If your portafilter has been damaged or you just want a more efficient way to make coffee, then it’s time to upgrade your old portafilter for a new one. While there are many different types of portafilters to choose from, you’ll want to remember that each one is designed for a specific use. For instance, some portafilters are used to train new operators while others require less skill and can make drinks quicker. Our buying guide will help you figure out which type of portafilter works best for your employees and can give you the espresso shot you’re looking for.
What Is A Portafilter?
A portafilter is a filter basket, typically made from chrome, brass, or stainless steel, which is then attached to a handle. The filter basket is filled with coffee grounds and inserted into an espresso machine’s brew head or brew group. Once the portafilter is locked onto the group head, hot water at high pressure flows into the portafilter and out the spout on the bottom of the portafilter into a cup. One to two portafilters are included with a purchased espresso machine.
There are four types of portafilters:
- Commercial portafilters - Give baristas control over the extraction process in order to manipulate the taste of the shot.
- Pressurized portafilters- Used with coarse coffee grinds or pre-ground coffee, a pressurized portafilter gives consistent pressure and produces an inferior espresso to commercial portafilters.
- Pod portafilters- These portafilters eliminate the need to tamp coffee grounds and instead use a coffee pod that is simply inserted in the basket. These are mostly used for home espressos.
- Bottomless portafilters- As their name indicates, these portafilters are built without spouts and allow baristas to see the espresso flow. These are largely used for teaching baristas about making shots.
What Is A Portafilter Basket?
The portafilter baskets hold the coffee grounds, whether loose grinds or prepackaged grinds, and release the shot through the bottom. One of the major differences between portafilter baskets is their size which indicates how many shots they can make. There are usually three sizes: single shot, double shot, and triple shot.
- Single shot- Hold 7 to 12 grams of coffee grounds and are designed with a single spout.
- Double shot- 14 to 22 grams of coffee grounds and are designed with a double spout.
- Triple shot- Hold 21 to 35 grams of coffee grounds and are designed with a double spout. Note that these are typically quite large and may not fit your portafilter.
Types Of Portafilters
Commercial Portafilters
Because these are made for commercial use, commercial portafilters are built of chrome, brass, or both for superior heat retention and long-lasting quality. Out of all portafilters, they produce the best extraction because their filter baskets have a wide diameter. Keep in mind that the quality of extraction also depends on the pressure applied to the coffee grinds during the tamping process. The tamping process requires training and mastery. They are commonly designed with single or double spouts.
Pressurized Portafilters
Designed with a valve or basket that only lets water pass through until the ideal pressure develops, these pressurized portafilters only need lightly tamped coffee grounds. However, these portafilters don’t give you the same control as commercial portafilters which means your shots won’t be as rich in taste compared to other filtered coffee. Made for beginners, these portafilters create a consistent shot of espresso every time and are ideal for making lattes and cappuccinos as these drinks conceal the bitter taste of poorly made coffee beverages. These portafilters have smaller baskets and are made from aluminum and plastic, which are not very good at retaining heat and are subject to damage.
Pod Portafilters
Made for home use, pod portafilters use prepacked pods of ground coffee or tamped grinds. Pod portafilters are usually included with semi-automatic espresso machines and are a quick and easy way to make shots. You simply need to insert the packet into the basket and insert the portafilter to the group head to make coffee. After the coffee is made, there is minimum cleanup required as the sealed bag only needs to be discarded. Keep in mind that pod portafilters only work with pods and not loose grounds of coffee.
Bottomless Portafilters
Built without spouts, bottomless portafilters allow you to see the flow of the espresso to spot any channeling. When there is channeling, the water makes a hole straight through the espresso puck and does not mix with the grounds. This is a result of a poor tampering technique, a grind that is not fine, or doses that are too large or too little. Through channeling, the flow from a bottomless portafilter will let you know that something is wrong. Bottomless portafilters also produce more crema and are easier to clean because there is little to no buildup.
How To Clean A Portafilter Between Shots
- Knock out the coffee puck from the basket.
- Flush the group head until the water runs clear.
- Rinse out the portafilter with hot water to keep it from getting cold. Many operators rinse the portafilters out with the espresso machine’s tea spout.
- With a clean cloth, wipe the portafilter until there are no more grounds left.
Some operators will clean portafilters after 5 shots or more, but we recommend cleaning the portafilter after every shot. Leftover coffee grounds can greatly affect the taste of your shots.
How To Clean A Portafilter
Since portafilters can be made from different materials, make sure to follow your product’s manual guide for cleaning and maintenance. The following cleaning instructions can be used for cleaning commercial portafilters or portafilters that are made out of chrome, brass, or stainless steel.
- Take some espresso machine cleaning detergent and mix it with warm water in a large glass container. Do not use a plastic container because espresso machine detergents are corrosive.
- If the spout is made out of plastic, remove it before cleaning and make sure the handle (if it is also made out of plastic) does not make contact with the detergent or the mixture.
- Remove the filter basket from the portafilter.
- Dip the head of the portafilter and the basket into the mixture. Be careful not to touch the mixture with your hands. Again, make sure the handle does not touch the mixture if it is made out of plastic.
- Leave the head and the basket in the mixture for five to ten minutes.
- Take the portafilter and basket out of the container and rinse it with water.
- Wipe the handle clean with a wet cloth.
