My Coffee Puck Is Too Wet - How Do I Fix It?

Have you ever pulled an espresso shot only to find your coffee puck soaking wet and watery?

If you're experiencing wet coffee pucks, you're definitely not alone. I frequently hear from customers at Brewed Co Coffee asking why their espresso puck is wet after extraction. It’s frustrating, messy, and often leaves you wondering if you're doing something wrong. The good news? A wet coffee puck is usually fixable, and often it's a pretty simple fix.

What causes a wet coffee puck

Before solving the issue, let's briefly understand what causes your coffee puck to end up so soggy. I’ve found through both personal brewing experience and discussions with other home baristas, that the culprit often boils down to a few common factors:

1. 1. Incorrect coffee dosage

2. 2. Improper grind size

3. 3. Poor tamping technique

4. 4. Inconsistent basket size or type

If your puck is watery, chances are it's related to one of these points. Let's tackle each of them.

Your coffee dosage might be off

A common reason behind a wet coffee puck is using the wrong amount of coffee. If you’re using too little coffee, there’s extra space in the basket, which lets water sit on top of the puck instead of fully extracting it. This often results in a watery, messy puck.

To fix this, make sure you measure your coffee accurately. Using a precise coffee scale can quickly solve this problem by ensuring consistent dosing every single time.

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Here's an excellent video by Artisti Coffee Roasters explaining how your coffee dose affects the quality of your espresso shot and puck consistency.

Grind size could be your issue

I’ve often noticed that if the grind is too coarse, water rushes through too quickly, leaving behind a soaked puck. If it's too fine, it could lead to channeling, where water creates uneven paths through the puck, resulting in a similarly messy outcome.

Try adjusting your grind size gradually. A good tip is to aim for a grind that feels slightly finer than table salt. If your grinder isn't cutting it, it might be worth looking into upgrading or servicing it.

Tamping technique makes a huge difference

Improper tamping technique is another common reason for wet pucks. If your coffee grounds aren't tamped evenly or firmly enough, water will move through inconsistently, causing extraction issues and a watery puck.

I've seen huge improvements in puck consistency by using a self-leveling tamper. These tampers evenly distribute pressure, greatly reducing uneven extraction and resulting in a much dryer puck.

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Your basket matters more than you think

One of the most overlooked factors is the espresso basket itself. A standard basket might do the job, but switching to a precision basket can completely transform your espresso extraction. Precision baskets ensure even water flow, proper extraction, and significantly less watery pucks.

If you're consistently dealing with wet pucks, switching baskets is one of the quickest and easiest fixes.

Distribute your grounds evenly

Proper distribution of your coffee grounds can dramatically impact the dryness of your puck. Uneven grounds lead to uneven water flow, creating pockets of wetness. I've personally found great success using a WDT tool. These tools break up clumps and evenly distribute grounds, significantly improving puck dryness and espresso flavour.

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Curious how it looks in action? Check out this short TikTok on how even distribution prevents wet espresso pucks.

Experiment and adjust

No two setups are identical. If you're still experiencing a wet puck, don’t hesitate to adjust your coffee dose, grind size, or tamping pressure slightly. Often, minor adjustments yield big improvements.

If you’ve tried everything above and still struggle with wet coffee pucks, there might be an issue with your espresso machine itself—like insufficient pressure or temperature inconsistency. In these cases, contacting your machine manufacturer or a local service technician can help.

We're here to help

Still unsure about your wet coffee puck problem? Feel free to contact us at Brewed Co Coffee. We're always happy to help you achieve better espresso.

Happy brewing!

Written By Laurie Nance

I'm the founder of Brewedco Coffee™, passionate about coffee, coffee tools, and helping others better understand how to utilize them. With years of experience in the coffee industry, I love sharing insights on brewing techniques, choosing the right equipment, and the science behind making the perfect cup.