EM6910 - impossible to pull a single or double with the same extraction time.

[cherni78]

Hi Guys,

Thanks for the feedback. I must agree, that 20g does a wonderful shot in the EM6910... my issue comes with my wife, she doesn't like strong coffee, so for her is a single shot. That is when I started wondering what was the difference between 14g in a single and 20g in a double... Technically, 14g is a double

Well, I will waste one spout (although it hurts)...

Still, I think we should be given the choice to use single baskets with the proper dosage... I might try and get one that allows less dosage and see the results (experimenting).

One question though... we are all updosing and we love it... I wonder what the "real" espresso tastes like if you stick to the 7/14g rules. Just wondering!

Cheers!

[prydey]

rather than mess around, the single baskets stay in the cupboard. the only time i've ever used one is to check the 'sweet spot' and i even disregard that now as well.

if you want a single, just let one spout go to waste, or have a double shot. much easier than constantly changing grinds etc.

[fg1972]

You can get the same extraction times but I find that I have to grind coarser for the single (only 2 or 3 clicks), not finer.

The baskets do like to be updosed as compared to the standard 7g and 14g respectively, I think they were designed that way.

+1

I normally use the single basket and have to grind slightly finer for the double.

[shawty]

Conclusion: at least with the default EM6910 baskets, its merely impossible to get a single and double extraction with the same timing and grinding setting. EM6910 likes high dosage and the only workaround is to grind finer on the single basket.

You can get the same extraction times but I find that I have to grind coarser for the single (only 2 or 3 clicks), not finer.

The baskets do like to be updosed as compared to the standard 7g and 14g respectively, I think they were designed that way.

[jaybee]

Your conclusion can be extended to pretty much all baskets and machines in my experience. Once you have your grinder dialled in for your double, leave it there. Throw that evil single out!

BTW I agreee that 19-20g of coffee in the EM6910 baskets makes a great cup. I still use those baskets in my Rocket PP with slightly less coffee as they are much beter made than most (and my tamper is sized to them)

Happy brewing, JB

[cherni78]

Hi guys!

So, my learning curve is fast... I must say, a EM6910 with a BCG800 grinder is a very good combination. If you add an espro tamper, even better

Now I get consistent double shots with 20 grams (60 ml) @ 25~30 secs in the original EM6910 basket, but I realised that when I pull a single (with 14 grams), there is no way I get the shot in 25~30 secs. I started to wonder why...

So, I started digging out on the relationship between a single and a double basket... From what I read (and please correct me if wrong) single and double baskets are designed to make the shot take the same amount of time while having different throughputs (i.e. 30 or 60 ml). Why? The single basket is designed to restrict water flow and also contains less coffee (7 grams), while in the double, more water is allowed to flow but more coffee is packed (14 grams), which should make almost the same resistance as the single basket (lets call if physics).

Having this in mind, I realised that I was dosing 14 grams in my single and 20 grams in my doubles (maximum I could fit in the double basket)... Why these dosage? Because its the dosing level I found that would provide me with a good shot and a lovely puck. Applying the same consistent grinding and tamping, with this dosage level there was no way I could get the same brewing time on a single or double. Reason is simple, I am missing 8 grams in the my double basket (i!

After applying this reasoning, I decided to do some experiments on lowering the dosage on the single basket by always adjusting the grind to get 30 ml in 25-30 secs. The idea was to reduce it to 10 grams and then test the timing on the double. Results:

- 10 grams: After adjusting the grinder, the end result was the puck stuck to the shower screen (horrible)
- 12 grams: A horrible muddy puck.
- 14 grams: good puck and extraction.

Conclusion: at least with the default EM6910 baskets, its merely impossible to get a single and double extraction with the same timing and grinding setting. EM6910 likes high dosage and the only workaround is to grind finer on the single basket.

Any comments are always welcome... just wanted to share my thinking.

Cheers guys!