Coffee Appreciation

Could you give me a run down of your brew method? I have exactly the same machine, but am struggling to get an extract time of around 25 seconds.

Sure thing! Three quick caveats though:

1. I'm no expert and I'm still working on my technique, so YMMV and all that
   
2. It's a fairly basic machine so don't expect perfect espresso, I think that even something like a Gaggia Classic would be a good step up (that's probably my next move)
   
3. If you're not using reasonably fresh, properly ground coffee you don't stand a chance. I use Pact espresso blend which I grind with a (slightly modded) Dualit burr grinder (which I reckon is the absolute lower-end of what can make passable espresso).
   
   

First things first, if you haven't already, buy a non-pressurised basket like the one in the photo. This machine comes with pressurised baskets that have an extra skin with a single pinhole to create the back-pressure that a properly ground and tamped puck of fresh coffee would create. They're designed create a crema even if you're using supermarket pre-ground coffee, but they're not necessary (and actually counter productive) if you're using decent coffee. I can't remember where I got mine from, but my calipers say that it's 52mm outside diameter x 22mm deep. I also got a decent tamper to match, but the stock one is probably fine.

I dose to 16g with pretty finely ground coffee and to get that in I have to fill half of the coffee and just very lightly tamp it (really just enough to flatten it) then add the rest and tamp down hard. I think I still need to tweak this as when I then start the machine I get a few drops of water coming round the portafilter. I'm not sure whether this is the grouphead seal (which I've just replaced) not working properly or because I creating too solid a puck which gives too much back pressure, but the coffee then comes through pretty slowly and accelerates). I aim for 35-40g of espresso after about 30s (which I time from the moment I turn the switch - I don't know whether any pre-infusion is involved.

I hope that helps, as I say it's a pretty basic home machine (nice to have a full length solid steam wand though) and this is just the best I've managed to achieve by lots of trial and error. I don't drink much espresso neat (more flat whites), but this gives a perfectly drinkable one.