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Paddle (brew paddle)
A lever-style flow control built into the group on machines like the Slayer, Kees van der Westen Speedster and La Marzocco Strada MP.
Category: Espresso Machine — Groups & Brew Path
A manual flow-control lever on some saturated-group machines (La Marzocco Strada, Slayer, some Rocket models) that lets the barista vary water flow during the shot. Different from the E61 lever — paddles control flow continuously, not just on/off.
Why it matters — Paddle groups give baristas live flow profiling control. You can start gentle, ramp up, peak, then taper — shaping the extraction curve in real time. Different paddle positions during a shot produce noticeably different cups.
Good to know
- Paddle technique is a learned skill — most paddle owners spend the first few months pulling shots learning what each position does.
- Common paddle-machine workflow: gentle pre-infusion (paddle at 1–2 o'clock), ramp to full pressure (3 o'clock), then taper at the end.