When I first started using my Breville (or Sage) espresso machine at home, I imagined making a perfect single shot would be as easy as making a double shot and simply halving the amount of coffee. I couldn't have been more wrong. Like many other home baristas, I found myself confused and frustrated by the challenge of dialing in a great single shot. Get a detailed look at the precision and features in our Breville Dual Boiler BES920XL review
The machine came with two different filter baskets—one for single shots and another for double shots. Pulling a double shot was relatively straightforward, but perfecting a single shot turned out to be an entirely different beast. It wasn't just about reducing the dose. It demanded more precision, patience, and a different approach entirely. Learn about the sleek design and functionality in our Breville Barista Touch Impress review
Understanding the Difference Between Single and Double Baskets
One of the first things I noticed was the unique shape difference between the single and double baskets. The double basket has a flat bottom, providing a larger and more even surface area for the coffee grounds, while the single basket has a tapered, conical design. This might seem like a minor difference, but it has a profound impact on the way water flows through the coffee. Compare performance and usability in our Breville Barista Express Impress vs Pro review
The conical design of the single basket often causes water to flow through the coffee grounds unevenly, resulting in "channeling." Channeling is when the water finds the path of least resistance, which means some parts of the coffee puck get over-extracted while others get under-extracted. The result? An espresso shot that lacks the rich, full flavor you get from a double shot. Discover the key differences between these two models in our Breville Barista Pro vs Express review
Whenever I compared the taste of a single shot to that of a double shot split into two cups, the double shot always had a more balanced and fuller flavor. The single basket, on the other hand, seemed to pull shots that were inconsistent—sometimes sour, other times bitter. It was clear that to get a good shot from the single basket, I needed to experiment and refine my technique. Explore the advanced capabilities in our Breville Oracle vs Oracle Touch review
Fine-Tuning Your Technique with the Single Basket
Despite the challenges, I was determined to master the single basket. Through trial and error, I learned a few key techniques that made all the difference in pulling consistent and tasty single shots. Here’s what worked for me:
Increase the Coffee Dose
My initial approach to using the single basket was to simply use half the amount of coffee that I used in the double basket. If I used 18 grams for a double shot, I thought 9 grams would suffice for a single. However, this consistently resulted in shots that pulled too quickly and tasted flat.
After reading some advice online and talking to fellow home baristas, I decided to increase the dose to 10 grams instead of 9. This small change made a significant improvement. The higher dose provided better resistance against the water, leading to a slower extraction that brought out more complexity and depth of flavor in the espresso. Suddenly, my single shots had character—they were richer, with more body, and less of that weak, watered-down taste.
Adjust the Grind Size
Another important factor I had to tackle was grind size. When I first tried using the single basket, the shots pulled far too quickly, indicating that the grind was too coarse. The conical design of the basket makes it more prone to channeling, so a finer grind is often needed to ensure the water extracts evenly through the entire puck.
I adjusted my grinder a couple of notches finer than what I used for a double shot. This small adjustment had an immediate positive effect—the shot time slowed down, and the taste balance improved noticeably. It was no longer overly sour or bitter. Instead, I started tasting the nuanced flavors that I wanted in my espresso.
Use a Scale and Stick to a 1:2 Brew Ratio
One of the most useful tips for improving consistency with the single basket is to use a scale and aim for a 1:2 brew ratio. For every gram of coffee, I aimed for two grams of liquid espresso. With my 10-gram dose, I pulled around 20 grams of espresso.
This ratio worked well to avoid weak or overly diluted shots. It also made sure that my shots were properly extracted—not too short, not too long. With the single basket, keeping a close eye on the brew ratio was crucial to consistently getting a well-balanced shot.
Don’t Forget to Purge the Grinder
Another important lesson I learned was to always purge the grinder when switching between the single and double baskets. Adjusting the grind size to dial in the single basket meant that old grounds in the grinder could still affect the next shot’s consistency. Purging a small amount of coffee after each grind adjustment ensured I had fresh grounds suited to my desired grind size, resulting in a more consistent and flavorful shot.
The Challenges and Rewards of the Single Basket
Using the single basket turned out to be much more challenging than using the double basket. The narrow, tapered design of the single basket made dialing in the perfect shot a labor of love. It required more careful attention to dosing, grind size, and extraction time. At first, this level of precision was frustrating, and I often wondered if it was worth the trouble.
However, after putting in the time to fine-tune my technique, the rewards started to show. Single shots became less intimidating, and I could finally pull clean, flavorful espresso shots that worked beautifully in milk-based drinks like lattes or cappuccinos. I found that the single shot allowed for a more delicate coffee flavor, which sometimes worked better in milk-based beverages where I didn't want the coffee to dominate the milk.
For those who enjoy milk drinks with a lighter coffee flavor or want a smaller dose of espresso, experimenting with the single basket is absolutely worth it. It’s a journey that takes patience, but it will ultimately make you a better barista—one who understands the nuances of extraction and how even the smallest adjustments can impact the final shot.
Tips for Success When Using the Single Basket
To summarize, here are a few practical tips that helped me get the most out of my single basket:
- Increase the Dose: Use about 10 grams of coffee, instead of just halving the dose for a double shot.
- Fine-Tune the Grind Size: Go finer with your grind to slow the water flow and promote even extraction.
- Use a Scale and Brew Ratio: Aim for a 1:2 brew ratio to maintain consistency and ensure a well-balanced shot.
- Purge the Grinder: Clear out old grounds after adjusting the grind size to avoid inconsistencies.
Final Thoughts
Using the single basket with a Breville or Sage espresso machine can be tricky at first, especially due to the conical shape of the basket, which requires specific tweaks to the dose, grind size, and extraction method. However, with persistence and experimentation, it is entirely possible to pull a delicious, balanced single shot.
Mastering the single basket has not only helped me improve my espresso-making skills but also made me a more observant and adaptable home barista. The attention to detail required for a good single shot has enhanced my appreciation for the craft of espresso, and I’m confident it will do the same for you.
Happy brewing!
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Why does the single basket have a conical shape?
A: The conical shape of the single basket is designed to accommodate a smaller amount of coffee. However, this design also makes the flow of water through the coffee puck less even, which can lead to uneven extraction if not properly managed.
Q: How much coffee should I use for a single shot?
A: For a single shot, I recommend using about 10 grams of coffee. This is slightly more than simply halving the amount used for a double shot, but it helps provide better resistance for water flow and results in a more flavorful shot.
Q: How do I prevent channeling with the single basket?
A: To prevent channeling, use a finer grind size and ensure the coffee grounds are distributed evenly and tamped with consistent pressure. Purging the grinder after adjusting the grind size can also help maintain consistency.
Q: Is it worth using the single basket over the double basket?
A: It depends on your preferences. The single basket is more challenging to dial in, but it can yield a delicate, clean shot that works well for milk-based drinks. If you enjoy experimenting and want a lighter espresso flavor, it's worth perfecting the single basket.
Q: Should I use a different brew ratio for single shots?
A: The 1:2 brew ratio works well for single shots as well as double shots. For a single shot, aim for twice the weight in liquid espresso compared to the ground coffee dose. This ratio helps achieve a balanced extraction without over or under-extracting the coffee.