I've had my used v5 Rancillio for over a year now and received the stock baskets (I never touched) and another basket that the previous owner said was a precision basket, but it is unmarked. It's hard to tell if it is or not, but had been getting pretty decent and consistent shots with it. Regardless, I home roast coffee and since consistency and types of beans are always varying, I figured I needed to make some upgrades to get the most of it.
I recently purchased a new E&B basket, ridgeless 16/18g with the nanotech coating. I purchased an IMS shower screen (non-E&B) and am waiting for that to arrive and will replace the stock one. I also just purchased a new-in-box Baratza Forte AP for $300!! (It replaced a refurbished Baratza Virtuoso+.) So I spent some time dialing in the new Forte but found that their recommended espresso grind setting (2K) was the best.
I am using ALDI whole beans to troubleshoot, so they probably aren't the freshest beans (no dates) but are cheap and are an actual medium roast. I am loading up 17g, using a leveler, WDT and a calibrated tamper. I still get channelling and wet pucks (super annoying even with NT coating) even with a shot output at 40g +-3 in <30s. Espresso is not very enjoyable either.
Any suggestions before I dump this new basket?
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