--- title: My Classic piston is not traveling smoothly through the brew head, or I'm feeling a lot of resistance. description: My classic piston is not traveling smoothly or easily through the brew head. I feel a lot of resistance when lowering the lever. --- [![company logo](https://support.flairespresso.com/hs-fs/hubfs/flair_espresso_logo_2018-2.png?height=120&name=flair_espresso_logo_2018-2.png)](https://flairespresso.com) [Flair Help Center](https://support.flairespresso.com/knowledge) - [Go to flairespresso.com](https://flairespresso.com) - [Contact us](https://support.flairespresso.com/knowledge/kb-tickets/new) FAQs - [Account Information](https://support.flairespresso.com/knowledge/account-information) - [Account and Purchase History](https://support.flairespresso.com/knowledge/account-information#account-and-purchase-history) - [Managing Payments and Billing](https://support.flairespresso.com/knowledge/account-information#managing-payments-and-billing) - [Processing and Shipping Information](https://support.flairespresso.com/knowledge/account-information#processing-and-shipping-information) - [Promotions](https://support.flairespresso.com/knowledge/account-information#promotions) - [Returns and Warranty](https://support.flairespresso.com/knowledge/returns-and-warranty) - [Return Information](https://support.flairespresso.com/knowledge/returns-and-warranty#return-information) - [Warranty Policy](https://support.flairespresso.com/knowledge/returns-and-warranty#warranty-policy) - [Partners and Collaborators](https://support.flairespresso.com/knowledge/partners-and-collaborators) - [Before You Buy](https://support.flairespresso.com/knowledge/before-you-buy) - [Espresso 101](https://support.flairespresso.com/knowledge/before-you-buy#espresso-101) - [Flair FAQs](https://support.flairespresso.com/knowledge/before-you-buy#flair-faqs) - [The Flair 58 Family](https://support.flairespresso.com/knowledge/the-flair-58-family) - [Getting Started](https://support.flairespresso.com/knowledge/the-flair-58-family#getting-started) - [FAQs](https://support.flairespresso.com/knowledge/the-flair-58-family#faqs) - [Recommendations](https://support.flairespresso.com/knowledge/the-flair-58-family#recommendations) - [The Flair 58+](https://support.flairespresso.com/knowledge/the-flair-58-family#the-flair-58) - [The PRO2](https://support.flairespresso.com/knowledge/the-pro2) - [Getting Started](https://support.flairespresso.com/knowledge/the-pro2#getting-started) - [FAQs](https://support.flairespresso.com/knowledge/the-pro2#faqs) - [Recommendations](https://support.flairespresso.com/knowledge/the-pro2#recommendations) - [The Classic](https://support.flairespresso.com/knowledge/the-classic) - [Getting Started](https://support.flairespresso.com/knowledge/the-classic#getting-started) - [FAQs](https://support.flairespresso.com/knowledge/the-classic#faqs) - [Recommendations](https://support.flairespresso.com/knowledge/the-classic#recommendations) - [The NEO Flex](https://support.flairespresso.com/knowledge/the-neo-flex) - [Getting Started](https://support.flairespresso.com/knowledge/the-neo-flex#getting-started) - [FAQs](https://support.flairespresso.com/knowledge/the-neo-flex#faqs) - [Flow Control Portafilter](https://support.flairespresso.com/knowledge/the-neo-flex#flow-control-portafilter) - [Recommendations](https://support.flairespresso.com/knowledge/the-neo-flex#recommendations) - [The Royal Grinder](https://support.flairespresso.com/knowledge/the-royal-grinder) - [Getting Started](https://support.flairespresso.com/knowledge/the-royal-grinder#getting-started) - [FAQs](https://support.flairespresso.com/knowledge/the-royal-grinder#faqs) - [The Signature](https://support.flairespresso.com/knowledge/the-signature) - [Getting Started](https://support.flairespresso.com/knowledge/the-signature#getting-started) - [FAQs](https://support.flairespresso.com/knowledge/the-signature#faqs) - [Recommendations](https://support.flairespresso.com/knowledge/the-signature#recommendations) - [The NEO](https://support.flairespresso.com/knowledge/the-neo) - [Getting Started](https://support.flairespresso.com/knowledge/the-neo#getting-started) - [FAQs](https://support.flairespresso.com/knowledge/the-neo#faqs) - [Flow Control Portafilter](https://support.flairespresso.com/knowledge/the-neo#flow-control-portafilter) - [Recommendations](https://support.flairespresso.com/knowledge/the-neo#recommendations) [Back to home](https://support.flairespresso.com/knowledge) 1. 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With use, the piston's o-rings will naturally lubricate thanks to the exposure to coffee oils. However, you can expedite this process by applying a *light* application of food-safe oil to the plunger o-ring and wiping away the excess.  However, if the piston is not moving down through the brew head without the application of excessive force, and it feels more like a blockage than a lubrication concern, it is more likely an issue with your grind size than the machine/its components. If you are grinding *too fine, *water will be unable to pass through the coffee bed under normal force, thus building up this pressure/resistance in the brew head and preventing the piston from lowering.  Carefully terminate your attempt by *slowly* raising the lever (do not abruptly let go: the pressure built-up will result in a rebound effect, causing the portafilter and cylinder to separate) and reattempt with a coarser grind size. Never apply excess force/attempt to force the lever down if too much resistance is met. A proper shot brewed at 6-8 BAR translates to about 40-50 lbs of force on the lever.  Consider upgrading your Classic with the [Pressure Gauge Kit](https://flairespresso.com/product/pressure-gauge-kit/) to monitor your force application and see, in real-time, what BAR you are brewing at.  flairespresso.com Help Center - [Go to flairespresso.com](https://flairespresso.com) - [Contact us](https://support.flairespresso.com/knowledge/kb-tickets/new)