I have ~3min usually a bit less. That’s how long the machine takes to reach brew heat. Taste tells me not to bother about heating a bottomless portafilter.
So turn it on. Weigh the beans. Stick them in Niche. Get the grinds as level as I can in the portafilter. Tap them down. 2 slope leveller. I did try 3 slope but threw it away. Messed up pours more than a 2 slope does. Then tamp. Machine is ready. I don’t rush.
No grinds stirring. Part down to using monsooned as it would make firm clumps also due to using fixed 30sec shots. Consistently stirring the same amount is tricky and anything I do to grinds changes the output.
I use the same style can for beans in use as @DavecUK uses and vented for the rest either in the fridge or freezer when they have conditioned.
Pours. I’m using a double style basket with 12 to 13g of grinds in it. Same style as the 15g VST really. At 12g Niches is set at ~5. :) Currently deciding on weight but keep it to the same 0.1g reading. Looks like a bit short of 13 will win. Me thinks the roaster has changed their source of beans. They do now and again but not very often.
