Introduction

If your shots are taking the right amount of time (~25 to 40 seconds), but the volume of espresso in your cup is too high or too low, this article is for you. 

If your shots are giving the correct amount of volume (e.g., 18 grams of coffee in, 36 grams of liquid espresso out), but they are taking too little or too much time (less than ~25 or more than ~40 seconds), check out our content on How to Dial in Your Grind.

Table of Contents

1. Adjusting Volumetric Dosing
2. Why this happens
3. What you need
4. The Quick Fix Option
5. Full Calibration Steps
   1. Step 1: Turn Auto Stop OFF
   2. Step 2: Pull one "perfect" shot using a scale
   3. Step 3: Turn Auto Stop back ON (Volume)
   4. Step 4: Pull one automatic shot and weigh it
   5. Step 5: Calculate the correction
   6. Step 6: Enter the correction
   7. Step 7: Test again
6. Tips for best results

Adjusting Volumetric Dosing

If your shots are coming out much shorter or longer than expected, recalibrate the machine’s volumetric dosing. You’ll use a scale once to teach the machine the correct amount, then it will return to automatic operation.

Why This Happens

Series 1 stops shots based on water flow, not weight. That’s fast and convenient, but sometimes the estimate is a bit off, so the machine may stop early (small shots) or late (large shots).

What You Need

1. A coffee scale
2. Your normal coffee setup (same dose, grind, puck prep)

The Quick Fix Option

If you don't have time to go through the entire calibration process further down, or you notice that your shot volume is significantly off-target (think 15-20 grams), it may be worth giving the steps below a shot. 

1. From the main menu, go to Settings → Customization → Nerdy Settings → Scroll to VOLUMETRIC OFFSETS
2. Here, you'll see three offset options:
   1. 1st Offset, which should be 48ml by default
   2. 2nd Offset, which should be 44ml by default
   3. Nth Offset, which should also be 44ml by default
3. Add 20 ml to each offset:
   1. 1st Offset: 48ml → 68ml
   2. 2nd Offset: 44ml → 64ml
   3. Nth Offset: 44ml → 64ml

We find that after completing these, customers will be within range, or close enough to it to dial the rest of the way in with their grinder. For a more fine-tuned option, continue on to the full calibration steps. 

Full Calibration Steps

Step 1: Turn Auto Stop OFF

• Go to Settings → Customization → Brew → Brew Stop in the main menu
• Set to Off

Now the machine won't stop automatically—you'll stop it manually.

Step 2: Pull one "perfect" shot using a scale

1. Prepare your shot as usual
2. Put a scale under the cup and tare it
3. Start the shot
4. Manually stop it when you reach your target weight

Example profiles:

• Fellow Medium Roast: 18 grams in → 36 grams out (most common, and the default profile on your Series 1)
• Fellow Light Roast: 18 grams in → 45 grams out
• Fellow Dark Roast: 18 grams in → 27 grams out

Adjust your grind if needed so the shot time is normal (about 25–40 seconds).

Step 3: Turn Auto Stop back ON (Volume)

1. Return to Settings → Customization → Auto Stop in the main menu
2. Set to Volume

Step 4: Pull one automatic shot and weigh it

• Do not change anything
• Let the machine stop on its own
• Weigh the result

Write down the following:

• Your target weight (e.g., 36 g for medium roast)
• The actual weight you got

Step 5: Calculate the correction

Formula: Correction = Target − Actual

Examples:

• Target 36 g, got 33 g → correction +3 ml
• Target 36 g, got 39 g → correction −3 ml

Step 6: Enter the correction

• Go to Settings → Customization → Nerdy Settings → Scroll to VOLUMETRIC OFFSETS
• You will need to add your number to what is already set out of the box. Series 1 defaults are:
  • 1st offset default = 48
  • 2nd offset default = 44
  • Nth offset default = 44
• So for example, if your result is 18, your new offsets would be:
  • 1st offset default = 66
  • 2nd offset default = 62
  • Nth offset default = 62

Step 7: Test again

Pull another shot and weigh it. If it’s still slightly off, repeat with a smaller adjustment.
 

Tips for best results

• Calibrate only after your grind is dialed in. Espresso typically requires a very fine grind; check your specific grinder for its espresso settings.
• Use your normal coffee dose (don’t run water-only shots). The most common is 18 grams.
• Typical espresso shots should take about 25–40 seconds

Need More Help? 

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