<p>If the espresso is pouring too fast it most likely means you need to grind finer, not tamp harder.</p>

<p>To avoid channels you first need to make sure your machine's pressure is not too high. 9 bars is the usual pressure, but <a href="https://strivefortone.com/2016/05/18/this-low-pressure-rehash/" rel="nofollow noreferrer">there is evidence that 7 bars will reduce channeling</a>. Many consumer machines come with 12-15 bars of pressure which is simply too high.</p>

<p>Then you need a proper grinder that will have a consistent grind and not produce clumps, otherwise your cake density will not be even.</p>

<p>Your distribution and tamping must be even. Tamping too hard is not necessary. Some people have good results only <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Z5vTi643sc" rel="nofollow noreferrer">using a distributor/leveler and not tamping</a>. Make sure your tamper/leveler matches your basket size exactly. Sometimes you need a +0.5mm or +0.3mm over the written size to actually match your basket.</p>

<p>Finally, make sure your shower and basket do not have obstructed holes. You should use Cafiza regularly to clean your group head, portafilter, etc.</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-05-22T16:43:23.850Z
2019-05-22T16:43:23.850Z
Pier
<p>I've been having issues with my espresso pouring too fast, and I think I'm getting channels (uneven pour, sometimes one side gets blonde then watery pretty quickly). I'm paying a lot of attention to the tamping process, so I'm not sure if this is the problem. That's what I do:</p>

<ul>
<li>make sure the grounds are distributed evenly</li>
<li>tamp evenly to <a href="https://baristahustle.com/blog/how-hard-should-you-tamp/" rel="nofollow noreferrer">maximum density</a></li>
</ul>

<p>I read somewhere that the portafilter should be dry. However, I heat my portafilter in the grouphead, so when I take it out to prepare the coffee there's some condensation in the portafilter so it's not completely dry - any experience with this?</p>

<p>Thanks in advance!</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-04-23T13:06:37.873Z
are you sure the water coming down from the shower head is even?
SaggingRufus
CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-04-27T18:40:49.130Z
Yes pretty sure!
Lisa
<espresso><espresso-machine><tamping>
How to avoid channels when pouring espresso
Lisa
# How to avoid channels when pouring espresso

(Asked by: username_0 on 2019-04-10)

I've been having issues with my espresso pouring too fast, and I think I'm getting channels (uneven pour, sometimes one side gets blonde then watery pretty quickly). I'm paying a lot of attention to the tamping process, so I'm not sure if this is the problem. That's what I do:

* make sure the grounds are distributed evenly
* tamp evenly to [maximum density](https://baristahustle.com/blog/how-hard-should-you-tamp/)

I read somewhere that the portafilter should be dry. However, I heat my portafilter in the grouphead, so when I take it out to prepare the coffee there's some condensation in the portafilter so it's not completely dry - any experience with this?

Thanks in advance!

**Tags:** espresso, espresso-machine, tamping

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: are you sure the water coming down from the shower head is even?  
> **username_0**: Yes pretty sure!  

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## 1 answers

### Answer by username_2 on 2019-05-22. Score: 2

If the espresso is pouring too fast it most likely means you need to grind finer, not tamp harder.

To avoid channels you first need to make sure your machine's pressure is not too high. 9 bars is the usual pressure, but [there is evidence that 7 bars will reduce channeling](https://strivefortone.com/2016/05/18/this-low-pressure-rehash/). Many consumer machines come with 12-15 bars of pressure which is simply too high.

Then you need a proper grinder that will have a consistent grind and not produce clumps, otherwise your cake density will not be even.

Your distribution and tamping must be even. Tamping too hard is not necessary. Some people have good results only [using a distributor/leveler and not tamping](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Z5vTi643sc). Make sure your tamper/leveler matches your basket size exactly. Sometimes you need a +0.5mm or +0.3mm over the written size to actually match your basket.

Finally, make sure your shower and basket do not have obstructed holes. You should use Cafiza regularly to clean your group head, portafilter, etc.


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