An espresso yield comparison
At the same 18 g dose and grinder setting, do you prefer 36 g or 45 g collected espresso?
Protocol only: BrewLab has not performed or measured this comparison. Planned numbers are examples, not results. Taste suggestions are hypotheses; no outcome is guaranteed.
Espresso ratio compares dry dose with beverage mass. Changing the stopping yield changes the brewing trajectory, and often strength and extraction together. This pair studies that serving decision without claiming to separate concentration from extraction.
Set up a fair comparison
What you need
An espresso machine, a basket suitable for 18 g, a scale that fits the machine, grinder, timer and comparable cups. Follow machine and basket instructions; use another dose only after redesigning both targets.
The factor you change
Collected beverage yield. A: 18 g in / 36 g out — 1:2. B: 18 g in / 45 g out — 1:2.5.
What to keep consistent
Keep the same beans, 18 g dose, grinder setting, distribution, tamp, temperature setting and pre-infusion convention. Do not adjust grind to force equal shot times. The 93°C entry is a recipe-note starting value, not a measured boiler or puck temperature.
| Plan | A | B |
|---|---|---|
| Dry coffee | 18 g | 18 g |
| Input water / espresso yield | 36 g | 45 g |
| Ratio (dose : water or yield) | 1:2 | 1:2.5 |
| Kettle / machine setpoint note | 93°C | 93°C |
| Grind plan | Your baseline grinder setting | Your baseline grinder setting |
| Duration in recipe template | 30 s — replace with observed time | 30 s — replace with observed time |
These are planned settings. Template durations are editable placeholders, not targets to force or measured results. For espresso the water/yield field means collected espresso; otherwise it means input water.
Setup saves two recipes only, without changing existing recipes, creating brew records or deducting stock. Choose a bean bag and confirm usage separately when recording each brew. Local storage details.
Run the comparison
- Warm the machine consistently and check basket capacity. Choose whether your timer includes pre-infusion and use that convention for both shots.
- Prepare A at 18 g, tare the cup and stop for approximately 36 g final collected beverage. Include post-stop drips in the actual recorded yield.
- Prepare B with the same grinder setting and dose, stopping for about 45 g collected beverage. Record the time it actually takes rather than forcing the 30-second placeholder.
- Stir each espresso, let it reach a comparable tasting temperature and describe concentration, acidity, bitterness and texture separately.
- Repeat with shot order reversed after consistent machine recovery. If either shot channels or the dose/yield target is missed, record the issue and repeat instead of treating it as decisive evidence.
Record what actually happened
Actual dose, final collected yield, timing convention, elapsed time, visible preparation problems and taste. Any water or milk added afterwards belongs in separate notes.
Use the unfilled table below as a prompt. To retain your own observations, download the blank CSV sheet or save A and B as separate brew records in My brews. Text typed into a downloaded file stays in that file; it is not synchronized to the journal.
| Record after brewing | Cup A | Cup B |
|---|---|---|
| Actual dose, water or yield | Your observation | Your observation |
| Actual grinder / setting | Your observation | Your observation |
| Actual time and timing convention | Your observation | Your observation |
| Taste and confidence | Your observation | Your observation |
| Enjoyment and next step | Your observation | Your observation |
This download contains labels and blank observation cells, not fabricated sample outcomes.
Interpret without overclaiming
A 45 g shot is a 1:2.5 ratio at 18 g dose; it is not automatically more pleasant or a measured extraction result. This exercise intentionally leaves strength differences present. A refractometer would add measurements but would not establish personal preference.
What this cannot establish
Machine recovery, channeling and retention can dominate a two-shot pair. This is not Barista Hustle’s multi-shot dilution experiment and does not equalize TDS. Do not infer extraction percentages from time or ratio alone.
Choose the next test
Use the preferred yield as a tentative baseline and repeat it. Investigate grind in a separate test rather than changing dose, yield and grind together.
In the journal, select the actual A and B records and check dates before drawing a conclusion. The paired comparison link uses the latest saved record for each experiment recipe; it is not a statistical test and may select different sessions. A repeated pair with reversed preparation order is more informative than a single cup, but it still describes your coffee and conditions.
References and scope
Barista Hustle: DIY extraction tasting and strength confounds. This reference supplies background, not a validation of BrewLab’s recipe values or proof of any result. The protocol, example settings and record sheet are independently written for this site.
Use stable equipment and handle hot water carefully. Follow brewer and basket capacity instructions. No recipe, taste or date in this guide establishes food safety or equipment suitability.
All six experiment plans →