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Espresso only coming out of one spout on portafilter

Postby chanty 77 on Tue Dec 06, 2011 7:30 pm

I have tried every method of grind, tamping, and 95% of the time my espresso will only drip out of one of the portafilter holes. It's always the same one. I tried just putting water through & water comes steadily out of both holes on portafilter. I have lightly tapped the coffee down evenly all around the portafilter, then tamped the normal weight. It doesn't matter what I do. Anyone???? Arghhhhhhhhhhhhh
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Postby samuellaw178 on Tue Dec 06, 2011 7:33 pm

Is the counter top even?If the surface is not level, that could explain it.
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Postby chanty 77 on Tue Dec 06, 2011 7:35 pm

Counter top is level
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Postby Louis on Tue Dec 06, 2011 8:25 pm

Are the spouts level? A slight angle might be sufficient to have everything come out of only one spout.
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Postby chanty 77 on Tue Dec 06, 2011 9:25 pm

Yes, spouts are level.
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Postby compliance on Tue Dec 06, 2011 9:28 pm

You will probably not be able to diagnose an issue, if there even is an issue, without a bottomless portafilter. Otherwise if it tastes fine it is fine 8)
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Postby chanty 77 on Tue Dec 06, 2011 9:42 pm

Well, it is an issue I need to figure out. I'm wasting espresso since it only comes out of one spout.
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Postby Charbucks on Tue Dec 06, 2011 9:57 pm

I had something similar happening. I tried holding the portafilter 180 degrees while tamping (i.e. instead of handle to the left, handle to the right). Turns out I don't tamp evenly, as this resulted in the other spout getting all the action. I'm still working on getting it level.
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Postby Jedi012 on Tue Dec 06, 2011 10:08 pm

chanty 77 wrote:Well, it is an issue I need to figure out. I'm wasting espresso since it only comes out of one spout.

I think I'm totally confused. What makes you say you are wasting espresso? :?

Anyway, I think I'm in agreement with compliance on both his taste comment and bottomless portafilter comment.
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Postby HB on Tue Dec 06, 2011 10:10 pm

chanty 77 wrote:I tried just putting water through & water comes steadily out of both holes on portafilter.

compliance wrote:You will probably not be able to diagnose an issue, if there even is an issue, without a bottomless portafilter.

He's right, it could be a sign of channeling. Taste would be the first clue (dull, sour, low body). A bottomless portafilter would confirm.
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