Bottom of Portafilter (after removal)

You can even buy your own from espressoparts. the edges. When you’re satisfied with the finish com. As a training tool, the bottomless portafilter of your mod, wash it thoroughly to remove any is excellent for checking your tamping technique. remaining brass dust.

As an espresso machine modification, I’ve found Once the modification was complete, I pulled
that my espresso has increased crema, better a fresh shot of espresso. The flow of the dark
mouthfeel, and it’s just tastier. amber liquid was enchanting to watch. You may
Just about every good quality portafilter is now partake of the art of Espronography: reading
made of chromed marine brass. Inside is a ten- the espresso as it flows from the bottom of your
sioning spring collar that grips the basket, which new bottomless portafilter. Several weeks later,
contains the coffee grounds. I still can’t resist watching each shot flow from the
The basket should be removed by pulling or filter. As a bonus, I can now easily clean all of the
gently prying loose. You can probably leave the coffee residue from the bottom of the basket.
spring intact while you perform the modification.

Some people have had good success using a hole saw, but due to the uneven design of the portafilter on my Gaggia coffeemaker (probably the worst product name ever), I chose a different route. After removing the basket, I took the portafilter to my drill press and drilled a circle of holes just inside the walls of the portafilter. Once

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT CREMA What is crema? It’s the delicious reddish-brown colored froth on the top of a well-made shot of espresso.

Why doesn’t my espresso have crema in it? Several factors could be at play here. The quality of the coffee, the fineness of the grind, the degree of tamping, the temperature of the water, and the espresso maker itself can effect crema production. Visit sweetmarias.com/espresso-crema. html and then practice. Remember: “No crema, no serva!”

I’d drilled the 25 or so holes, I took up my Dremel tool and cut the remaining material in between the holes. Finally, I knocked out the center of the filter. After that, some time with the Dremel Will O’Brien pulls espresso and modifies innocent kitchen tool or grinder of your choice will flatten out appliances somewhere in middle Missouri.