Post by M.R. Hagerty on Jan 28, 2023 23:32:26 GMT -7
The Process
[clean the portafilter if filled with spent grounds (the puck), and clean the underside of the group head it attaches to]
1. Heating the Boiler(s)
Adequate warm up on any machine is best at 10-15 min. Ready lights will come on some machines sooner, but they may not have adequate pressure built up. Experimenting with your machine will tell you how long a warm up there should be.
2. Grinding Your Coffee
Follow instructions for setting the course/fine adjustment for espresso.
Enough coffee for a single is about 10-12 oz.
A double (for mugs and large cups) is about 18 oz.
[Note: if your grinder is part of the espresso machine and dumps directly into the portafilter, take precautions with paper towels to catch spill over when removing the portafilter away from the grinder and down to the surface of the counter. Spilling can make for some cleanup.
3. Tapping the Grounds
Holding the filled filter over the sink or a knock box, gently press the top of the mound of grounds with your palm so as to flatten closer to the lip of the filter. While holding the portafilter, tap the left and right sides several times to settle the grounds. Move the portafilter to a counter space and strike the filter bottom on the counter or a cutting board several times. (not hard but firmly, so as to further settle the grounds)
4. Tamp the Grounds
Using a tamper sized for your portafilter diameter, set the tamper face down in the grounds and press with your lower arm and hand as perpendicular as possible (similar to drilling a bit perpendicular to a board). Avoid pressing from an angle. Press hard two or three times. The surface should be flat not angled.
5. Make Espresso
5. Mount the portafilter in the group head of the machine and be sure it closes snugly.
6. Place a cup or a properly sized shot glass under the spouts of the portafilter.
7. Press the appropriate buttons for a single or double pull and wait until the machine quits
8. Operate the steam wand with a milk pitcher to make steamed milk for latte if desired
Otherwise, enjoy the espresso.
[clean the portafilter if filled with spent grounds (the puck), and clean the underside of the group head it attaches to]
1. Heating the Boiler(s)
Adequate warm up on any machine is best at 10-15 min. Ready lights will come on some machines sooner, but they may not have adequate pressure built up. Experimenting with your machine will tell you how long a warm up there should be.
2. Grinding Your Coffee
Follow instructions for setting the course/fine adjustment for espresso.
Enough coffee for a single is about 10-12 oz.
A double (for mugs and large cups) is about 18 oz.
[Note: if your grinder is part of the espresso machine and dumps directly into the portafilter, take precautions with paper towels to catch spill over when removing the portafilter away from the grinder and down to the surface of the counter. Spilling can make for some cleanup.
3. Tapping the Grounds
Holding the filled filter over the sink or a knock box, gently press the top of the mound of grounds with your palm so as to flatten closer to the lip of the filter. While holding the portafilter, tap the left and right sides several times to settle the grounds. Move the portafilter to a counter space and strike the filter bottom on the counter or a cutting board several times. (not hard but firmly, so as to further settle the grounds)
4. Tamp the Grounds
Using a tamper sized for your portafilter diameter, set the tamper face down in the grounds and press with your lower arm and hand as perpendicular as possible (similar to drilling a bit perpendicular to a board). Avoid pressing from an angle. Press hard two or three times. The surface should be flat not angled.
5. Make Espresso
5. Mount the portafilter in the group head of the machine and be sure it closes snugly.
6. Place a cup or a properly sized shot glass under the spouts of the portafilter.
7. Press the appropriate buttons for a single or double pull and wait until the machine quits
8. Operate the steam wand with a milk pitcher to make steamed milk for latte if desired
Otherwise, enjoy the espresso.