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Showerthought: my espresso shot times went from 38 seconds to 22 in 2 weeks after I finally weighed my beans
I run a small spot in Koreatown, 12 seats, been open 3 years. For most of that I dosed by eyeballing the basket and tapping it level. Shots pulled around 36 to 40 seconds and I just figured that was my machine being slow. A roaster rep came by in February and asked what my dose was. I said I dunno, a scoop. He pulled out a $15 scale and we weighed it. 22 grams in a basket meant for 18. Two weeks of weighing every single shot and I'm at 18 in, 36 out, 22 to 26 seconds, and the taste difference is not subtle. Regulars noticed before I said anything. One guy asked if I switched beans. I didn't. Same beans, same grinder, same water.
So now I'm weighing everything and it's added maybe 4 seconds per drink during a rush. Worth it. But it got me wondering what else I've been eyeballing for 3 years without knowing. My milk steaming? My batch brew ratio? I have a scale for the espresso now but I still free pour lattes by feel.
Any of you weigh milk or batch brew, or is that where you draw the line? Curious where the point of diminishing returns actually is for a shop my size.
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