ShotDialed

Independent notes. Real home espresso.

Better espresso starts with better information.

ShotDialed turns dose, yield, time, water, workflow notes, and cited sources into practical buying guides for home baristas who want better shots.

Home espresso testing bench with machine, grinder, scale, timer, and tasting notes

Shot data

Dose
18.0 g
Yield
36.0 g
Time
28 sec
Water
82 ppm
Result
Balanced

Great all-around shot. Sweet, balanced, clean finish.

Why this exists

Most espresso advice hides the variables. We publish them.

Temperature drift, grinder limits, water scale, steam recovery, workflow friction: these details decide whether a home setup feels brilliant or becomes counter clutter.

Espresso test bench with machine, notes, scale, and tasting setup
8 years of home espresso ownership, repairs, and dial-in notes behind Marco Reyes' point of view.
5 checks used when we evaluate gear: repeatability, steam, workflow, maintenance, and value.
Clear sourcing because manufacturer claims are cited as inputs, not treated as final verdicts.

Start with your problem

Choose the guide closest to the shot in front of you.

Shot card

Every recommendation carries the variables.

We keep the working variables visible because advice without dose, yield, time, water, and workflow context is hard to trust.

Espresso tools and product reference contact sheet

Our signature component

Dose
18.5 g
Yield
37.0 g
Time
31 sec
Water
74 ppm
Result
Corrected

Example note: started sour and fast at 22 sec; two grinder steps finer pulled it into a sweet, clean finish.

  • Measured inputsDose, water, grinder, and puck prep.
  • Measured outputYield, time, texture, and repeatability.
  • Clear verdictWho should buy, skip, or wait.

How we test

A small lab routine for real kitchens.

Espresso machine water and maintenance testing setup
CoffeeSingle-origin Ethiopia, natural
Dose range16-20 g across repeated shots
Water profile82 ppm with strip checks
Scale accuracy0.1 g repeatable reads
Shots tested5 per setting before scoring
Scoring0-100 across eight categories

Latest guides

Field notes, turned into decisions.

All guides
ShotDialed emblem: portafilter pulling a shot

Where to start

Dial in your next shot.

Start with the beginner roadmap, change one variable at a time, and let the measured notes do the arguing. That is the whole method.