I don’t tamp it down really hard, and I use a little coarser grind

I ended up with a relatively fine grind and only lightly tamping it to keep the flow moving evenly while still keeping the shot dark and strong

I am still trying to figure out the right grind but think that something between sugar and sand consistency works

If you use a more coarse grind it will not tamp tight

A normal portafilter needs a fine grind and hard tamp to create some pressure that helps cook the espresso, extracting oils and creating that extra special flavor

Now it doesn’t have enough pressure to brew a double shot and is very slow to brew a single, even with a coarser grind

It doesn't generate enough pressure to get through fine ground espresso and with coarse ground it comes out too watery.

Close to 9 months of use, average of 10-15 espresso and espresso drinks per day, still going strong, good espresso (with a correct grind), good frothed milk

The grinds are not fine and it’s just crap

I tried everything - fine grind, extra fine grind, medium grind, tamp down, no tamping down, very firm tamping down - nothing worked.

Use fresh ground coffee and you will see.

It doesn't generate enough pressure to get through fine ground espresso and with coarse ground it comes out too watery.

I grind my coffee beans on medium setting primarily, and add about 10 seconds of fine grind, and this seems to work

Does it’s job, getting a good grind is key to making a good shot, and also measuring it (1oz per shot)

I recommend a good quality fine ground for the best flavor

I still have to get my coffee beans ground at 1 notch more corse than espresso, however I've had a trusty coffee/spice grinder that gets a perfect grind every time (and its also cheap and over 8 years old).I'm pretty sure my last move (across 3 states) was the reason it has now started to leak, and I'm sad that I will one day have to part with it

Then when you’ve used up those grinds, get coarsely ground next time

I just don't pack those as tight and ask for fine ground but not super-fine

It's nice that you can use pods or loose grind

It's like the fine grind clogged it

It works well with loose ground coffee

Don’t tamp fine grinds, Tamp coarse grinds only a little.- stick your empty steaming pitcher in the freezer- Place 2 shot glasses under the portafilter and run the shots (this machine does not make espresso strong enough for one shot to be

If it dribbles at all you’ve burnt the espresso, try again with a coarse grind and don’t do anything to compact the coffee (tamping, tapping, etc).- Flip to steam, get your milk into the cold pitcher

Rather than "blowing out" the side of the gasket as the tamp is too dense or the grind is too fine, this machine will simply sit and hold a certain amount of pressure

I was using Espresso grind when it should be 'fine grind' at finest

I have tried only fine grind and light tamping but the machine can struggle with this.4

For $40 I bought a large coffee grinder than grinds several types of grinds (very fine to just course)

I have used both coffee ground for espresso as well as ground fine to see which would work

I have tried only fine grind and light tamping but the machine can struggle with this.4

As long as you don’t overthink it, and read the manual, and don’t try to improve further with finer grinds and milk microfoaming technique

Put coffee ground specifically for expresso machines (meaning very fine ground) in the expresso coffee brewer device (using the long handle to lock it into place)

This unit also processes the simple "Pods" (similar to tea bags but stronger) so I ordered a sampler through Amazon & am getting great performance from brewing that style of espresso as well as the regular loose espresso grinds

I've been using pre-ground espresso beans while I get the hang of the machine, but am excited to try better, fresh ground beans soon

The only thing you have to do is decide whether you prefer pods or loose grind; it takes both

but apparently De'Longhi machines dont take "expresso" ground coffees.... too fine and wont go thru

Took a bit of trial and error to figure out the correct grind and amount to get my coffee the way I like, but now that I've gotten closer, I'm really liking this machine

Some specs I couldn't find in the description: - single shot basket holds 7g, double holds ~12 g - tamper size should be 51mmPros: - quick, easy to use - relatively consistentCons: - can only adjust time factor when trying to brew your own espresso - autofrother requires different technique than a regular steam wand - double shot basket is too small