Do you adjust grind from double to single espressos?

#1: Post by **CoffeeOwl** » November 26th, 2007, 7:22 pm

Do you adjust grind from double shots to single shots? If yes, how?
(I think it could do as a poll, hopefully you do make singles...

)

November 26th, 2007, 7:42 pm

I most certainly do. I adjust the grind to a finer setting for singles. I also adjust my tamp pressure. Singles blond quickly with a double grind setting and a normal tamp. Try one or two notches lower, maybe more even. Then tamp with just the weight of the tamper. This has worked wonders for me on commercial machines and should work well on many home models. Remember to be very careful about the dose, since small single baskets will be much more likely to hit the shower screen.

#3: Post by **John P** » November 26th, 2007, 8:30 pm

We actually adjust our grind coarser for the singles. About 2 notches on a Super Jolly.
OR adjust your tamp a little lighter and watch the dosing... don't mound.

#4: Post by **Mark08859** » November 26th, 2007, 10:01 pm

I have to adjust coarser for singles. So, I pretty much don't bother with them.

November 26th, 2007, 10:20 pm

Odd, I tighten up the grind but keep the tamp the same. less coffee=less resistance=finer grind to maintain the same extraction time.

#6: Post by **malachi** » November 26th, 2007, 11:45 pm

I use the same grind and just put the demi under one of the two spouts rather than both.

#7: Post by **cafeIKE** » November 27th, 2007, 12:19 am

cannonfodder wrote:Odd, I tighten up the grind but keep the tamp the same. less coffee=less resistance=finer grind to maintain the same extraction time.

Ditto

November 27th, 2007, 9:09 am

malachi wrote:I use the same grind and just put the demi under one of the two spouts rather than both.

That is what most café's do when you order a single, at least from my observation of café's in this country. They just dump half of the shot so they do not have to change grind/baskets. Personally, I think there is a taste difference between the single and double (when pulled using their respective baskets). So when I want a single it is for that change. However, I have not split a shot in years to compare a true single against a split double, sounds like an evening test.

November 27th, 2007, 11:45 am

cannonfodder wrote:Personally, I think there is a taste difference between the single and double (when pulled using their respective baskets). So when I want a single it is for that change. However, I have not split a shot in years to compare a true single against a split double, sounds like an evening test.

This is a worthy and enjoyable, if somewhat highly caffeinated evening test. I often equate singles flavor profile to something more similar to what spring levers will produce. When pulled correctly they will have more clarity and make for very tasty single origin shots, where often a double on a pump machine will just muck it up.

November 27th, 2007, 12:57 pm

Kaffee Bitte wrote:When pulled correctly they will have more clarity and make for very tasty single origin shots, where often a double on a pump machine will just muck it up.

I found that out too (a brighter vs a kind of loaded taste*).

I also adjust the grind to a finer setting for singles, keeping tamp the same (actually trying

to keep it the same, espro tamper is on order

)
I put 9 grams into the single basket (fits easily) vs. 14 grams into the double.

Adjustment to a coarser grind for singles is a surprise
(but I've already heard about it)

EDIT: *of a double shot, I haven't yet had a single made by splitting a double at home