5 most common mistakes as a new espresso machine owner

Mistake 1: Googling how to brew espresso

We discovered that many articles online about espresso brewing gives incorrect tips for espresso brewing, instead we advise you to read our articles on espresso brewing or contact companies that are knowledgeable in this field. Alternatively, stick to one source instead of mixing lots of different construction techniques, as this rarely gives good results.

Mistake 2: Selection of coffee beans

We don't understand how some new espresso machine owners who spend thousands of kroner on an espresso machine choose to use the cheapest beans available in grocery stores or use beans that are much older than 1 month old or beans that show no roast date at all but only a best before date . Or to use brewed coffee beans and not espresso beans, which have a completely different roast profile adapted to just espresso brewing. And believe it will bring results. It's like buying a sports car but buying old diesel found in an old garage and hoping the car can be driven.

It is important to use beans that are fresher than at least a month, preferably within 4 to 14 days of roasting.

Mistake 3: Not using a scale

The majority of problems connected to brewing arise from eye measuring the amount of ground coffee and the volume of espresso and therefore make changes based on this. By using a scale, you see right away what the problem with your brew is and make the correct changes instead of blindly hoping that your correction can improve your brew. If you use a small scale strictly at the beginning, you will later be able to measure by eye much better and make correct assessments.

Mistake 4: Irregular tamping

Tamping means that you press the ground coffee compactly like a puck into the filter basket before inserting it into the espresso machine. If you keep trying to push the puck even harder because you see that espresso pours out way too much water and fast, you've thought wrong. Tamping the same amount regularly and pressing it flat and not crooked each time is a better approach. The second problem is not as obvious, but if there are several people in the house who use the espresso machine and who also press not as hard, you can buy a calibrated tamper where it presses to a specific pressure and from that you can ensure that each press is even and equally hard.

Mistake 5: Lack of cleaning

Coffee is a food product that is consumed and therefore if the machine is not cleaned it can create mold and bacteria which will not taste good. It also affects your health very negatively. It may be convenient not to think about cleaning it but the cleaning will get to you espresso to taste better but also to extend the lifespan. When an espresso machine is not cleaned regularly, limescale and mineral deposits form which will end up in valves, hoses and eventually electronic components. This leads to the machine breaking down.

Hope these tips help you on your way to get the best possible results!