Wet Puck/ Machine Questions

[NOLA26]

I am new to the home espresso making. I recently bought a DeLonghi Stilosa machine. Along with the machine, I purchased a bottomless portafilter, tamper, needle stirrer, and dosing funnel. I also just got a burr grinder. I was able to produce a somewhat decent shot after I got the grinder and figured out the grind setting I needed. My question: After I stop the extraction process on the machine, I let the last few drops fall from the portafilter. When I remove the portafilter from the machine, the puck is very wet, sometimes even having water on top of the grounds. From what I've read this is not how its supposed to work, but I can't figure out how the remaining water is supposed to get pushed through the puck if I stopped the pump. Is this the way my machine is supposed to work since its a manual process? Am I missing something?

 

[shadow745]

Keep in mind there's lots of variables that affect that and there simply is no certain way a machine is 'supposed' to function. Main factor being some machines are equipped with a 3-way solenoid that channels that excess pressure to the drip tray so extractions can be done much faster if needed. It also really depends on coffee freshness, grind fineness, dose volume as in puck density/height, etc. For example, if your optimal dose for a certain coffee/grind fineness is 18 grams and you use 18.5 there's less headspace and the puck might be a bit more dry due to water flow resistance. If you dose 17.5 there's more headspace and that will tend to give more surface area to become soupy. Main thing is if you like the taste/texture don't get caught up thinking every step has to be a certain way based on what you read/watch as there are no real rules for espresso, just finding what appeals to you and repeat.

 

[NOLA26]

Thanks, I am getting better results the more I play with it.
I just wanted to see if the puck was supposed to be wet in this machine since I'm using a non pressurized portafilter and there is no solenoid. Basically I wanted to maked sure there wasn't something I was doing wrong that left a wet puck.

 

[shadow745]

Thanks, I am getting better results the more I play with it.
I just wanted to see if the puck was supposed to be wet in this machine since I'm using a non pressurized portafilter and there is no solenoid. Basically I wanted to maked sure there wasn't something I was doing wrong that left a wet puck.

How about basket type? Some designs use a pressurized basket or portafilter to accomplish the same result. A standard basket will have an open bottom in which all holes can be seen thru, whereas a pressurized basket tends to have 1 or a few holes on the bottom.

 

[NOLA26]

It came with a pressurized portafilter, but I purchased an open portafilter.

 

[mjcmt]

Not uncommon to have a wet-ish puck if you remove portafilter immediately after brewing. If water absorbs into puck right a way not too much of an issue.
Still having wet pucks w/ standard portafilter? Could be ground too fine or filled basket too full. You could tweak these parameters. Otherwise don't worry about it IMO.

 

[Noah_da_Roastah]

Shadow is on it with the most common cause of pooling water. Make sure the basket size of your open portafilter is in line with the amount of coffee you're using. I.E. 18g of coffee in a 20g basket leaves excess headroom which results in standing water at the end of the brew.

Muddy pucks can also be a result of an overly fine grind. What grinder are you using, what coffee are you using, and what recipe are you using for your espresso?