If you have an original Flow Control Portafilter (v1: non-removable spout), and believe a clog is present, attempt the following:
First, soak your portafilter in boiling water for a few minutes, before carefully dumping out.
Then, let your portafilter dry upside down overnight.
Next, attempt a cool, water-only shot with your complete NEO placed on a bodyweight scale to monitor your force application. Apply 40-50 lbs of force to the lever in an attempt to free the blockage/loosened residue. Do not exceed this weight application: You may risk breakage to your press stand.
Do not use coffee grounds or your dispersion screen during this test.
If you are unable to achieve a smooth flow at this weight application, carefully terminate your attempt by slowly releasing the lever and contact us for potential replacement routes/next steps. Your portafilter may be clogged beyond remedy.
If you are able to achieve a smooth flow at this weight application, while pulling a water-only shot, you can now attempt a normal shot of espresso with a coarser grind size. Below is a reference photo for our recommended grind size for the NEO.
Note a coarse grind size (like the above) should always be paired with the Flow Control Portafilter. This reduces the risk of clogs/build-up, and allows the Flow Control properties to work without being compounded too much.