Pressurized vs Non-Pressurized Portafilter: Is One Better Than the Other?
A fun thing about espresso is that there are always things to tinker with. Yes, in the quest for that perfect shot. For example, you could use a pressurized or non-pressurized portafilter.
So what is the difference between the two, and why would you want one or the other? And more importantly, does one make better espresso? That’s what this article is all about!
What is a portafilter?
Let’s start with the quick anatomy of the portafilter, one of the most important features of any espresso machine. It has two parts. The main component consists of a handle attached to a filter basket holder that has either one or two spouts on the bottom. Though this is the largest part of the portafilter, the critical part is the filter basket itself.
The filter basket is a small metal filter that is designed to let extracted coffee through while holding back coffee grounds like any other coffee filter. A filter basket made for the espresso rather than coffee is designed to operate under high pressures.
What is the difference between a pressurized and non-pressurized portafilter?
Okay, now let’s talk about pressurized portafilters, which are just different types of filter baskets. A pressurized basket has a false bottom, so it’s also known as a dual-wall basket. From the top, it has a grid of holes like any other filter basket. But from the bottom, there’s just a single hole. This design pressurizes the extracted espresso as it exits through one hole.
In a non-pressurized portafilter, the filter basket is just a regular filter. It has a single bottom layer with a regularly spaced grid of holes.
If you’re buying a non-pressurized basket, you can also pay extra for a precision basket.
Precision baskets are carefully machined so that each hole is evenly sized and spaced and has microscopically smooth edges. This helps avoid clogs that can interfere with extraction. So they yield more consistent shots (1).
A head-to-head comparison
So why choose one type of portafilter or the other? It all comes down to your grinder or lack thereof.
Pressurized portafilters were designed to produce a beautiful espresso shot with a thick layer of crema, even if your grind or puck preparation isn’t perfect. According to the pros at Whole Latte Love, they’re an excellent choice for espresso beginners.
If you’re just starting your espresso journey, don’t be afraid to play around with pressurized baskets until you feel comfortable leveling up to standard, or non-pressurized baskets.
So if you’re new to espresso or don’t have access to a good burr grinder, a pressurized portafilter is the right choice. For this reason, they are sold standard with the most inexpensive espresso machines.
On the other hand, if you have a quality burr grinder, you can make undeniably better espresso with a non-pressurized basket. It takes a bit more practice, but you’ll be rewarded with a richer and sweeter shot.
All commercial espresso machines use non-pressurized portafilters, as do prosumer espresso machines, which says a lot about their quality.
What about a bottomless portafilter?
If you’re here with portafilters on the brain, you might be interested in bottomless portafilters. In this case, the portafilter itself is different. Rather than having spouts at the bottom, the filter basket holder has nothing. It’s just an empty ring.
This style of the portafilter is always paired with a non-pressurized filter basket. It makes it easy to spot any flaws in your puck preparation, so it can help you make improvements to your technique. Plus, it looks gorgeous when you manage to nail that perfect shot.
The Verdict
Both pressurized and non-pressurized filter baskets have their place. The right one for you depends on your lifestyle and espresso goals.
Use a pressurized portafilter if:
- You prefer to buy pre-ground coffee
- You want a reliably good espresso with a thick layer of crema
- You have an appliance style espresso machine
Use a non-pressurized portafilter if:
- You have access to a quality burr grinder
- You’re willing to work a little harder for truly great espresso
- You have a commercial or prosumer espresso machine
FAQs
The difference in an automatic vs semi-automatic espresso machine comes down to how these machines work. A semi-automatic machine relies on the barista to control most aspects of pulling the shot, including grinding, dosing, tamping, and timing. An automatic machine automates one or more of these steps.
The most important part of choosing an espresso tamper is getting the right size. Most filter baskets have a diameter of 58 mm, but some home models are smaller. You also want something metal with some weight to it and a handle that feels comfortable in your hand. Another thing to consider is to whether get a palm or regular tamper.
To clean a portafilter:
1. Remove the basket and soak everything in warm, soapy water.
2. After soaking, scrub and rinse both parts.
3. Pop the basket back into the portafilter and use your espresso machine to run a shot of hot water through (2).
References
- Prestidge, J. (2016, June 15). Espresso Baskets and Their Effects on Extraction. Retrieved from https://perfectdailygrind.com/2016/06/ims-vs-vst-espresso-baskets-and-their-effects-on-extraction/
- Korhonen, J. (2019, October 8). How to Clean Your Espresso Machine? Retrieved from https://www.baristainstitute.com/blog/jori-korhonen/october-2019/how-clean-your-espresso-machine
