Levelling the dose (or not)

[Epic76]

Having watched Stephen Morrisseys WBC2008 performance recently, I noted he didnt level his dose. It was a 1/2 fill, single (gentle) tap, overfill to a heaped mound shape, another single tap and then tamp.

http://www.worldbaristachampionship.com/

Any thoughts?

Epic76

[blanyon]

Re: Levelling the dose (or not)

Whatever gives you a good distribution leveling probably not necessary if you distribute properly from the grinder. But just because it works for him doesnt mean it will for everyone it is a finely tuned routine repeated to eliminate variation.

[Greg41]

Re: Levelling the dose (or not)

I suppose when your that experienced you can judge by eye that you have enough in the filter and the tapping and tamping does the levelling for you. Have done it myself on occasions but im no expert.

[yeeza]

Re: Levelling the dose (or not)

n.b. Stephen has a deadly BNZ conical grinder that has timed doses. It seems he has the set volume of coffee to be dosed and is just tapping to collapse the grinds so that it doesnt fall off the edges of the PF. As long as he sweeps the doser clean (which the BNZs do well) hell have the same dose each time. Just gotta pack that sucker and Roberts your dads bro.

[Koffee_Kosmo]

Re: Levelling the dose (or not)

I dont level off the grinds
My Macap M4D gives me the correct amount of ground coffee I require
I tap the PF on the bench a couple of times and tamp

Generally I can judge by eye if I have enough ground coffee so when I need to change the burr setting I can always put it on continuous for a quick burst if required

It works for me as I need to tamp 8mm deep to clear the water screen

KK

[Martial_Monkey]

Re: Levelling the dose (or not)

n.b. Stephen has a deadly BNZ conical grinder that has timed doses. It seems he has the set volume of coffee to be dosed and is just tapping to collapse the grinds so that it doesnt fall off the edges of the PF. As long as he sweeps the doser clean (which the BNZs do well) hell have the same dose each time. Just gotta pack that sucker and Roberts your dads bro.

Nah he used timed anfim, it was dave that used the timer modded bnz. Same idea tho.

[Epic76]

Re: Levelling the dose (or not)

Thanks for your replies guys.

I would have thought that in his situation, the dose would be quite consistent (same grind setting, taps to same strength, constant overflowing mound of coffee).

My curiosity related to the resulting distribution. From heaped mound to flat puck. Wouldnt it make the centre of the puck more dense and promote channelling on the periphery? Clearly from the results thats not the case but I must admit I dont know why. A heavy Paul Bassett style updose and super-tamp?

Epic76

[yeeza]

Re: Levelling the dose (or not)

Nah he used timed anfim, it was dave that used the timer modded bnz. Same idea tho.

oops, yeah totally, good pickup. cheers MM

[Dennis]

Re: Levelling the dose (or not)

To my way of thinking, levelling eliminates the need for eyeballing. If youre working in a cafe environment and dont level the dose surely it has got to save you time? I think that as you apply the tamp the grounds become evenly dispersed anyway.

Since installing our BNZs I havent been levelling, and when I get it right, I certainly cant see or taste any difference. With another 1000 or so doses I might even be able to get it right blindfolded. ;D

[Martial_Monkey]

Re: Levelling the dose (or not)

However in WBC events wastage has to be kept to a minimum (i think it was changed to less than 1 gram per shot this year). So expect to be seeing much more of this in years comp.