Dosing, Distribution and Tamping Questions - Page 2

by **RapidCoffee** on Sun Dec 18, 2011 2:36 pm

HB wrote:Once the basket is filled past the top, strike off the excess into the doser. This will produce the "standard" dose for that basket, typically 14 grams for a double.

Few (if any) 58mm double baskets yield a 14g dose when filled. None that I tested even came close.

Get a scale!

This one (recently recommended on CG) looks like a winner.

by HB on Sun Dec 18, 2011 4:45 pm

Your test didn't mention the grinder, but it makes a difference. Surprisingly your test didn't include the 14 grams Faema-style basket that comes with some E61 espresso machines I've tested:

From Some thoughts on dosing

Below are typical of Faema style baskets I've used in the past:

From Feedback and opinions on sifter distribution technique: 14 and 16 gram basket

Anyway, quibbling about grinder and basket choice aside, my recommendation remains the same if you don't have a scale: Start with the "level cut" dose for the included basket. As John noted, the dose will vary depending on the basket (e.g., the La Marzocco OEM basket will be around 17-18 grams).

by **Bob_McBob** on Sun Dec 18, 2011 5:06 pm

I accidentally ordered a stock Silvia basket a couple years ago, and it holds about 14g from what I recall. I wasn't able to actually try it (not that I wanted to) because the ridge was too narrow for my tamper.

by **RapidCoffee** on Sun Dec 18, 2011 8:41 pm

Guys, I don't mean to quibble or start any arguments. But I respectfully beg to differ. At one time I favored the "finger strike" method of dosing, but no longer. Now I prefer to weigh the dose that I want - and with few exceptions, I have found that 14-15g doses are well below the rim of most "14g" baskets.

by **Bezman** on Mon Dec 19, 2011 12:19 pm

Hi again.
Found a slightly more consistent method of dosing and leveling. Using a knife to move grinds around the portafilter until everying is level. Trying to get the grounds as even enough in the first place using the doser, but due to its annoying left throw, it doesn't always work out. I need to get the Elvinator for my grinder.

Another thing which happens from time to time is that coffee start flowing out of one spout before the other.
I assume its due to uneven distribution - am I right?

by **mitch236** on Mon Dec 19, 2011 12:30 pm

No. If you think about how a pf works, it has a funnel below the basket with a single drain point. This drain point is where the spouts screw onto. Therefore, any distribution issues should still flow from both spouts. Gravity and debris probably have a greater effect.

You will find that the single most difficult area of espresso prep is distribution. To my knowlege, there still is no single best solution. Keep playing with what works for you and get a bottomless pf to help diagnose and improve.

by HB on Mon Dec 19, 2011 12:45 pm

Bezman wrote:I assume its due to uneven distribution - am I right?

Hard to say. How does it taste? If there's taste indicators of channeling, then maybe the two are related. Otherwise I'm with Mitch. See Espresso only coming out of one spout on portafilter for previous discussion.


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