How much coffee should I put in a double basket?
A standard double espresso basket typically holds between 16 and 20 grams of ground coffee. The exact amount depends on the specific basket size, the roast level of the beans, and your desired extraction recipe. It is best to use a scale to weigh your dose to ensure consistency and achieve the perfect balance of flavor.
Determining the correct dose for a double basket is one of the most important steps in dialing in your espresso. While many people rely on volume—filling the basket until it looks 'full'—this is highly inconsistent. Different coffee varieties, roast levels, and even the age of the beans can change how much space they occupy in the basket. Using a scale is the only way to ensure you are using the same amount of coffee every time.
Most modern double baskets are designed for a specific range, often labeled by the manufacturer (e.g., 18g or 20g). If you are unsure, start with the manufacturer's recommendation. If you find that your shots are consistently sour or thin, you may need to increase your dose slightly. If your shots are bitter, harsh, or the machine is struggling to push water through, you may need to decrease your dose.
Roast level also plays a role. Darker roasts are less dense and take up more volume, so you might find that you can fit less weight into the basket compared to a light roast. Light roasts are denser and may require a higher dose to achieve the same extraction yield. This is why 'dialing in' is a process of experimentation; you are balancing the dose, the grind size, and the yield to find the sweet spot for that specific coffee.
Headspace is another critical factor. After you tamp your coffee, there should be a small amount of room between the top of the puck and the shower screen of your espresso machine. If you dose too much, the puck will touch the screen before you even start the shot, which can cause channeling and uneven extraction. If you dose too little, the puck may not be stable, which can also lead to poor results. A good rule of thumb is to leave about 2-3 millimeters of headspace.
In practice, consistency is the goal. Once you find a dose that works well for a particular coffee, stick with it and adjust your grind size to fine-tune the extraction. If you change your coffee beans, be prepared to adjust your dose again. By treating your espresso recipe as a precise formula rather than a guess, you will be able to pull consistently delicious shots at home.
- · https://www.ncausa.org/about-coffee/how-to-make-espresso