Many of the appliance brand espresso machines e.g. Sunbeam, Breville etc are supplied with both types of portafiler baskets in both single and double shot size and some of the cheaper models will only have a pressure portafilter basket.

The main reason for using a pressurised basket is to assist in producing a passable extraction from old/stale or slightly coarser ground coffee. A pressure basket provides the backpressure for the extraction and prevents the hot water passing through the compacted coffee (puck) too quickly, ensuring more of the soluable compounds are extracted. The will also create a faux crema giving the impression of a fresher extraction.

A non-pressurised basket relies on the resistance of the compacted coffee to slow the flow of the hot water through the puck, ensuring the desired extraction time and levels are reached. This is dependent on having the correct coffee grind, dose and tamp.

There is a learning curve when using a non-pressure basket, however the end result is well worth it with a richer, more complete extraction and increased body. Lets face it, we all want a better coffee!

So What About The Grind?

Coffee ground fine for a non-pressurised basket will clog a pressure basket and cause an extremely slow, bitter extraction. Conversley, coffee ground coarser for a pressure basket won't provide the resistance required in a non-pressure basket resulting in a fast, sour and watery extraction.

When ordering pre-ground coffee for espresso check your basket type and select the correct grind option.

We recommend storing pre-ground coffee in the freezer, to help maintain the freshness, more on that later.