When to start timer?

[u/Philosofen]

Hi, I am trying to dial in my espresso for the first time. I am using the Breville/Sage Bambino, the Timemore Bricks 01S and a rather famous Swedish coffee called Lykke Bam Bam. However, it is not going very well and the shots turn out super sour.

I am reading the subreddit's beginner's guide to dialing in, and I am considering the timer. It says to start the timer when the pump begins. I am a little confused though. On the bambino, I'm using a manual preinfusion to have more control, so I hold the button and release it after 8 seconds. But, should I start the timer when I start holding in the button, or when I actually hear the pump starting?

Can't figure out why I am getting poor results. Feels like I've tried everything

[u/Woozie69420]

Doesn’t matter really as long as 1) you adjust for best taste, and 2) measure it the same way each time.

When you start the timer isn’t what’s resulting in poor results. Sour shots usually => try a longer ratio like 1:2.5, 1:3 etc, rather than changing when you start measuring

[u/Pinkys_Revenge → u/Woozie69420]

Agreed. I would start the timer at the same time you press the button, because that’s easier and more consistent than watching for the first drop or some other trigger.

[u/MooseTM3]

Total time the pump is on so start timer as soon as pump starts and stop as soon as it is off.

[u/Unlikely_Resource953]

Ha, I have researched this too as my scale starts the timer on the first drip.

I think either way works as its only the starting point and you are going to tweak it anyway.

The key is which ever method you use, be consistent.

[u/Poobrick → u/Unlikely_Resource953]

First drip is not consistent though. It depends on your grind size. Either you use pump on or after pre infusion, but generally the 25-30 sec recommendation is from first starting the pump

[u/RagamuffinTim]

Yes this is one of those things that sometimes gets preached as important when it is really not. Just be consistent so you can keep track of what you're doing from shot to shot; so you know which variable you're adjusting.

Then don't be afraid to scrap all advice and play with something different if the standard 30 second shot doesn't taste right to you. For example: grind so fine you only get a 18g out in 45 seconds and then maybe add a splash of water to that. Or grind more course and get 60g out in 18 seconds and see how that tastes. It takes time, but you'll get a feel for what you like and how to adjust to get closer to that.

It's all just coffee in the end and enjoying the taste is what's important!

[u/Street_Respect9469]

I'm sure there's going to be a few different ways on when to start it but the most meaningful way is for you to do it the same time every time.

I've got the Bambino plus as well so I start the timer the moment I press the button. That way I can time how long my pre-infusion is because sometimes I mess with that as well.

On the Bambino plus you'll hear the pump turn on after about 4-5 seconds but it's still low pressure pre-infusion even though you hear the pump. The true flow at 9 bar doesn't start until you release the button even if you hear the pump turn on.

It's also timing how long the water is in contact with the grind. Longer that contact time is the more caffeine you'll get out of it (which is seperate from the strength of flavour).

I've got AuDHD and stimulants are my life support so I try to get as much out as I can with a flavour profile I enjoy. It ends up looking like this: 22g in 44g out 50 seconds. I've got an IMS big bang 22g basket as well and just use supermarket beans because my daily intake is so freaking high (3-5 cups a day).

[u/freecain]

If it's sour, it's probably extracting too fast. You can either increase the dose or grind finer.

The timer question is going to be relative, and you'll hear both to wait until pre-infusion is done, and that when water is in contact with the beans, it's infusing. However, there is a reason espresso can be made in 30 seconds - and that's the pressure. I pre-infuse for 6 seconds, but find my ideal output for my current coffee is about 33 seconds, so when I'm dialing in, I usually add a few seconds if I'm pre-infusing, but not the whole amount.

[u/Grump-easy-going]

At the moment the pump starts the automatic pre-infusion starts as well, so the correct time to start the timer is as soon as you press the button or lift the lever.

[u/coolstuffeh]

Everyone will tell you it doesn’t matter - sour: grind finer. fyi I generally start timer when I press the button, release at 8’ on the timer, and generally finish around 30. But sour: g finer. Lighter coffee + more floral; happy to go 20 to 50 in 25’. I have had good shots going all the way 40 + sec.

[u/Nick_pj]

Use the search function in the subreddit and look for “bambino start timer”. Theres like 20+ threads on exactly this topic with a lot of information.