Espresso Channeling: How to Identify and Fix It
Channeling causes sour, bitter, uneven espresso. Learn to spot it by watching extraction, fix it through distribution and technique.
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How do I know if my espresso is channeling?
Watch the bottomless portafilter. Healthy extraction shows even color progression. Channeling shows blonde spurts, side-shooting jets, or uneven flow patterns.
Does tamping pressure affect channeling?
Not really. Consistent pressure matters more than force. 15kg is fine, 30kg is fine. What breaks pucks is tamping at an angle or inconsistent technique.
Will a WDT tool fix my channeling?
Usually helps significantly. WDT (Weiss Distribution Technique) breaks up clumps and ensures even density throughout the puck, the main cause of channeling.
Can my grinder cause channeling?
Yes. Grinders with high clumping, inconsistent particle size, or static create uneven distribution that leads to channeling. Better grinders produce less problematic grounds.
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