La Marzocco SWIFT EPSB User Manual - page 27
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27
14. Tips and Troubleshooting
What is the ideal shot time?
Shottimevarieswithallroasts
and brew temperatures used
tobrewespresso.Mostlikely,
a minimum shot time is 18
seconds and a maximum
is somewhere in the 30 to
35 second range. the ideal
brew time for your coffee
dependsthecoffeeroastand
dose size. It is a relationship
of bean solids and oils plus
tamping pressure and brew
water temperature. Most of
all, personal taste preference
shouldcontrolshottime.
After brewing, re-engage
the portafilter in the group.
Temperature stability at the
portafilterwillresultinmore
consistent pour times. The
portafilter mounting area is
a source of heat which can
benefit the brewing process
when used to keep the
portafilterattemperature.
Cleangroupsandportafilters
daily.
Clean espresso contact
surfaces (screens and inserts)
will result in better flavored
coffee.
Limit rinsing from the
grouphead to one second
or less. Excessively rinsing
the portafilter reduces the
amount of hot water available
for brewing. An infusion of
cold water into the brewing
vesselmaytemporarilylower
water temperature below the
desired level. Since rinsing is
usuallyundertakenasawayto
cleantheportafilter,consider
wipingtheportafilterinstead.
Ifyoumustrinse,dosowith
aslittlewateraspossible.
Watch the espresso you
are brewing. Although
making espresso is partly
a mechanical process, the
outcome is determined by
organicfactorslikethecoffee,
the weather, the water, and
yourabilitytobalancethese.
Defining and adhering to a
set of fixed parameters like
brewtimeandshotsizehelps
to ensure a beautiful shot.
However, ultimately the look
and taste of the espresso
is the final arbiter of a
shot’sacceptability. You must
determinewheneverythingis
just right.