5 Common Causes of Espresso Channeling and How to Fix Them
As mentioned earlier, most cases of channeling occur due to improper handling. So if we want to minimize the chances of channeling, it’s worth taking a look at the following points and see which ones you may need to improve. 1. Uneven Distribution of Coffee Grounds Distribution and tamping are the two key steps before pulling an espresso shot, and the correctness of these steps is directly tied to the likelihood of channeling. Let’s start with distribution. The purpose of distributing the coffee grounds is simple: spread the grounds evenly across every corner of the portafilter basket. Only when the grounds are evenly placed can the puck create consistent resistance throughout, preventing hot water from concentrating on a single area during extraction. Although the goal is simple, many people still trigger channeling frequently because they don’t distribute properly. Some want to save time, others assume distribution isn’t important, so they casually swipe the grounds to “get it ...