Machine Maintenance

Did you know that standard group head gaskets should be changed every 90 days in order to maintain the quality of your shots? After 90 days the gaskets will begin to form microfractures which will change how the pressure is applied to the coffee, leading to lower quality shots. Tri-State also offers extended life gaskets that can be changed up to every 6 months.

Building Your Shot

For a double shot, a hot portafilter should be filled with 14-18g of ground espresso.

This should produce 2-3oz of brewed espresso in 20-30 seconds.

Shots should be brewed into a heated shot glass at about 198 degrees and your pressure gauge should read 9 bars when brewing.

Lastly, your cup should be prepared to receive the shots when they finish brewing in order to keep them from turning bitter from standing too long.

Cleaning Makes A Difference

Keeping your equipment clean makes sense, but do you know how it effects the taste and quality of your coffee? If machines are not backflushed daily with a product like cafizia, and bean hoppers are not regularly cleaned using a product like urnex wipz the coffee oils that build up can cause several problems.

As oils build up in your group heads they can effect the valves within your machine, leading to inconsistent shots. The oils building up in the machine, portafilters, and the grinder will also turn rancid, giving your carefully chosen coffee a foul taste.