The Art of the Single Shot

In praise of the old-fashioned single shot of espresso: a simple thing, therefore a rather difficult one. Let's look at the how and the why. I hope this video will make it a little easier, and help you extend your coffee repertoire.
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#coffee #espresso
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[@wiredgourmet]

ERRATUM: The screen annotation at 03:37 to 03:47 should read "11.5 g" not 16.5. TWG regrets the error :)

[@CH-yp5by]

just saw this, I was thinking how on earth did you fit in 16.5g lol

[@Conservator.]

Are you taking 44s shots? I think you mentioned a few times that you like the bitter taste but I hadn’t thought you’d like it that much.

[@goldfish8196]

Love your videos - I thought you loved 1:3 ratio for single? Am I wrong? I remembered from other videos - i guess

[@cameronf2894]

Every now and then the algorithm serves up an absolute gem of a video, and scratches an itch that no amount of scrolling and watching formulaic clickbait videos satisfies. This video is fantastic; you clearly explain your thought process, your perspective is refreshing and the video is soothing to watch. I subscribed immediately!

[@wiredgourmet]

Thanks for the kind words, and welcome to the community.

[@ThePlayahans]

I love that you don’t just repeat the same stuff everybody else says but dare to disagree and present your own take (what is right or wrong is up to each n everyone of us).. Love your videos!

[@alinaqirizvi1441]

What???? That's totally not true. Truth IS objective just hard to find

[@wytzevogel2023]

1+3=2 right?

[@JeronimoJGC]

Your videos are great, thanks for sharing!!

[@OneSipCoffeee]

Love the level of detail you go into! Making me learn a lot!

[@Coffee-o]

I used this method since i have an e61 machine but no flow control kit and I’m happy to say I’m loving the flavor from a Brazilian coffee i roasted medium darkish. It really highlights the chocolatey bitter sweet notes. I dose about 16.5 grams of coffee for an output of around 33 grams in about 30-35 seconds with a 10 second pre infusion. Keep up the good work!

[@cicciobello8470]

Was waiting for a chill Sunday morning to proceed with dialing in the coarser grind. I was amazed how different the same coffee tasted, also the body was thicker, which was what I was seeking to improve. Wondeful suggestion, thank you!

[@ultimosardo]

I just have to tell you how much I love your style! I am currently going through all material about single shots that I can find on youtube because I want to experiment with something to change the single basket. I work in the industry and the single shot is almost a taboo topic in my country. I do not like to waste shots, neither do I think it makes sense to tell customers to only use double basket at home, just because they are a bit tricky to use. So I think maybe there is another solution to explore. Anyway, I found my way already how I dial them, I love the single much more tastewise and I do them exactly like you do them. Everything you said here is spot on and Im a big fan of your style, love your content man !

[@diegobellini7412]

This is by far the best and finally the one real video showing the truth about dialing in and fixing channelling issues in espresso pucks. Awesome job, I can’t say enough how good and valuable is this information. Funny enough, I found this video only after 2 years of working on my Breville Barista Espresso, and finding myself the solution to my channelling -never ending- issues. I figured myself that the single portafilter wasn’t designed for “just” 9 grams like the official Italian espresso association would recommend. After so many tests, I found out that the right amount (for my setup) was 9.8 grams. No more channelling, finally bold, reach and creamy single espresso shots like I used to drink in Italy. And a couple of weeks later, I stumble on this video… LOL!!! Great job anyway, espresso making is an art, I have subscribed and look forward to see more great videos from you!!!

[@MrBahBZ]

Except it's completely wrong and won't work. There's no repeatability and it amounts to using the Force to guide your process. If you like wildly different shots that only ever accidentally hit your target once you've dialed in, keep raving about these instructions. If you'd rather not pretend like flying blind on everything is somehow better because all of that science is just a bunch of airy nonsense, stick to the actual developments happening in espresso.

[@jdinge48]

Whats your ratio? Thanks in advance

[@nastycooperation9901]

I have to admit i see a loot of things different from you (watched all your coffee stuff), but i have to say you give me a new perspective from my style of brewing! Best wishes from Germany

[@wiredgourmet]

Thank you :)

[@claudioghisoni5999]

My friend, you are a genius!!! .... I have watch so many Barista/Espresso videos and none of them (including the famous channel) told me to focus on the volume of coffee grinds in the single filter basket (most say throw it away!!!) the effect was instantaneous and on my 2nd try I pulled an Espresso that would have made my ancestors proud of me ;-) .... THANK YOU SO MUCH

[@wiredgourmet]

Welcome aboard. I'm the guy the other guys pretend to be :)

[@claudioghisoni5999]

@@wiredgourmet Agreed... And here's my challenge for you. "Making great coffee for the common man" with "Best pulls from a Breviile Barista BES870 : Espresso On A low budget" .... Or pulling single shots with the "Cafelat "Robot" ... Good luck ;-)

[@MegaSelby]

I got my Breville Barista Express a week ago. It has been a struggle. Today I did similar to what you have said prior to viewing your video. I used the double shot basket, but only put a single shot through it, and shot it into hot milk. This came out the best tasting I have done. The coffee in the portafilter came out beautifully dry. I will try same with single.

[@SoNoFTheMoSt]

So glad i found this video, ive been using the double since i got my coffee machine, which was yesterday lol but the coffees were so strong and nasty it sucked, then i saw your video and thought ill try out the single and man the difference is huge, i can taste my coffee again! thanks so much dude!

[@robertjason6885]

I love traditional Italian singles… 9.5 grams.. pulled on a lever. Yes skill involved, but not insurmountable with a good grinder… hand or electric. Excellent Instructional video this! Thanks much.

[@robertsaca3512]

This was great, its the opposite of what over-confident, under educated hipster baristas are preaching. This single shot workflow produces typically italian eapresso taste and texture.

[@_Julie_]

I love your videos. Such wonderful content, and you have such an amazing voice. I could watch and listen all day.

[@wiredgourmet]

Thank you :)

[@glen.moralee]

Another brilliant addition to coffee knowledge that breaks more commonly, sheepishly, repeated myths.

[@wiredgourmet]

Thanks. One does one's best :)

[@stephen-wahl]

Dude this may actually completely up-end and transform my world to the point that what I thought I knew to be real has been as complete an illusion as the one perpetrated on Neo in The Matrix. Here's to you, the red pill and being awakened!

[@toddpower4674]

You spurred me to breakout my single basket and play around. Tastes like my la pavoni shots. Always fun experimenting with coffee

[@JeffChangExperience]

Your videos are great. I can't wait for your chemical free cleaning method video. Thanks for all you do for the coffee community

[@wiredgourmet]

Thank you :)

[@chongli297]

So much to take from this video! I have started doing just one thing so far: turning off the pump without releasing the pressure on my e61. It's actually quite amazing the difference it makes in the coffee. It creates an almost lever-like declining pressure profile which I use only once, at the end of the shot. I'm going to keep experimenting with this and probably pick up an accessory manometer for the group so I can control it a bit more!

[@MiltonGeorges]

I moved to single shots about a year ago since 18g doubles tend to give me the jitters now, and I like drinking multiple coffees a day. It is a lot more challenging to dial in but I’ve gotten the hang of it over time! Definitely worth the effort

[@yordanpopov]

​@@ZachremixI don't get it. Don't 3 double shots have the same amount of caffeine as 6 single shots?

[@seesaw7289]

@@yordanpopov Same amount of caffeine, but spread over a larger time period makes a difference. 6 beers all at once, or a beer every 2 hours - which will raise your blood alcohol level fastest and the most?

[@WhiteNightsCity]

​@@yordanpopovI suppose there would be a difference in amount of caffeine. The key point is a grind size. As the author of the video mentioned, for an 11 gram basket with a larger bottom area, you should grind finer. I believe a finer grind gives you a greater extraction from the same amount of coffee. As a result you get more caffeine with a bigger basket. But I could be wrong, of course.

[@Rock-Steady1888]

I personally prefer the flavour from the 18g vst basket over the ims precision single basket i have, i spent some time getting used to the single as having to use the finer grind made sense to me to bring out more flavour for an espresso shot in my mind, however the results weren't as tasty as for me personally, but it's all personal preference, that's the brilliance of learning to be a home barista, you get to make it how you like, i hate the way the newer guys try to ram the turbo shot down everyone's throat, turbo shots can be great, but for me an 18g in 36g out shot in 27 to 35 seconds, roast dependent, brings out the best in an espresso

[@78pianist]

I can't wait for the follow up video on the flow control kit video explaining how you don't actually need it. I too have the Profitec 600 with flow control kit, and I have the flow control kit attached, but would prefer to use it like you did in this video. I find the flow control uneasy to use. Thanks for all your insightful videos, Thomas.

[@cmnhl1329]

Who’s got the time to pull 3 times each day when you need your triple shot fix? Turbo shot 21g in and 60g out is “Life” for me!

[@ylleKkcirtaPnadnerB]

Pretty sure this misses a valuable trick... The old LM1 shape baskets, such as the F.3.029.X, loaded (thank you Scarlet Espresso, that funnel is amazing), and tamped, at 41mm, make a brighter cleaner yet more intense shot from way less coffee than the convenience-first curvy singles.. By sticking to a deep steep sided shape and using a fast flowing 1.5mm square grid perforation you get the regular big double qualities and consistency in a single using half the dose. What's not to like about that in a home setting? An inevitably wet headspace, but that just pushed me to get a puck screen, so now I have great singles and a clean shower screen.

[@brainwashingdetergent4322]

I just found your channel, and my first thought was, he has a great voice, a voice suitable for audio book narration.

[@wiredgourmet]

Thank you :)

[@dg5433]

I love my single shots. I use the ims single basket and find 13g works for me to get a firm puck that knocks out cleanly. 2.5 : 1, 13g in 32g out is what I aim for

[@Dustybutdigital]

Just wanted to say thanks for the video and other content. I have a Profitec Pro 600 and it’s been amazing. My only con is that I don’t have a visible water meter. I’ve been playing with the single basket since seeing your video and I’ve had great luck with your dose. Still dialing it in, but just pulled a tasty fruity shot with using a light Ethiopian wush wush. 😅 I’ve ordered an LM1 basket as well for fun.

[@user-jp9js9th8o]

thx at first - a very interesting and more individual, not mainstream oriented point of view. That´s even more true for the whole procedure w/out any gimmicky electronical nerd/IT stuff (like flow control).. I exactly see it you way...

[@laowai2000]

Great content. Highly recommend the use of a puck screen, especially if lazy and don't want to have to spend time cleaning group head.

[@georgemichael7278]

Thank you for your video, I really like it and find it useful. Any idea where can I get such single basket from for dedica machine?

[@elneutrino90]

This is great, I don't like how dogmatic the Zeitgeist of espresso making is these days, either you follow the trends or you're not a real enthusiast or connoisseur, the world of espresso is richer and livelier with people like you

[@mohdnizar6342]

I too prefer the tastes from single shots. Lesser caffeine is the bonus. But i use ims's The Single basket. I feel the bowl-shaped basket allows for better water distribution. Have to ground much much coarser than a double. Really brings out the choc flavour of the brazilian.

[@McRocklin]

Gonna try this! Doubles sometimes give me jitters.

[@knipsi22]

After watching this vid I decided to not use wdt today. I have to do more testing but actually I liked the 3 shots from today better than yesterday's. Same coffee, same grind setting etc. lol

[@donthuis]

Firmly belonging to this 7% of single basket users (on the Gaggia Classic Evo Pro BTW) I fully agree with the statement dialling in on this option is a challenge. In my case it took many trials on grind size versus quantity for this option. For the time being I found a grind size of position 3 with 8,5grams quantity giving a better balance than the usual 7,5 grams. I will try a still finer grind size of 2 with this 7,5 grams as well, maybe this fits the filter better. For this is the problematic side of filling this smaller basket: before you know the coffee sticks to the shower screen despite careful tamping beforehand. I added thin paper filters on top of the coffee to protect this screen from becoming contaminated with coffee, but sometimes this just means the paper and coffee together become stuck to this screen. Since we also use a lot of pre-ground coffee in barista grind in both coffeine and caffeine free variants using the pressurised basket, keeping the 12 bar Gaggia factory implementation in can not be avoided. Thanx a lot for your encouragement and sharing your ideas & experience with us😃

[@Theincrediblespud]

I’m interested in your views on prep, so I’d love you to do tests with/without WDT and other distribution methods.

[@innerlocus]

And I just bought the wide bottom basket, tomorrow I will go back to the tapered one and see if I don't have buyer's remorse.

[@wiredgourmet]

I hope you'll like both. Circle back and let us know what you think.

[@KermitD]

Your coffee funnel looks good. May I know what brand is it ?

[@Ruudwardt]

I did the single shot for first 5 or more years, because I couldn't get the big basket to produce what I wanted. Eventually I got better and better grinders and better machines and got the big flat one to work. It is time to revisit the single.

[@franswiersma8498]

The single basket you use is a quite deep one. In my experience those deep ones are the only ones making a reasonable single shot. Although they are actually single and a half shots. I also have some 7 to 9 gram single baskets. They are really difficult and I never had good results with medium roast arabicas

[@GadgetsGearCoffee]

Tried to use my single basket for the first time on my breville dual boiler and definitely did not work out for me. I can't even tamp enough until it starts to taper and when I lock the portafilter in, it seems it's not deep enough and I can't close the portafilter enough as in not enough headroom above the puck

[@javi_gonzo]

Kudos on your flow profiling method too! The paddle kits on e61 machines are kind of hard to keep consistency. I will be giving this a try soon. Thank you!

[@saltrocklamp199]

Do you think the metal puck screen can help control headspace in tapered single shot baskets?

[@Katsuyamaki]

What's the link to your video about correctly filling the portafiller/basket?

[@dcuccia]

Great post, as always, thanks! Would love to see a TWG Clever post, or more generally about percolation vs immersion. Jonathan Gagne (Coffee Ad Astra) has talked about astringency in his blog.

[@wiredgourmet]

I have one called V60 Voodoo which might address some of your questions.

[@boredymcboredface8624]

Replace the basket with a VST or similar professional basket that doesn’t restrict the flow. The do 15,18,22 etc gram baskets

[@TimothyScotts1]

While using my Breville Express Impress, I loved doing single basket shots on it with a naked portafilter, easily some of the best tasting coffee shots for me. Then I upgraded to a GCP, which i will be doing the Gaggiuino mod to, but until then, I find its default pressure is far too high to get a decent extraction without channelling :(

[@ciruscoffee4290]

Hi, i hesitate to take a flow control kit on my e61 group. Can't wait your next video explaining why you don't use anymore the flow control kit and how playing with the e61 Can be efficient with pressure profile.cheers !

[@The_Coffee_Rabbit_Hole]

Might have to do with the flow of the machine ... that kinda suck tho , i just recieved mine from coffee sensor , i wanted this for years 😅

[@RobA-ff1lt]

Is the 90 shown on the PID at 4:22 the boiler temp or the brew temp?

[@tudor888]

Thank you for this video. I am a fan of the single basket, despite its challenges. I noticed that if I grind finer I can get the slower rate BUT my pressure shoots up to 10 - 10.5 bar. If I grind a few clicks coarser, I can get the pressure to drop to 8 - 9 BUT then the shots are too fast. How do I get both right? (pressure AND flow rate)

[@timgerber5563]

Personally, I normally work with the 15g VST basket for my milk based drinks. And when I have the roast dialed in to a 1:2 ratio, 8g work perfectly in a la Marzocco single basket with a 1:2.5 ratio without having to change the grind. So that’s what I typically have in the afternoon. Tastewise I have the feeling single shots tend to be overextracted quicker whereas the same ratio would lead to more transparency with a larger dose. But this might just also have to do with the finer grind size and the amount of fines.

[@wbltrack07]

how low of dosing can you go in the 15g vst?

[@jakobw135]

What make of puck screen is that in your video?

[@morningcoffee1]

I liked the way you engaged and disengaged the pump during extraction to kind of profile the shot. Do you think I can do that also with 15g or 18g vst/ims baskets?

[@pr1ke892]

Double baskets are not necessarily used for Efficiency in a commercial setting.They are used to give the barista more flexibility in dialing in bright roasted espresso. If you think dialing in a dark roast single shot is hard, try dialing in some bright roast with a single shot basket. Its borderline impossible, because youll get channeling issues (especially with eureka grinders) way before you choke the machine out. The only way to fix that is grinding coarser and updosing.

[@wiredgourmet]

I never have any issues with channeling, and I use Eureka grinders all the time. And as for "updosing," if by that you mean dosing appropriately on the basis of sound mechanical performance rather than some recipe, well, I'll cop to that, lol.

[@pr1ke892]

@@wiredgourmet I myself own 2 Eurekas as well and love both grinders. Id just be honestly surprised if youd manage to get a light roast to pull clean and with proper extraction from a single basket with basically no puck prep from what I see in your videos. I mean, if it works for you that's great! Nothing wrong with that. It's just that the overwhelming majority of people struggle (at first) with pulling light roasts consistently. That's why we do puck prep, higher doses, longer shot times. Increase extraction and consistency. Because at some point you can't just grind finer to increase extraction, the extraction will decrease with finer grinds settings. So we need other methods of increasing extraction.

[@wiredgourmet]

@@pr1ke892 I hear you. I hope this isn't too basic, but FWIW I would increase water temp first. You can get away with 94-96 C with light-roasted, denser beans. It's one variable that doesn't require complementary adjustments: you can play with it at will.

[@OhDearBabajan]

Also how light are we talking? That matters

[@OhDearBabajan]

Most coffee shops serve medium roast coffees, and if light, it’s light-medium. I don’t know how accurate your statement is in reality. Sounds like a logical fallacy to me…

[@kevinpellerin6715]

What coins are you using in the show screen test?

[@Katsuyamaki]

So if smaller is better, then what do you think about 51mm baskets vs 58mm baskets?

[@DecadentDelicacy]

Which do you recommend for lower dose caffeine for latte? I’ve been defaulting to my single but I don’t think I’m using it correctly (just bought my first machine)

[@ander172]

This gauge meter in center how u made ? U don't have native meter on machine?

[@CastironCoffee]

As a person that drinks 16g in and 16g out in about 45s. I will try this with 11g in and 16g out and see how it tastes. Thanks for the idea.

[@jenniferevans432]

Eeee is that not overly strong and bitter??

[@Nookira]

Is there any problem if i use 12 grams cofee on the big basket even if the basket is for 14-16 grams? Thanks for the answer!

[@user-iz9lv2gf4e]

what is your favorite bean/roast for this extraction method?

[@wbltrack07]

I guess I'll have to try the single dose basket again, but when I did before, it wasnt as good as a double basket and way harder to dial in.

[@knipsi22]

I think using larger ratios on doubles has a similiar effect

[@TomAmbar]

2:08 I'm surprised you're grinding coarser for single baskets. I know the filter is smaller, but from my experience I had to grind much finer due to the smaller size of the dose (much like when going from a VST 18g to 15g, with doses of 18g and 15g respectively, I also have to grind finer).

[@markmilner2693]

If this is a silly newbie question, please forgive me. I just used 11.5g in for 23g out. The brew time was 23 seconds. Your stated flow rate is 2 seconds per gram, which means I’m going to have to grind much much finer to get from 23 to 46 seconds. Aren’t I?

[@lucask4865]

Great video! I think John Buckman (Decent Espresso) said that the problem with single shot is the worse puck integrity compared to double shots. The integrity gets worse the lower the roast level I think. Nevertheless I will try a single shot with a medium to medium dark blend next time :)

[@royvelden1685]

dammit i need a good cup coffie

[@zaxmor2058]

Πενήντα λεπτο ελληνικό καλη φαση στον καφέ

[@savucristea]

Make a video with how to use pressure gauge.

[@wakeawaken430]

Single baskets are good for near to dark roast beans I tried a lot with la marzocco 7gr basket, tamped with a special 41mm tamp i made For light roasts or even medium roasts, it's near to impossible to have a good shot, imagine for the consistency

[@robwhitmore3040]

I always use a single shot basket. Mostly because I like to have 2-3 coffees a day. It's great. But I hesitate to admit it to people because of the judgement from coffee elitists who wouldn't dare use anything other than a 58mm double shot basket.

[@ander172]

You had plumbed machine? Make it sense doing on not plumbed?

[@YumEspressoYum]

Are you still using your cafelat robot?!?

[@cocvhecv]

What have I been doing! 😂

[@indoex]

just got an espresso machine. i have a long way to...

[@redshax]

Does anybody know what is the exact type of that dosing funnel and tamping stand? Maybe @The Wired Gourmet? Waiting your video about puckscreens, definitely interested! Thank you in advance!

[@wiredgourmet]

Eureka funnel, Profitec/ECM stand

[@redshax]

@@wiredgourmet I am a little bit confused about the volume you mentioned here. Your headspace is between 1.5-2 mm and in you dosin by volume video you are mentioning the headspace should be between 1.9-2.3 mm. Does one better than the other? If yes, which is that?

[@leafyleafyleaf]

Single baskets? The tapered shape is not ideal. Would love to see a narrower but deeper cylinder to house 7g of ground coffee, maybe tamped in stages like a tobacco pipe. Hmm, that might be a cool DIY thing for me to try. But yeah, not a fan of the tapered basket. Goes wrong too easily, wasting precious coffee.

[@orestestrivellas3153]

Greek euro coin !!!

[@paolocane8875]

No comment...😂

[@Vortex1988]

Am I crazy or are you using a pressurized basket? Everything I know about espresso tells me to use a straight basket whether it's for a single shot or double shot basket. The only reason to use a pressurized basket is if you don't have a proper grinder.

[@ize1000009]

he's using a normal basket. You can see it’s a naked basket, it can’t be pressurized.

[@dwightlooi]

How can you guys drink that thick bitter liquid? I can't even drink a small cup of McDonald's coffee without diluting it and adding 5 packets of sugar.

[@Partyaner]

Izs a f... espresso all of them are same

[@MrBahBZ]

How to pull a shot totally incorrectly, by This Guy.

[@wiredgourmet]

OK, I'll bite. Enlighten us. What's wrong with it?

[@fiskfisk33]

not much to go on if you dont specify whats wrong

[@pitbull8967]

And this is why kids you shouldn’t believe everyone who makes a KZbin video 🤣 Wrong on so many levels...

[@thedude1249]

✨4:57 Sir you ran the single shot too long, you were pushing clear water. Go by visuals, screw the timers and weights, use your eyes only. ☀🤠👍🌴🌴

[@wiredgourmet]

Use your eyes? No, no, a thousand times no. Use your PALATE! Different samples have different properties that affect the coffee's appearance: roast level, density, cultivar, age, etc. I like the flavors of late extraction, the bitterness especially. That shot was absolutely perfect, for me. Remember, If it TASTES good, it IS good!

[@user-ix4lv3qc5d]

Нарешті узнаєте що таке кава!😂 Не відро води а каваааааа!