Every home barista is unique. Some are all about picking up the latest equipment, ever finding new ways to optimise their morning brew routine. Others are more interested in the ritual of it all, leaning on the same simple pieces of equipment that have kept them company for the past few years of their lives. Many fall somewhere in the middle.
No matter where you fall on that spectrum, you’ve likely come across the idea of brewing by weight before, which uses an espresso scale connected to home coffee machines. There are many available, but there’s really only one question:
Is the brew-by-weight method with a connected scale worth investing in for your at-home coffees?
The answer varies depending on where you find yourself on that spectrum of what we’ll call ‘brew optimisation’. Essentially, how intense and intentional do you want to get about the coffee you make every day?
Let’s find out if the brew-by-weight approach, and a digital coffee scale, is right for you.
What is the Brew-by-Weight method?
In general, the ‘brew-by-weight’ method is an approach to pulling a shot of coffee that uses weight as the metric rather than time. You can technically achieve this with or without a connected scale, but baristas in-café and at-home tend to choose a connected espresso scale as it achieves the best results.
For example, we at La Marzocco have a tailor-made Brew-by-Weight system built into one of our most popular home coffee machines, the Linea Mini. This uses a digital coffee scale connected via Bluetooth to the machine. Once you grind, dose, tamp, and fit your shot, the scale measures the output into the waiting cup, telling the machine to stop the second the shot reaches your ideal weight.
Why use weight rather than time to pull a shot?
Honestly? It’s down to the barista.
Going by weight is an excellent way to account for the variability in each shot you pull. The distribution or tamping shot-to-shot can vary widely despite best efforts and careful practice. That means relying on timed shots can occasionally invite the acidic notes of overextraction, or even the bitter tones of under-extraction, into your cup.
But weight measures the shot purely on output. It’s not about the flow rate of the water through the coffee, so it can’t be thrown off as easily by an over-tamped puck slowing the flow of water. The amount of espresso that ends up in the cup, measured by a connected espresso scale, determines the end of the shot.
This makes brew-by-weight the preferred method for at-home baristas who want to get the absolute most out of their home coffee machines. An espresso scale and a little extra knowledge about the best weight for different espresso shots arm you with all the information you need to dial in your shot just that much closer to perfection.
The core question: is the investment, and the method, right for how you brew?
Is Brew-by-Weight right for you?
Brew-by-Weight is not for you if:
· You’re happy with how your shots pour now.
· You’re not keen on investing in a new piece of equipment just yet, or something else takes priority for you right now.
· You don’t have one of the home espresso machines that can connect with a digital coffee scale.
Brew-by-Weight is for you if:
· You want to dial in your shot using a professional method.
· You own a home coffee machine with a compatible connected scale.
· You’re excited to scale up your skills and willing to embrace a learning curve.
· You’re tired of getting bitter or acidic notes in your coffee from mistimed extractions.
· You’re open to investing in an espresso scale.
In short, brew-by-weight (especially our La Marzocco Brew-by-Weight system) is a fantastic choice if you’re a little tired of the guesswork and a little more interested in streamlining how you make coffee every day. You might be developing a signature drink, dealing with acidity in your current shots, or you just want to be known as the best coffeemaker on the block.
How can you get started?
If you’ve read through the above and you’re firmly in the “yes, this is for me” camp, then let’s go for it.
First thing: which of the home coffee machines is sitting on your countertop? The La Marzocco Brew-by-Weight system works with the Linea Mini, and requires the machine to be running the current firmware with IoT connectivity enabled. Check your machine’s serial number to confirm compatibility before purchasing a scale.
From there, it’s all about dialling in your recipe. The target weight for your shot is still up to you, so the next step is to get into some education. At a high level, the ideal weight for your shot is based on the coffee you use, your grind size, and your preferred ratio. Most of the time, a 1:2 ratio of espresso to water is best. 18 grams of ground coffee to 36 grams in the cup, for example.
In short, if your next step as a home barista is to improve the sheer quality of the shot in your cup, then a digital coffee scale can’t steer you wrong. It’s a great investment in your craft, a chance to learn a different brew style, and a connected espresso scale adds a ton of precision to your process.
Explore the La Marzocco Home x Acacia Connected Scale.
This amazing digital coffee scale connects directly to the Linea Mini, one of La Marzocco’s most popular home coffee machines. Dial in your brew-by-weight technique effortlessly with the model created in partnership with Acaia, the same team who created the Lunar scale, and engineered by the espresso experts at La Marzocco Home.
Scaling up the rest of your coffee setup? Explore other La Marzocco accessories to pair with home coffee machines.
