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RebrewRetro
Puck analysis & channeling diagnosis — answer 6 questions about your wet puck. Get instant fix, pressure tuning & visual match.
🔬 6-point puck inspection
Answer each question — choose YES, NO, or SKIP (default = NO).
🎨 Match your puck
Tap any diagram to highlight & see typical diagnosis (preview).
📸 Photo upload coming soon — for now, visual matching with these 8 classic defect cartoons.
📘 RebrewRetro · Complete Guide
How to use the puck analyzer, why it matters, the math behind it, and FAQ
🔧 How to Use the RebrewRetro Puck Analyzer
Using RebrewRetro is simple: after pulling an espresso shot, examine your wet spent puck (knock it out gently). Answer six yes/no questions about visible defects — cracks, holes, dark rings, uneven surfaces, wet spots, or edge cracks. Each question offers [Y] YES / [N] NO / [S] SKIP (SKIP defaults to NO).
Click 🔍 ANALYZE PUCK → and within a second you receive three actionable outputs:
- Diagnosis – e.g., “Vertical channeling at 4 o’clock”
- Immediate Fix – e.g., “Distribute more evenly, reduce dose by 0.5g”
- Pressure adjustment – e.g., “Lower from 9 bar to 7.5 bar”
You can also match your puck to eight cartoon diagrams for visual confirmation. Share results via Facebook, X, Reddit, or WhatsApp using the icon-only buttons below the calculator.
⭐ Why This Matters
Channeling is the #1 cause of sour/bitter shots, yet most home baristas cannot read their puck. RebrewRetro translates visual clues into concrete, machine-adjustable fixes — no guesswork. It bridges the gap between “tastes bad” and “change your grind, dose, or pressure.” By identifying whether you have vertical cracks, side-channeling, doughnut extraction, or uneven tamping, you save coffee, time, and frustration. This tool empowers beginners and experts alike to dial in faster with data-driven puck reading.
🧮 The Math Behind It (Weighted Scoring + Combination Rules)
The calculator uses a deterministic rule engine with weighted scoring. Each defect has a base priority weight:
🔍 Pinpoint hole: 10 pts
💧 Side channeling: 9 pts
🌀 Center cracks: 8 pts
🍩 Doughnut ring: 7 pts
📐 Uneven tamp: 6 pts
🌘 Edge cracks: 5 pts
When multiple defects appear together, the engine overrides single-defect logic with combination rules. For example:
📌 Pinpoint hole + uneven tamp → diagnosis changes from “simple pinpoint” to “pinpoint channeling + uneven tamp — localized fracture from tilt.” Fix becomes “use self-leveling tamper, reduce dose by 0.5g” instead of generic distribution advice.
📌 Center cracks + dark ring → “Central channeling + doughnut edge — grind may be too fine.” Pressure recommendation: lower to 8 bar or add 3s pre-infusion.
📌 Side wet + edge cracks → “Underdosing + side channeling — basket too large.” Fix includes increasing dose by 1g.
Pressure advice is derived from espresso fluid dynamics: lowering peak pressure (7–8 bar) reduces jet velocity through channels, minimizing spurting and promoting even diffusion across the puck. The combination logic is rule-based, not machine learning, ensuring instant, offline, and deterministic outputs.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Do I need an adjustable pressure machine?
A: No — pressure advice is a recommendation. If your machine is fixed at 9 bar, focus on the prep fixes (distribution, dose, tamp). The pressure tip is for users with OPV mods or flow control.
Q: Can I use this for light roasts?
A: Yes, but light roasts are more prone to channeling due to lower solubility. The calculator’s rules still apply; you may see more frequent “pinpoint hole” or “center cracks” results.
Q: Is photo upload available?
A: Coming soon. For now, use the 8 cartoon diagrams (spiderweb cracks, single hole, donut ring, etc.) to visually match your puck.
Q: Does it work with bottomless portafilters?
A: Absolutely — bottomless makes channeling even more visible. Use both visual spritzing (during shot) and puck inspection (after shot) for best results.
Q: How accurate is the weighted scoring?
A: It’s based on espresso community knowledge and barista training materials. Accuracy improves when you combine multiple symptoms. The tool is designed as a diagnostic aid, not a lab-grade instrument.
Q: Does it store my data?
A: No. RebrewRetro is fully client-side. No cookies, no tracking, no cloud storage. Your puck answers stay in your browser session only.
✨ RebrewRetro is free, browser-based, and stores no data. Use it daily to dial in faster. Combine with visual matching and share your diagnosis with the espresso community.
RebrewRetro · Puck analysis & channeling diagnosis | works on all browsers, mobile & desktop
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