What is a Portafilter & The Best Types of Portafilters

What is a Portafilter, Exactly?

When visiting your favorite coffee shop, you probably noticed the long handle sticking out of the espresso machine. This is part of the portafilter, one of the most important components of making espresso.

It’s responsible for holding the coffee grounds in place while hot water passes through to extract rich espresso.

This fancy tool is made up of three main parts: the handle, the basket, and the spout.

The handle is where baristas grip the portafilter, letting them lock in and remove it before and after pulling shots.

The basket is where the coffee grounds go, and it has tiny holes in the bottom to allow the brewed coffee to pass through while still preventing the grounds from escaping.

The spout is where the brewed espresso comes out, and it can be either a traditional spout or a naked/bottomless spout.

A naked portafilter spout? What the heck is that?

Don’t worry, we will dive into all the different types of portafilters later. But first...

The History of the Portafilter for Espresso Machines

Now that you know just how critical the portafilter is for making a delicious cup of espresso, what are the origins of such a weird little device?

The history of the portafilter can be traced back to the early 20th century when espresso was becoming more popular in Italy.

The first machines used a simple filter basket that was placed in the brew head of the machine. This basket was filled with coffee grounds, and hot water was forced through it to extract the espresso. However, this method led to inconsistent extraction and difficulty in cleaning the filter.

To overcome these challenges, the portafilter was invented. The first patent for a portafilter was filed in 1938 by Achille Gaggia, an Italian barista who is widely credited with revolutionizing the espresso industry. Gaggia's portafilter design featured a metal basket with small holes at the bottom, which allowed for more even extraction and easier cleaning.

The original portafilter design had a handle that was separate from the basket, which made it difficult to use. In the 1950s, however, the lever machine was introduced, which allowed for easier use of the portafilter. The lever machine used a lever (duh) to apply pressure to the portafilter, which in turn forced water through the coffee grounds and produced a shot of espresso.

Over the years, the portafilter has undergone several improvements, including the addition of a spout to direct the espresso into the cup, and the use of different materials for the filter basket.

Today, the portafilter is an essential part of espresso machines around the world, and its design continues to evolve to meet the needs of baristas and coffee fans alike.

If you're curious to learn how an espresso machine works, then check out this article:
How Espresso Machines Work & Their 5 Main Parts - The Complete Guide

Parts of a Portafilter

The portafilter is a complex part of the espresso machine that consists of three main components. They all work together to create a seamless extraction of delicious espresso. So how does this thing work, exactly?

Basket

The basket is arguably the most important part of the portafilter. This is where you put your coffee grounds in hopes of brewing a nice espresso.

 

Filter baskets consist of tiny holes that allow the extracted liquid and oils to pass through while simultaneously preventing any grounds from sneaking into your cup.

Most portafilter baskets are made of stainless steel that won’t react with the acids in the coffee. Make sure to clean this part before and after each use.

Handle

The basket connects to the handle, which is where you grip the portafilter. It’s important that the handle is made of a heat-resistant material like certain plastics or types of wood.

A comfortable, ergonomic grip is nice too. After all, you will be using this multiple times a day to fuel your coffee addiction! Pick a sturdy handle that feels good and keeps your hands away from the hot metal of the portafilter.

Spout

The spout is the part of the portafilter where the brewed espresso comes out. It can be either a traditional spout or a naked/bottomless spout.

The traditional spout has a metal tube that extends from the bottom of the basket, which helps the espresso flow directly into the cup. Naked/bottomless portafilters, on the other hand, have no metal tube, which allows the barista to see the extraction process and make adjustments as needed.

Overall, the handle, basket, and spout of a portafilter work together to hold the ground espresso beans, distribute hot water through them, and deliver the brewed espresso into the cup.

Different Types of Portafilters

Now that you know how a portafilter works, there are many different types and variations to choose from. They can come in multiple diameters and with single or double-shot baskets. There are both pressurized portafilters and non-pressurized portafilters.

Let’s tackle all of these terms and the pros and cons of each type of portafilter. That way, you can buy your next one with confidence.

1. Pressurized Portafilter

Pressurized portafilters are great for beginners who want consistent pressure every time with their puck of coffee. Essentially, this kind of portafilter has a basket with a false bottom with only one or two holes (or sometimes a small grid of holes), which help pressurize the grounds inside the basket.

These are also known as double-wall basket portafilters.

A pressurized portafilter tends to be common in home espresso machines that are more automated. It’s ideal for someone who isn’t a barista and just wants their espresso to be consistent and tasty each time double-wall baskets facilitate the espresso brewing process.

That being said, if you want to experiment more with your brews, a pressurized portafilter might not be for you.

2. Non-Pressurized Portafilter

Contrary to pressurized portafilters, non-pressurized portafilters have baskets with a grid at the bottom. They do not have a false bottom so they are called single-wall basket portafilters as well. Most semi-automatic espresso machines that you see in coffee shops use this type of portafilter.

It requires more skill and barista experience to use, but you get much more control and customization over the shots that you pull.

If you are reading this article, chances are that you like to experiment with brewing coffee and are interested in perfecting your craft. This portafilter is probably the right choice for you.

3. Spouted Portafilter

Spouted portafilters are more common than bottomless portafilters.

With this type of portafilter, the brewed espresso passes through the filter basket, through a curved spout, and into the cup. They produce a consistent shot but can hide extraction problems. They can also be more difficult to properly clean.

4. Bottomless Portafilter

Bottomless portafilters are also referred to as naked portafilters since the bottom has no spout and you can see how the espresso drips through the filter basket.

Experienced baristas generally prefer this type of portafilter because they can see what is going wrong if the espresso shots aren’t turning out as they had hoped.

Aside from being aesthetically pleasing to watch (trust me, it’s like meditation), a bottomless portafilter tends to result in shots with more crema. This is because the oils in the coffee are touching fewer surfaces - and potentially getting stuck less often - than in a spouted portafilter.

The coffee has a more direct path to your cup.

Others claim that a naked portafilter can improve flavor and aroma, but I’ll leave that up to you to decide. The coffee shop I roasted for in Brazil always used spouted portafilters without any issue! The espresso was amazing every day. You can take my word for it.

5. Ridged Portafilter

A ridged basket has an indentation that runs around the entire circumference of the filter basket. Because this ridge sits towards the top of the basket, it helps secure the unit in place while brewing and during cleaning.

The ridge also helps with more even distribution of the coffee and water, which can result in a more consistent cup of espresso.

One downfall to the ridged portafilter is that coffee grinds tend to get stuck on the inside of the basket where the ridge sits. Even after you knock out a puck, extra cleaning might be required to get everything out. Usually, all it takes is a quick wipe with a slightly damp rag.

6. Ridgeless Portafilter

Ridgeless filter baskets are also an option if you don’t want to worry about any extra cleaning of stuck grounds. It can be a bit harder to get even distribution with a ridgeless basket, so make sure you are using good distribution and tamping tools when putting your fresh grounds into the basket.

Note: Be aware that the basket might move when trying to get rid of pucks after pulling an espresso. There isn’t any metal indentation holding it in place.

7. Pod Portafilter

A pod portafilter is a type of portafilter that is designed to hold coffee pods, which are pre-packaged coffee grounds that come in a single-serving size.

Astra, an espresso machine manufacturer, makes adjustable pod portafilters that allow you to conveniently brew individual servings with ESE (easy serve espresso) pods that are popular in some lower-end espresso makers.

I recommend you stay away from pod portafilters if you want a true espresso experience with the best flavor and aroma.

Different Sizes: Single vs Double vs Triple Filter Baskets

Portafilters can come with single, double, or triple shot baskets, depending on what size and how many shots you want to make each time you pull espresso.

Single-shot baskets typically hold 7-12 grams of coffee, double-shot baskets hold 14-21 grams, and triple-shot baskets hold 21+ grams.

If you like to make one shot of espresso at a time, you’re probably fine with a single-shot basket. You can identify it by its unique funnel shape. It’s usually paired with a single-spouted portafilter.

Most coffee shops use double or triple-shot baskets to keep up with lots of demand. Both sizes are still used to make two shots of espresso at a time, so they are paired with double-spouted portafilters.

This isn’t anything fancy. All it means is that this portafilter has two spouts.

Most coffee shops claim that single spouts make a lower-quality espresso. This was the case at the coffee shop I worked at. We would always use a double-spouted portafilter, even when making just a single shot of espresso. The little bit of extra wasted coffee was worth the better-tasting cup.

Different Diameters for Filter Baskets

With all the variations that portafilters can come in, it shouldn’t be a surprise that there are also different diameters available for the filter basket.

The most common basket diameter is 58 mm. This is what most commercial espresso machines come supplied with, and it’s what you will find at most coffee shops using semi-automatic machines.

53 mm and 54 mm are other available sizes for smaller machines. You will find 54 mm diameter baskets on many home machines like Breville’s Bambino and Bambino Plus. 53 mm is less common.

51 mm baskets are used on some of the smallest home machines, like some entry-level DeLonghi espresso makers. Some baskets also come with 57 mm diameters, but these are extremely rare.

This decision is made by the machine that you use or plan to purchase. You can’t substitute a 58 mm basket for a 54 mm one. Save yourself the hassle of trying because it simply won’t fit. Make sure you buy whatever size works for your machine.

If you aren’t sure what size basket your portafilter comes in, you can use a machine caliber to measure the interior dimensions. Make sure you convert to millimeters if you are measuring in inches!

How to Use a Portafilter

The espresso machine is a complex beast, but using a portafilter is actually a simple part of the process. Follow these steps on how to use and prepare a portafilter basket, and you’ll be pulling espresso shots in no time!

1. Choose your coffee. Select high-quality coffee beans and grind your coffee beans to the appropriate size for espresso (fine grind).
   
   
   
2. Insert the portafilter basket. Place the basket into the portafilter handle, making sure it's securely in place.
   
   
   
3. Distribute the ground coffee. Use a coffee distributor or a spiked tool to evenly distribute the coffee grounds in the basket.
   
   
   
4. Tamp the coffee. Using a tamper, apply pressure evenly to the coffee grounds. The goal is to create a flat, even surface. Slide your index finger across the ridges to sweep off any stray coffee grounds.
   
   
   
5. Lock in the portafilter. Insert the portafilter into the group head on the espresso machine and twist it into place.
   
   
   
6. Brew your espresso. Turn on the espresso machine and wait for the espresso to start flowing into your cup.
   
   
   
7. Enjoy! Once the espresso has finished brewing, remove the portafilter from the machine, knock out the puck, and wipe the portafilter basket with a damp cloth.

What Makes a Good Portafilter?

A good portafilter is whichever type works best for you and your needs.

If you want to take out the guesswork and stick to what most professional baristas use with their semi-automatic machines, here’s my recommendation:

Pick a non-pressurized, ridged portafilter that has the right diameter for the machine you are using. Choose a double or triple-shot basket with two spouts to keep things as simple as possible while making two shots of espresso at a time.

In addition, make sure you pick a portafilter that’s made with high-quality materials. Don’t cheap out for lower-quality wood handles or portafilter baskets that aren’t made of stainless steel or chrome-plated brass.

I’ve seen acrylic plastic filters on the market… definitely avoid those! They aren’t durable and can harbor bacteria within scratches.

It's also important to choose a manufacturer that has replacement parts readily available and at a decent price, in case anything breaks.

Essential Portafilter Accessories

There are several portafilter accessories that baristas or coffee enthusiasts should have to ensure a better espresso extraction and overall coffee experience. Here are some that I highly recommend you buy if you want to take your espresso to the next level.

• Tamper: A tamper is a tool used to compress the ground coffee in the portafilter, which is necessary for an even and consistent extraction. A good tamper should fit the size of the portafilter and have a flat and level base to ensure a uniform tamp.
  
  
  
• Distribution tool: A distribution tool is used to evenly distribute the coffee grounds in the portafilter before tamping. This helps to prevent channeling or uneven extraction during brewing.
  
  
  
• Scale: A scale is essential for measuring the amount of grounds and water used in the espresso extraction process. This ensures consistency in the brewing process and helps to achieve the desired flavor profile. Definitely don’t forget this piece of equipment! You can use it for brewing espresso and for pour-overs.
  
  
  
• Cleaning brush: A cleaning brush is necessary for keeping the portafilter clean and free of grounds and residue. This helps to prevent contamination and maintain the quality of the espresso.
  
  
  
• Portafilter holder: A portafilter holder is a tool that can be used to hold the portafilter in place during tamping and brewing, which can provide better stability and control during the process.
  
  
  
• Knock box: A knock box is a container designed to hold the portafilter securely while you tap it against a bar or rod to dislodge the used coffee grounds, allowing for easy disposal and keeping the workstation clean and tidy. Get one that comes with a sliding drawer if you want to hide the pucks before disposing of them.

Related Reads:

• Learn How to Roast Coffee Beans at Home from a Roaster
• How to Properly Clean and Descale Your Espresso Machine!
• 13 Different & Most Unique Types of Espresso Machines
• The Best Automatic Espresso Machine + 8 Contenders

Frequently Asked Questions

Bottom Line

The portafilter is a crucial part of the espresso machine for both coffee enthusiasts and baristas who want to make the perfect espresso shot.

Now that you know what a portafilter is and all the various types of portafilters available, including the advantages and disadvantages of each one, I hope you can make an informed decision on which one to purchase. Even better, try getting different baskets and test your espresso maker!

Whatever you choose, happy brewing!