--- 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. --- [Skip to content](https://support.flairespresso.com/migration/knowledge/my-classic-piston-is-not-traveling-smoothly-through-the-brew-head-or-im-feeling-a-lot-of-resistance#main-content) English Show submenu for translations [Contact us](https://support.flairespresso.com/migration/knowledge/kb-tickets/new?hsLang=en) ![flair_espresso_logo_2018-2.png\]](https://support.flairespresso.com/hs-fs/hubfs/flair_espresso_logo_2018-2.png?height=50&name=flair_espresso_logo_2018-2.png) - [Default HubSpot Blog](https://flairespresso-8199144.hs-sites.com/blog) Open main navigation Close main navigation - [Default HubSpot Blog](https://flairespresso-8199144.hs-sites.com/blog) - English Show submenu for translations - [Contact us](https://support.flairespresso.com/migration/knowledge/kb-tickets/new) - Go to flairespresso.com Go to flairespresso.com Hello. How can we help you? - There are no suggestions because the search field is empty. 1. [Flair Help Center](https://support.flairespresso.com/migration/knowledge?hsLang=en) 2. [The Classic](https://support.flairespresso.com/migration/knowledge/the-classic?hsLang=en) 3. [FAQs](https://support.flairespresso.com/migration/knowledge/the-classic?hsLang=en#faqs) # My Classic piston is not traveling smoothly through the brew head, or I'm feeling a lot of resistance. 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.  - [Account Information](https://support.flairespresso.com/migration/knowledge/account-information?hsLang=en#main-content) - [Account and Purchase History](https://support.flairespresso.com/migration/knowledge/account-information?hsLang=en#account-and-purchase-history) - [Managing Payments and Billing](https://support.flairespresso.com/migration/knowledge/account-information?hsLang=en#managing-payments-and-billing) - [Processing and Shipping Information](https://support.flairespresso.com/migration/knowledge/account-information?hsLang=en#processing-and-shipping-information) - [Promotions](https://support.flairespresso.com/migration/knowledge/account-information?hsLang=en#promotions) - [Returns and Warranty](https://support.flairespresso.com/migration/knowledge/returns-and-warranty?hsLang=en#main-content) - [Return Information](https://support.flairespresso.com/migration/knowledge/returns-and-warranty?hsLang=en#return-information) - [Warranty Policy](https://support.flairespresso.com/migration/knowledge/returns-and-warranty?hsLang=en#warranty-policy) - [Partners and Collaborators](https://support.flairespresso.com/migration/knowledge/partners-and-collaborators?hsLang=en) - [Before You Buy](https://support.flairespresso.com/migration/knowledge/before-you-buy?hsLang=en#main-content) - [Espresso 101](https://support.flairespresso.com/migration/knowledge/before-you-buy?hsLang=en#espresso-101) - [Flair FAQs](https://support.flairespresso.com/migration/knowledge/before-you-buy?hsLang=en#flair-faqs) - [The Flair 58 Family](https://support.flairespresso.com/migration/knowledge/the-flair-58-family?hsLang=en#main-content) - [Getting Started](https://support.flairespresso.com/migration/knowledge/the-flair-58-family?hsLang=en#getting-started) - [FAQs](https://support.flairespresso.com/migration/knowledge/the-flair-58-family?hsLang=en#faqs) - [Recommendations](https://support.flairespresso.com/migration/knowledge/the-flair-58-family?hsLang=en#recommendations) - [The Flair 58+](https://support.flairespresso.com/migration/knowledge/the-flair-58-family?hsLang=en#the-flair-58) - [The PRO2](https://support.flairespresso.com/migration/knowledge/the-pro2?hsLang=en#main-content) - [Getting Started](https://support.flairespresso.com/migration/knowledge/the-pro2?hsLang=en#getting-started) - [FAQs](https://support.flairespresso.com/migration/knowledge/the-pro2?hsLang=en#faqs) - [Recommendations](https://support.flairespresso.com/migration/knowledge/the-pro2?hsLang=en#recommendations) - [The Classic](https://support.flairespresso.com/migration/knowledge/the-classic?hsLang=en#main-content) - [Getting Started](https://support.flairespresso.com/migration/knowledge/the-classic?hsLang=en#getting-started) - [FAQs](https://support.flairespresso.com/migration/knowledge/the-classic?hsLang=en#faqs) - [Recommendations](https://support.flairespresso.com/migration/knowledge/the-classic?hsLang=en#recommendations) - [The NEO Flex](https://support.flairespresso.com/migration/knowledge/the-neo-flex?hsLang=en#main-content) - [Getting Started](https://support.flairespresso.com/migration/knowledge/the-neo-flex?hsLang=en#getting-started) - [FAQs](https://support.flairespresso.com/migration/knowledge/the-neo-flex?hsLang=en#faqs) - [Flow Control Portafilter](https://support.flairespresso.com/migration/knowledge/the-neo-flex?hsLang=en#flow-control-portafilter) - [Recommendations](https://support.flairespresso.com/migration/knowledge/the-neo-flex?hsLang=en#recommendations) - [The Royal Grinder](https://support.flairespresso.com/migration/knowledge/the-royal-grinder?hsLang=en#main-content) - [Getting Started](https://support.flairespresso.com/migration/knowledge/the-royal-grinder?hsLang=en#getting-started) - [FAQs](https://support.flairespresso.com/migration/knowledge/the-royal-grinder?hsLang=en#faqs) - [The Signature](https://support.flairespresso.com/migration/knowledge/the-signature?hsLang=en#main-content) - [Getting Started](https://support.flairespresso.com/migration/knowledge/the-signature?hsLang=en#getting-started) - [FAQs](https://support.flairespresso.com/migration/knowledge/the-signature?hsLang=en#faqs) - [Recommendations](https://support.flairespresso.com/migration/knowledge/the-signature?hsLang=en#recommendations) - [The NEO](https://support.flairespresso.com/migration/knowledge/the-neo?hsLang=en#main-content) - [Getting Started](https://support.flairespresso.com/migration/knowledge/the-neo?hsLang=en#getting-started) - [FAQs](https://support.flairespresso.com/migration/knowledge/the-neo?hsLang=en#faqs) - [Flow Control Portafilter](https://support.flairespresso.com/migration/knowledge/the-neo?hsLang=en#flow-control-portafilter) - [Recommendations](https://support.flairespresso.com/migration/knowledge/the-neo?hsLang=en#recommendations) - [Default HubSpot Blog](https://flairespresso-8199144.hs-sites.com/blog) [![vast.png](https://support.flairespresso.com/hs/hsstatic/content_shared_assets/static-1.4092/img/vast.png "vast.png")](http://flairespresso.com) flairespresso.com Help Center Copyright © 2026, Flair Espresso