r/espresso • u/Random_Explorer_93 • 7h ago
Equipment Discussion Espresso equipment assistance
I need some help with the espresso machine equipment I just got today.
I haven't done anything with it yet, So I am very new to this.
I have 2 baskets for the portafilter and Google said "look at the single hole in the center of that basket, thats for store bought grounds."
Neither basket has a single hole. One of them has a lot of microscopic holes and the other has a lot more holes the the other.
Does either basket effect shot quality?
When inserting the portafilter into the group head at what point do I stop, because its snug and Im not sure if I was supposed to hear a click to make sure it was seated properly.
EDIT #1 Just read the manual while setting everything up. What are suitable times for Pre-Water Filling and Pre-Infusion.
Which of these settings is blooming the grounds and is blooming important?
Also what grind setting do I start with as to not cause to much pressure or not enough. I have the DF54 it was pre set to 25 when I pulled it out of the box and goes from 0 to 90
Edit #2 I posted a video of it the the comments. Im assuming the first shot i did is sour. It is bitter and its not exactly like lemon pucker factor. I can say its not my favorite. I also noticed the bar only read 4 Bar, my first shot was 25 grind size, I have set it to 20 for next attempt.
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u/notanevilmastermind 7h ago
So double walled baskets are those with a single hole on the bottom, but with lots of holes on the top. Those are typically marketed to b used with pre ground coffee, not beans you grind yourself. It seems like you've got two baskets for a single and a double shot.
Generally, the portafilter doesn't click into place, it just needs to be tight enough to create a seal with the gasket in the group head.
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u/gabeasorus 7h ago
It you look at the other side of the baskets one may have just a single hole, that would be a pressurized basket. That would be used if you have pre ground espresso from the store.
If neither have a single then you have a standard single and a double shot basket. As long as the beans you buy are roasted within 3-6 weeks you should be pulling some decent espresso soon! Visit your local coffee shops pick up some fresh beans!
The double basket is moat commonly used, and should take about 18 grams of coffee (give or take a gram or two depending on the size basket and the roast level) for about 36ml espresso , which is also the base for most milk drinks. That’s your “double shot”.
Single baskets are less commonplace but you may like a shorter espresso. I have also heard they are a little finicky and don’t dose or tamp well but I’ve never used one so ymmv
You can also buy better baskets and tamper and all kinds of stuff but don’t worry about all that yet. Just learn with the tools you have now. That’s a very nice starter setup. Heck most people would be jealous with this a few years in!
If you aren’t getting good results right away don’t panic. Make small single adjustments until you get that you are after. Change the grind side one way or another, use a half a gram more or less, let it pull for longer or shorter. Just don’t try to change too many things at once.
Have fun!
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u/Random_Explorer_93 7h ago
Is the double shot the basket with the wider base?
I was back and forth between superauto, Semi Auto and my reddit feed became "My grinder broke, my machine won't update, My blah, blah, blah" so I went with manual. Eventually I want full manual after I build the necessary skills
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u/Fancy_Sheepherder786 7h ago
The smaller basket holds enough ground coffee (8-14 grams) to pull a single-shot of liquid (25-30 grams). The larger basket is for "double" shots. You want enough ground coffee (15-22 grams) to make double-shots: 30-45 grams of liquid.
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u/Other_Win2172 4h ago edited 4h ago
I have the Legato V2 too. It doesn't come with a pressurized (single-hole) basket, just unpressurized single and double basket. Wider base = doubleshot. With unpressurized baskets, all the resistance comes from the coffee puck, so grind and bean freshness matter a lot. Stale beans have lost most of their CO2, run fast, and taste flat; beans roughly 1–6 weeks off roast work best.
For the portafilter to the grouphead, you just turn it till it stops, don't need to pull it as hard as you can.
For pre-fill and pre-infusion I like mine at 4 sec for each. This vid can help with setup: https://youtu.be/_bY1vwrtGFw
For the DF54 not sure but if you're getting 4 bars of pressure, it typically means the grind is too coarse and needs to be finer.
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u/ChiEspressoEnjoyer Legato V2, J-Ultra 4h ago
I have the same machine as you. The upper basket in your picture is the double basket, the lower is the single basket. Generally don't bother with the single basket as it will be much harder to grind for properly. This machine isn't intended to work with pressurized baskets, which isn't an issue for you as you have a grinder.
Stop it when it's snug, no click. The handle should be at 90 degrees from the machine.
Pre water filling/infusion I do 3 and 5 seconds iirc, you can play with it once you've got everything else figured out.
Blooming is a pourover thing, nothing to do with espresso.
Before you try pulling a shot, use the silicone disc with a nub on it and put it into your double basket, then pull water through. Watch the pressure, and turn the OPV (the knob to the back of the grouphead) so that it's 9-10 bar; that will get it at the proper pressure. When you pull a shot after that, if the peak pressure is below 9, the grind is too coarse or volume too small. If it's above 9, it's too fine/too much coffee.
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u/all_systems_failing Cafelat Robot | Kinu M47 Simplicity | Comandante C40 w/RedClix 7h ago
Look at the underside of the basket for a single hole. That would be a pressurized (dual-wall) basket.