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
What is an espresso machine portafilter?
The espresso machine portafilter is, at its most basic level, a filter basket attached to a handle This device locks into the brew group of your espresso machine, forming a seal so that the water is forced through the ground coffee in the basket at high pressure.
Do you need a 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.
How does portafilter work?
A portafilter is a component of an espresso machine. It’s the spoon-like device that holds the ground coffee. You attach the portafilter to the group head of the espresso machine, where the hot water comes into contact with the ground beans and extracts espresso.
Do all espresso machines have portafilter?
Semi-automatic espresso makers outfitted by pressurized portafilters include Krups, Capresso, Saeco and la Pavoni. Many semi-automatic espresso makers on the market are designed exclusively for or accept pods For these espresso makers, a pod portafilter is necessary.
What is a filter basket and a portafilter?
The portafilter, Italian for “filter holder,” is where the espresso extraction takes place Ground coffee is tamped into the portafilter, which then locks into the group head on your espresso machine, creating a seal.
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.
How much coffee goes in a portafilter?
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.
Can you put less coffee in portafilter?
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.
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.
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.
How do you use an espresso portafilter?
All you have to do is lock the coffee pod into the portafilter, lock in the handle, and then switch the espresso machine on to brew the desired amount of rich espresso.
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.
Can you use any portafilter?
There is no consensus on whether bigger is better or which proprietary hole pattern is better. The often frustrating thing for home baristas to keep in mind is that most portafilters and filter baskets are not interchangeable between brands.
How many shots of espresso do you get from one portafilter?
1-2 of 2 Answers Hi, this unit can only make up to 2 espresso shots at a time Using the same grounds for multiple uses will result in a much weaker espresso.
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 often should you change portafilter basket?
In a busy commercial environment it is common to replace the portafilter baskets every 6 months or at a minimum annually If you are not sure which portafilter basket is best for your cafe, give our commercial experts a call for a short consultation.
How do I know what size portafilter to buy?
- Measure the portafilter across the diameter (the centerline).
- Change your reading to a decimal unit
- Convert the inches to millimeters by multiplying by 25.4 (2.33 x 25.4 = 59.18 mm)
- Get a tamper that’s 0.75 mm smaller by subtracting (59.18 – 0.75 = 58.43 mm)
What is a single portafilter?
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. One of the keys to ensuring even extraction with espresso is producing an even tamp.
What makes a good portafilter?
There are five things that make an excellent portafilter: weight, size/ergonomics, type of handle, spout, and material Before buying an espresso maker, it is essential to consider what kind of portafilter the machine uses and its user-friendliness.
Is 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.
What is standard portafilter size?
Portafilter Sizing Portafilters range from 49 mm to 58 mm The most common size is 58 mm.
How tight should a portafilter be?
- Portafilter needs to be turned towards a point whereby it is snug and fit, NOT tight
- Regardless of the size of the espresso machine, it would be best to hold lightly with firmness onto one corner of the machine while turning the portafilter in the group head.
What happens if you put too much coffee in a portafilter?
If it does, then you’ve overfilled your basket. Remember that as we add water to coffee in the portafilter, it expands. The coffee needs enough room to expand without coming in to contact with the shower screen. Overfilled baskets are prone to causing channels and cause group heads to become dirtier.
Is a naked portafilter worth it?
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.
Do you need to heat portafilter?
Step 1: Preheat Portafilter If you only heat up the water boiler, you risk the amount of water needed for espresso cooling down on its way through the metal portafilter The coffee grounds would be extracted with water that is too cold, resulting in a sour espresso. This is why the warm-up phase is so important.
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.
Does the portafilter need to be warm?
The portafilter is the entire assembly of the handle, the basket, and the spouts. The portafilter is always made of metal and must always be warmed before extracting espresso.