tom_soderlund Senior Member Joined: 22 Jan 2013 Posts: 3 Location: Stockholm, Sweden Expertise: I like coffee
Espresso: Gaggia Classic Grinder: Hario Mini
Posted Tue Jan 22, 2013, 11:31am Subject: Uneven output from dual-spout portafilter (Gaggia Classic)
I'm a recent (and proud!) owner of a Gaggia Classic. I notice that the output from the two spouts on the portafilter is uneven, leading me to manually scoop coffee to get two espressos of equal size.
calblacksmith Moderator Joined: 25 Nov 2007 Posts: 5,645 Location: Riverside, Ca, U.S.A. Expertise: I live coffee
Espresso: ECM Veneziano A1 Grinder: Many different commercial Vac Pot: 40s era Silex Drip: Milita, Bunn&Curtis... Roaster: Cast iron pan, gas burner
Posted Tue Jan 22, 2013, 12:43pm Subject: Re: Uneven output from dual-spout portafilter (Gaggia Classic)
Yes, the machine is not level, there really is not any other cause for this. I guess a MFG problem could have made the hole in the PF spout off center but I doubt it.
In real life, my name is Wayne P.
Feed the newbs, starve the trolls and above all enjoy what you drink!
Posted Tue Jan 22, 2013, 2:10pm Subject: Re: Uneven output from dual-spout portafilter (Gaggia Classic)
Potentially channelling in the puck could give uneven pours from the two sides, but only under certain circumstances (channelling aligned with the spouts, stream(s) not mixing much at the hole in the portafilter before running into the spouts).
Does it always come out form one side, or does it vary? If it's always one side, then initially you should assume that the machine isn't level. If it varies (or if the machine is definitely level, measured at the group) then you might want to pay some attention to distribution (maybe try Weiss distribution technique) and tamping of the puck (is the tamp level?). It's quite easy to get into a habit of preparing the basket/PF one way round and getting a slight slope on the puck.
Or you could just start working on double based drinks... ;)
So, I measured with a "bubble level" (right word?) and it was indeed not level (sideways, front-back was OK). I leveled the machine with a 2 mm plastic sheet on one side. Still getting different output though: e.g. 23 vs 16 grams.
I'll experiment some more, but will likely just live with the issue. Thanks for all help!
DavecUK Senior Member Joined: 21 Sep 2005 Posts: 915 Location: UK Expertise: I love coffee
Posted Wed Jan 23, 2013, 8:21am Subject: Re: Uneven output from dual-spout portafilter (Gaggia Classic)
sometimes the group isn't level in relation to the machine. So the point on the machine might well be level, but the group and portafilter is not. Try just raising the side that produces more just a little until you get an even flow.
Iluvdabean Senior Member Joined: 7 Mar 2005 Posts: 1,055 Location: California Expertise: I live coffee
Espresso: La Nuova Era Cuadra/Gaggia... Grinder: Baratza Preciso/K-A Pro... Drip: Capresso MT 500/Pour Over Roaster: Nesco 1010/Behmor 1600
Posted Wed Jan 23, 2013, 11:12am Subject: Re: Uneven output from dual-spout portafilter (Gaggia Classic)
Mine has worked faithfully everyday for five years. Good fresh properly ground coffee is a good place to start. I fill my double basket halfway and hit against palm and tap on counter. Then fill up just short of full do the same thing and tamp to 30lbs. I go right up to where anymore and you see the crew impression in the fresh coffee. I dont dose cause Im a over doser. Almost all pour at the same rate all the time.
calblacksmith Moderator Joined: 25 Nov 2007 Posts: 5,645 Location: Riverside, Ca, U.S.A. Expertise: I live coffee
Espresso: ECM Veneziano A1 Grinder: Many different commercial Vac Pot: 40s era Silex Drip: Milita, Bunn&Curtis... Roaster: Cast iron pan, gas burner
Posted Wed Jan 23, 2013, 11:59am Subject: Re: Uneven output from dual-spout portafilter (Gaggia Classic)
dyqik Said:
Potentially channelling in the puck could give uneven pours from the two sides, but only under certain circumstances (channelling aligned with the spouts, stream(s) not mixing much at the hole in the portafilter before running into the spouts).
I suppose this MIGHT have some affect but the hole in the bottom of the PF is pretty small and it would have to be a VERY lucky alignment, over and over to have it be caused by channeling. channeling is often blamed for unequal flow from the spouts but I just don't see it. Esp when you take into account that the flow of coffee will fill the bottom of the PF a bit which would negate any spray from the coffee basket completely.
To me, the same thing applies to any "un level tamp" argument too, with a closed PF, it just does not have that kind of affect that I can see.
If the PF is "naked" then YES, you will get these issues show up but, I guess YMMV really applies here!
In real life, my name is Wayne P.
Feed the newbs, starve the trolls and above all enjoy what you drink!
tom_soderlund Senior Member Joined: 22 Jan 2013 Posts: 3 Location: Stockholm, Sweden Expertise: I like coffee
Espresso: Gaggia Classic Grinder: Hario Mini
Posted Wed Jan 23, 2013, 12:47pm Subject: Re: Uneven output from dual-spout portafilter (Gaggia Classic)
DavecUK Said:
sometimes the group isn't level in relation to the machine. So the point on the machine might well be level, but the group and portafilter is not. Try just raising the side that produces more just a little until you get an even flow.
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