malachi wrote: 2 - different coffees have different weights per volume (or vice versa)

Hey Chris, I'm curious about this one- have you observed any general rules for this weight/volume relationship?

I guess it would be more of an issue for people who empty the grinder for every shot then those who dose by volume with a full hopper.

Regards, Henry

godlyone wrote:...how would I straight level if the grinds are lower than the top of the portafilter?

These threads from the unabridged FAQs and Favorites discussion several options:

• Proper distribution technique when "down dosing" using WDT
• WDT for single baskets and low headspace machines
• Stockfleths Move for Dummies [video]

That said, most of these threads rely on the WDT to even things out. A better approach, assuming you have a clump-free grinder, is to focus on dosing correctly in the first place. Andy's How to Tame a Messy Mazzer Doser make it much easier to control the landing, thereby dosing neatly along the basket perimeter and avoiding the need to redistribute. Lately I've been doing that with maybe a very slight shake-shake. It works, but requires more practice than the foolproof WDT.

davidr88 wrote:14g is classed as a double shot, the 17-18g shot we are talking of is called updosing.

incorrect. all shots produced using a double basket are double shots.
with some coffees, some baskets and some machines - 14g is a "mid point" dose.
with others, 17g is a "mid point" dose.

beware dogma

hbuchtel wrote:Hey Chris, I'm curious about this one- have you observed any general rules for this weight/volume relationship?

Nope.

Haven't explored this yet - just rough theories.