Bottomless and regular – are two types of portafilters widely used in making espresso. Unless you are an espresso professional, these two variations of portafilter will raise many questions in your mind.
The key difference between a bottomless and a regular portafilter is their bottom formation. A bottomless portafilter has no base, whereas a regular portafilter has a covered bottom with spouts.
They have many dissimilarities, including their formations, amenities, and intention of use. However, you should pick one logically based on your necessities.
Bottomless Vs. Regular Portafilter Comparison Chart
| Feature | Bottomless Portafilter | Regular Portafilter |
|---|---|---|
| Design | Has no bottom or spouts | Has a bottom and spouts |
| Purpose | Allows for a clear view of the espresso extraction process | Dispenses espresso directly into cups |
| Extraction control | Provides more control over extraction and enables identification of uneven tamping or distribution | Limited control over extraction and difficult to identify uneven tamping or distribution |
| Learning curve | Steeper learning curve due to increased complexity and need for precision | Easy to use and suitable for beginners |
| Cleaning | Requires more frequent cleaning due to the lack of spouts | Easier to clean due to spouts |
| Price | Generally more expensive than regular portafilters | Generally less expensive than bottomless portafilters |
| Suitability | Recommended for experienced baristas and coffee enthusiasts | Suitable for home use and beginner baristas |
This post will help you find which type of portafilter works best between a bottomless vs. regular portafilter.
Their Structures Make A Primary Difference
The appearance of a bottomless and a normal portafilter makes a big difference. Each item has a distinct construction. For instance, a bottomless portafilter has a simple construction than a regular one. It has a simple rim attached to a wooden or thermosetting plastic handle.
To get the complete appearance, you will need a loose portafilter basket. When you place the filter basket into the rim, it becomes a functional portafilter. But, its base always remains open.
A regular portafilter has a covered bottom with single or double spouts. These nozzles assist in dropping extracted espresso into cups directly. They give users more control when extracting espresso into single or double cups at once. Moreover, regular portafilters look more professional due to their complex formation.
Read: Our Recommended Best Naked Portafilter
A Bottomless Portafilter Delivers Better Crema
It might be surprising that a naked portafilter can affect your espresso quality. It happens due to its open base. The extracted espresso directly goes into the cup when it is ready to drink. Thus, it causes less metallic contact, which produces thicker crema.
Better quality crema adds excellent flavor to espresso. That’s why many professionals intentionally use bottomless portafilters.
On the other hand, a regular portafilter can weaken crema in some cases. Since the extracted espresso goes through the spouts, it gets extra contact with the metallic surface of a portafilter. This can fade the quality of crema. Though the differences in espresso quality are not even noteworthy, it happens inside a regular portafilter.
Read: The Benefits of Using Non-Pressurized Portafilters Over Pressurized Ones!
They Are Built for Different Purposes.
A bottomless portafilter is widely used as a barista training tool. It lets you check whether you have chosen quality grind for espresso or how good you are at tamping. This tool helps beginners understand where they need to improve.
Sometimes, professional baristas also use a bottomless portafilter for a few reasons. For instance, unwanted channeling can ruin your espresso quality by causing uneven extraction. This tool makes the extraction visible so you can investigate the issues.
In contrast, a regular portafilter offers no visible extraction. But, it is widely used due to its traditional feel and ease of use. This item is excellent when you need more control over pouring espresso directly into cups. Unlike novice baristas, professionals use this portafilter for low maintenance and effort.
Read More: Why You Should Clean Your Portafilter Between Shots?
Finally, Which Is Better for You?
Professionals widely use regular portafilters because of their easy operations. It helps drop espresso in cups precisely, which offers more control when you pull single or double shots at once. This is a way of straightforward extraction that requires low maintenance as well. So, users can save time and effort, a big reason they are commonly used in coffee shops.
If you are a beginner learning dosing and tamping, go for a bottomless portafilter. Its complete extraction view will let you understand the actual issue. Thus, the tool also assists in improving espresso quality. Besides, if you are a big fan of rich crema on espresso, a bottomless portafilter can be your secret espresso tool.
Read More: Why Does Your Bottomless Portafilter Spray and How to Solve It?
Read More: Fixing Coffee Grounds Stuck in Portafilter: Easy and Quick Solutions
Reference:
https://www.reddit.com/r/espresso/comments/a7okgh/bottomless_vs_spouted_portafilter/
