Water escaping over lip of portafilter (bottomless)

#1: Post by **SJM** » January 2nd, 2015, 11:13 am

I ordered and am using a bottomless portafilter from Stefanos.
It came with what looks like a triple basket, but I am using the double basket that came with the Livia 90.
No matter how hard I crank the portafilter into the machine, when I turn on the pump, water seeps up over the lip of the portafilter.
A careful repositioning of the cup manages to avoid getting that into my shot, but...this is not right, and I'm not sure how to address it.

I had figured it would stop after I softened the gasket just a bit by using it, but it doesn't seem to be happening that way.
Any suggestions?

#2: Post by **Gus** » January 2nd, 2015, 1:38 pm

It sounds like the ears on the new PF may not be as thick as they are on the other one. Have you compared the two?

January 2nd, 2015, 2:24 pm

Spot on !!!
The Pasquini original is 6.8 mm
The bottomless is only 5.? (I forget now).
I guess it goes back....phoooey.

#4: Post by **weebit_nutty** » January 3rd, 2015, 5:12 am

This is an easy workaround.
Running a SS wire seated underneath the basket rim will give the basket some added height needed to form a tighter seal.

January 3rd, 2015, 12:32 pm

Okay, but first I have a thicker brew gasket coming from Salvatore.
If that doesn't work I'll try the wire. Do you think I could use a bit of copper wire instead of stainless?
I have that in house already.

Susan

#6: Post by **weebit_nutty** » January 5th, 2015, 2:19 am

Sure.. Copper should be fine.. but remember that it is a temporary solution. With prolonged use it's possible the wire won't last forever since it'll get crushed a little bit each time you install the PF in the group.