A view from the top.

[Tex]

After I pull a shot with a Gaggia I check the puck. There should be a divet from the shower screen screw, and a slight impression from the outside edge of the shower screen holder plate.
 
 Anything other than these impressions in the puck indicates problems with  distribution techniques.

[peter]

How much room do you think you have while the puck is still dry?

What if you pull the shot and there's no impressions in the puck?

[mp]

How much room do you think you have while the puck is still dry?

What if you pull the shot and there's no impressions in the puck?

 

[Tex]

How much room do you think you have while the puck is still dry?
What if you pull the shot and there's no impressions in the puck?

Then I say, "Dammit, Peter's been messing with my stuff again!"

I've never measured, but it's always the depth permitted by my Macap auto tamper.

[peter]

Those were serious questions, mp.

I'm assuming it would be OK to dose less and not have the impressions.

[Tex]

Those were serious questions, mp.

I'm assuming it would be OK to dose less and not have the impressions.

I've tried it and had too many problems with channeling. By using a standard 14 grams and tamping as I do, I seldom have problems anymore.

This applies to my consumer machines without preinfusion. My Bunn ES-1A has preinfusion, plus the pressure ramps up more slowly, so I can underdose without problems.

Everyone has their own way of doing things - this works for me.

[EricBNC]

Nothing wrong with a method that works for you, but most of what I read says if there is an impression then not enough head room was left for expansion of the puck.

[Tex]

Nothing wrong with a method that works for you, but most of what I read says if there is an impression then not enough head room was left for expansion of the puck.

Got any credible citations and links?

[mp]

Those were serious questions, mp.

I'm assuming it would be OK to dose less and not have the impressions.

I have no doubt Peter.

I was grinning at the timing of your questions ... I just noted a new post by Robert and then your post not too long afterwards.

 

[Tex]

Nothing wrong with a method that works for you, but most of what I read says if there is an impression then not enough head room was left for expansion of the puck.

Got any credible citations and links?

 I'll show you mine if you'll show me yours!
 
 Here are a few;
 http://www.coffeecrew.com/gear/20-gaggia-classic-second-look
 http://coffeesnobs.com.au/YaBB.pl?num=1310712633
 http://coffeed.com/viewtopic.php?f=14&t=628&hilit=chicago+chop
 http://www.coffeeco.com.au/articles/tweaks.html
 http://www.brista.ca/brewing/coffee-quantity-for-espresso-7gr-vs-more/
 http://coffeegeek.com/opinions/edgabrielle/09-15-2002
 http://coffeesnobs.com.au/YaBB.pl?num=1167053065
 http://coffee.bc.ca/gear/91/putting-the-knife-to-gaggia

[EricBNC]

Mind if I just use one of yours for now?

"Since using this method, my pucks have always been hard and dry. I have not had any difficulty locking the pf in place (if you overfill too much, you will have problems). My dispersion screen is always clean (relatively) after the pull, and there is virtually no clean up around the group head, as there had been with my first attempts."

His method mentions nothing about a screw imprint in his (or her) puck...

http://coffeegeek.com/opinions/edgabrielle/09-15-2002

[Tex]

Mind if I just use one of yours for now?

"Since using this method, my pucks have always been hard and dry. I have not had any difficulty locking the pf in place (if you overfill too much, you will have problems). My dispersion screen is always clean (relatively) after the pull, and there is virtually no clean up around the group head, as there had been with my first attempts."

His method mentions nothing about a screw imprint in his (or her) puck...

http://coffeegeek.com/opinions/edgabrielle/09-15-2002

Read it again!
"Observations and Improvements: At this point you should have enough grounds in the basket to fill past the indentation in the side of the basket (the one that holds the basket in the pf). When I am done pulling a shot, I always have the impression of the dispersion screen screw-head in the puck."

Ever hear of Mr Scace or Mr Schulman?
http://groups.google.com/group/alt.coffee/msg/fcbfdd02db897112
http://groups.google.com/group/alt.coffee/msg/ace3adc77b5eb02a
http://groups.google.com/group/alt.coffee/msg/254d8f582d5e7942

And I don't rely on their testimony - this is my experience also.

[peter]

But those were from '04-'06, they've changed their tune since then.   

Rule of thumb a) "puck expansion during the pull is a given, but there needs to be some headspace before the expansion occurs."

Rule of thumb b) "taste of the espresso trumps rule of thumb a)."

[EricBNC]

After I pull a shot with a Gaggia I check the puck. There should be a divet from the shower screen screw, and a slight impression from the outside edge of the shower screen holder plate.
 
 Anything other than these impressions in the puck indicates problems with  distribution techniques.

I suspect because you have problems with your distribution techniques you are updosing to compensate.

[grinderz]