The portafilter machine is the ultimate coffee lover's dream! Besides being a lifestyle accessory, it's the ultimate way to show off your coffee knowledge! But everyone has to start somewhere. That's why, in our guide to portafilter machine accessories, we'll show you exactly what equipment, besides the machine itself, you need to perfectly brew your favorite coffee. Let's get started!
1. The tamper - The most important portafilter accessory!
For the espresso to flow smoothly through the portafilter, it needs to be tamped firmly. You'll need a tamper for this. Of course, it must fit your portafilter perfectly. Therefore, measure carefully or take your portafilter to a specialty shop for a fitting.
The tamper is so important because it ensures that the water flows evenly through the compacted coffee grounds. If it's not tamped, the hot water doesn't flow through all the coffee grounds (a phenomenon known as channeling), and hardly any flavor is extracted. The espresso would be watery and tasteless.
When choosing, look for high-quality materials like stainless steel and a wooden handle for good handling. This way you'll have a durable portafilter accessory and enjoy it for a long time.
2. The Leveler
Before using the tamper, you actually need a leveler. Visually, the leveler looks like a tamper but without a handle. It's placed on the portafilter and, with a simple twisting motion and no pressure, smooths the coffee grounds. This allows the tamper to compress the coffee without any unevenness or gaps.
Pro tip: You can also add an extra step before leveling and tamping. For this, you'll need a WD tool (Weiss Distribution Tool). In its simplest form, this portafilter accessory consists of thin needles, usually made of stainless steel, bundled together at a small head. This is moved manually through the coffee grounds to loosen clumps and distribute the coffee even more evenly. WD tools are now also available in mechanical versions.
3. Tamper station or tamper mat
To use your tamper and leveler correctly, you'll need a tamping station or tamping mat. This is a silicone mat that protects your work surface from scratches and provides a stable base for the portafilter. We've already explained in detail how important proper tamping of the coffee grounds in the portafilter is!
4. Digital scale
An espresso is truly a matter of precision. Especially for enthusiasts who don't have a grinder with an integrated scale and who use a portafilter machine that's operated entirely manually, a scale is absolutely essential. With a scale, you can weigh the coffee precisely according to your preferences and intended use. You can also place the scale under your espresso glass after weighing the ground coffee to weigh the espresso itself. This ensures the perfect coffee-to-water ratio.
5. Espresso Shot Glasses
If you prefer not to use scales when extracting espresso, you can use espresso shot glasses as a visual aid. These portafilter accessories have markings to help you extract the exact amount of espresso.
6. Milk jug
A portafilter machine is, of course, perfect for preparing coffee and milk drinks. For this, you'll need a suitable milk pitcher for your portafilter. However, there isn't one perfect milk pitcher. Therefore, it's a good idea to have several stainless steel pitchers in various sizes at home. Depending on the desired result, you should use milk pitchers with a capacity between 350 and 600 ml.
7. Knock box
After extracting your espresso, the coffee puck must be removed from the portafilter. For this, you need a knock box. This is a container with a rod against which you tap the portafilter until the coffee puck comes loose.
8. Blind filter & cleaning accessories
Cleaning your portafilter is essential to remove old oils and other coffee residue. This allows the aromas of your freshly brewed espresso to develop to their fullest. The cleaning process begins by inserting a blind filter – a filter basket without holes – into your portafilter and adding a special portafilter cleaning solution. Then, place the portafilter into the machine and start filling it with water. The blind filter will automatically trigger a backflush, cleaning the portafilter in the process.
Conclusion:
Portafilter accessories complete your espresso machine and are essential! Therefore, before purchasing, research which manufacturers are suitable, what your expectations are for the accessories, and whether they visually match your lifestyle. The ideal portafilter accessories contribute to your perfect coffee experience and bring you joy in using them. Have you found your perfect equipment yet? Then nothing stands in the way of preparing your favorite coffee!
Your SIMON&BEARNS Team
Portafilter accessories - This is the equipment you need for optimal preparation with a portafilter!
The portafilter machine is the ultimate coffee lover's dream! Besides being a lifestyle accessory, it's the ultimate way to show off your coffee knowledge! But everyone has to start somewhere. That's why, in our guide to portafilter machine accessories, we'll show you exactly what equipment, besides the machine itself, you need to perfectly brew your favorite coffee. Let's get started!
1. The tamper - The most important portafilter accessory!
For the espresso to flow smoothly through the portafilter, it needs to be tamped firmly. You'll need a tamper for this. Of course, it must fit your portafilter perfectly. Therefore, measure carefully or take your portafilter to a specialty shop for a fitting.
The tamper is so important because it ensures that the water flows evenly through the compacted coffee grounds. If it's not tamped, the hot water doesn't flow through all the coffee grounds (a phenomenon known as channeling), and hardly any flavor is extracted. The espresso would be watery and tasteless.
When choosing, look for high-quality materials like stainless steel and a wooden handle for good handling. This way you'll have a durable portafilter accessory and enjoy it for a long time.
2. The Leveler
Before using the tamper, you actually need a leveler. Visually, the leveler looks like a tamper but without a handle. It's placed on the portafilter and, with a simple twisting motion and no pressure, smooths the coffee grounds. This allows the tamper to compress the coffee without any unevenness or gaps.
Pro tip: You can also add an extra step before leveling and tamping. For this, you'll need a WD tool (Weiss Distribution Tool). In its simplest form, this portafilter accessory consists of thin needles, usually made of stainless steel, bundled together at a small head. This is moved manually through the coffee grounds to loosen clumps and distribute the coffee even more evenly. WD tools are now also available in mechanical versions.
3. Tamper station or tamper mat
To use your tamper and leveler correctly, you'll need a tamping station or tamping mat. This is a silicone mat that protects your work surface from scratches and provides a stable base for the portafilter. We've already explained in detail how important proper tamping of the coffee grounds in the portafilter is!
4. Digital scale
An espresso is truly a matter of precision. Especially for enthusiasts who don't have a grinder with an integrated scale and who use a portafilter machine that's operated entirely manually, a scale is absolutely essential. With a scale, you can weigh the coffee precisely according to your preferences and intended use. You can also place the scale under your espresso glass after weighing the ground coffee to weigh the espresso itself. This ensures the perfect coffee-to-water ratio.
5. Espresso Shot Glasses
If you prefer not to use scales when extracting espresso, you can use espresso shot glasses as a visual aid. These portafilter accessories have markings to help you extract the exact amount of espresso.
6. Milk jug
A portafilter machine is, of course, perfect for preparing coffee and milk drinks. For this, you'll need a suitable milk pitcher for your portafilter. However, there isn't one perfect milk pitcher. Therefore, it's a good idea to have several stainless steel pitchers in various sizes at home. Depending on the desired result, you should use milk pitchers with a capacity between 350 and 600 ml.
7. Knock box
After extracting your espresso, the coffee puck must be removed from the portafilter. For this, you need a knock box. This is a container with a rod against which you tap the portafilter until the coffee puck comes loose.
8. Blind filter & cleaning accessories
Cleaning your portafilter is essential to remove old oils and other coffee residue. This allows the aromas of your freshly brewed espresso to develop to their fullest. The cleaning process begins by inserting a blind filter – a filter basket without holes – into your portafilter and adding a special portafilter cleaning solution. Then, place the portafilter into the machine and start filling it with water. The blind filter will automatically trigger a backflush, cleaning the portafilter in the process.
Conclusion:
Portafilter accessories complete your espresso machine and are essential! Therefore, before purchasing, research which manufacturers are suitable, what your expectations are for the accessories, and whether they visually match your lifestyle. The ideal portafilter accessories contribute to your perfect coffee experience and bring you joy in using them. Have you found your perfect equipment yet? Then nothing stands in the way of preparing your favorite coffee!
Your SIMON&BEARNS Team