I have a Gaggia Baby that I have paired with a Rocky. I am expecting to receive my Vario any day now to improve my grind. I am ordering a bottomless PF, but want to get a better filter basket to go with it. My Gaggia filter is OK, but I have read that this upgrade can be inexpensive, but yet make a big difference. The reviews on the VST seem mixed. Can anyone recommend a good double shot filter basket?

I really like the HQ baskets from Espressoparts: http://www.espressoparts.com/cgi-bin/ep.pl I prefer the ridgeless versions & use the HQ14 for 14-18g doses & the HQ21 for 18+g-21g doses.

@JohnB

Thanks! That is the one I was looking at. What is the difference between ridge and ridgeless?

Finer grinds work more consistently in all machines; but especially entry level ones. The double basket that comes with the machine is designed for doses around 14 grams, where you would use the right grind level. If you want to use higher doses in this basket, you would need coarser grinds, and you shot consistency would nose dive. The Strada and VST 18 gram baskets use the same grind at 18 grams you would use at 14 with your regular basket, and thereby allow more consistent up dosed shots.

The gotcha on the VST baskets is that they require more precise dosing than other baskets, and you would be well advised to weigh doses on a tenth gram scale, at least until you could get within 0.2 grams of target by feel. I don't know the baskets John mentions, but if they take high doses at fine grinds like the VST and are as charitable to dose variations as regular baskets, they would be an improvement.

All in all, starting out, I would strongly advise getting good shots using 14 gram doses in the stock double basket, i.e making the espresso for which the machine is designed. First, this is a lot easier than making good espresso using parameters for which the machine is not designed. Second, there is no way you can even know at this stage if the result with the VST, even if used properly, would be preferable to you or not.

@another_jim

Thanks for the feedback. I have had my Gaggia for about 5 years now and can get consistent shots that are not bad. Every month or so, I find myself in an Intelligentsia cafe and realize how inferior my shots are. The grinder upgrade should be an improvement, and a bottomless PF should help me see the extraction better to understand if my form is proper. I have read that baskets can make a difference for those that are fine tuning, like myself. I do not think I am ready for the jump to the VST yet, though.

pearlmikejam wrote: What is the difference between ridge and ridgeless?

Normally it's just a matter of having the ridge in the sidewall of the basket that catches on the spring in your p/f or having a smooth sidewall. Without the ridge the baskets are much easier to pop in & out of the p/f. If you dose into the basket while the p/f stays locked into the group & weigh the dose on a scale it's a real plus to be able to easily remove the basket.

In the case of the two HQ14 baskets the ridged version is actually a completely different basket. The ridged looks more like a Faema style basket whereas the ridgeless is closer to the shape of a Synesso basket.

Sorry Mike, I didn't realize you've been at this for so long. That means you have developed the palate to not just distinguish bad from good shots, but also getting better from getting worse shots (which is real important when trying to make changes at home).

Oddly enough, you'll realize soon that even after all this time, you can still pick up on basic consistency by using the bottomless. Using an accurate scale to dose will similarly help. You can use the scale and bottomless all the time or just as temporary training tools; either way, your skills will improve greatly.

Jim,

Thanks again! Even having been at this for 10+ years (started with a Starbucks brand espresso machine), I still have a lot to learn. I am not active on the boards, but the use of a scale is something I never really considered (until now).

John,

Thanks as well. For less than $7, I ordered a ridged and ridgeless. Given the different shapes, I am curious to see if one will be easier to use than another.