Espresso machine pressure calibration
Brew pressure drifts as pump wear, OPV springs and scale change the hydraulics. A periodic check against a gauge (or a naked portafilter for a visual read) keeps the machine pulling at the pressure your recipes assume.
What you need
- Naked portafilter recommended for inspection
How to do it
- Follow the machine-specific calibration routine
- Test pressure output at various settings
- Adjust until the actual pressure matches the display
Tips from the bench
Collected from manufacturer guidance and years of home-barista forum wisdom:
- A blind-basket reading and a flowing-shot reading are different numbers. Know which one your target refers to before you turn anything.
- Adjust the OPV in small increments and re-test after each. Chasing a number in big turns is how springs get wound past their range.
HEADS UP
Only on pressure-profiling machines (ACS Vesuvius, etc.).
Never miss this task again
Espremo is a free iPhone app that builds a maintenance schedule for your exact machine — covering 108 models — and taps you on the shoulder when something is due.
Download on the App Store