Originally posted by TampIt
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You are quite right about the weight. I knew you would be as you use scales yourself but I had to see it for myself. On your 7g VST basket, it is 16.9 grams. I couldn't believe it.
I think though single shot baskets are useless unless you want to experiment with objects to tamp with or you have a properly sized tamper that fits the single basket in question.
I returned the VST 15 gram basket as I liked the design of the IMS basket better which is the 18gram one.
I found using the scales that 18 grams measured exactly is pretty well a full portafilter, maybe very slightly less. I'd be confident that I can eyeball this volume wise without using a scale with a bit of practice.
The singles basket are in a world of their own and I can see why. I think a waste of time except for those willing to experiment and find a tamper. I have to admit it makes me wonder why they include a singles basket with new machines. Useless as tits on a bull if you want to get a properly extracted coffee using a standard tamper, and without wasting coffee of course (why put 17.6grams in for a single).
The IMS basket does seem to extract better, a stronger brew but whether it is better or not than a standard 20g basket that came with the Wega, I'm not so sure. It did definitely require a finer grind, as predicted. The standard basket is about the same size.
An interesting experiment. I can see having scales is essential for figuring it all out. I'm not convinced the exact 18gram is important. I'd prefer to do it on volume and dispense with the scales. A full portafilter is close enough. Well I can experiment with that, for sure. The average capacity is listed as 16/20grams. This is for the IMS B70 2T H26.5M basket I am using.

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