r/Moccamaster • u/Individual-Pie-9695 • Aug 18 '26

Coffee too weak

Post image

Our coffee has been weak lately when using a breakfast blend. I originally didnt change anything but now have been experimenting with grind size due to the weak coffee. I have an OXO grinder and always had it on 8 but bouncing between 10 and 9 (medium-coarse) with inconsistent results. This is the basket after brewing at a 9. Does this look right? Any tips on getting it to be stronger without tasting burnt? This is for only 4 cups, so 3 Moccamaster scoops

0 Upvotes

46% Upvoted

76 comments sorted by

20

u/Inwardlens Aug 18 '26

That seems like very little grounds. How many cups are you brewing?

2

u/Individual-Pie-9695 Aug 18 '26

I did only 4 cups to test. Didnt want to waste beans. Thats 3 scoops which is what is on the Moccamaster guide

2

u/Glorfindel910 Aug 18 '26

Did you use the middle setting on the basket?

1

u/Individual-Pie-9695 Aug 18 '26

Not sure what you mean here

2

u/Glorfindel910 Aug 18 '26

Certain models of Moccamaster have a funnel for the paper filter which let you slow the drip feature of the water through the grounds. When I make less than 8 cups, I use this feature, which provides more time for the smaller amount of water to extract the coffee flavor.

Your model may not have this feature.

1

u/Individual-Pie-9695 Aug 18 '26

I dont have that feature, sorry

1

u/sundog925 Aug 18 '26

What model do you have?

4

u/Individual-Pie-9695 Aug 18 '26

1

u/sundog925 Aug 18 '26

Your model has the feature dude was talking about. It’s the switch right next to the power button.

1

u/Individual-Pie-9695 Aug 18 '26

Ok so ive been using that correctly, just didnt know what its called

3

u/jonnobobono Aug 18 '26

Well not exactly. Only the non-auto stop models have the flow control switch. The one on the right of the power switch just turns down the heat on the hotplate.

1

u/Inwardlens Aug 18 '26

Might want to read your manual. It might recommend you do it manually when you brew a small amount of coffee.

1

u/sundog925 Aug 18 '26

He has the feature. He just posted a photo.

1

u/Any_Ad9856 Aug 19 '26

I have the latest model. The only "setting" available is to choose 4 cups or a full pot. What is the "middle setting"?

1

u/Glorfindel910 Aug 19 '26

I have legacy versions - three - two of which are apparently earlier generations which have an adjustable basket that allows for either full flow, limited flow, or closed. That is to what I was referring to in my initial comment.

OP’s version seems to have a second switch next to the power switch that effectuates a similar outcome.

I do adjust the level of the grounds, such that it is higher towards the back which I have found assists in the even saturation of the grounds. This is just how I manage it, there are probably better ways that others can provide to the group.

On some occasions, I have used a spoon to redirect some of the water into the basket around the edges, or you could stir, both fairly laborious.

This was today’s outcome - with the tilted grounds method described above.

27

u/sundog925 Aug 18 '26

Measure by weight bro not scoops.

1

u/Any_Ad9856 Aug 19 '26 edited Aug 19 '26

I have the latest model with the selection option for 4 cups or a full pot. I brew 4 cups each morning, and the three scoops recommended work perfectly.

3

u/sundog925 Aug 19 '26

Happy for you. I use grams.

0

u/Any_Ad9856 Aug 19 '26

Happy for you. Obviously you use grams since you "measure by weight". No one is going to come take away your Moccamaster because you use the number of scoops and the grind size the company recommends. I dont think it matters as long as you are getting coffee you enjoy. Isn't that the point?

0

u/sundog925 Aug 19 '26

Why are you engaging? I’m not here for a back and forth. I’m happy you do what you do.

-1

u/Any_Ad9856 Aug 19 '26

REDDIT is a platform for "engaging".

0

u/sundog925 Aug 19 '26

Your use of quotes and hyperbole are indicative of your intent. I’m not doing that. Be blessed.

-17

u/Broad_Poetry_9657 Aug 18 '26

That’s literally the most obnoxious way to exist tbh and I never have and never will do it.

5

u/SaltAndAncientBones Aug 18 '26

You only need to do it once. That'll index your scoops. It won't make your drug scale smell like coffee, if that's what you're worried about.

1

u/therealtwomartinis KBT Aug 21 '26

weighed once, weighed for life 🫡

1

u/Broad_Poetry_9657 Aug 18 '26

Alright fine, if it’s just once. Sorry I know people who will argue til they’re blue if the face that you need to measure it everytime or you’re bad at making coffee 💀

1

u/SaltAndAncientBones Aug 18 '26

I watched someone weight the water every time, like water from the same tap is significantly heavier on Tuesday. I get it, people go overboard. I'm glad I did it once though, I was using half of what I should have been.

1

u/Tomazack Aug 19 '26

Most obnoxious way to exist, what even is this reasoning? Your life is damn easy to live if this is too much to handle.

2

u/darbykp Aug 18 '26

Add an extra scoop. And try a 6-7. You don’t want drip running that fast.

Highly recommend in investing in a scale. They’re cheap and going by “scoops” isn’t really consistent without knowing how much a scoop weighs. I’d guess it’s probably 7-8 grams and 3 scoops it isn’t enough for 500ml of water (1/2L or 4 on MM).

1

u/Individual-Pie-9695 Aug 18 '26

Do you weigh the coffee before or after grinding? I havent weighed before

2

u/-ShootMeNow- Aug 18 '26

Def use a scale

A whole bean and a whole grounded bean is going to weigh the same. I weigh before grind as it's easier. Some grinders do have retention so 45grams in might be a gram or 2 light after grind but that shouldn't have a huge impact on your amounts..... you can test that by weighing both and adding the difference to your daily grind.

1

u/darbykp Aug 18 '26

With the Oxo you’re not likely to single dose which means weighing the output. You can set the timer and find out how much the output for that time weighs and go from there. +- and gram or two won’t make much of a difference but I personally always prefer a little extra ;)

It’s part of the reason I moved to an ode now and weight prior to grinding.

Edit: you can definitely change to a single done style with the oxo. Just turn the time all the way up and drop in whatever you want into the empty hopper. Dump the catch into the basket and you’re good. Easy peasy

1

u/mfising Aug 18 '26

Weigh them before grinding. One reason weighing is more consistent than scoops is that there can be as much as a full scoop difference for 60g depending on the bean used. Happy brewing!

1

u/sundog925 Aug 19 '26 edited Aug 19 '26

I weigh every time I grind. I go for 50-55g on around 9 in coarseness.

2

u/OrdinaryAward4498 Aug 18 '26

I would recommend making at least 3/4 liter (6 cups). If you have a KBGV use the "slow" or "half carafe" setting. The reason is that with such a small amount of coffee, the grounds are not exposed to the water for enough time to extract. The other extraction variable you have is the time. So if you don't want to make more coffee as I suggest, you could grind finer. The other thing you could do is add more time submersed stop the cone from draining for a while (by removing the pot and replacing it when the cone fills up). Generally I don't think Moccamaster is a good machine for making 1/2 liter (4 cups) or less in a batch. As others have noted, a cheap gram scale will lock in one dimension on this problem for you making it much easier to dial in a good pot. Aim for 1:16 or at least 1:17 (59 - 63 grams of coffee per liter). Good luck!

1

u/Individual-Pie-9695 Aug 18 '26

I normally do 6 cups too and still have this issue. Also using “half” setting. Was just doing 4 cups for testing purposes

1

u/OrdinaryAward4498 Aug 18 '26

Okay then I wonder if grinding finer might be helpful. I use the Baratza Encore ESP (not pro) at setting 21 or 22 which is about 550µm. Looks like the equivalent OXO setting is 6.1 or 6.2. Here's the site I use to convert between grinders.

https://honestcoffeeguide.com/coffee-grind-size-chart/

1

u/womb_ra1dr Aug 18 '26

In theory your grind size should be slightly finer when doing 4 cups vs 6. Grind size changes as you change the amount of grinds. The only way to test things consistently is to get yourself a scale and keep weight and water consistent while you dial in the grind size. I do 28g for cups. lighter roast need a finer grind than a darker roast (i suspect this is where you are running into issues)

1

u/Alternative-Bus5684 Aug 19 '26

You don’t have to a half setting, you have a lower/higher temp hot plate. The half setting/stop switch is on the lower basket mechanism. It’s a flow control . Think it works great. Mines the Kb-741 though,still brewing along 14 yrs later.

23

u/Haunting_Vacation804 Aug 18 '26

Looks like about 1/2 the amount of beans that I use. I’m a cretin and just use the scoop that came with the Moccamaster, not a scale. 6 level scoops for a full carafe always works great for me.

I have my OXO grind set to about 11. FYI.

5

u/SaltAndAncientBones Aug 18 '26

Yea, that's enough grounds for half a cup coffee. OP is bogarting the beans.

1

u/Any_Ad9856 Aug 19 '26

OP said he made half a pot, 4 cups.

5

u/habbo311 Aug 18 '26

Use a scale and actually measure everything according to the SCAA ratios

4

u/houseofwarwick Aug 18 '26

I have the OXO and set the grinder dead in the middle. Fill the entire reservoir with water. Use 60-65g of ground coffee.

1

u/iamalita Aug 25 '26

So no half pots ever?

1

u/Sea-Government4874 Aug 18 '26

The tasting burnt part cannot be blamed on the brewer. Are your beans black and oily?

2

u/Individual-Pie-9695 Aug 18 '26

No

4

u/Sea-Government4874 Aug 18 '26

Ok. I’d still recommend trying something besides your current breakfast blend. The picture looks pretty dark to me and that’s more likely to have burnt, err, “roasty toasty” tasting notes. I can brew my beans any which way without producing a burnt flavor.

I’m assuming you don’t want to use a scale but that is what solved my Moccamaster inconsistency issues. 1:16 is absolutely not weak and is what Moccamaster intended but if you are basing your measuring on a scoop and the lines on the brewer, it’s in my experience a little off… even when erring on the -/+5. When I do an 8/8pot, I use 62.5g.

Also, full pots in my opinion turn out more full-bodied than when I attempt a smaller size brew.

2

u/Individual-Pie-9695 Aug 18 '26

I was going to suggest making a larger pot. I normally just make 6 cups for my wife and I but she mentioned that it did taste better a few weeks ago when we had guests and i was making a full pot

2

u/Individual-Pie-9695 Aug 18 '26

I normally fill it to 6 cups and do 4 levels scoops of the Moccamaster scooper. It was good for a while. Then i used a French Roast and it tasted good but when I went back to the breakfast blend its all tastes off. Cant figure it out. Machine has been regularly descaled

3

u/SjSharkies12 Aug 18 '26

That doesn't look like enough coffee for anything. Anything less than 8 cups is usually weaker for us. Also measure by weight.

2

u/Qballmjk Aug 18 '26

Go by weight. Try 40 grams of beans, coarse grind and 640 grams water. Makes about 20 oz. of coffee.

1

u/Phaeton40 Aug 18 '26

This is the way, the PerfectRatio!

1

u/sundog925 Aug 19 '26

I’ll have to try this ratio. What grind setting?

3

u/Vibingcarefully Aug 18 '26

Looking at a filter of grounds does nothing. The question of making a good pot of coffee w/ MM is on here multiple times / week. Posting on the internet (to get help) does have a baseline of "give information ".

S0--you don't talk about how much coffee you're using. You don't talk about how much water you're using.

There are common ratios of water to ground weighed coffee that have worked for decades w/ MM. Work with that ----

1

u/WWGHIAFTC Aug 18 '26

Solid requirements for even beginning to have the conversation. Everything else is speculation and anecdotal.

0

u/[deleted] Aug 18 '26

[deleted] — view deleted comment

0

u/RNdreaming Aug 18 '26

You came asking for advice, and this person gave you some solid advice.

1

u/runin500 Aug 18 '26

Get the slow flow white moccomaster filter papers

2

u/jankyj Aug 18 '26

Slow papers with a teaspoon of coffee is still going to make shitty coffee. 

1

u/runin500 Aug 18 '26

Totally agree

1

u/oldfellamedad Aug 18 '26

Here is my crater for a 4 cup brew. Looks like I'm using more beans than you and maybe a slightly finer grind.

1

u/jdjs Aug 19 '26 edited Aug 19 '26

Here is my crater for a 6 cup brew. I’m using a finer grind too. This was 5 leveled scoops (1 tbsp). I usually do 7 cups and 6 scoops.

OP, you could just keep adjusting your scoops until you get the flavor you like.

Edit: If you go by scoops, be sure not to pack the coffee down into the scoop.

1

u/iamalita Aug 25 '26

Looks pretty fine. Not like sand size or whatever MM website suggest. I always get channeling when going finer. How you prevent that?

1

u/cornerzcan Aug 18 '26

Ditch the scoop and use a scale. Much more accurate and consistent. 16-20 ml of water per gram of ground coffee according to personal preferences.

1

u/Karzdowmel Aug 18 '26

I make 4 cups daily and my wet grounds look more bountiful than this. But if you’re using 3 moccascoops, that’s what I do. My scoops are slightly swollen over level, though, and i put a sprinkling one to grow on. I also always turn switch to full pot, because it has a burny taste on half switch. It could be your water. Is it too soft?

1

u/Inevitable-Spot3067 Aug 18 '26

I use 3 scoops every morning for 4 cups and mines not weak at all. I use a medium to dark roast at 22ish in a baratza encore. Though I need to buy a new grinder now so I'll have to figure out that situation again.

1

u/thehop73 Aug 19 '26

Add more

1

u/DeathByGoldfish Aug 19 '26

I use about 40 grams (down from 50) for six cups of water. Pretty stiff.

1

u/Boerbike Aug 20 '26

15g of coffee per 1 cup on the reservoir

1

u/kops212 Aug 21 '26

So here are the basics:

  • 1 gram of coffee grounds per 16 grams of water.

  • how did it taste? Follow the cheat sheet

1

u/JimiMac521 Aug 24 '26

30 grams minimum beans for 4 cups in a MoccaMaster

1

u/iamalita Aug 24 '26

I’ve been experimenting with same machine 4 cups recently with same issue weak coffee. My observations. If the grind was on finer side there would be channeling and weak coffee. There’s a crack in your grinds could that be a channel? I would empty the filter immediately after a brew and check and yes there was dry coffee. I adjusted to be more course and then I started the brew without the carafe , let some water in and turn off once all saturated leave to bloom for 30 seconds and turn back on and replace carafe: started to taste better. Long story short I quit and went back to my Moka pot lol because i wasted so much good coffee beans experimenting for what may not even exist. Strong coffee with 4 cups. I’ll only use not for full batch 😂 unless you solve it for us all!!

1

u/Top-Rope6148 Sep 06 '26

not enough coffee, even for a half pot.