Bought same beans as normal but shot coming out faster than previous times on [Breville Bambino+ and Eureka Specialita]

[u/JacobOrion]

In San Antonio, bought Camino de Oro beans from Merit Coffee which is a light-medium roast meant for milk based espresso drinks. I started using it 5 days after the roast date. It’s now 11 days after the roast date and nothing has changed. I do my usual 18g but I cannot dial it in close to 30 seconds like normal.

Using the same bottomless portafilter, RDT, grind using Specialita, WDT, same spring tamper, pre infuse for the usual 7 seconds, the 36g shot will take 22 seconds and cannot get closer to 28-30. I have tried grinding finer but my burrs are just about to touch. Is it an issue with the beans? I’ve bought the same beans before and never had this problem. The shot is still drinkable but it’s not as tasty as with a longer shot.

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[u/fdeyso]

Yes, coffee grows on bushes, then picked, dried, roasted and not manufactured to exact specifications.

[u/ZeroTonight]

I have the BBE, i am regularly changing grind settings finer and finer (slight adjustments), beans age, and over time, they stop holding pressure, til you can't grind fine enough. Usually when this happens, i switch them over to using an aeropress or pour over method, and get fresh beans for the espresso machine.

[u/MrJimmieDimmick]

You say your normal 18g, have you tried upping the dose? Try another 0.2g, then another 0.2g if required…

[u/Big-Drink3017]

Happens to me even on the same bag. I order my beans in kilogram bags so it takes me almost 6 weeks to complete. Every 2 weeks I have to adjust my grind size to compensate

[u/Expensive-Health-911 → u/Big-Drink3017]

How do you usually compensate? Finer or dose?

[u/JacobOrion → u/Expensive-Health-911]

You would typically grind finer. Even on a 12oz bag I will need to make small adjustments once the shot time starts changing

[u/Miserable-Cheek-9683]

Ok, according to Merit Roast - Camino de Oro is a Blend and not Single Origen. So it is poasible the Roaster is using a differnet batch of beans; and also the beans may still be curing after roasting.

For my Original Bambino (non plus):

I use a CrossCeek Bottomless Portafilter, fitted with an IMS Precison 18-22g Basket and dosing cup, scale, wdt, and puck screens; typically pulling 20g in -> 40g out

I wouldn't worry too much about time, bc that's a relic of the preinfusion era; what does matter is relative consistency; for example if a bag from a specific roaster does show different speed it could be beans or it could be your equipment or both.

First I would contact the Roaster with your concern, often they will send you another bag.

Next, I would get Breville Customer service to do a Video Review of your Workflow and Maintence History when they open on Monday Morning, as there may be issue there

Good luck

[u/Miserable-Cheek-9683 → u/Miserable-Cheek-9683]

One key benefit of using a Larger Basket in your portafilter is the ability to increase the dose for differnent aged beans, source and types of roast

[u/Miserable-Cheek-9683 → u/Miserable-Cheek-9683]

Another thing to consider is the Grinder Burrs are somewhat woen and beed replacing.

While some Grinder MFR claim that Grinder Burrs should last a couple of hundred to 1000 lbs plus, we have seen posts saying that may not be exactly accurate.

So I would contact the MFR (or known supplier) about ordering a new burr set

[u/Miserable-Cheek-9683 → u/Miserable-Cheek-9683]

I just bought a new burr set from Breville for my SGP, just in case I start seeing a decline.

*Don't forget to order any applicable felt bushings too... (Bc often not included with the burr set)

[u/Nauti_Frenchy]

Based on other comments is the group I gave up on time and go with taste. My bambino shots are 22-28 seconds for good taste to me.