How tight should a portafilter be?
Portafilter needs to be turned towards a point whereby it is snug and fit, NOT tight. There is not a need to push the portafilter towards to the extreme tightness all the way.
What is the point of a bottomless portafilter?
A bottomless portafilter helps give you more information about your coffee and makes it easier to figure out what’s going wrong. Without a spout obstructing your view, you can see the coffee pass through the puck and detect any non-uniformities that might be causing an uneven extraction.
Should you leave the portafilter?
Yes, always keep the portafilter on the machine, that way when you’re ready to use it the portafilter is going to be nice and hot.
Is tamping necessary espresso?
A tamper is used when brewing espresso, either in a machine or a stovetop espresso maker. This small tool is essential for packing the coffee grounds so you get the best shot of espresso possible. It’s not difficult to use, but there is a proper technique and a few styles of tampers to choose from.
How do you evenly distribute coffee in portafilter?
We’ve found that you can consistently distribute your coffee in five to six taps. Next up, you need to move the portafilter around as you are tapping it. If you hold the portafilter perfectly flat and tap it, the ground coffee will just bounce in one direction making the distribution even worse.
Why does my coffee puck stick?
Having your puck stick to the brew head means the grounds are in contact with the brew head. If you reduce your dose by 1-2g the surface should be low enough as to avoid direct contact with the brew head.
Can I tamp too hard?
Tamping espresso too hard or unevenly isn’t just bad for your wrist – it can also cause over-extraction.
What happens if you tamp too hard?
Tamping pressure is very important as applying too little pressure will not fully extract your coffee grounds, resulting in a sour, unsweet, and overall, weak coffee. Conversely, when one tamps too hard, it results in over-extraction of coffee.