I finally got around to trying this on the Kafatek Monolith Conical.
Found an unopened bag of Rave Colombia Suarez Project roasted end of March lurking at the back of a cupboard that would otherwise be given away so used them for the comparison.
Not intending to be dialling in for taste , I made a nominal grind setting.
Test doses weighed in at between 18.00g : 18.06g and out at between 17.93, : 18:03g
Direct into portafilter.
No stirring, just a shake to level.
Tamped on PuqPress @ 10kg, so should be consistent and level.
Depth of tamped dose below top of basket measured with vernier.
Dose 1 : Full dose Depth of tamp 12.1mm
6 seconds PI 18 > 36g in 25 sec
Dose 2 : Bean by bean Noticeably coarser Depth of tamp 8.89mm (3mm diff !!)
An absolute gusher. Would not resist 3.5 bar PI
Dose 3 : Full dose Depth of tamp 12.2mm
6 seconds PI 18 > 36g in 24 sec
So pretty much identical to Dose 1
Steamed some milk and had a more than acceptable flat white.
Dose 4 : Bean by bean having adjusted grind 18º finer. Depth of tamp still only 10.3mm so only one third the way finer, based on the difference in depth.
Did not bother to pull shot as it would likely have been another gusher.
@
dsc If you should go on to conclude that there is a discernible taste benefit derived from the consistent particle size of bean by bean dosing........ then please keep it to yourself!
Bean by bean is a PITA too far !!!