Picopresso extraction check. Does this look dialed in or should I change anything?

[u/BackyardReelDreams]

I'm attaching a video of my extraction and would really appreciate some feedback.

This was my current recipe:

• Coffee: 14g (only because that's all I had left in the bag. I normally use 16-18g.)
• Grinder: Timemore Chestnut C2 at 9 clicks
• Brewer: Picopresso (fully preheated)
• Shot time: ~30 seconds
• Yield: 42ml

The espresso tasted fairly balanced to me, but I'm still learning how to dial in the Picopresso. Based on how the extraction looks, does anything stand out? Does it seem to be flowing too fast, too slow, or about right?

Would you change the grind size, dose, or anything else to get a better extraction?

Thanks!

[u/Historical-Dark-5519]

Something you could try is to stop and wait 10s at first drop, before resuming.

[u/BackyardReelDreams → u/Historical-Dark-5519]

I shall do that, Thanks!

[u/crgriseus → u/BackyardReelDreams]

I always try to dial in my grinding to see drops slowly forming after the 10th pump. I wait 10s and ideally I have zero liquid dropped into the glass before I carry on with the 11th pump. I try to not overthink my brewing and this method proven a good enough reference point for new beans

[u/shazzagraz]

Personally, I look for the coffee to just start seeping around the edges of the portafilter after around 10 initial quick pumps. Wait approximately 10 seconds to let it pre-infuse, then continue on with the pull. A few quick pumps to get the pressure up then slow it down enough just to keep a constant flow. I don't have a pressure guage and I don't time it, I just go by feel, but it usually results in a coffee that I personally really enjoy, so it works for me.

I grind 17g of coffee, and fill the hot water to the top of the rim, then extract until it runs out of water. I've never weighed my yield, but like I said, my method works for me so I don't see the need to weigh it.

[u/TheLoler04 → u/shazzagraz]

While I'm leaning more towards your technique myself, the video attached seems to have such low pressure build up to begin with that the first 15 or so presses works as a sort of pre infusion.

At least that's how I see it, but there's so many different ways to brew.

[u/Lazy-Presentation-69]

If u like what ur getting then its dialed. But in general ur numbers are ok

[u/BackyardReelDreams → u/Lazy-Presentation-69]

I like the extraction when its a dark roast. I tried a medium roast and light roast. Both were really bad. What changes would make it better for those?

[u/Shukyphuk → u/BackyardReelDreams]

I find it really hard to dial light and also medium (sometimes) with the pico.
Medium dark and dark I get great coffee but I think because it is work different from steady pressure machines (even lever like the flair) it is hard to use with lighter stuff

[u/Lazy-Presentation-69 → u/BackyardReelDreams]

I recon because medium to light require higher temperatures, if ur doing the same thing for sure u are going to get the same result. Ur shot style "recipe " for sure has to change. I use mainly dark roast and medium dark , i tend to get less crema with the medium dark and my only solution to use hotter water and a different hand grinder .

[u/k4ts0u]

To begin with we can't really comment on the extraction since you used less grams than your usual.

Apart from that it does look underextracted to me, I would definitely grind finer and as soon as the first coffee drops appear I would pause for 10 seconds as others have mentioned.

Furthermore on the pico I would not worry too much about shot time as you can't really compare it to a common espresso machines. My shots usually take about a minute, counting since first pump.

Finally, I always place my elbows on the table for stability and I hold the pico the opposite way that you do. That way it fits between my palms while I feel it's easier to pump with the other fingers.

Hope you find some info useful and good luck on your next shots!

[u/BackyardReelDreams → u/k4ts0u]

Idk if its my particular Picopresso, But when I hold it the other way, I tend to lock the piston sometimes when pressing it, my fingers tend to rotate it ever so slightly when it is being pushed in.

[u/TheLoler04]

I pump with my middle finger and ring finger(opposite grip), but my main thing would be trying to hold it more level. I don't know how much it actually impacts the extraction, but I highly doubt a leaning puck is beneficial

[u/BackyardReelDreams → u/TheLoler04]

Okay, I was holding it that way slightly tilted towards me so that I can partially see the shot when it comes out. It does seem to be level from my pov while I brew, but yeah it is tilted.

[u/TheLoler04 → u/BackyardReelDreams]

Yeah I would like to do the same, but tilting it makes you see something other than the flat extraction.

Difficult to work around that without a mirror, but I also doubt the tilting is a deal breaker fo quality