La San Marco

mimmo124

Hey all,

Just a quick question, were i work we use a La San Marco coffee machine from the 95-22 range with 3 groups. The double groups holds roughly 24 grams of coffee and the single group holds about 16. I have noticed some machines only take 18 grams of coffee in their double groups. Why is there such a difference between the amounts of coffee used in these machines? And would there be a distinct difference in the coffee produced from an 16 or 24 gram dose of coffee grounds. I always thought that to produce one espresso you need roughly 16 grams, so to produce more than one wouldnt you need more coffee??

Any thoughts on this matter would be appreciated

regards
Mimmo

triclops

There are different dose sizes in most machine portafilters but the standard is 8g for a single group 16g for double. Alot of people run alittle more than that ie 17-18g for a double. Rule of thumb you should be able to insert your handle and not get the tamped coffee wet from the screen ( I can put 24 grams of coffee in my basket but it isn't going to look pretty being put into the machine). There is such a thing as a triple basket, don't got there, even a single is not going to extract the same as a double. Anyway dose do it is just under being marked by the screen so it has room to expand during extraction. triclops

mimmo124

By saying the coffee should not get wet by the screen do you mean that when the group is locked in place and removed, the tamped cake should be touched by the screen? I was under the impression that it had to be locked in tight. So if I put roughly 17-18grams in the double group and tamp it properly i should get a decent espresso out of it? regards Mimmo

Unknown

Take a look in the Trade Section of this site under the topioc called "question for ristretto & fresh coffee...etc" It's all there in step by step form Gonzo.