How to Dial In Espresso: A Simple Method for Beginners
Keep the recipe fixed and change only the grind. A simple, repeatable way to dial in espresso, with a taste-and-adjust table for sour or bitter shots.
Quick answer
To dial in espresso, keep the dose and the shot weight fixed, for example 18 g of coffee in and 36 g of espresso out (a 1:2 ratio), and change only the grind size until the shot tastes balanced. A sour shot that runs fast needs a finer grind; a bitter shot that runs slowly needs a coarser grind.
- Weigh the dose and the shot on a scale that reads in 0.1 g
- A common starting target is about 25–30 seconds, but taste decides
- Change one thing at a time, in small steps
"Dialling in" means finding the grind setting that makes a new coffee taste right. Every bag of beans is a little different, so you dial in each time you open a new one. The trick is to change only one thing at a time.
What you need
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TIMEMORE
Black Mirror Basic 2.0 Coffee Scale
$55.00 on Amazon
Price as of – Details
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.com at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
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Baratza
Encore ESP Coffee Grinder
$199.95 on Amazon
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Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.com at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
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Normcore
WDT Tool V2.1 with Stand
$23.69 on Amazon
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Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.com at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
A scale that reads in 0.1 g, a grinder that adjusts in small steps for espresso (such as the Baratza Encore ESP or the 1Zpresso J-Ultra), and ideally a WDT tool to break up clumps.
Starting recipe
| Starting point | |
|---|---|
| Dose (coffee in) | 18 g, or what your basket is made for |
| Yield (espresso out) | 36 g |
| Ratio | 1:2 |
| Time | A common target is about 25–30 seconds |
Use our espresso ratio calculator to work out the yield for any dose.
How to dial in espresso, step by step
- Weigh the dose. Grind 18 g of coffee (or your basket's dose) at a fine setting.
- Distribute. Stir the grounds in the basket with a WDT tool to break up clumps.
- Tamp level. Press straight down until the coffee bed is flat.
- Brew onto the scale. Put your cup on the scale, tare it, and start the shot.
- Stop at the target weight. Stop the shot at 36 g and note the time.
- Taste. Sour, sharp and thin, or bitter, harsh and dry?
- Adjust only the grind. Make one small change and pull the next shot with the same dose and yield.
Taste and adjust
| If the shot… | Try this |
|---|---|
| Tastes sour, sharp or thin, and runs fast | Grind finer |
| Tastes bitter, harsh or dry, and runs slowly | Grind coarser |
| Tastes balanced but too strong | Stop the shot later (for example 1:2.5) |
| Tastes balanced but too weak | Stop the shot earlier (for example 1:1.5) |
| Spurts or runs unevenly | Stir with a WDT tool and tamp level |
Notes for Breville machines
- Breville Bambino Plus: it has no grinder, so all grind changes happen on your separate grinder. Its baskets are 19 g baskets (per Breville), so 18 g is a sensible starting dose.
- Breville Barista Express: use the built-in grinder's grind-size dial; the dose is adjustable too, so set it once and leave it while you dial in.
Both use 54 mm portafilters, so check sizes before buying a tamper or puck screen: see 54 mm vs 58 mm portafilter accessories. Still choosing a machine? Read the best espresso machines for beginners.
Frequently asked questions
How long should an espresso shot take?
A common starting target is about 25–30 seconds for a 1:2 shot, but taste matters more than the clock. Use time as a clue to which way to move the grind.
What ratio should I use for espresso?
Start at 1:2, for example 18 g of coffee in and 36 g of espresso out, then adjust to taste.
Why is my espresso sour?
Usually because it is under-extracted: the water ran through too fast. Grind finer and keep the dose and yield the same.
Why is my espresso bitter?
Usually because it is over-extracted: the water ran through too slowly. Grind coarser and keep the dose and yield the same.
Do I need a scale to dial in espresso?
Yes. Dialling in depends on keeping the dose and yield the same from shot to shot, and that needs a scale that reads in 0.1 g.
Sources
- TIMEMORE Black Mirror Basic 2.0 Coffee Scale (TM0056): Manufacturer details from the amazon.com listing (ASIN B0CKZ6RG6Y), checked 30 Oct 2026
- Baratza Encore ESP Coffee Grinder (ZCG495BLK): Manufacturer details from the amazon.com listing (ASIN B0BW272XCV), checked 30 Oct 2026
- Normcore WDT Tool V2.1 with Stand (V2.1): Manufacturer details from the amazon.com listing (ASIN B0DQQZQF71), checked 30 Oct 2026
Coffee Gear Scout Editors · Editorial team
We research home coffee equipment from manufacturer documentation and product details, and explain the trade-offs in plain English. Our profiles are labelled “Researched” unless we have used the equipment ourselves.
