Based on the author's experience, while using a tbsp along with volume water controls can come close to approximating the amount of dry ground coffee and liquid espresso in grams for achieving a 1:2, 1:3, and 1:4 coffee to water ratio, it's seldom as accurate as using a coffee scale for measuring dry ground coffee and liquid espresso in attempting to obtain the desired ratio. This being the case, anticipate performing a number of practise runs when using the volume water control method as opposed to a scale for achieving the perfect shot. Also, be sure the espresso coffee machine 1-cup, 2-cup volume water control settings are programmed to dispense the required ounces of hot water to achieve the coffee to water ratio desired, i.e., 1.18 and 2.37 ounces of hot water to achieve a 1:2 ratio.