KES6403 Kitchenaid Espresso Machine making bad coffee? Watch this.

If you are frustrated with this machine, I share a few tips on how to configure it and, most importantly, select the right basket.
For those who don't want to watch the video, here are my suggestions:
1) When in doubt, use the pressurized basket. The coffee and grinder need to be of the highest quality to be able to use the other basket.
2) Ensure water temperature and hardness are programmed correctly. Select the hottest temperature and, when in doubt, select a higher water hardness.
3) Whole beans only, ideally stay away from pre-ground and/or old coffee.

[@NahtShure]

Alright I'm gonna give it a try in the morning. If I didn't care about going to sleep tonight, I'd try it right now, but it's 10:30pm. I've been using a bottomless portafilter with pretty good results, but I'm gonna try swapping the basket in it for the double wall basket and see what happens. Thanks for the suggestion.

[@sohrab3637]

Thanks for informative video. If an espresso machine can't pull a GOOD shot of freshly ground coffee with non pressurized basket, i will throw it away instantly !

[@philipbair4795]

My next one will be a breville for sure

[@dhapsari6271]

Jesus, this actually helps. I just tried it and made the best espresso I ever had with this thing. It almost tastes like the espresso I had in Rome

[@philipbair4795]

Thank you! Glad it helped.

[@jenniferebert2879]

Thank you! I switched the basket and had a better brew!

[@philipbair4795]

Glad it helped!

[@lifewithjoy3470]

OMG finally a video that is relevant to my issues!! Thank you!!

[@philipbair4795]

Glad it helped!

[@MakenzieMathesius]

Ok just got mine Sunday & I was ready to return it after getting it all set up because the coffee is sooo bitter. Excited to try your suggestions tomorrow. Also mine is pouring single shots on the double shot button. Any ideas about that?

[@isaacmijangos]

I learned a lot.

[@Conservator.]

Espresso nerd here: Double walled filters will give you consistent not very good espresso but it’s doesn’t matter much how old your coffee is or how coarse or fine it is ground. To make a good espresso you’ll need: 1. A good grinder that can grind fine enough for espresso and will do that consistently so. Such grinders will cost a few hundred bucks or more. I would recommend a used commercial grinder if you can find the space for one. 2. Freshly (say 2 weeks old) roasted beans of preferably specialty coffee. Find one locally or order online. 3. A scale to measure the ground coffee and the coffee liquid that you brew. For espresso it’s 1:2. So 15g in, 30g out. A scale with 0.1g accuracy is key. 4. The willingness to learn how to dial in your grinder for your beans. Initially you should aim for an extraction time of about 25 seconds. Then you taste your espresso. If it’s too bitter, you should grind a bit courser. If it’s to sour, grind a bit finer. Watch James Hoffmann’s videos on how to make an espresso for more info. There are plenty other good channels too. PS please don’t buy ground coffee. It goes off after 10 minutes and after a few hours it will have lost all of its delicate flavours.

[@philipbair4795]

Appreciate the knowledge you've left here for us. +1 on the James Hoffmann videos.

[@TheBrewQ]

I saw so many people have issues with this machine. I ended up with a Breville infuser.

[@philipbair4795]

Next time I will buy a breville. Buy once cry once as they say.

[@vwavefun]

Do you still own the E36?

[@philipbair4795]

I do, it mostly sits in the garage and I drive it a few times a week. It has 351k miles now. I picked up a 95 accord in 2020 that someone had sitting in their driveway not being used.

[@jamesgriffiths7170]

Love the video brother but that's about $100 shy of a proper espresso grinder. The grinder you're using will give you an inconsistent grind that needs a pressurized basket to achieve Crema. That's all it is. Grab the encore ESP and use that you'll be surprised. I agree good machine, but portafilter is terrible. You should just buy a new grinder and a bottomless and go to town.

[@philipbair4795]

Thanks dude. I inherited the grinder from my dad, when it breaks I'll definitely get something premium. I appreciate your recommendation!