If you want to make the perfect espresso, learn how use bottomless portafilter and why you should add this tool to your barista arsenal. The benefits bottomless portafilter allow you to see how the shot is prepared, and you’ll be able to adjust the process accordingly for richer brews.
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How to derive benefits from a portafilter?
To make the perfect espresso, you must consider many factors. These are as follows:
- dosing
- grinding
- pressure
- tamping
- temperature.
To make a truly perfect cup of espresso, you need to have full control of the coffee-brewing process. And, a bottomless portafilter gives such an opportunity.
There are many benefits of a bottomless portafilter. It helps determine the best espresso extraction. When using this type of construction, a barista is able to understand whether the grind is uniform and whether the tapping is perfect judging by the peculiarities of the flow and coffee texture. So, a bottomless portafilter allows you to enhance your skills. As a result, it makes espresso shots more delicious!
What is bottomless portafilter?
Before we talk about the benefits of a bottomless portafilter, let’s spend a few minutes explaining what it really is.
A bottomless (or naked) portafilter is a part of the espresso machine that attaches to the group head and is involved in the brewing process. This is where the water mixes with coffee to form an aromatic espresso shot.
A bottomless portafilter looks like a metal ring with a handle. Unlike a regular filter, its basket does not have a bottom and spout. Thanks to such a construction, it shows the brewing as it is. As the shot pulls, you can see the droplets of espresso on the bottom of the basket and the stream flowing down into your cup. So, you can control the quality of espresso shots.
Watching the coffee-making process from the inside, you can determine whether flow, color, and texture are the best options for a cup of tasty coffee.
Of course, the way your coffee gets into a cup does not impact the brewing process, but here you can better understand the reasons for a bad taste, and next time, make adjustments. And besides, you will get a cup filled up faster because less resistance will be met throughout the extraction process. There are no obstacles in the way of the flow, which could be if the portafilter is equipped with a bottom and a narrow spout.
Benefits and drawbacks of bottomless portafilters
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
|
You can control the quality As far as you see the way the coffee drops, you can understand whether the grinding and tapping have been well done. This is a nice opportunity to master your barista skills. |
Splashes are possible We’d rather say they are inescapable. But they help to find the mistakes in preparation. Just review the process and adjust your technique to avoid or reduce the splashes. |
|
The increased cup gap You have more wide range of used containers. |
It is only for one cup There are coffee machines with a double-spout portafilter that allow you to prepare a couple of shots at a time. But if you choose a bottomless portafilter, you have no choice. Only one cup can be filled up during one session. |
|
Simple cleaning It is washed easily because it consists of fewer components that can become obstructed or cluttered with ground coffee. |
It impacts the crema’s quality If you used to have a particular crema on your espresso, you should be ready to have it different when you choose a bottomless portafilter. It does not get worse, it just differs from the one you get with a spouted portafilter. |
| It’s incredible!
It is quite interesting to view the amazing flowing stream. |
Why use bottomless portafilter?
This is what you were waiting for. The benefits of a bottomless portafilter. Considering the benefits bottomless portafilter we recommend using it if you want any of the following:
- Improve the quality of your shot. As this type of portafilter shows you the shortcomings of the brewing procedure, you can improve it and develop the perfect extraction. It helps to get coffee with a delicious, well-balanced taste and flavor.
- Keep the brewing under control. The portafilter helps you to get a visual proof of mistakes made. This is a kind of test for your ability to reach the best extraction. Just look at the nature of the flow, color, and texture of coffee and draw conclusions.
- Keep your machine clean with less effort. As far as this part is easily washable with running water, you will maintain it properly. The coffee grinds do not remain in the grids as they (if there are some) fall into the tray, which is absolutely simple to clean.
- Obtain richer crema. As far as the way for crema to reach the cup is much shorter as there is no bottom and spout, it gets more intact and richer.
- Master your tamping skills. You should know that if you do not tamp the coffee properly, you will hardly get an evenly extracted raw product. And the consequences will be seen if you use a bottomless portafilter – there will be channeling. So you can enhance tamping and provide a uniform airflow.
- Train for brewing. This accessory is a wonderful training tool for those who want to improve their barista skills and learn how to understand the reasons behind their mistakes when preparing the shot.
How to use bottomless portafilter?
- Prepare a bottomless portafilter. Please note that some bottomless portafilters install on the group head and some on the steam wand.
- Grind and add coffee. We recommend grinding coffee beans right before brewing, but you may use ready-made coffee powder too. Measure the needed amount and put the dose into a basket, distributing the mass evenly. It is very important to level the raw product properly. Mind that this procedure requires more effort and accuracy compared with the use of a spouted portafilter.
- Perform proper tamping. Only when the coffee is distributed, you may start tamping it to prevent channeling.
- Make sure there is no “shorting.” When you complete all the steps above, you may find some space between the upper edge of the basket and the edge of the portafilter. This is a frequent situation, but if you leave it as it is, you will get a watery drink with poor crema. If the dosing is correct, there is no need for more coffee. You should just move the portafilter in and out. But before that, do not forget to cover the top with the help of a tamper. These motions are needed to get rid of the excess air.
- Take action! Now you can get your shot!
What espresso machines is it compatible with?
The ability to use the bottomless portafilter is machine-dependent. Some allow it to be done, others don’t. So, before you buy, make sure there are bottomless portafilters available for your espresso machine. Discuss the issue of a match with a sales manager of the distributor and pay attention to the diameter. The emerging standard for commercial espresso machines is 58 mm.
Bottomless portafilter – to use or not to use?
Be sure to try out the naked portafilter if you want to improve your espresso-making skills. It gives you added diagnostic ability. You can experiment with your grinding, dosing, and tamping techniques. As a result, you’ll learn how use bottomless portafilter and become a real master at the brewing of perfect espresso!
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