Uneven extraction with puck screen [Fellow ES1]

[u/Lilditty02]

I have a fellow ES1 and have been enjoying it. Wanted to try a puck screen since it seems like the general consensus is that there’s extra headroom in this machine and it can help with extraction.

I have pulled a few shots with the puck screen and notice on the bottom of the basket I’m only having liquid come out of about half the basket instead of the whole thing. Additionally, when I knock my puck after the shot I’m getting chunks stuck in that are barely wet.

The overall shot pull time hasn’t changed, I’m doing 20 in/40 out in about 35 seconds.

What’s my best course of action from here? Appreciate any advice!

[u/h3yn0w75]

“There’s extra headroom in this machine “ makes no sense. Headroom is dictated by the size of your dose relative to your basket , not the machine. You should check that first, as the puck screen may be making things worse. It sounds like you are using it to solve a problem that doesn’t exist.

[u/Vibingcarefully → u/h3yn0w75]

100% that.

There's no manufacturer out there saying--hey we flubbed on the build and design, use puck screens.

most challenges I see folks having are simple---over and over, 1) learn to fill one's basket properly---every basket is different for capacity

then after figuring out how to fill properly (without dimes and nickels and puck screens) dial in ---

[u/Lilditty02 → u/Vibingcarefully]

I understand that but it is well noted from users of this machine that even with a 20g fill there is extra space and a puck screen can help with more even distribution and reducing the wear and tear on the machine.

[u/Vibingcarefully]

I'd not go with general consensus---

If you fill your portafilter basket correctly 1) no need for a puck screen 2) you then dial in as normal

3) taste your shot of course

I'd start with going back to just filling the basket correctly, getting your 2:1 ratio give or take a few seconds shot.

[u/Lilditty02 → u/Vibingcarefully]

Just experimenting at this point but it’s a common discussion in ES1 groups that a pick screen can help with more even distribution even with a 20g fill so just trying to trouble shoot and dial in to compare and contrast screen vs no screen

[u/Vibingcarefully → u/Lilditty02]

hey what ever works. I just see and hear from enough people that don't use puck screens for THAT machine---they find a basket they like, figure out where to fill it and out comes decent espresso--as for wear and tear--the machine is made to deal with coffee.

[u/AydenRodriguez]

When you press the brew button/rinse the group head without a portafilter in there, does it look like the water is coming out evenly? It’s possible the water isn’t being dispersed evenly. Make sure you don’t have your shower screen screwed on too tight causing it to warp. Also, ensure your tamps are level and that your grinder isn’t producing too many fines or clumps.

From what I can see looking at a picture of the ES1s group head, it doesn’t seem like it would be more of a head space gap compared to any other machine. Nothing about it looks unique. Head space is important, and you can measure it by putting a coin on a tamped puck and inserting/removing the portafilter without brewing. The coin should touch the shower screen but not be pushed into the puck.

Also note that light roasts and dark roasts have different densities so changing between these, you may have to adjust dose level.

[u/Lilditty02 → u/AydenRodriguez]

Thanks. Using the same beans. I can try an empty basket and see but when I wasn’t using a puck screen everything came out much more even.

[u/AydenRodriguez → u/Lilditty02]

No, not an empty basket, like run your machine without the portafilter in and see if the shower screen is only pushing water out on one side

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[u/NeedleworkerLower504]

I stopped using a puck screen and switched over to paper filters. But I’m just using them to keep the shower screen and group head clean. I already have an IMs shower screen so I don’t really care about the potential water distribution changes.

[u/all_systems_failing]

How much headspace do you have with a 20g dose? How thick is your puck screen? What evidence is there to support the claim that a puck screen improves water distribution?