If the shot is pulling longer than 26 seconds, which way should you turn the grinder?

When the shot is pulling longer than 26 seconds, turning the grinder to the left to make it coarser is the correct approach. This is because a longer extraction time typically indicates that the coffee grounds are too fine, leading to over-extraction. By adjusting the grind size to a coarser setting, you allow water to flow through the coffee more quickly, which can help in achieving the ideal extraction time.

Making the coffee grounds coarser reduces the surface area exposed to water during brewing, which decreases the time it takes for the water to pass through. This adjustment is crucial for reaching the desired flavor profile and ensuring the coffee is balanced and not overly bitter from over-extraction.

In this context, calibrating the grinder or changing the pressure would not directly address the issue of long extraction times as effectively as adjusting the grind size would.