Inconsistent shot times

Same dose, same grind, same machine — different shot times every pull.

Category: Common Faults & Symptoms

Same beans, same grind setting, same dose, same machine — but the shot time varies noticeably from pull to pull.

Why it matters — Inconsistency is the #1 frustration for home baristas. It almost always traces back to puck preparation: how evenly the grounds are distributed and tamped.

Good to know

First check: dose variation. Weigh in, weigh out, every shot.
Then puck prep — use WDT, level the bed, tamp evenly. If those are dialled and shots still vary, look at grinder retention or a failing pump as the next suspects.