While most coffee products compete to look new and different some are constrained by existing standards. Portafilters are a prime example – they all look essentially identical even on close inspection, but the differences in performance can be massive
Does portafilter basket size matter?
Yes, portafilter size does matter Many espresso machines don’t have much range in diameter, with 58 mm being the standard. But the depth of the basket makes a difference. Deeper baskets allow you to pull more espresso.
Is it worth getting a bottomless portafilter?
A bottomless portafilter helps give you more information about your coffee and makes it easier to figure out what’s going wrong Without a spout obstructing your view, you can see the coffee pass through the puck and detect any non-uniformities that might be causing an uneven extraction.
What does the basket do in the portafilter?
A portafilter basket is a metal filter with a pretty simple job, and that’s to trap coffee grounds when you’re pulling an espresso shot The portafilter basket is specially designed to be used with the ultra-fine coffee grind size of espresso. It’s also built to withstand being under high pressure.
Is 58mm portafilter better than 54mm?
Let’s see what the main distinctions with the traditional 58mm portafilter are. During extraction with a 9 bar pressure, the 54mm portafilter weighs about 30kg less on the coffee cake compared to the 58mm With the same dose of coffee, the 54mm portafilter ensures a taller coffee cake.
Is a bigger portafilter better?
We can see that the larger portafilter is subject to a higher force of extraction with the same pressure. What this amounts to in practice is very much dependent on your setup. However it should tend towards better consistency in extraction.
Is bigger portafilter better?
The smaller the portafilter, the less flexibility you have over how much coffee you us in it Even though you can change out the filter basket inside the portafilter to increase the basket depth, you can only add so much depth before the shots start to pull weird.
Are naked portafilters better?
1. A Quality Control Check. The most frequently cited reason for using a naked portafilter is that it allows us to judge the evenness of our extraction and therefore produce tastier and more consistent espressos.
Does bottomless portafilter taste better?
Crema & Taste Some baristas claim that a bottomless portafilter yields a thicker crema with a richer taste than a spouted model They argue that some of the crema inevitably sticks to the metallic spout, leaving slightly less amount for your shot.
Does bottomless portafilter make more crema?
In the hands of an experienced barista with fresh espresso beans, a bottomless portafilter will yield 50% or more of Crema Why? Well the answer is simple. Your espresso shot will come in contact with no other surface than the bottom of you portafilter basket.
How often should you change portafilter basket?
We recommend cleaning the portafilter every 10 shots At home, however, the demand is far less so there’s no reason to leave it dirty. For convenience, consider cleaning the portafilter right after pulling your shot and before drinking your coffee – just get it out of your way.
Do you need to tamp pressurized basket?
Pressurized portafilters (generally) do not need tamping down Brush the edges of the filter basket off so there are no stray coffee grounds to get into the threads of the brew head. I like to smooth the basket down with a light tamp to make sure the grounds are even within the basket.
What type of portafilter is best?
Commercial style portafilters are the optimal style portafilter for achieving the right tamp and the right pressure. For more on creating optimal pressure and brewing the perfect espresso, check out BeverageFactory.com’s “How to Brew” section!.
Is 54mm portafilter good?
The Breville 54mm portafilter is a must-have for any home barista looking to improve their coffee-making skills Watching the coffee extraction process with a naked portafilter is mesmerizing and will highlight any issues with your tamping and dosing in real-time.
How do I know what size portafilter to buy?
We recommend measuring the exact inside diameter of the portafilter basket and then selecting a tamper at least 75 mm smaller Step 1: Use machine calipers or a steel measuring tape with 1/32 inch divisions to carefully measure the distance inside the filter basket directly across the centerline (the diameter).
How do I choose a portafilter?
However, many manufacturers who opt to use pressurized portafilters for their machines will use smaller diameters. Another measurement to look out for is the size of the portafilter basket The depth refers to whether it’s a single, double, or triple shot, with the option of a back-flushing one as well.
Are all portafilters the same?
Portafilters are made of a variety of types that will help you control your espresso shot size. Not only that, but they also come in different sizes , some of which are more ideal for your machine than the other.
Are all portafilters compatible?
The compatibility of portafilters between brands sometimes becomes an issue. Most manufacturers make their own versions and even those of the same diameter sometimes do not fit those of other makes This holds especially true in the lower priced entry levels and in the upper end dual boilers.
How many grams of coffee go into a 51mm basket?
The Nonpressurized (Bottomless) Portafilter Basket fits most standard 51mm espresso portafilters. The basket accommodates 15-19 grams of coffee.
How long does a portafilter last?
The portafilter gasket will, typically, last about six months to a year , depending on how much it’s used. Now, our machine is used maybe once or twice a day. Something that you’d see like in a home setting. So, it’s made it about a year, and it’s still not quite unusable, just to give you an idea of how long it lasts.
Are IMS baskets worth it?
The IMS baskets seem to require a grind setting 1 to 1.5 notches finer than the VST for the same results. Taste-wise, people prefer the IMS baskets; they produce more delicacy and sweetness in a cup These differences are only minor and may even be undetectable in milk-based drinks.
Do I need a spout on my portafilter?
The spouts on a portafilter are designed to direct the flow of coffee into your container Single spout portafilters are generally used when brewing for one, whereas with a double spout you can brew into two glasses at once. But that’s not all that having a double spouted filter can help with.
Why does a portafilter have two spouts?
Why Two Spouts? Basically, a dual spout allows you to brew two cups of espresso at one time This type of spout is often referred to as a “moustache spout” for obvious reasons, which is attached to the bottom of the portafilter. (The portafilter holds the filter basket which holds the ground coffee.).
How many grams does a 58mm portafilter hold?
Independent of the variables you have listed, a machine with a 49mm basket that holds a 11 gram dose will not extract the same volume of espresso as a machine with a 58mm portafilter that holds 18 grams.
How many grams of coffee are in a 58mm portafilter?
The La Spaziale 53mm double basket will actually hold more than most 58mm double baskets (18 grams is no problem), and the triple basket holds the same 20-22 grams as the 58mm alternative. You can pull the same brew ratio of ground coffee to liquid coffee using either portafilter.
When should you use a dual wall filter?
Pressurised dual wall filter baskets Dual wall filter baskets are only used in domestic espresso machines to help people using pre-ground coffee create fake crema (not the greatest for quality!). This is done by pressurising the already extracted coffee through a secondary false wall with a tiny pinhole at the bottom.
What is the difference between single wall and double wall portafilter?
Single-wall filters are best when you have a decent grinder; double-wall filters help increase pressure and can help you make decent espresso when using a cheaper grinder or pre-ground coffee. Single wall filters give the best results.
How many grams of coffee are in a portafilter?
Under typical situations a single basket will hold 11 grams of coffee. A double basket will hold 17 grams. And a triple basket will hold 21 grams of the good stuff!.
Why does my espresso sputter?
An underdosed, overdosed, unevenly distributed, or badly tamped puck of coffee will result in your espresso sputtering out all over the place. This is known as channeling.
How hard is tamp espresso?
Apply 20-30 pounds of pressure , and polish Baristas often recommend 30 pounds of pressure, but some do as little as 20 pounds. More and more are finding that tamping pressure is overrated—it’s hard on the wrist and cause an over-extracted, bitter brew.
How many grams of coffee are in a bottomless portafilter?
Dose 20 grams of coffee if using a bottomless portafilter and triple basket. A mound of ground coffee in the center that sticks up above the rim about a half-inch will be roughly 18-20 grams, a good starting point.
What is the difference of a bottomless portafilter?
On a regular portafilter, the bottom of the basket is enclosed by a solid bottom with spouts, which allow the espresso to flow into the cup. What is this? A bottomless or “naked” portafilter is open, exposing the bottom of the basket With no basket installed, it just looks like a sturdy metal ring with a handle.
How many grams of espresso are in a bottomless portafilter?
Most bottomless portafilters hold around 18 grams of coffee, but this might vary depending on the specific model you’re using.