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Espresso shot runs too fast

The shot finishes well under the typical 25-30 second window and often tastes thin or sour.

Applies to: Espresso machine, Espresso

Likely causes and adjustments

Try one adjustment at a time so you know what actually changed the result. Start with the first cause below — if it doesn't help, reveal the next.

  1. Cause 1 of 3 · Commonly the cause

    Grind too coarse

    Have you changed beans or grinder settings recently?

    Grind finer to increase resistance and slow the flow.

What to change

Specific adjustments for this symptom, with what each one trades off.

Interactive tools that take you through this one change at a time.

Step-by-step guides to the skills this problem comes from.