Quick answer

Replace the shot splitter gasket on your Fellow Espresso Series 1 when you see persistent uneven double shots, visible cracking or flattening, or leaking at the splitter. Swap in the Espresso Series 1 Shot Splitter Gasket as a direct replacement and re-test with a fresh double shot. If the unevenness continues after replacement, the issue is elsewhere and you should stop and diagnose further.

Symptoms that point to the splitter gasket

The shot splitter gasket sits in the brew path and helps divide flow between the two spouts. When it wears, the first thing you will notice is that a double shot pulls uneven, with one side running faster or tasting weaker than the other. You may also see a small drip or seep at the splitter during extraction, or find that the two streams never quite merge into an even, syrupy pour. These are classic splitter gasket wear signs, and they tend to get worse over a few weeks rather than appearing overnight.

  • One spout flows noticeably faster or slower than the other.
  • A double shot tastes thin or uneven even with a familiar coffee and grind.
  • You see moisture or a drip at the splitter during or right after a shot.
  • The gasket looks flattened, cracked, or shiny when you inspect it.

How to confirm the gasket is the cause

Before buying a part, rule out the simple variables. Pull a shot with the same coffee, dose, and grind you normally use, and watch both streams from the start. If the split is uneven from the first few seconds, the gasket is a strong suspect. Next, remove the splitter and inspect the gasket under good light. A healthy gasket sits proud and flexible; a worn one is compressed, hard, or split. If the gasket looks fine but the shot is still uneven, check your basket, distribution, and tamp before replacing anything.

Corrective action: replace and retest

Once you have confirmed the gasket is worn, replace it with the Espresso Series 1 Shot Splitter Gasket. It is a direct replacement part designed for the Espresso Series 1 and helps maintain your machine's performance. Fit the new gasket, reassemble the splitter, and pull a fresh double shot. You should see two even streams and a more balanced extraction. If the shot is still uneven after a correct install, stop swapping parts and look at your grinder, basket, or technique instead.

When to stop and choose another option

If you have replaced the gasket and the uneven pour continues, the splitter gasket is not the problem. At that point, stop replacing gaskets and inspect the basket for damage, check that your grinder is producing a consistent grind, and review your distribution and tamp. If the machine leaks from a different location, such as the group head, that is a separate repair. Knowing when to stop saves you money and avoids chasing a symptom that belongs to another part of your routine.

Diagnosis: symptom, cause, action, stop point

  • Symptom: one spout runs faster and the shot tastes uneven: A worn or flattened splitter gasket no longer seals evenly, so flow favors one side. Replace the Espresso Series 1 Shot Splitter Gasket and retest with a fresh double shot. If both streams run even after replacement, the fix is complete.
  • Symptom: drip or seep at the splitter during extraction: A cracked or compressed gasket allows liquid to escape before it reaches the spouts. Inspect the gasket for visible damage and replace it if worn. If the leak continues after a correct install, check the splitter threads and seating.
  • Symptom: uneven shots persist after gasket replacement: The gasket is no longer the likely cause. Stop replacing parts and check your basket, grinder, distribution, and tamp instead. If the machine leaks from the group head, that is a separate repair and not a splitter gasket issue.

Parts that solve this problem

  • Espresso Series 1 Shot Splitter Gasket: This replacement shot splitter gasket is designed for use with the Espresso Series 1 and serves as a direct replacement part to help maintain your espresso machine's performance. It restores even flow at the splitter, which is the first fix for an uneven double shot.
  • Series 1 Backflush Disc: The Series 1 Backflush Disc is a replacement part designed for routine cleaning of your Fellow Espresso Series 1 machine and helps maintain optimal performance by facilitating the backflushing process. Regular backflushing keeps coffee oils from degrading the splitter gasket, so it lasts longer between replacements.