Portafilters, baskets and tamping tools

What Is a Bottomless Portafilter, and What Size Do You Need?

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

Summary

A bottomless, or "naked," portafilter is a portafilter with the spouts removed, so you can watch espresso leave the bottom of the basket. It doesn't improve the coffee by itself; it shows you uneven extraction that spouts would hide. The size you need is your machine's group size plus its locking-ear pattern, which is why sellers list them by machine brand and not just by millimeters.

What you can see without spouts

Normcore, which sells them in a dozen head types, describes the tool as "an important piece of equipment that aids in diagnosing espresso extraction issues," because "the spouts are removed, and the basket is exposed, allowing you to watch the entire extraction process."

What you are watching for is where the coffee comes out, and whether it sprays. Normcore is blunt about how common that is: "Channeling and spurting can be very messy, but are EXTREMELY common," and it is "not a defect of the portafilter itself." The company names grind size, tamping, and distribution as the places to look.

With no spouts hanging under the basket, you also gain a little room between the portafilter and the drip tray, which helps on a short machine when a scale and cup both need to fit.

Why "58 mm" isn't enough to order

The millimeter figure tells you the basket family. It doesn't tell you whether the portafilter will lock into your group head, because the ears that twist into the machine differ between brands. Normcore's own lineup shows the problem:

SizeVersions soldMachines named
51 mm4La Pavoni (2 ears); De'Longhi (2 ears); De'Longhi Dedica (3 ears); De'Longhi La Specialista (3 ears)
54 mm1Breville / Sage
57 mm1Lelit 57 mm groups (Anna and Anita)
58 mm6Gaggia; La Marzocco; Breville / Sage; E61, ECM, Rocket, Flair 58; Nuova Simonelli / Victoria Arduino; WPM / Welhome

So a Breville Bambino owner needs a 54 mm Breville fitting, since Breville lists a 54 mm portafilter for the Bambino. A Gaggia Classic E24 owner needs the 58 mm Gaggia version, not the 58 mm E61 one. A machine that isn't on a seller's list, such as KitchenAid's 58 mm KES6551, is one to confirm with the seller before ordering.

Cost and what comes in the box

Normcore's prices run from $59.99 for a 51 mm with a black or white handle to $89.99 for a 54 mm or 58 mm with a titanium PVD finish. Each comes with a standard basket that holds 16 to 18 g, which covers the 18 g dose Breville designs the Bambino around. Normcore also asks owners not to put it in the dishwasher, use strong detergent, or soak it overnight.

The portafilter that came with your machine is enough to learn on. A bottomless one earns its place once your shots start to vary and you want to see why.

Shopping for one? Shop espresso tools and accessories →

Sources

  1. Normcore — Bottomless Portafilter with Handle
  2. Breville — the Bambino®
  3. Gaggia — Classic E24
  4. KitchenAid — Which KitchenAid® Espresso Machine Is Right for Me?

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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