7 gr single shot. Should I practice with a single cup or double cup filter?

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Moka 1 Cup
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#1: Post by Moka 1 Cup »

Hello!

I have just received a Gaggia Classic. I started making my first 14 gr double shots with decent results.
The Gaggia is factory with no upgraded or modifications and I am using the 58 mm portafilter it came with.
Before proceeding I would like to switch to single shots, because that is what I like to drink.

Since I really don't want to make double shots and throw away half of what I make, here is my question:

Should I...

a) Use the commercial style double cup filter that came with the machine and learn how to make a good espresso with a 7gr dose?

b) Buy a single shot non pressurized Gaggia filter even if from what I have read is difficult to use (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005F482C4/)?

c) Buy a single shot basket like this one https://www.wholelattelove.com/baristap ... ter-basket?

d) Buy a Decentespresso 7gr basket like the one on this page https://decentespresso.com/basket

d) ?


I am assuming that I can use (c) and (d) in my Gaggia porta filter.
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chipman
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#2: Post by chipman »

A single shot is not half the volume of a double. Don't understand your comment of wasting half.

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Moka 1 Cup (original poster)
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#3: Post by Moka 1 Cup (original poster) »

I was referring to using a 2 cup filter with 14 grams of coffees, making a double (or two singles) and drinking a single.
But I may be wrong with the terminology.
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Moka 1 Cup (original poster)
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#4: Post by Moka 1 Cup (original poster) »

To be clear.

I want to make one of these (with 7 gr).



Instead of these (with 14gr) and drink only one.



Pictures are not mine.
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*sigh*
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#5: Post by *sigh* »

Option A) isn't really a viable solution. The other solutions you provided should all work, it's really just personal preference on the basket you would like to use.

Full disclosure I haven't used it, but the decent one seems like it might be a little easier to use than the alternatives. Most sloped side single shot baskets can be really finnicky to use and you generally have to dose enough to get to the top of the slope so you can still get a tamp on the grounds. Where as the decent and la Marzocco singles seem to try and get around this with different designs.

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shawndo
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#6: Post by shawndo »

You just need a single spout to pour into one cup. The basket only determines how much dry/ground coffee you use.
You might be able to just get the spout and change your portafilter or find a whole new portafilter with only one spout.
Or use a larger cup that can reach both spouts

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Denis
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#7: Post by Denis »

If you are into Italian espresso then the recipe is 7-8g coffee resulting 24-28g espresso.

The main problem with pump machine without preinfusion is that they are to brutal with the coffee puck and do a lot of channeling. The thinner the puck is the more chance of channeling you get, so my recommendation is to stick to double basket for your machine.

If you want traditional espresso, Italian blends, 2second crack coffee then you would be better with a spring lever machine.

It is really hard to make a decent espresso with a single basket, even for machines that can modify the pressure/flow. I would say get atleast a 14g basket, and work with that.

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Moka 1 Cup (original poster)
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#8: Post by Moka 1 Cup (original poster) »

I'll consider installing a single spout on my portafilter, thank you.
Denis wrote: .... It is really hard to make a decent espresso with a single basket, even for machines that can modify the pressure/flow. I would say get atleast a 14g basket, and work with that.
Thank you. Do you know if these Decentespresso baskets would work on a standard portafilter or if they are for bottomless only?
https://decentespresso.com/basket
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*sigh*
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#9: Post by *sigh* »

Moka 1 Cup wrote: Thank you. Do you know if these Decentespresso baskets would work on a standard portafilter or if they are for bottomless only?
https://decentespresso.com/basket
They'll work just fine in a spouted 58mm portafilter.

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baldheadracing
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#10: Post by baldheadracing »

Denis wrote:It is really hard to make a decent espresso with a single basket, even for machines that can modify the pressure/flow. I would say get atleast a 14g basket, and work with that.
Tidaka has tampers and dosing funnels designed for the La Marzocco (or VST) 7g basket. If I was making 7g singles all the time on a straight pump machine then I would avoid a lot of frustration by using their tools. https://www.tidaka.net/de/tamper/set-an ... grale.html
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