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  • Portafilter and Baskets

    I bought a Pesado SS handle and an IMS basket a year ago and have been using it since then.

    I then decided to go back to my Wega standard baskets and portafilters.

    The Pesado with a nice wooden handle does look nice but the spout is narrow and so it will spurt water out of an HX machine when cooling for a shot. Not a big issue.

    In fact I like the Pesado. Nice.

    I also have an IMS 18gram basket and ironically that lead to the purchase of the Pesado as the IMS 18 gram Basket was too deep.

    I have now gone back to the very nice brass Wega handle and standard basket. Yeah I like it. I also like brass in the handle as it holds the heat nicely and the spout is nice and wide so it doesn't ever spray water.

    I understand the theoretical advantages with these high technology baskets but honestly, I'm happier just with the standard handle.

    Anyone else here been through the same journey and gone back?

  • #2
    I've tried to use the existing baskets on a few of my machines, but always ended back with the naked and vst baskets, maybe I just don't give the stock baskets enough time and never dialed them in well enough, but they didn't seem to be better so I went back.

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    • #3
      I think there were a few factors with me. The standard handle is lovely with Wega logo embossed on the chrome end. It is also brass which I like better than Stainless and brass is an awesome conductor of heat. The portafilter curves so it throws the puck out easier too and finally the spout is broader so it doesn't spray water. I accept extraction may be less but it tastes just fine.

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      • #4
        Are naked portafilters worth getting for the BES900s?

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        • #5
          Originally posted by ultrasuede View Post
          Are naked portafilters worth getting for the BES900s?
          I have to say I have never used one and don't want to. They are for the very particular people who want to see what is going on with the pour.

          If you are that fussy I would get a decent machine and grinder first before paying out for a naked portafilter which is worth half the cost of your machine. You also need to check what portafilters will run on it. Portafilters are made in different diameters with different lug offsets so I'm sure someone here can help you.

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          • #6
            Originally posted by wattgn View Post
            I have to say I have never used one and don't want to. They are for the very particular people who want to see what is going on with the pour.

            If you are that fussy I would get a decent machine and grinder first before paying out for a naked portafilter which is worth half the cost of your machine. You also need to check what portafilters will run on it. Portafilters are made in different diameters with different lug offsets so I'm sure someone here can help you.
            Who's selling 900s for $140?

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            • #7
              Originally posted by level3ninja View Post
              Who's selling 900s for $140?
              Naked portafilters can cost up to $200...

              I am sure you can get cheaper but good ones aren't cheap. Once you get it, it may not be compatible with another machine. I also am not a fan of them as you can tell if your pour is good in other ways.

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              • #8
                I found that the hassle of cleaning up after a crap pour with the naked portafilter made me more careful which led to better consistency

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                • #9
                  I like that one...

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                  • #10
                    You should be able to easily swap baskets between PFs , and also spouts between PFs, and if the threads are the same, handles between PFs!

                    Years ago I turned my PF naked with a hole saw as I like to tinker and also wanted to see my pours. I now use a naked exclusively, it is so much cleaner and easier. No drips etc from the spouts as you move PF between machine and knock box, no need to clean the inside of the PF.

                    If your naked shots are messy it is worthwhile to improve your technique to eliminate this as you will get a better tasting result with improved consistency. And I dont find it difficult to get clean shots on the naked. Gr
                    ind/dose, tap to settle, tamp, pour. In the many years of use, only a few have been messy, and it is usually with a new bean where the grind has not been dialled in and was far too coarse.

                    Cheers

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                    • #11
                      Originally posted by artman View Post
                      You should be able to easily swap baskets between PFs , and also spouts between PFs, and if the threads are the same, handles between PFs!

                      Years ago I turned my PF naked with a hole saw as I like to tinker and also wanted to see my pours. I now use a naked exclusively, it is so much cleaner and easier. No drips etc from the spouts as you move PF between machine and knock box, no need to clean the inside of the PF.

                      If your naked shots are messy it is worthwhile to improve your technique to eliminate this as you will get a better tasting result with improved consistency. And I dont find it difficult to get clean shots on the naked. Gr
                      ind/dose, tap to settle, tamp, pour. In the many years of use, only a few have been messy, and it is usually with a new bean where the grind has not been dialled in and was far too coarse.

                      Cheers
                      We think differently on that. I have an aversion to things like that. It is right up there with lever machines and also weighing each shot to the nearest point of a gram.

                      I like simple, not that a naked portafilter is complex but I just see it as pointless. I am temporarily even going away from fancy baskets expensive screen heads for the group and the like. It is another thing that wastes money while not delivering very much, for me anyway.

                      The other thing is I like the spouts, they look cool and I think they are quite tidy and easy to deal with. I can also split shots when making drinks for friends.

                      I use HX machines too as they are simple and straightforward and the like.

                      The other thing is no you can't always swap baskets due to the profile or the handle with the after market baskets being often too deep. This is one of the reasons I got the Pesado handle to fit the basket.

                      Mind you I don't mind trying new things sometimes but then I love these solid brass handles with the heavy duty spouts. I think they look really cool to be honest and you can place them flat on the bench and tamp, not necessary to do extra stuff like removing the basket from the handle.

                      Comment


                      • #12
                        Originally posted by artman View Post
                        You should be able to easily swap baskets between PFs , and also spouts between PFs, and if the threads are the same, handles between PFs!

                        Years ago I turned my PF naked with a hole saw as I like to tinker and also wanted to see my pours. I now use a naked exclusively, it is so much cleaner and easier. No drips etc from the spouts as you move PF between machine and knock box, no need to clean the inside of the PF.

                        If your naked shots are messy it is worthwhile to improve your technique to eliminate this as you will get a better tasting result with improved consistency. And I dont find it difficult to get clean shots on the naked. Gr
                        ind/dose, tap to settle, tamp, pour. In the many years of use, only a few have been messy, and it is usually with a new bean where the grind has not been dialled in and was far too coarse.

                        Cheers
                        Yep, always use the naked nowadays. Artman do you find yourself needing to vary your distribution depending on the bean/roast depth? Just curious (yeah I know I'm spilling over from my other thread hehe), as I'd love to keep it that simple and not have channelling issues, but it seems more is required for me... whether it's my grinder (or my technique) not sure, or whether your grinder gets a clump-free grind I don't know, but in the naked if I just dose and collapse, I usually get a dead spot in the centre of the pour

                        Comment


                        • #13
                          Horses for courses!

                          Agree that some of the "upgrades" give marginal if any improvement, but help satisfy the tinkerers! I got a Synesso basket with matched pullman tamper many years ago, the combo has now been used on 3 machines. The basket is nothing fancy but was nicer than the generic basket that came with the first real machine.

                          Re the shower screen, mine was old and rusty in spots so I needed to replace it. I got an IMS as the price was not bad and it is stainless so should last a lifetime. I doubt it improves the shot in any way but the smooth surface and single layer construction makes it a breeze to keep clean.

                          Cheers

                          Comment


                          • #14
                            Originally posted by artman View Post
                            Horses for courses!

                            Agree that some of the "upgrades" give marginal if any improvement, but help satisfy the tinkerers! I got a Synesso basket with matched pullman tamper many years ago, the combo has now been used on 3 machines. The basket is nothing fancy but was nicer than the generic basket that came with the first real machine.

                            Re the shower screen, mine was old and rusty in spots so I needed to replace it. I got an IMS as the price was not bad and it is stainless so should last a lifetime. I doubt it improves the shot in any way but the smooth surface and single layer construction makes it a breeze to keep clean.

                            Cheers
                            I did succumb to the IMS shower screen...it is nice

                            I also have a liking for good tampers. I got a Pesado SS tamper which fits snugly in the baskets too. I had a heavy duty Copper tamper with a rosewood handle. A real beauty and gave it to my brother as a present for his coffee machine. Copper of course needs cleaning every week. SS is mor practical.

                            Some accessories are real cheap too like the sunbeam knockbox which are brilliant.

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                            • #15
                              Originally posted by simonsk8r View Post
                              Yep, always use the naked nowadays. Artman do you find yourself needing to vary your distribution depending on the bean/roast depth? Just curious (yeah I know I'm spilling over from my other thread hehe), as I'd love to keep it that simple and not have channelling issues, but it seems more is required for me... whether it's my grinder (or my technique) not sure, or whether your grinder gets a clump-free grind I don't know, but in the naked if I just dose and collapse, I usually get a dead spot in the centre of the pour
                              I would guess you're getting the same dead spot in your portafilter with spouts you just can't see it? I've gone on a journey lately to really improve my distribution and consistency of dose. It's paid off and contrary to some of the comments above I find it has made things simpler to weigh things and follow the same process varying only one thing at a time when my results are less than ideal.

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