Preparing espresso is easier to understand when you can repeat the steps from one shot to the next. A clean basket, a measured dose, even distribution and a level tamp give you a consistent starting point for adjusting a recipe. They do not guarantee a particular taste: beans, grind, equipment and personal preference all matter.
This guide covers a practical routine for a compatible espresso machine and basket. Read the instructions for your exact equipment first, keep hands away from hot water and surfaces, and allow components to cool before cleaning or changing parts. Do not open a pressurized system contrary to its manual.
Gather and check the equipment
Start with the portafilter and filter basket intended for your machine. Check that the basket is seated correctly and clean it according to the maker's instructions. You will also need an appropriately sized tamper, coffee ground for your brewing setup and, if you want to record a dose, a scale suitable for the task.
Choose a stable work surface and keep the portafilter supported. Some baskets and machines require their own preparation method or accessories; check the manual instead of assuming that one recipe fits every basket. If your machine uses an assisted tamping system, follow its own setup rather than forcing a separate tamper into the mechanism.
Before dosing, wipe the basket dry if your machine's instructions call for it. Breville's espresso preparation instructions include a dry basket, even distribution and consistent tamping for the specified machine. Other equipment may have different guidance.