How to combine a portafilter, basket and tamper

How to combine a portafilter, basket and tamper

This article is dedicated to all baristas who want to elevate their espresso from a simple coffee preparation to the exquisite taste of a divine drink in a cup. And the ideal  set-up portafilter-basket-tamper . But how to choose them so that they are compatible with both the coffee machine and match each other?

Summary for the impatient:

  1. Identify your coffee machine type
  2. Find out specific portafilter requirements
  3. Choose a portafilter according to the given dimensions and type (naked, single, double)
  4. Find baskets by portafilter diameter
  5. Choose a basket that suits you in terms of shape and volume (10 g, 18 g, 20 g…)
  6. Choose the type of tamper according to your needs (automatic, classic, adjustable)
  7. Search for tamper by basket diameter
  8. For precise 58 mm baskets, choose 58.4-58.5 mm tampers

Choosing a compatible portafilter

The process of selecting accessories for a lever coffee maker – specifically a portafilter , basket and tamper – has its own rules. It starts with the diameter of the coffee maker head. This is how we can determine which portafilter will fit in it. The most typical representatives of portafilters on the market in terms of diameter are 58 mm portafilters. They are often considered universal, fitting almost all coffee makers, especially professional ones. Almost.

What 58 mm portafilters do not fit?

It will be quicker to list coffee machines that are not compatible with the "gold standard", i.e. the 58 mm portafilter:

Coffee maker head type vs. portafilter

Besides the diameter, there is one more thing to consider when you want a matching portafilter. A 58mm portafilter may be compatible with one coffee maker, but it may not fit another coffee maker with a 58mm diameter.  It could be a different thread solution. If you have a coffee maker  with the standardized E61 head , you have the widest range of portafilters on the market. For coffee machines with a different type of head, I recommend choosing  portafilter of the same brand of coffee machine .

Usually, depending on the manufacturer or model of the coffee machine, there is a special placement of the "ears" of the portafilter, which can be in the 90/180 or 45/135 position (this is the angle to the handle) and there is also a different spread in their thickness, approximately from 5.5 mm to 7.5 mm. Therefore  Portafilters with the same diameter may not fit all coffee machines , typically these are coffee machines from the Nuova Simonelli , Victoria Arduino , Astoria or Bezzera brands.

Choosing a compatible basket

The espresso basket , also called an espresso filter or a coffee machine strainer, is selected according to the diameter of the portafilter . A few lines above we listed coffee machines with atypical dimensions for choosing a portafilter and this information also applies to the basket. First of all, the basket must fit into the portafilter with a compatible diameter. The baskets are usually made of thin stainless steel and therefore  For example, 58.5 mm baskets fit into a 58 mm diameter portafilter . They are held in place by a spring or ridge to prevent them from falling out.

Since it is  The diameter of the basket is determined by the portafilter , the depth of the basket will change to vary the dosage of coffee for espresso. You choose this according to the required recipe or the coffee used. It is ideal to have  multiple baskets for different coffees . In addition to the simple distinction between single vs double basket, also consider the fineness of the grind and the actual volume of ground coffee needed for different roasts. The size of the coffee also plays a role.  the perforation of the basket and the shape of its bottom edge .

Choosing a compatible tamper

The final stamp of quality espresso... erm, I mean a coffee tamper . Tamper manufacturers have been doing quite a bit lately, so you have a really wide range to choose from. According to  coffee pressing method For better clarity, we can divide tampers into:

  • classic
  • automatic
  • manually adjustable and spring-loaded

Choose the type of tamper according to your wishes and tamping abilities. What determines the compatibility with the coffee machine, or rather the portafilter basket, is again its diameter. Once again, owners of 58 mm portafilters have a larger choice of coffee tampers. But be careful, as we said above, the basket may have a different diameter than the portafilter diameter when measured to tenths of a millimeter.

This usually happens with 58 mm portafilters, which are commonly purchased.  precision IMS or VST baskets . These baskets are built for 58/58.5 mm tampers and those  0.5 mm can mean the difference between an unbalanced coffee and a perfect espresso . Therefore, a 58.4 or 58.5 mm tamper will work better with precision baskets, and regular tampers with a 58 mm diameter will work better with classic 58 mm baskets.

Portafilter, basket and tamper for a specific coffee machine

Enough theory, let's explain it with an example.

Lelit Anna coffee maker

For the Lelit Anna coffee maker, which has a head diameter of 57 mm, you will also need a 57 mm basket , ideally we will stick to the manufacturer's brand. For this we will then find a matching 57 mm tamper, where the best solution will be to stick to the brand again, i.e. the Lelit 57.35 mm tamper . And the corresponding portafilter must not be missing.

Oscar coffee maker

For the Oscar coffee machine, we will choose a portafilter that fits the 58 mm heads of Nuova Simonelli coffee machines, i.e. a portafilter of the same brand. We will then purchase a precision IMS 58 mm basket for 16-19 g of coffee and we will tamp with a tamper with a diameter of 58.4 mm from Idroperp, which has a unique gel pad for even tamping pressure.

Cellini coffee maker by La Pavoni

Such a Cellini coffee maker from La Pavoni has an E61 head. This means that it will be a standard in the form of a 58 mm portafilter, for example the wooden 58 mm naked portafilter from Heavy Tamper . What to put in it? Definitely a precision strainer, for example this 16-18 g basket with a nano-surface from E&B LAB (a subsidiary brand of IMS). And finally an adjustable “palm tamper” for precise tamping of the coffee.

***

One thing follows the other and together they form a complete set for the perfect espresso. The key is to know your coffee machine and have an idea of what you want to improve in espresso preparation. In our range of coffee accessories you will find everything you need.

If you are unsure about choosing accessories for your coffee machine, you can always turn to us for advice! Coffee, coffee machines and barista equipment is our job and passion. Do you need advice? Then contact us and we will take care of your coffee needs.

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