Adjusting to your own machine and coffee grinder

Measure, taste, and make targeted corrections

Barista Focus from €179

Personal explanation from Geert-Jan

Learn to adjust coffee grinders and espresso machines together

A good espresso is not made by simply adjusting the grind setting. The coffee grinder, dosage, amount of espresso, extraction time, coffee beans, and your actions all influence what you taste. During this private barista workshop at home, you will learn to adjust your coffee grinder and espresso machine as a single system.

Geert-Jan will work with you at your home, using the semi-automatic espresso machine and coffee grinder you use daily. You will make several espressos, measure the most important values, taste the result, and adjust one component at a time. This way, you will see what a finer or coarser grind actually changes.

The workshop is not about one grind setting that always works. You will learn a fixed working method that will allow you to adjust new coffee beans later on and to correct a sour, bitter, thin, or too-slow-running espresso yourself.

Espresso-extractie uit een Sage Barista Express Impress in een shotglas tijdens een workshop over crema body en koffiekeuze

You change the grind setting, but your espresso keeps changing

A different grind size can change the brewing time, but it doesn't automatically solve every taste problem. When dosing, espresso yield, and preparation methods also vary, it remains difficult to determine what makes an espresso taste better or worse.

  • Your espresso runs too fast or much too slow

    The water runs through the coffee in a few seconds, or the espresso only drips out of the machine. You adjust the coffee grinder, but you don't know how much to adjust and when to stop.

  • Sour, bitter, and watery alternate

    The flow rate sometimes seems reasonable, but the taste remains unbalanced. Without fixed dosing and espresso yield, it's hard to see which variable is causing the problem.

  • New coffee beans bring you back to square one

    An institution that worked with the previous coffee gives a different result with a new bean. Therefore, you don't just want to receive one recipe, but learn how to systematically adjust each new coffee.
Request a personal quote
Geert-Jan helpt een thuisbarista de koffiemolen en espressomachine afstellen tijdens een privé workshop aan huis

How do you properly match a coffee grinder and an espresso machine?

Start with a fixed dosage and measure how much espresso flows out of the machine in a certain amount of time. Taste the result and then change one variable, usually the grind size. During the workshop, you will learn how to use these measurements and taste to determine whether the grind needs to be finer or coarser and when the dose or espresso yield needs attention. This is about operational adjustment and extraction, not technical repair or internal modification of the machine.

For whom is this adjustment workshop relevant?

For home baristas with a functioning semi-automatic espresso machine and an integrated or separate coffee grinder. The training is suitable for beginners with a new machine, as well as experienced users who still struggle with inconsistent extractions or want to better understand their settings.

Key Details

  • Private workshop at your home
  • Barista Focus approximately 90 minutes
  • Barista Master approximately 120 minutes
  • one to five participants within the same workshop price
  • from €179
  • personal total price upfront
  • training on your own functioning machine and coffee grinder
  • not a repair service

Why a fixed adjustment method yields more than arbitrary adjustments

If you change the grind size, coffee quantity, and extraction time simultaneously, you won't be able to determine afterwards which adjustment improved the result. As a result, dialling in costs a lot of coffee beans, and it remains difficult to replicate a good shot.

A fixed dial-in method gives you a reliable starting point. You dose consistently, measure the amount of espresso, and keep track of the extraction time. Then you taste whether the espresso is sour, bitter, thin, heavy, or balanced. Based on that, you change one component and compare again.

This method is also important when you open a new bag of coffee beans. The correct setting is not a permanent number on the coffee grinder. Therefore, during the workshop, you will not only learn what the grinder setting should be today, but more importantly, how to arrive at a usable setting yourself later on.

The goal is not one perfect grind setting, but to be able to independently determine what your next adjustment should be.

Geert-Jan de Baristaman legt tijdens een privé barista training thuis uit hoe je koffie zet met de eigen espressomachine.

This is how we set up your coffee grinder and espresso machine

We'll start with your current settings and then gradually build a measurable and repeatable espresso routine.

Request a personal quote

1. We map out your current setup and working methods

We'll look at which semi-automatic espresso machine and coffee grinder you use, how long you've been using them, and what challenges you face. You'll show us how you normally grind, dose, tamp, and brew your espresso. Then we'll make a first espresso as a baseline measurement. We'll look at dosing, espresso yield, extraction time, and taste. This way, we don't start with random settings, but with a concrete picture of what's happening now. Small user errors or unclear steps will become immediately apparent. Technical repairs and internal machine adjustments are not covered in the workshop.

2. We always adjust one variable at a time

Next, we brew and taste several espressos. You'll learn what happens when the grind becomes finer or coarser and how this relates to resistance and extraction time. We keep dosing and espresso yield as constant as possible, so that the effect of the adjustment becomes visible and palpable. If the espresso runs too fast, too slow, or tastes sour, bitter, or thin, we discuss the logical next step. You perform the actions yourself. This means the workshop is not just a demonstration, but you get to practice directly with the machine and coffee grinder you'll be using daily afterwards.

3. You build a routine that you can repeat yourself

What to do at step 3?
Geert-Jan helpt een thuisbarista de koffiemolen en espressomachine afstellen tijdens een privé workshop aan huis

What you can do yourself after the adjustment workshop

You can recognize when a shot is off

You will learn to link an espresso that is too fast, too slow, sour, bitter, or watery to measurable values and a logical next step.

Geert-Jan de Baristaman begeleidt een deelnemer tijdens een privé barista workshop aan huis bij espresso-extractie op de eigen espressomachine.

What you can do yourself after the adjustment workshop

You work with your own equipment

All operations are performed on the semi-automatic espresso machine and coffee grinder you use daily at home. You no longer have to translate from a training machine to your own kitchen.

Thuisbarista plaatst roze espressokopjes van 60 ml onder pistonmachine van Philips, Gaggia of Krups. Deze handgemaakte kopjes zijn stapelbaar, beschermen de cremalaag en passen perfect bij machines met stoompijpje.

What you can do yourself after the adjustment workshop

You can readjust later

When you open other coffee beans or if the espresso starts to flow differently, you have a fixed sequence to return to a usable grind setting and extraction.

Request a personal quote

Choose the workshop variant that suits your adjustment question

"Wat bieden wij?"

For home baristas who want to better understand their own setup

This workshop is suitable if you use a semi-automatic espresso machine with an integrated coffee grinder or a semi-automatic machine with a separate coffee grinder. Both beginners and experienced home baristas can participate. You can attend the workshop alone, with your partner, family, or a small group. One to five participants fall within the same workshop price. More participants mean less individual practice time within the same duration.

Because the machine, grinder, coffee beans, and brewing method together determine the result

Here's why you should get this offer:
Deelnemers oefenen samen met hun eigen espressomachine tijdens een privé barista workshop in de keuken thuis.

Duration, starting price and personalized total price

Barista Focuslasts approximately 90 minutes and is available from €179

Barista Masterlasts approximately 120 minutes and is available from €219.

These starting prices apply to locations in Utrecht with a limited travel distance from Geert-Jan's departure address; the final price depends on the variant, workshop location, travel distance, and practical feasibility. One to five participants are included in the same workshop price. The total price communicated in advance includes VAT, preparation, materials, travel time and costs, any parking fees, the workshop, the standard follow-up email, and post-workshop communication for brief questions or clarifications.

Request a personalized price

After your request, you will receive a personal message about the suitable workshop variant, total price, and available times. Upon agreement, you will receive the definitive confirmation and payment link.

Inventory of machine, coffee grinder, beans, and current workflow

Measuring, tasting, comparing and specifically correcting espressos

Learning to assess grind size, dosage, espresso yield, and extraction time

Closing email, downloads, and brief personal follow-up questions
💬 Bespreek je hulpvraag via WhatsApp

What coffee lovers say

4.93 ★ (166)
Verified

Here you'll find the most important practical answers regarding suitable equipment, the two workshop variants, prices, and participating with multiple people or machines.

Frequently asked questions about adjusting a coffee grinder and espresso machine

What does it mean to calibrate a coffee grinder and espresso machine?

During the workshop, you will adjust the espresso extraction and daily workflow. You will work with a fixed dosage, measure how much espresso comes out of the machine, keep track of the extraction time, and taste the result. Afterwards, you will learn to determine whether the coffee grinder needs to be finer or coarser and when another adjustment is necessary. This is not about internal technical calibration, repair, PID adjustments, or modifications to the boiler or machine.

Which espresso machine and coffee grinder are suitable?

You need a functioning semi-automatic espresso machine with an integrated coffee grinder, or a functioning semi-automatic machine with a separate coffee grinder. For example:

  • Sage, QuickMill, La Marzocco, ECM, Vibiemme, DeLonghi, and other semi-automatic machines.

The workshop is not suitable for fully automatic machines, capsule machines, pod machines, machines used exclusively with pre-ground coffee, machines without a steam wand, manual lever machines, or defective equipment. Please state the brand and model of your machine and coffee grinder in your application.

Should I choose Barista Focus or Barista Master for a dial-in issue?

We're here to make things easy for you! Your first step to getting the right size is checking out our size chart. It's got all the info you need to measure yourself and find your perfect fit. We also provide extra details on each product page, like the model's size and fit descriptions. If you're still not sure, our team is always happy to help. Just send us a message!

What does the in-home workshop cost?

Barista Focusis available from €179 and Barista Masterfrom €219. These starting prices apply to locations in Utrecht with a limited travel distance from Geert-Jan's departure address. You will always receive a personal total price in advance based on the variant, location, travel distance, and practical feasibility. The total price includes VAT, preparation, materials, travel time and costs, any parking fees, the workshop, the standard follow-up email, and brief communication afterwards.

Can I participate with multiple people or espresso machines?

One to five participants fall within the same workshop price. Invitees may bring their own suitable espresso machine to the applicant's home. The workshop duration will not automatically be extended as a result: the available attention and practice time will be divided among all participants and machines. A group of more than five people must be discussed in advance and usually receives a customized setup and quote.

I have another question...

You can contact Geert-Jan the Barista here

Private help with adjusting espresso and coffee grinders on your own machine

The private adjustment workshop is primarily given in Utrecht, Central Netherlands and surrounding parts of the Randstad. Other locations are possible in consultation. Geert-Jan assesses each request based on travel distance, accessibility and practical feasibility. You will always receive a personalized total price before confirmation.

For the workshop, you need to have a functioning semi-automatic espresso machine and an integrated or separate coffee grinder ready. Preferably, make sure you have at least 250 grams of the coffee beans you normally use. Furthermore, a suitable tamper, milk jug, cups, cleaning cloths, about two square meters of workspace, a power outlet and running water in the immediate vicinity are required. If you also opt for frothing milk, have at least one liter of chilled milk ready.

Geert-Jan brings, among other things, Aficionado coffee beans, a precision scale, shot glass, various barista tools, cleaning agents and the theoretical presentation. Afterwards, you will receive an extensive follow-up email with Barista Basics, downloads, maintenance information and extra home barista help. You can also ask short questions about the settings covered during the workshop in the first few weeks.

View the full workshop setup.

Request your personal quote.

Read more about espresso flow time.

View adjustment checklists per brand.

Request a personal quoteView the full workshop setup

Others also view

☕ Adjusting coffee grinder and espresso machine at your home

Does your espresso consistently run too fast or too slow, does the taste keep changing, or do you not know which grind setting to choose? During this private home barista workshop, you will learn to adjust your coffee grinder, coffee beans, and semi-automatic espresso machine as one system.

You will work with your own equipment and learn to assess dosage, espresso yield, extraction time, and taste step by step. You choose between Barista Focus for a specific adjustment question and Barista Master for the complete workshop route.