That’s the portafilter (also sometimes referred to as a “group handle“). This spoon-looking device harbors a basket which is actually what holds the coffee grounds during the pulling or extracting of the espresso shot
Does the portafilter 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.
Do you leave the portafilter in?
Should the portafilter remain on the Rocket Appartamento when not in use? Yes, always keep the portafilter on the machine , that way when you’re ready to use it the portafilter is going to be nice and hot.
What does the portafilter rest on?
Rest the portafilter on a steady surface whilst holding the handle You can rest it on the spouts, but a single spout portafilter will be unstable like this and the spouts are likely to become dirty quickly this way.
Should you leave coffee in the portafilter?
No don’t leave it, unless you want a dirty portafilter that’s harder to wash Ton wrote: David Schomer writes in his “The Professional Barista’s Handbook”, that it is best to leave the puck in the porta-filter because it keeps the porta-filter’s heat more constant. Technology has outdated this.
How many shots of espresso do you get from one portafilter?
Since you’re likely to pull a 1:2 shot (1g of coffee to 2g of water), that’ll end up giving you a shot around 32-40g , which is standard for most specialty cafes.
Do you clean portafilter after each use?
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.
Should you leave portafilter in overnight?
Leave portafilters in groupheads overnight to prevent gaskets from drying and cracking Always pull a throwaway shot first thing in the morning to remove cleaning residue.
Why is there water in my portafilter?
You are probably using too much coffee in the portafilter mhoy wrote: You are probably using too much coffee in the portafilter.
How full should portafilter be?
Fill the portafilter basket loosely with ground coffee and level off the basket using the side of your pinky finger to discard any excess coffee grounds. For a single shot of espresso use 6 to 7 grams (1 ½ teaspoons) of ground espresso. For a double shot of espresso use 12 to 14 grams (1 tablespoon) of ground espresso.
How tight should the portafilter be?
Portafilter needs to be turned towards a point whereby it is snug and fit, NOT tight There is not a need to push the portafilter towards to the extreme tightness all the way.
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.).
Should you preheat portafilter?
To make espresso, it is good to preheat the portafilter by running hot water through it You should also start with a pre-warmed espresso cup. Cups can be warmed on the heating tray of your espresso machine (if your espresso machine has one), or you can pour some hot water into the cup, and then drain it.
Can you use espresso puck twice?
Yes and No. The coffee after your espresso is good for a lot of uses except for having another shot of espresso. Unlike tea which can be reused for the next, less intense brew, coffee powder however cannot be used more than once The first extraction is the only enjoyable brew.
Should you purge the portafilter?
Every few shots: Rinse the portafilter under the purge This rinses away residue which builds on on the underside of the basket (which your espresso has to run through to get to the cup!).
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.
Why do you need bottomless portafilter?
This spout is necessary if you want to brew a double espresso into two separate mugs A bottomless portafilter removes the spout and exposes the bottom of the coffee basket. Getting rid of the spout doesn’t affect the brewing process, but it can help you better diagnose your problems if something goes wrong.
Is a wider 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.
Should I leave the portafilter in the group head?
The main reason for leaving your portafilter in the group is for heat IMHO When it is in there, you do not need to wrench it on hard. Keep it lightly on, just enough to keep it from falling out. It does not degrade the gasket any faster than having the machine on all the time.
Why does the portafilter need to be hot?
Keeping the portafilter warm (and receiving / tamping a dose within a warm portafilter) is supposed to result in additional oils being released in the extraction, which in theory leads to a fuller pull and more crema It’s also supposed to add to the benefits of pre-infusion.
How many times can you use the same espresso?
With a manual espresso machine, I have used the same grounds for two pulls They are ok in a pinch if I want that volume but don’t want to redo the grind, tamp etc. But honestly it is not as good as the first time through. The only thing I can suggest is that when I do them one after the other, it is ok.
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.
Do you weigh coffee before or after grinding?
Weigh beans: you can weigh your beans before or after grinding BEFORE GRINDING: turn on your scale, and tare out an empty cup or glass. Scoop or pour 20 grams of whole bean coffee into your cup, then grind.
How do I increase my espresso yield?
If the espresso was strong, pull another shot 2 grams longer in yield (you may have to grind coarser to keep the brewing time down). Keep iterating in 2-gram increments up or down in yield until you have reached your desired strength. This will become your new target yield.
When should I start my espresso shot?
“For 1.5 ounces of espresso, the extraction should take between 23-30 seconds where the time starts when the espresso begins to flow from the spouts. To prepare excellent espresso, the pour should look like warm honey dripping from the spouts.”.
Why is my espresso spurting?
Espresso Channeling Channeling is the result of pressurized water from your espresso shot finding pathways of least resistance to flow through your ground coffee inside the portafilter (group handle) and into your cup.
What is a portafilter basket?
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.
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.
Can I reuse coffee in portafilter?
Our short answer is yes! However, if you are hoping for high-quality results, we don’t recommend doing it That’s because if you reuse coffee grounds, you will get weak and dull coffee for your efforts.
How do you heat a portafilter?
Modern portafilter coffee machines often have a plate on the top of the machine specifically for this purpose. There you can warm up the espresso cups during the preparation time. Alternatively, a shot of hot water is sufficient to bring the cups up to the right temperature.
How do I keep my coffee bar clean?
So, for cleaning your coffee brewing materials, rather than let them sit in soapy water, there is an excellent agent for cleaning: distilled vinegar Distilled vinegar is basically vodka left out to ferment and then watered down. It is clear, its odor does not linger, and it works wonderfully as a solvent.
Why is there no crema on my espresso?
The most common reason that your espresso drink has no crema is that you’re using the wrong coffee grind size to pack your espresso filter The perfect coffee grind size for espresso is much finer than drip coffee or the pre-ground coffee you’d buy for a standard coffee maker.
Why is my espresso not a puck?
If your espresso doesn’t appear to be pulling to recipe, look at grind, dose, and coffee freshness before trying to press that puck through your counter Last in the unimportant category is the ridge on your basket.