Uneven Pour

[its_an_epic]

Hi All
I need help mastering my new Silvia and Rocky. No matter what i do with the grind, tamp etc, one cup always has more coffee than the other when i use the double group handle. I have a Pullman tamper which shows that my tamp is level. What can you suggest?
Any feedback is appreciated as im new to all this.
Cheers

[luca]

Re: Uneven Pour

Might be worth pulling out a spirit level to make sure that your machine is level.

[yeeza]

Re: Uneven Pour

From memory, Silvia PFs do that. I think I remember reading a few threads of people having to file down (oh, so slightly) the inner floor of the spout. If you do a search for the same thing I reckon youd find something about that.
So it may not be you (but it may be) but the spout itself giving you the uneven pours. Oh and the spirit level doesnt hurt either.

[prc6of7]

Re: Uneven Pour

Reading your post just now has made me realise that I no longer get uneven pours with my Silvia, it was obviously something that Id gotten so used to that Id stopped noticing!

Thinking back, the pours started evening out at about the same time that I started roasting my own beans. I have made one or two other changes since as well, but Im pretty sure the beans were what made the difference.

[its_an_epic]

Re: Uneven Pour

yeah ive used all sorts of beans from a small roastery in Adelaide so i dont think that it is that. As for the pirit level? I built the kitchen so if is isnt level, id be shattered! ill check it out though. Im not wanting to file the PF though... sounds pretty harsh!

Just checked the level and it is good. phew!

Could it be the uneven way the grinds fall into the basket from the rocky?

[yeeza]

Re: Uneven Pour

Im almost certain its the spout, thats all. I dont think its a huge filing job.

Whats your distribution method before you tamp?

[greenman]

Re: Uneven Pour

It is a common thing with the Silvia double spout, many posts have been made on this subject and most agree it is just the spout that produces an unneven pour. Simple solution, just drink doubles!!!! When I do two singles I just remove one cup and top up the other from both spouts near end of pour, or short change one unsuspecting person..................!!!!

[its_an_epic]

Re: Uneven Pour

Im almost certain its the spout, thats all. I dont think its a huge filing job.

Whats your distribution method before you tamp?

i just tap the handle on the bench a few times then tamp. it looks fairly even before i tamp with a little mound in the middle. i have the tamp pretty level now and everything else seems to be symetrical

if i do muck around with the spout (grind it down), how do i do it. Id almost preffer to just buy a replacement one.

[Thundergod]

Re: Uneven Pour

You just need a really small file.
You can get a set from a junk shop for a few dollars.
The round profile would be my choice.

[its_an_epic]

Re: Uneven Pour

Will it corrode?

[GregWormald]

Re: Uneven Pour

Put a coin or two under the feet on the side of the machine that over-fills, and tilt the machine a bit.
Being level isnt everthing.

OT--"How do you tell that an Aussie is on the level?"
"He dribbles evenly out of both sides of his mouth!"

Greg

[DavidR]

Re: Uneven Pour

I noticed this a lot with my Botticelli and it was probably uneven tamping.

Since upgrading to a Giotto the problem largely went away but seemed to return. Solution: clean the PF. Slackly I hadnt cleaned the insides of the PF since getting the Giotto some 3+ months ago, even though Id been weekly backflushing/cleaning it.

The inside of the PF was horrible and once given a good clean, coffee poured out like never before - even and beautifully textured, just like it should.

[its_an_epic]

Re: Uneven Pour

it has been doing it from new so id say that it isnt a cleaning issue. ive only had it a week now. I have upgraded the basket to a 14g and it is a little better. 40ml out one side and 20ml the other. Ill keep mastering my process till it sorts it self out.
Thanks everyone for their help.
Scott.

[Randy_G.]

Re: Uneven Pour

To eliminate you as the factor causing this try the following:

1 - temporarily remove the basket locking spring from the portafilter body
2 - insert the basket and go about the task of pulling a shot (dose, tamp, etc.)
3 - before locking the portafilter in place, gently turn the basket around 180 degrees in the portafilter.

if the pour is still uneven, it aint you. It probably isnt a leveling problem either. It could be some flash in the portafilters opening at the bottom, or some mis-casting in the spout itself. You can easily remedy these problems with a small round file.

[its_an_epic]

Re: Uneven Pour

To eliminate you as the factor causing this try the following:

1 - temporarily remove the basket locking spring from the portafilter body
2 - insert the basket and go about the task of pulling a shot (dose, tamp, etc.)
3 - before locking the portafilter in place, gently turn the basket around 180 degrees in the portafilter.

if the pour is still uneven, it aint you. It probably isnt a leveling problem either. It could be some flash in the portafilters opening at the bottom, or some mis-casting in the spout itself. You can easily remedy these problems with a small round file.

Well ive done this and it was still uneven. its not me. looks like ill be getting to it with a file. hmmm. makes me nervous.