipe out the basket? You want to dose your grinds into a dry basket. This is a minor point compared to all other suggestions, but still something to think about.

Just thinking it wouldn't clean as well.......it is not soaking wet but damp......but I am willing to try out all ideas till I get it nailed.

Bob


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