Changing dose vs. grind setting on the fly

#1: Post by **RyanJE** » January 17th, 2016, 9:02 pm

So here is the question. All else being equal, is there any difference in cup when adjusting a dose rather than grind to produce the same extraction? Meaning if my dose (call it 18g) is pouring way too slow, and I adjust that down rather than grind coarser, would it achieve the same taste. Assuming the same target brew ratio, flow rate, etc... Let's say my first target pull is

18g in
36g out
30 second pour

BUT, I only get 20g out. So I adjust my dose and get

16g in
32g out
30 second pour

In theory would the taste be the same as the original target brew if I had adjusted coarser? Just a lower volume drink?

Based on my search I think the answer is yes, BUT, it's not clear...

#2: Post by **TomC** » January 17th, 2016, 9:06 pm

You still used more coffee to build your beverage in the first scenario.

In grossly generalize terms:

Increased dose = bolder flavor

Decreased dose = weaker flavor

January 17th, 2016, 9:11 pm

So that means using the same brew ratio would still give different extraction yields right? Which seems counter intuitive though because each are getting equal proportion water and time (and temp, pressure, etc.)

#4: Post by **spearfish25** » January 17th, 2016, 10:21 pm

I've always prescribed to Ryan's thought here. Drop the dose and keep the brew ratio the same, you produce less quantity of the same product. If you put that into a milk drink, it will have less strong flavor unless you use less milk. But change the grind and you change the flavors extracted.

January 18th, 2016, 11:33 am

Yes. Changing dose verses grind will yield different results. It has to do with surface aria of the grind and the amount of extracted solubles. Larger grind, less surface area, lower percentage of extracted solubles with the same temperature and water flow. Finer grind, higher surface area, faster extraction of the solubles with the same temperature and water flow.

January 18th, 2016, 1:43 pm

Wait, to be clear, we are talking about different water flow, not the same water flow. I.e. the finer grind lower dose scenario gets less water flow to yield a 50% brew ratio than the coarser grind higher dose that gets a 50% brew ratio.

#7: Post by **jonr** » January 21st, 2016, 9:48 pm

Puck depth effects taste - so no unless you change the basket diameter too.

#8: Post by **another_jim** » January 22nd, 2016, 9:27 am

RyanJE wrote: 18g in
36g out
30 second pour

So I adjust my dose {same grind} and get

16g in
32g out
30 second pour

In theory would the taste be the same as the original target brew if I had adjusted coarser? Just a lower volume drink?

I agree. Changing grind affects taste more than changing dose. If you are satisfied with the taste, and just want to change the timing and concentration of the shot, changing dose is far more predictable than changing grind.

January 23rd, 2016, 9:36 pm

And it Means less wasted coffe and time. Thanks for the feedback.