Quick tip for serving multiple houseguests - use multiple portafilters

#1: Post by **baldheadracing** » March 6th, 2023, 5:30 pm

I was reminded of this technique by a new Cat'n'Cloud video. The video is for a three-group, but the same principle applies to a one-group, except that you use two portafilters instead of four. It is also possible to use two or more baskets with one portafilter, but in that case I would suggest removing the portafilter spring to make basket swapping easier.

1:41 long

#2: Post by **cafeIKE** » March 7th, 2023, 1:18 pm

Another option is to grind all the shots into multiple containers, knock, wipe & recharge. Never had a complaint...

#3: Post by **RapidCoffee** » March 7th, 2023, 5:02 pm

baldheadracing wrote:It is also possible to use two or more baskets with one portafilter, but in that case I would suggest removing the portafilter spring to make basket swapping easier.

+1 to this. (I recommend prepping the basket outside the portafilter, regardless.)

#4: Post by **zrieser** » March 7th, 2023, 9:32 pm

My mother in law is staying with us which brings me up to 3 lattes/espresso in the morning. Today I grabbed my long stored double spouted portafilter. It was awesome and so smooth... not sure why I haven't done that before.

Thanks!

#5: Post by **DaveC** » March 8th, 2023, 9:05 am

Multiple portafilters will be cold, removing the basket is fiddly. Why not simply knock out the hot portafilter, use a dry paintbrush to remove the remaining coffee and within seconds it's completely dry ready for the next shot. It's exactly what I do when helping out at exhibitions (and most others). Or if using a rubber spin cleaner instead of a knock box can still use the dry brush technique for a nice clean dry result.

#6: Post by **cafeIKE** » March 8th, 2023, 10:05 am

RapidCoffee wrote:I recommend prepping the basket outside the portafilter, regardless.

Care to expand?

I BTDT and found it a PITA

#7: Post by **RapidCoffee** » March 8th, 2023, 10:27 am

cafeIKE wrote:Care to expand?

I prefer to prep the basket outside the portafilter for the following reasons:
1) Easier to accurately dose (weigh) 16g in a 30g basket than in a 400g PF.
2) Easier to tamp basket consistently on a flat surface, rather than mess with PF stand or countertop edge.
3) PF stays locked in the heated group throughout puck prep, maintaining temperature.
4) Easy to pre-prep several baskets for guests, then pull one shot after another.

Disadvantage:
Requires ridgeless baskets, or PF spring clip removal, to allow smooth basket insertion. If you remove the spring clip, knocking out the puck requires a bit of skill (basically keeping your thumb on the lip of the basket).

One of my little idiosyncracies, I suppose.

March 8th, 2023, 11:54 am

This is exactly how I prepare shots on my Europiccola. I can't imagine trying to prepare a shot without removing the portafilter.

#9: Post by **cafeIKE** » March 8th, 2023, 6:34 pm

RapidCoffee wrote:I prefer to prep the basket outside the portafilter for the following reasons:
1) Easier to accurately dose (weigh) 16g in a 30g basket than in a 400g PF.
2) Easier to tamp basket consistently on a flat surface, rather than mess with PF stand or countertop edge.
3) PF stays locked in the heated group throughout puck prep, maintaining temperature.
4) Easy to pre-prep several baskets for guests, then pull one shot after another.

Disadvantage:
Requires ridgeless baskets, or PF spring clip removal, to allow smooth basket insertion. If you remove the spring clip, knocking out the puck requires a bit of skill (basically keeping your thumb on the lip of the basket).

I measure into tared yoghurt cup & grind into more of them
Not an issue with BPF. The other reason I use a BPF is cleanliness. IMO a spouted PF is too big a PITA to handle and keep clean
Not an issue with BPF. It's only out for a few seconds to knock, dose and tamp
True, but I don't think they mind the wait as most drinks are milk. No tailender espresso drinker has ever complained

I 'invented' these shortly after I got a machine with a ridged basket:

It's just a stock spring with the bends

March 8th, 2023, 8:10 pm

I'm wondering if we're all thinking of the same situation.

I was thinking of simultaneously serving, not sequentially serving. For example, when the ex and I had a dinner party, then we would want to serve, say, eight cappuccinos to the table after dinner, i.e., serve all eight people at the table at the same time.

So, one almost has to use spouted portafilters as double spouts will give eight servings in four pulls. A bottomless more-or-less implies eight separate pulls - which would take twice as long. Assuming the machine is capable, the total time taken for the four pulls drives total preparation time, which is why one wants as little time as possible between pulling shots.