Just looking for a reason why i can't seem to get around an ounce with my single. I am dosing to where the PF will go into the head without scraping grinds, dosing any higher and i have to force it in. The pour starts out thin and rich then grows slightly faster but hit a watery state far before 1 oz, i'd say 1/4 inch below the 1oz line in my shot glass. So after that + crema there isn't much in the shot really. I am still battling my side channeling issues with probably 2 out of 5 shots. I ordered 500g that should show up today and i plan to work on my double shots..

The once ounce mark is just a basic, beginners' starting mark. It's pre-primer goal, like a high diver is told, "Don't hit your head on the board— on the way up OR the way down."

Stop the pour just before it goes thin or blonde and TASTE it! That's all that counts. If you get 0.5 of an ounce and it tastes good to you, that's the real goal, and all that matters. To increase the volume before it thins, you can try a finer grind, or lower the brew pressure a bit (adjust the pressure relief valve).

On the other hand, IMO, singles are a waste. Just when you hit a good pour, all you have is about one ounce to enjoy... one sip and it's gone.. oh, so sad.

Singles also tend to exacerbate problems with grind, dose, distribution, and other such parameters. Get good at pulling doubles, get the machine tuned in, and then transfer what you learn to making singles.

Another option to explore and see if it works for you is to grind so fine that if you were doing a double you would choke the machine, then use a very light tamp. Basically just use the tampers weight to level the coffee. I have had very good results on various professional and home machines using this technique. As Randy said though don't worry so much about volumes. They don't mean as much by any means as the taste in the cup.

My singles are usually about ¾ of an ounce. I also grind a little finer and tamp lighter although I do put a little pressure down. I like a single on occasion. While the volume is lower I find that the flavor tends to be a little more intense than a double, sweeter and creamier. Yes it is gone in one gulp but that is the beauty of owning your own espresso machine and grinder. When that gulp is gone and the flavor starts to dissipate from your mouth a half hour later, you can make another.

A 9 gram dose with a grind that would choke the machine with a double basket

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