Pre-infusion time

The duration of the gentle, low-pressure puck-saturation phase before the machine ramps to full brew pressure.

Why it matters — Longer pre-infusion gives the puck more time to fully wet, resist channelling, and settle. Shorter pre-infusion gets to flow faster, which suits some traditional espresso recipes and some darker roasts.

Good to know

• 5–8 seconds is a common starting point for most modern espresso.
• Light roasts and very fresh coffee usually benefit from 10–15 seconds of pre-infusion.