Dial in your espresso, one change at a time
Fast flow, slow flow or an unbalanced cup? Start with dose, yield and grind, and build a routine you can repeat.
Establish a starting point
Use the same beans, basket, coffee dose and target beverage yield while comparing shots. Dose is the weight of coffee in the basket; yield is the weight of espresso in the cup. A scale makes changes easier to follow than judging the liquid level alone. Use the roaster’s advice and your machine manual to choose a starting recipe. There is no single shot time that suits every coffee.
Look at the grind when flow changes
With dose and yield unchanged, try a finer grind if the espresso runs noticeably fast, or a coarser grind if it runs very slowly. Change one variable and compare another shot. Check again when changing beans: the same grinder setting does not guarantee the same result.
Keep puck preparation consistent
Start with a clean, dry basket, distribute the grounds evenly and tamp consistently. Record the beans, dose, yield, flow and taste. A repeatable preparation routine helps you understand what your grind adjustment actually changed.
Let taste guide the next adjustment
Sourness or bitterness alone does not establish a machine fault. The beans, roast and brew ratio also affect flavour. Compare both flow and taste, keep a recipe you enjoy, and adjust gradually. If the machine cannot supply water or brew normally, follow its manual and contact support.


