Learning to use a bottomless portafilter could be the next step in your coffee journey. It’s the portafilter du jour these days, as it’s responsible for all those gorgeous espresso-pulling shots you’ve probably seen on social media.
But the bottomless portafilter isn’t just for beauty — it’s a streamlined tool that has the potential to take your espresso to the next level by helping you brew a better cup. This guide will walk you through its many benefits before diving into the nitty gritty of exactly how to use one.
Why use a bottomless portafilter?
These guys are everywhere, but is a bottomless portafilter better than the standard one your machine comes with? Short answer: possibly! It all depends on what you want to get out of it. Its main difference from the standard portafilter is that it’s fully missing the bottom piece of the filter that usually has the spout or spouts. Instead, it flows directly into your cup, but how does that make a better shot?
Without that piece in the way, your espresso shot comes into less contact with metal. Some baristas think that lack of contact improves the taste of the shot. It also makes the portafilter easier to clean because there are fewer places for oils and grit to build up. But the main benefit is the improved visibility the open-bottom portafilter provides. Because you can see the filter itself, you can spot issues like channeling right away, making it easier to course correct and improve your overall technique.
What do you need to use a bottomless portafilter?
Before you commit to a bottomless portafilter, keep in mind that it’s not the only thing you’ll need to start making better coffee. You should get a few other tools that will make using it even better.
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Precision basket: If you’re not using a well-made basket, you’ll have a much harder time with your bottomless portafilter. You’ll want to make sure it fits your portafilter exactly and is suited to the flow rate you’re aiming for.
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Quality grinder: The grind of your coffee is one of the most important elements of brewing to get correct, and you can’t do that without a quality grinder. You’ll want a burr grinder so you can get an even, fine grind.
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Dosing tools: Using a dosing ring or funnel can help you keep your setup tidy by allowing you to grind directly into your portafilter. But first and foremost, ensure you have a good, accurate scale to weigh out your beans before grinding. It’s the only way to ensure you’re using the right amount every time.
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Proper tamper: Get yourself a tamper with a nice, ergonomic handle made from sturdy, high-quality materials for the perfect tamp.
How to use a bottomless portafilter – step-by-step
With the right setup, you’re ready to learn exactly how to use a bottomless portafilter. Don’t be frustrated if there’s a slight learning curve at first; just walk through these steps carefully, and you’ll be on your way.
Step 1: Weigh out your coffee
Weighing your coffee beans before grinding ensures you get the perfect dose every time. Coffee expert James Hoffmann recommends about 18 grams of coffee per shot with a 2:1 ratio of water to coffee. That means you’ll have about 36 grams of espresso once brewed. The better your grind, the more even and smooth the extraction and the better the flavor.
Step 2: Distribute and tamp
Using a clump crusher, rake it through the coffee in your basket to break up any clumps. Then grab your tamper and press down to form the puck using firm, even pressure. Be careful not to angle your tamper so you can get the puck as level as possible and avoid issues with your brew..
Step 3: Lock and brew
Insert and lock your portafilter into place. There’s no special instruction here—just lock it in, just like the standard portafilter that came with your machine. Once you start the machine, pay close attention to the flow through the filter. Look for signs of uneven extraction and channeling, like if the flow rate is uneven or it’s only coming from one side of the filter. Take note and use this information to make adjustments on your next cup.
Troubleshooting tips for bottomless portafilters
Part of the process of learning how to use a bottomless portafilter is understanding how to solve common problems that can arise. These can even include those that pop up whether you’re using a bottomless portafilter. So let’s walk through the most common issues and how to solve them.
Spraying
If your machine sprays and splatters when you pull a shot, that’s the most obvious sign you’ve got a serious problem (and a mess). This is almost always the result of channeling, which is when your puck has been improperly saturated, and the water is following one or a few specific paths through the coffee.
The most common causes are uneven tamping, improper grind size, and poor distribution. To solve for these issues, make sure you’re using a distribution tool before tamping, that your tamping form is good, and that your espresso grind is the right size.
Watery shots
Watery shots, or what’s known as “blonding” in the espresso world, is when your shot comes out too pale and lacking in flavor. This means your coffee has been under-extracted. Some of the most common culprits are if your grind is too coarse, you’re not using enough coffee in the first place, or your brewing temperature is too high.
To solve these issues, try a coarser grind and increase the amount of coffee you’re using. You can also double-check that your espresso machine is set to the right brew temperature of 195–205°F.
Slow or stalled shots
If your shot is brewing very slowly or hardly comes out, then your portafilter is likely clogged, and your coffee is over-extracted. This can happen when you’ve ground your coffee too finely and it’s getting stuck in the basket, clogging the filter. It can also happen if you’re simply not cleaning your portafilter regularly.
The best ways to fix it are to grind your coffee more coarsely and to properly and thoroughly clean your bottomless portafilter.
How to clean a bottomless portafilter
To keep your bottomless portafilter squeaky clean, start by rinsing it thoroughly with water after every shot you pull. This will help prevent buildup. Then, once per week, do a deep clean. That means soaking your basket and the portafilter (but not the handle) overnight in a calcium carbonate bath and then gently scrubbing them afterward to ensure all the grit and oils are gone.
Quality is important — get the best espresso shot with Pesado
Bottomless portafilters can be a great addition to your coffee setup, especially when you know how to use a bottomless portafilter. Keep a closer eye on your brewing technique so you can quickly make adjustments and use the right tools to level up every part of your game. Pesado’s professional-quality espresso tools, including bottomless portafilters, are all ready to help you elevate your technique. Plus, they’re made from high-end materials designed to last a lifetime. Shop all of Pesado’s bottomless portafilters and accessories on the site.
