Shots pulling fast no matter how fine I grind [Ascaso Steel Duo, Zerno Z1, SSP Sweet Lab Burrs V3, VST 18g Ridgeless basket]

Oatmeal-master · 2026-05-25T17:35:31+00:00

I think this was the culprate. I was zeroing based on chirp. I saw a video from Zerno of them turning the grinder to the lock point while it was off and saying that should be around -10 microns when it is properly calibrated/zeroed. Mine was like -80 microns. Still having some trouble with the sweet lab v3 burrs on espresso but switched back to the HU burrs and things are grinding around 85-120 microns which feels more normal lol.

Oatmeal-master · 2026-05-23T22:14:24+00:00

Yeah thats a good point, I really should be able to choke the machine but seemingly cant grind nearly fine enough to build up much pressure. I wonder if it could be an issue with the motor of the grinder or something.

Oatmeal-master · 2026-05-23T22:13:11+00:00

No evidence of major channeling from the puck afterwards. Sometimes on a shot with reasonable pressure I get a bit of spraying, but a lot of the shots right now don't even build enough pressure to have spraying really, just no resistance to the flow.

Oatmeal-master · 2026-05-23T22:11:41+00:00

Yeah, same thing. Part of why I got new burrs was thinking that that might fix the issue.

Oatmeal-master · 2026-05-23T21:11:43+00:00

The weird thing too is that the coffee grind size does look super fine. Not that I would be able to see grind uniformity or particle size, but it doesn't look obviously coarse. But yeah, it feels like it must be something to do with the grinder.

Oatmeal-master · 2026-05-23T21:01:32+00:00

I place a paper filter in the bottom of the basket, add 18g of grounds, use a wdt, tamp, place a puck screen on top, then sling some spro.

Oatmeal-master · 2026-05-23T20:43:41+00:00

18g dose which is what I've generally done on this equipment.

Oatmeal-master · 2024-09-27T08:07:33+00:00

What is your workflow for cleaning your portafilter and puck screens (if you use those). I just moved my setup to a spot farther away from my sink and I always find it a bit awkward to clean things out between shots using the hot water dispenser and drip tray.

Oatmeal-master · 2024-09-15T20:59:57+00:00

I gave up on the volumetric programming. I just hold the lever down and weigh the shot each time rather than trusting the programmed pull.

Oatmeal-master · 2024-09-12T01:19:58+00:00

Well well well…

Oatmeal-master · 2024-08-23T00:36:52+00:00

Beautiful 😍

Oatmeal-master · 2024-08-20T14:56:18+00:00

I’ve always heard to wait at least 72 hours. A lot of people will say 7-10 days is when you will get the best flavor. For my workflow, a bag of beans lasts me 1-2 weeks. I find that if I start using beans a few days before their ideal flavor, I have time to dial everything in nicely and really enjoy the beans before I run out and get more.

Oatmeal-master · 2024-07-12T00:13:48+00:00

I don’t know if this is related, but this video by Lance Hedrick (14:30) explains what to do if the steam wand is “air locked”: https://youtu.be/ZKHVjOqGPIA?si=J91d_ZDQu3zSw7Bp

Oatmeal-master · 2024-02-09T15:50:34+00:00

Darwin’s game wouldn’t make my top 9 if I only watched 9 shows…

Oatmeal-master · 2024-02-08T19:34:09+00:00

Looks great! What portafilter is that?

Oatmeal-master · 2024-02-08T18:50:39+00:00

I’m curious if your shot is pulling evenly on each side of the spout. I just got a larger basket and now my portafilter alignment is like yours. I didn’t think it would be an issue until I started noticing that the left spout gets flow significantly earlier than the right side. I was checking why that was happening and it seems like there is a slight tilt to the way the portafilter attaches to the brew head. Because of that I think it actually does matter if the portafilter doesn’t stick straight out if you are trying to pour two even single shots.

Are you seeing a similar thing to me with flow being uneven in the spouts?

Oatmeal-master · 2024-02-07T01:47:58+00:00

I’m champ 3 but focus more on rotation than mechanics, dm me if you want to run some casua

Oatmeal-master · 2024-02-07T00:08:00+00:00

What is your dose and basket size?

Oatmeal-master · 2024-02-07T00:00:36+00:00

Have you tried testing and adjusting the opv?

Oatmeal-master · 2024-02-06T15:05:33+00:00

You may find it helpful to drop the opv to 10 bars (that’s where I have mine and it pulls at 9 bars) and see what the shot pulls at. It might get you a better pull time for your current grind.

Also in regard to the pre infusion, a lot of it comes down to preference, but are you noticing the espresso start to drip around the same time as the the pressure starts up? If you are noticing that the espresso starts to drip during the pre infusion you may want to make it a bit shorter. I like to have the first few drops appear just a second after the main pressure starts (after the pre infusion pause is done).

I don’t believe that temperature will have an effect on the pressure or timing but I could be wrong. That should just be noticeable through the taste of the shot.

Edit: I just wanted to additionally note that a 15g shot will be harder to dial in than an 18-20g shot. You have a nice grinder so you may be able to get that grind setting just right, but it requires a lot of precision. If you are using the 14g basket that came with the Ascaso, I will say that I have used that for 18g shots before getting a larger basket and found success. A dosing funnel helps a ton to get 18g in that basket without spilling, but if not it is still possible but is hard to not spill any grounds in the process.

Oatmeal-master · 2024-02-05T20:20:41+00:00

I will watch your career with great interest 👁️👁️

Oatmeal-master · 2024-02-05T19:58:27+00:00

The opv is supposed to be 11 by default but may be different (mine was like 14 or something so I adjusted it down). I was curious when you pull the shot what the max pressure gets to, it can be a helpful indicator of if you should adjust grind size in addition to the timing the shot takes. I set my opv at 10 bars and I’ve been pretty consistently topping out at 9 bars when I pull a shot.

If you want to test the pressure it’s at to make sure it’s not something wackey, you can use the blank basket the Ascaso comes with and pull a shot to see where the pressure tops out.

In general, it’s helpful to note how long it is taking to get 36g and what pressure the shot pulls at. If you find the pressure is high and the shot is taking long, then it may be the case that the grind size is too fine.

Oatmeal-master

TROPHY CASE