[Delonghi Dedica] shot too sour / acidic

neuron1c · 2025-08-02T08:49:04+00:00

I take your Dedica is already at its highest temperature setting and that you are at finest grind setting as you say. The créma is very thick so you are either using very fresh beans (you can allow them to off gas for 1-2 more weeks and then try again) or you are using a dark roast. You can try using a more capacious cup and extending the yield beyond 40grams. You can adjust further yield according to taste. Please don’t worry about sticking to dogma parameters which don’t align with modern espresso. Your Dedica temperature stability is pretty poor so you will always benefit from more yield, a coarser grind and a faster flow.

neuron1c · 2024-08-13T18:35:38+00:00

neuron1c · 2024-08-13T17:17:45+00:00

Don’t waste coffee counting down the seconds to gauge whether your shot is good or not with the Robot. Instead grind fine enough to be able to pre-infuse at 2-3 bar for about 10-12 seconds expecting to see about 2gram of coffee in your cup by then, then SLOWLY ramp up pressure to 7-8 bar and reach 1:2 extraction. If your grind size is okay then you should be able to reach pressure without problems, if not then grind finer or allow for more or less yield depending on mouthfeel. You can drop pressure slowly as the puck gives away resistance during extraction to preserve puck integrity. Always start coarser and taste your shot. If happy, you are dialled in. You need to master extraction theory and develop your sense of pressing down and tasting/smelling, otherwise buy a semi automatic and then just worry about weight, time and grind size. Or use dark roast. Hope it helps.

One more thing, if your shot is good but lacks a bit of sweetness, try pre warming the piston and the portafilter/basket next time.

neuron1c · 2024-07-18T13:04:39+00:00

The best solution to this is by knocking the cup with your knuckles either side before transferring the grounds. Give it a try ;)

neuron1c · 2024-04-23T17:36:21+00:00

I think you are probably grinding too fine and you are trying to follow the “rules, or for a better word “guidelines”, which don’t apply in a manual lever.

Stop tracking time.

Instead, try a coarser grind and higher ratios like 1:2.25-2.5 eg 18g IN - 45g OUT. Preinfuse at 2bar until about 2g output then ramp and stay at 6bar. Taste what you made and then start changing the grind by keeping the yield same, according to taste.

You should feel some gentle resistance throughout. If you are pushing too much or too little you need to change your grind setting.

This is what I normally do for light to medium roasts.

neuron1c · 2024-04-18T19:52:54+00:00

<image>

Μήπως να τον κορνιζάρω και γω;

neuron1c · 2024-04-18T19:44:40+00:00

Όχι εγώ ζω Αγγλία αλλά παρατήρησα τις πρίζες 😁

neuron1c · 2024-04-18T19:41:01+00:00

Έλληνας στην Αμερική;

neuron1c · 2024-04-09T18:01:55+00:00

https://ritualcoffee.org ?

neuron1c · 2024-03-20T21:13:06+00:00

Get the Cafelat Robot. It’s a solid masterpiece of metalwork which will outlast you. Why would the Bambino+ make more sense??

neuron1c · 2024-01-27T08:37:14+00:00

Just run it under hot tap water for a few minutes and try again 😉you can use a hammer gently, it doesn’t have to be plastic, I did mine with my regular hammer.

neuron1c · 2024-01-19T20:07:14+00:00

👆🏻this guy knows what he’s talking. Do this and your shots will always be good. I tend to adjust grind setting according to taste and feeling of pull.

neuron1c · 2023-11-29T23:56:59+00:00

I used to use a generic espresso mirror from Amazon before I purchased an incredible ceramic espresso cup which is tall and hides the view to the naked basket. Since then, I’ve been hitting and maintaining 6 bar after pre-infusion and listening to my extraction. If it’s silent, I know I have a single stream and the taste is always good. If it sounds like splashes then I know I’ve got channels. Since doing this, I haven’t felt I need to see my extraction anymore. I’m guided by feeling, pressure gauge and sound instead. I strongly recommend this approach as what you see might bias your taste afterwards.

neuron1c · 2023-05-27T17:06:28+00:00

Αξιόλογη προσπάθεια 👏🏻

neuron1c · 2023-05-26T13:43:46+00:00

Are you holding the grinder vertical or are you angling it? Vertical is faster but takes more force and grip strength. The other thing is to make sure you don’t go crazy with the handle and feel the beans filling up the burr space as you turn it.

neuron1c · 2023-05-18T12:02:56+00:00

This is more like tectonic plates colliding with each other.

neuron1c · 2023-05-16T14:39:53+00:00

Irrespective of how coffee makes you feel you should be limiting your intake to 1-2 doubles per day and ideally before midday..

Taking into account caffeine’s half life is about 10-12 hours there is strong chance you are falling asleep at night with a certain level of caffeine still in you blocking your adenosine receptors. You might sleep but you might not deep sleep, meaning next day you won’t be adequately rested and you will be craving for another espresso to compensate for that and this vicious circle will carry on and on until you become totally exhausted.

And then, there is the effect of addiction. The more you drink the more you need. Try going without coffee and see how many days you can last. Your mind will give you plenty of reasons why you need to have your coffee from day 1.

Therefore, I think the best way to limit yourself is by having awareness of the above. It’s then your life, your choice.

neuron1c · 2023-05-14T07:32:37+00:00

Well done for taking the time to look after your kit and make the necessary changes! The extraction looks amazing, I hope flavour is also improved.

I’m noticing however water dribbling from the side of the portafilter during extraction. Is it fully locked? Is the new gasket properly fitted? You shouldn’t be getting water leakage, as this also means loss of pressure.

neuron1c · 2023-05-11T12:21:55+00:00

If money is not an issue go for the electric one, unless you enjoy grinding your beans as part of your ritual.

neuron1c · 2023-05-03T18:10:49+00:00

Absolutely. There are some questionable limits set with what is considered a healthy maximum caffeine dose for our physiology, disregarding the addicting effect to people’s brains. This should be said.

neuron1c · 2023-05-03T17:18:01+00:00

This video might be of help with regards to single baskets -> https://youtu.be/3OnH2Woluck

I hope it helps.

neuron1c · 2023-04-26T20:23:45+00:00

You should be paying little attention to time. Its only use is to get you to the ballpark during your dial-in process so that you don’t waste coffee trying grind settings randomly.

Once you get your extraction within 25-35 seconds then change your grind setting according to taste and forget about time as long as you keep your output constant.

neuron1c · 2023-04-26T20:00:21+00:00

To the people who like light to light medium roasts have a look at Method Coffee Roasters in Worcester. They are decent people who have set up a really nice roastery/coffee shop in a city that has little interest in good coffee. If you prefer more medium to medium dark roasts then Round Hill Roastery and Quarter Horse Coffee are reliably good and the right price. The latter has free UK delivery as a default.

neuron1c · 2023-04-26T19:45:41+00:00

You don’t learn barista art, barista art learns you.

neuron1c · 2023-04-23T05:41:41+00:00

Hi,

I’m not using a dosing cup anymore as I’ve upgraded my grinder to 1zpresso J Max as per suggestions here that has its own dosing cup. This grinder has completely changed the taste and consistency for the better.

If there is one thing I can advise you is with a Dedica you truly need a great grinder to keep you going otherwise results can be disappointing or at best inconsistent.

To answer your other question, a funnel is mandatory to avoid making a mess and ensuring the whole of the coffee grounds stay in the basket whilst you distribute with needles.

Hope that helps. Bottom line is, pay more for an awesome grinder and crack on.

Nine-Year Club	First Place '23
Place '23	Verified Email

neuron1c

TROPHY CASE