Portafilters, baskets and tamping tools

When Should You Use a Pressurized Espresso Basket Instead of a Single-Wall One?

Published · By the Espresso Shortlist editors · Prices and specs as of that date, from the pages under Sources

Summary

A pressurized, or dual-wall, basket builds pressure with a second wall that has one small hole, which Breville says "compensates for inconsistencies" such as uneven tamping or the wrong grind size. A single-wall basket gets all of its pressure from the coffee puck. Breville's Bambino Plus manual draws the line by freshness, with single wall for beans roasted less than 30 days ago and dual wall for pre-ground coffee and older beans. Fellow adds a second case: if a Series 1 shot can't reach 9 bars, the double-walled basket makes up the missing resistance.

Where the pressure comes from

In Breville's description, the inner wall of a pressurized basket has "many holes at the bottom" and the outer wall has "a single, small hole at the base," meant to create back pressure. A non-pressurized basket has "holes covering the entire base," and it needs "finely ground, evenly tamped coffee" to form a compact puck.

Breville calls the pressurized kind "generally better for beginner espresso brewers" and says it helps with consistent shots and crema, though it "might not produce the same full-bodied flavor." The single-wall basket can be messy while you learn, since a grind that is too coarse "can lead to splashing or loose grounds." Breville also notes that entry-level machines are the ones more likely to ship with pressurized baskets, and that in many cases you can switch between the two.

Double wall is not double shot

Fellow's Series 1 box holds an "18g 58mm single-wall double-shot basket" and an "18g 58mm double-wall double-shot basket." Both hold the same dose, so "double" on the second one describes the wall. The difference is underneath. The double-wall basket has a single exit hole, which Fellow says "can be really hard to see" and may sit off to one side, a placement Fellow calls normal and says works better with the shot splitter.

What comes with the machine

MachineBaskets in the box
Breville Bambino PlusSingle wall and dual wall, 1 cup and 2 cup
Fellow Espresso Series 118 g single-wall and 18 g double-wall, both double shot
CASABREWS CM54181-cup and 2-cup double wall
De'Longhi Stilosa"Filter for Single Espresso" and "Filter for Double Espresso," type not stated
Gaggia Classic Pro E24Not listed on Gaggia North America's product page

Gaggia North America sells a pressurized "Crema Perfetta" basket kit for the Classic Pro separately, at $24.99. It says the basket "allows for the use of pre-ground coffee" and is a factory replacement for the part "included with most previous generation Gaggia Classics."

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Sources

  1. Breville — Pressurized vs. non-pressurized baskets
  2. Breville — Bambino Plus instruction manual
  3. Fellow — What's included with Espresso Series 1
  4. Fellow — Pulling Your First Great Shot on Series 1
  5. Fellow — My double-walled basket doesn't have an exit hole
  6. CASABREWS — CM5418
  7. De'Longhi — Stilosa EC260BK
  8. Gaggia North America — Classic Pro E24
  9. Gaggia North America — Pressurized Filter Basket Kit with 2-Way Pin

We have not tested these products. Specs, prices, stock and terms are as published on these pages on the date above and can change; check the manufacturer or retailer before you buy.

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