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14. Tips and Troubleshooting
What is the ideal shot time?
Shot time varies with all roasts
and brew temperatures used
to brew espresso. Most likely,
a minimum shot time is 18
seconds and a maximum
is somewhere in the 30 to
35 second range. the ideal
brew time for your coffee
depends the coffee roast and
dose size. It is a relationship
of bean solids and oils plus
tamping pressure and brew
water temperature. Most of
all, personal taste preference
should control shot time.
After brewing, re-engage
the portafilter in the group.
Temperature stability at the
portafilter will result in more
consistent pour times. The
portafilter mounting area is
a source of heat which can
benefit the brewing process
when used to keep the
portafilter at temperature.
Clean groups and portafilters
daily.
Clean espresso contact
surfaces (screens and inserts)
will result in better flavored
coffee.
Limit rinsing from the
grouphead to one second
or less. Excessively rinsing
the portafilter reduces the
amount of hot water available
for brewing. An infusion of
cold water into the brewing
vessel may temporarily lower
water temperature below the
desired level. Since rinsing is
usually undertaken as a way to
clean the portafilter, consider
wiping the portafilter instead.
If you must rinse, do so with
as little water as possible.
Watch the espresso you
are brewing. Although
making espresso is partly
a mechanical process, the
outcome is determined by
organic factors like the coffee,
the weather, the water, and
your ability to balance these.
Defining and adhering to a
set of fixed parameters like
brew time and shot size helps
to ensure a beautiful shot.
However, ultimately the look
and taste of the espresso
is the final arbiter of a
shot’sacceptability. You must
determine when everything is
just right.
