Pour yourself a cup for this one: Your Bambino+ and Smart Grinder Pro are choking on single-wall unpressurized baskets, and it’s frustrating. You’ve tweaked dosages, adjusted grind settings, even cleaned the machine—but the problem persists. It’s a puzzle, and the solution might not be what you expect.
The root of the issue likely lies in a combination of burr alignment, dosage precision, and machine calibration. You’ve tried 14g to 15g dosages with outer burr settings at 5 and 6, yet the shots still choke. This suggests the grinds are too fine or uneven, creating a compacted puck that blocks water flow. Even after purging and resetting, the machine defaults to choking, indicating a deeper calibration issue. The Smart Grinder Pro’s auto-dosing might not account for your specific setup, while the Bambino+’s pressure dynamics could be misaligned with your portafilter.
Another angle: your tamping technique. Single-wall baskets require a precise, even tamp to avoid channeling. If your tamp is too light or inconsistent, water finds shortcuts, leading to under-extraction and a dry puck. The sour taste points to under-extraction, but the choked shot implies over-extraction in parts of the puck. This contradiction hints at a mismatch between your grind, dose, and tamping pressure.
The key takeaway? Don’t assume the machine is broken. Start by verifying burr alignment and calibration. Use a consistent tamping force, and test dosages in 1g increments. If the problem persists, consider firmware updates or professional servicing.
What’s your go-to fix for a choking machine.
What’s your go-to fix for a choking machine? Share your hacks below.
Questions & Answers
How do I fix a choking Bambino+?
Clear the chute, check for blockages, and ensure the bean size is correct. If the issue persists, contact customer support for further assistance.
Why is my Smart Grinder Pro choking?
The grinder may be clogged or using the wrong bean size. Clean the chamber and adjust the burr settings. If it continues, check for motor issues or contact support.
Information sourced from industry reports and news outlets.
