If you use more than one bean type daily (as many of us do) volume dosing won't do it, you'll have to weight each dose to be consistent.
Accuracy (before grinding): just one bean more or less, that's the weight expected result.
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Nope. My Hario scales are accurate to 0.1 grams up to 500g, and only accurate to 1 gram about that. Most scales are the same.Originally posted by MrJack View PostCut off the spout then
Surely the method is equally inaccurate if weighing the basket without the portafilter.
I could buy another with higher accuracy at higher weights, but popping the basket in is no hassle
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The problem with weighing before dosing is that it makes it difficult to learn to dose accurately. With enough practice you should be able to dose very consistently so that you don't need to weigh your dose. if you weigh after dosing, you can rely on the measurement more whilst you gain confidence and then as you see that you are being consistent you can reduce or even stop weighing.
My preferred approach is to weigh with the portafilter. I will usually weigh for about a week when I change dosing technique or for some reason I'm experiencing inconsistent shot quality. The rest of the time my scales sit in the cupboard.
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Same. I shut the hopper gate in my Macap m2m.Originally posted by Thundergod View PostI use option 1.
Currently weighing 18g into an 18g VST basket.
Barry O I shut the hopper gate on my Macap to hopefully reduce popcorning.
Even if that doesn't actually work, I can't see it. ;-)
I also change the weight rather than adjust the grinder.
Haven't tasted any difference between single dosing and a hopper full of beans
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I use option 1.
Currently weighing 18g into an 18g VST basket.
Barry O I shut the hopper gate on my Macap to hopefully reduce popcorning.
Even if that doesn't actually work, I can't see it. ;-)
I also change the weight rather than adjust the grinder.
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The scales I have still give 0.1 g readouts with a portafilter in place (which weighs about 560g), but the manual states they are only accurate to +-3 g between 500g and 2000g. I will do some experiments on the weekend to see how precise they are at the 500-600g range. Precision is more important than accuracy. I don't need to compare my dose of coffee against a block of platinum in France, I only need to compare it against the last dose I made. So as long as "my" 14g of coffee is the same as my previous 14g of coffee, I'm set.
Failing this, I think making a funnel and option 3 sounds good.
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(Option 5.) Buy a another set of scales that can read 0.1gm up to a kg. That way you can weigh the group handle, basket and coffee after tamping. Quick easy and no mess. Look on ebay they're very cheap.
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Just my two cents... I single dose beans into the hopper by volume (spare basket) and grind them into the basket with a slight excess. Grinds are then scraped level with a chopstick, tapped flat on a teatowel/edge of bench 2-3 times to settle (too much unevenly distributes them), and tamped. I've weighed it and it seemed to be about a gram over the basket rating, but produces consistent results every time. This is with a 15g VST with naked PF.
I expect that a uniform, level surface won't be achievable without scraping flat - in which case what is the purpose of weighing the grinds?
p.s. my dosing routine has changed many many times, and probably will again
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Cut off the spout then
Surely the method is equally inaccurate if weighing the basket without the portafilter.
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A double spout portafilter does not fit on to my scales. Even if it did, accuracy of 1g is pretty low for consistent espresso.
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Then maybe you should try option 2.Originally posted by gibberblot View PostThere is an option 4: take the basket out, dose directly into the basket, weigh, and then pop it in the PF. When I'm having struggles getting a good shot I often weigh my dose, and this is the method I use. It is the neatest, fastest, and most accurate way I've tried.
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Used to use your option 3. Grind retention was an issue.
i cut the base out of a take away short black cup to use as a funnel. Worked perfectly.
now happy owner of an hg1, and weigh beans before grinding. Much easier. (At only 6 times the cost!)
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There is an option 4: take the basket out, dose directly into the basket, weigh, and then pop it in the PF. When I'm having struggles getting a good shot I often weigh my dose, and this is the method I use. It is the neatest, fastest, and most accurate way I've tried.
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I dose and weigh the PF + grinds. With my naked PF, and triple basket, total weight is 412g for an 18g dose.
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While this may give you a consistent level, in my experience the M2M produces more consistent grind size with a full chute and some beans in the hopper. Single dosing allows more 'popcorning'. Whether that impact is detectable to you I can't say.Originally posted by mjoyce View Post
My ultimate goal is to get to the level where I don't need to weight every single dose, but can grind into the portafilter at a consistent level.
Thoughts anyone?
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