Help dialing in first espresso machine - and I chose to try decaf

#1: Post by **cgibsong002** » March 6th, 2021, 9:52 pm

Breville infuser + aergrind. I know decaf is supposed to be a pain, but i just picked up the machine and passed Heart, so i picked up a bag of their decaf Colombia Platino. I figure if anyone is going to have a decent decaf it's them. Roasted 3/2.

So far I've pulled a couple shots, both 17g in the double basket. First at 1:7 then at 1:2 on the aergrind. Tried doing a 5-7s preinfusion and it's just gushing out 40g in barely over 10s. Very sour. Grind seems super fine, i haven't ever heard of anyone going finer than 1 on the aergrind.

So i figure I'd ask here instead of blowing through the bag. Are fast shots pretty standard with even a high quality decaf? Should i try going to 18 or even 19g? Just keep grinding finer?

#2: Post by **lessthanjoey** » March 6th, 2021, 10:25 pm

Yes, finer. Decaf in general needs finer than other coffees but finer is pretty much always the answer when it's gushing like this.

#3: Post by **Sideshow** » March 7th, 2021, 8:02 am

And get a bottomless to check your distribution, ie no channeling.