Tips for a starter using a bottomless portafilter

#1: Post by **PaulN** » March 2nd, 2011, 11:02 am

Hi All,

Like a big kid im very excited having just ordered a Bottomless Portafilter for my Gaggia Classic

Hopefully I wont be taking too many steps back with it as i seem to be making good progress with my espresso making.

Any good tips for a starter using a bottomless portafilter?

Cheers

PaulN

#2: Post by **Randy G.** » March 2nd, 2011, 11:37 am

PaulN wrote:Any good tips for a starter using a bottomless portafilter?

Yes... Don't put your face too close to the machine when you first start using it. Distribution problems cause channeling. Channeling creates sprites. Sprites will spray hot, small streams of coffee into your face. Sort of like changing diapers on a male infant with the exception that sprites taste better.

#3: Post by **cafeIKE** » March 2nd, 2011, 12:49 pm

Good Looking != Good Tasting

#4: Post by **oralia80** » March 3rd, 2011, 11:40 am

Honestly... WDT made ALL the difference for me on the bottomless portafilter. I used to get micro channeling (yes it did spray 200 degree espresso in my eye) but now my shots are smooth and silky and ZERO channeling, spritzing or bubbling ect...

WDT (and some pre-infusion) causes it to saturate the bottom evenly and extract perfectly through the shot.

If no WDT my shots are spritzing everywhere... and the taste is obvious.

#5: Post by **Hoenen** » March 4th, 2011, 2:43 am

Oil, coffee, lemons... they always seem to be able to aim for the eyes

#6: Post by **caffeinatedjen** » March 4th, 2011, 12:55 pm

Yeah, the espresso in the eye just adds to humiliation, doesn't it?

#7: Post by **benhogan** » March 4th, 2011, 1:14 pm

you can always get one of those angled mirrors so you can see without the risk. Espresso parts has them in different sizes.

#8: Post by **cannonfodder** » March 6th, 2011, 9:18 pm

Hoenen wrote:Oil, coffee, lemons... they always seem to be able to aim for the eyes

You forgot sharp sticks and BB gun ricochets.

But to the point. Do not start eye cupping. Just because the pour looks good does not mean it will taste good. The crema from a bottomless also tends to be more pronounced. They produce a larger bubble so the crema volume is higher than from a spouted portafilter. You may need to get out the scale to make sure you are pulling the same volume at first. Also, take a moment before you start the shot but after you lock the portafilter in and wipe the bottom of the basket. They will pick up a lot of stray grinds while tamping and you may end up with a crunchy cup of coffee.

March 7th, 2011, 5:26 am

PaulN wrote: Any good tips for a starter using a bottomless portafilter?

dont wear white shirts!

#10: Post by **CoffeeOwl** » March 7th, 2011, 9:51 am

dont wear white shirts!

Go naked YAY!

the sprits cool in the air before they eventually reach you...