Help Please: Why would the coffee puck be slanted ?

[Loucypher]

I've noticed that the top of my puck is slanted sometimes, what would cause this, my machine is brand new, I've had it a month.
I just did my first cleaning today (back flush and removal of the shower screen and head to clean), pulled my first shot after the cleaning and the puck was extremely slanted, what would cause this.
I have the Gaggia Classic Pro.

 

[PinkRose]

Hello Loucypher,

I'm not familiar with the Gaggia machine.

Have you tried adjusting the pressure when you use the tamper with the portafilter?

You may be leaning your hand slightly to the side and not using even pressure as you tamp and smooth out the coffee in the filter. If you don't use even, ( straight down) pressure, you will push and pack the grounds unevenly in the portafilter. Then, when you make the coffee, the water will flow unevenly, and you will see the slant or channeling in the puck.

~ Rose

 

[Musicphan]

It's almost certain that it would be your tamp. If there was a lot of coffee stuck to the head than you have a volume issue. I find a portafilter stand to be helpful.

 

[Severuss]

Just adjust the pressure

 

[shadow745]

In addition to the possibility of an unlevel tamp motion, if you are a bit low on the dose there can be a bit too much headspace and the water pressure can cause the puck to shift. Main thing is how was the extraction? Taste and texture what you like? Did it seem to extract fast/channel?

 

[Loucypher]

The slanted puck I was referring to was extremely slanted, I estimate it was about a 10 degree angle, but it really hasn't happened again so maybe it was a one off problem.

 

[Loucypher]

Hmmm, happened again today, I'm using a calibrated tamper now, I took note on the puck after I tamped the coffee and it was pretty level, after the shot it was slanted again, can't figure out what is going on