If yesterday's recipe took 29 seconds and today's takes 21, first check that the recipe is still the same. The grinder setting alone does not establish that: the dose, beverage weight and timing method can all change unnoticed.
Check the clock before the coffee
Did you start timing at the pump, at the first drop, or at the end of pre-infusion? Did a firmware or machine setting change alter pre-infusion? Write the starting point beside the time. It is perfectly acceptable to time from pump activation, but compare like with like.
Next, weigh the finished drink. A 27 g shot and a 40 g shot cannot be compared solely by duration. If the scale turns itself off or its auto-timer triggers inconsistently, use a separate timer for this check. Keep the cup clear of the machine housing so the scale can read freely.
Reweigh what is actually in the basket
Weigh the empty basket or portafilter, then weigh it with the grounds. A timed grinder can deliver a different dose as beans, hopper level or grind setting change. A difference of a gram is not merely cosmetic in a small espresso basket.
After a large grinder adjustment, the first dose can contain grounds left from the previous setting. Follow the grinder's instructions for adjustment and clearing. Do not use a fixed purge weight copied from a different model. If the second shot settles down, record that observation before changing the grind again.
Use the pattern to choose the next check
| Pattern | Check next |
|---|---|
| Every shot is faster, with similar flow | Actual dose, bean age and grind setting |
| Fast and slow shots alternate | Distribution, tamp level and inconsistent dose |
| Flow starts slowly then suddenly opens | Puck preparation and signs of channeling |
| Same time, different beverage weight | Programmed volume, scale or stopping point |
The table is a troubleshooting order, not a diagnosis. A worn seal, blocked basket or a machine fault can also interfere with flow. If the behaviour persists with a clean basket and a repeatable recipe, consult the machine's service instructions rather than opening the machine yourself.
Let a good shot remain good
Coffee changes after opening, and a small grind adjustment may be all that is needed. If the new shot tastes good at your usual beverage weight, do not force it back to yesterday's time. Use time as a record of what happened, not a pass mark.
Before the next shot, write down four things: actual dose, target yield, timing start and one preparation change, if any. If you are setting up a completely new bag rather than investigating drift, use the dialing-in workflow instead.
