Pulling Espresso Shots at Home: A Step-by-Step Guide

You’ve got your espresso machine, a curious mindset, and maybe even a bit of excitement brewing—perfect! Making great coffee at home doesn’t have to be complicated. It might seem a little technical at first, but once you understand the steps, pulling espresso becomes a rewarding ritual. From picking the right beans to tamping evenly and watching that beautiful stream flow into your cup, every part of the process adds up to something delicious. Whether you’re brand new to espresso or refining your technique, this guide will walk you through each step—so you can pull consistent, café-quality shots right from your kitchen. Let’s get started!

Download the FREE Ultimate Espresso Guide for Beginners. 

Click the button below to follow along with my relaxed, beginner-friendly coffee routine. Let’s make great coffee together!

Step 1: The Foundation – Choosing the Right Beans

Before you even think about your espresso machine, it all starts with the beans. Quality coffee beans are the foundation of every good shot—and every bad one too.

Where to Get Your Beans:

• Online Retailers: Perfect for convenience and speed. Look for roasters who clearly display the roast date, not just the expiration date. Freshness matters.
• Your Local Coffee Shop’s (which might haven an online shop as well): Supporting small businesses while getting beans you alredy tasted in their coffe and love? Win-win.
• Grocery Stores: Great for beginners who want to explore different roasts without committing to specialty prices just yet.
• Specialty Coffee Shops: These places usually offer beans with traceable origins and tasting notes. If you’re ready to deep dive into flavor profiles and single-origin roasts, this is the place to go.

☑️ Tip:Check the roast date, not just the packaging. Beans are best used within 1 to 6 weeks of roasting. Want to know more? James Hoffmann (who has worked for more than 20 years in coffee) explains it easy and understandable in this video “A Beginner’s Guide to Buying Great Coffee“.

Step 2: Pre-Warm and Prep

Before you do anything else, turn on your espresso machine. Depending on your model, it may take anywhere from a few minutes to over 30 minutes to fully heat up—so give it time to reach the proper brewing and steaming temperature.

☑️ Tip: Rinse your cup with hot water before brewing. This simple step keeps your espresso hotter for longer and helps preserve its rich, complex flavor. Try it—you’ll taste the difference.

Step 3: Dial In the Dose and Prepare the Puck

Coffee Dose:

• Single shot: ~9g of ground coffee
• Double shot: ~18g of ground coffee

Match your basket size with the amount of coffee you’re using. It may take some experimenting, but consistency is key. Want to know more about how to dial in the right grind size? Read my full blog post here.

Distribute Evenly:

Uneven distribution leads to “channeling,” where water finds the path of least resistance—resulting in uneven extraction. Use your finger or a distribution tool to distribute the grounds in the portafilter basket—especially if channeling occurs or you want to prevent it.

Tamping:

Tamping compresses the coffee grounds, creating the right resistance for pressurized water. The goal? Even pressure across the puck.

☑️ Pro Tip: Try tamping twice. First with a lighter press to settle, then a firm, even press to finish. Unsure if you tamp consistent? Practice on a scale to get the same pressure each time.

Step 4: Pulling the Shot

Now comes the moment of truth.

Time Matters:

• 20 to 30 seconds is the sweet spot for most espresso shots.
• Under 20 seconds? Probably sour, under-extracted, or watery.
• Over 30 seconds? Likely bitter and harsh.

Start your shot and watch carefully. After a few seconds, you should see a smooth stream of espresso flowing out—like warm maple syrup. If it drips inconsistently or shoots out unevenly, it might be time to revisit your grind or tamping technique. Honestly, I still don’t hit the perfect timing every time—but if the shot tastes good and I enjoy it, that’s what really matters.

What Does a Good Espresso Shot Look Like?

• Texture: Smooth, thick, with a golden crema on top
• Flavor: Balanced acidity, full body, not too bitter or sour
• Aroma: Sweet, complex, maybe even a bit fruity or chocolatey depending on your beans

☑️ Remember: every bean behaves a little differently. The more you taste and adjust, the better you’ll get.

Still Thirsty?

Keep learning and exploring! Here are a few more blog posts about everything espresso:

• The Protafilter Machine: A Must-have for Espresso Fans
• Espresso Freshness 101: A Beginner’s Guide to Beans and Proper Storage
• Unlock the Full Flavor of Espresso: The Art of Grind Size and Extraction

Join the Conversation

Already pulled your first espresso? Got questions? Favorite beans? A hack that changed your coffee life? Drop a comment below and share your espresso journey. Let’s build a community of passionate home baristas—one espresso shot at a time.☕✨ Let’s talk espresso!

Images
– Featured Image: Generated with AI (by lyashko.ai on Midjourney)
– You Tube Thumbnail: Taken by me
– Beans, Machine, Coffee Grind, Mug: All taken by me