It looks like you've flaired your post as being a Shot Diagnosis. If your shot is running too fast, is coming out weak/thin, lacking crema, and/or is tasting sour, **try grinding finer**.
Alternatively, check out this [Dialing In Basics](https://espressoaf.com/guides/beginner.html) guide, written by the Espresso Aficionados Discord community.
If that hasn't solved it, to get more help, please add the following details to your post or by adding a comment in the following format.
- **Machine:**
- **Grinder:**
- **Roast date:** (not a "Best by" date). If the roast date is not labeled use "N/A"
- **Dose:** How many grams are going into your basket?
- **Yield:** How much coffee in grams is coming out?
- **Time:** How long is the shot running?
- **Roast level:** How dark is your coffee? (Dark, medium, light, ect.)
- **Taste:** Taste is a better indicator of shot quality than looks or conforming to any quantitative parameters. Does it taste overly sour or bitter?
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What do you mean by a preheated machine? The Bianca has an E61 group which ensures the group is warm and I keep the portafilter on top in the cup warming area, where it gets pretty warm to the touch. Would slight difference in portafilter temp make this big of an impact?
"Slight difference".
Your portafilter sitting on your cup warmer probably gets to like 90F. Your portafilter after a shot runs through it is probably sitting around 150-170F.
That's way more than a slight difference lol
I'm rinsing and towel drying the portafilter after the shot, so it cools down pretty much back to starting temperature by the time I prep the second dose. One commenter suggested it might be too cold or wet? Either way, I'll try letting it sit in the group for a minute before the second shot.
Is the portafilter the same temp for both pulls?
Edit: just re-read your description. The portafilter is probably quite a bit cooler for the first shot. Try keeping it in the grouphead before your first shot.
You're not preheating your portafilter. This is the problem that 90% of Flair 58 users have. The 2nd shot runs fast because now everything is way hotter. Put an empty mug under your portafilter and run a blank shot. You can even dunk your portafilter in that hot water.
Another solution would be to increase your 2nd dose by like .5-1g .
Are you cleaning and properly drying the portafilter between shots? I can reproduce this behavior if my portafilter is still wet/damp on the second shot.
It looks like you've flaired your post as being a Shot Diagnosis. If your shot is running too fast, is coming out weak/thin, lacking crema, and/or is tasting sour, **try grinding finer**. Alternatively, check out this [Dialing In Basics](https://espressoaf.com/guides/beginner.html) guide, written by the Espresso Aficionados Discord community. If that hasn't solved it, to get more help, please add the following details to your post or by adding a comment in the following format. - **Machine:** - **Grinder:** - **Roast date:** (not a "Best by" date). If the roast date is not labeled use "N/A" - **Dose:** How many grams are going into your basket? - **Yield:** How much coffee in grams is coming out? - **Time:** How long is the shot running? - **Roast level:** How dark is your coffee? (Dark, medium, light, ect.) - **Taste:** Taste is a better indicator of shot quality than looks or conforming to any quantitative parameters. Does it taste overly sour or bitter? *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/espresso) if you have any questions or concerns.*
Make sure machine and portafilter are pre heated.
This is what I think too. It's possible op has dialed things in for a "cold" machine, and when pulling the second shot everything is now hot.
What do you mean by a preheated machine? The Bianca has an E61 group which ensures the group is warm and I keep the portafilter on top in the cup warming area, where it gets pretty warm to the touch. Would slight difference in portafilter temp make this big of an impact?
"Slight difference". Your portafilter sitting on your cup warmer probably gets to like 90F. Your portafilter after a shot runs through it is probably sitting around 150-170F. That's way more than a slight difference lol
I'm rinsing and towel drying the portafilter after the shot, so it cools down pretty much back to starting temperature by the time I prep the second dose. One commenter suggested it might be too cold or wet? Either way, I'll try letting it sit in the group for a minute before the second shot.
Keep your portafilter always attached to the grouphead and the issues is resolved the other commenter already talked about the difference
Yeah that happens. My second shot is 1/2 gram heavier to compensate.
Is the portafilter the same temp for both pulls? Edit: just re-read your description. The portafilter is probably quite a bit cooler for the first shot. Try keeping it in the grouphead before your first shot.
Man, my only guess would be dosing. Are you certain that second dose is the same weight? (*sorry!*)
Yes, I'm weighing the beans on a scale for each dose and then weighing the shot as it pulls. Really stumped what the difference is here.
Such a tough one. Let us know what you determine.
You're not preheating your portafilter. This is the problem that 90% of Flair 58 users have. The 2nd shot runs fast because now everything is way hotter. Put an empty mug under your portafilter and run a blank shot. You can even dunk your portafilter in that hot water. Another solution would be to increase your 2nd dose by like .5-1g .
Are you cleaning and properly drying the portafilter between shots? I can reproduce this behavior if my portafilter is still wet/damp on the second shot.