Breville’s automatic knock box has recently been a hot topic among espresso enthusiasts. This electric device requires no knocking, creates no mess, and removes coffee pucks quietly within seconds. Does it really worth buying?
In this article, we will discuss notable aspects of the item to understand if it is a good thing to invest in for the long run.
Does The Puck Sucker Worth Buying?
If the device fits you from all aspects, does it actually worth buying? Here we mention a few points for what you can consider picking it.
Convenience:
The puck sucker is designed to provide users with excellent conveniences during coffee waste disposal. Along with fast action, it ensures no mess or fuss while removing the used coffee. It is a fine choice if you prefer things done quickly.
Noise Reduction:
Its swift vacuum mechanism rapidly sucks and disposes the puck from the portafilter without any knocking sound. It is a good item if someone dislikes knocking noise or does not want to disturb neighboring people.
Cleanliness:
The puck sucker can be one of the best accessories for professionals who need to ensure hygiene while brewing espresso. It lets you dispose of the puck without touching anything, which absolutely worth investing.
Why Do You Need The Breville Puck Sucker?
Unlike a regular knock box, the puck sucker is a handier tool providing clean and less noisy operation. Here are some good reasons why you should pick one.
More convenient than traditional knock boxes:
The Knock box is a crucial accessory for espresso enthusiasts. But the traditional ones can be troublesome and messy for users as they require banging the portafilter to remove the coffee puck.
In contrast, the puck sucker requires no banging of the portafilter to take the coffee ground out. It offers a more convenient way to remove the espresso puck. Besides, its waste chamber can hold 10-12 pucks requiring no frequent disposal.
No need to touch the used coffee grounds:
Touching used coffee grounds is uncomfortable for most espresso lovers. Unfortunately, you have no other option except to touch them while using a traditional knock box. This practice can influence bacterial growth as well.
In the case of the puck sucker, users do not need to touch the espresso puck while removing them from the portafilter. It ensures the highest hygiene while disposing of used coffee grounds.
Quieter than traditional knock boxes:
Banging a portafilter on a knock box will surely generate loud noise, which is disruptive for surrounding people. On the other hand, the puck sucker is gently quieter during operation as it works based on vacuum technology.
Easy Cleaning:
The device is dishwasher safe, meaning cleaning is no extra hassle. You can hand-wash the item without thinking about harming or destroying it.
How Does It Differ From Regular Knock Box?
If you are uncertain about the puck sucker and its effectiveness, the following chart will help you learn more about it.
Points | Breville Puck Sucker | Regular Knock Box |
Working mechanism | Removes espresso pucks using vacuum technology. | Uses gravity to loosen used coffee. |
Noise level | It is comparatively quieter. | It can be loud. |
Compatibility | Designed for 58mm Breville portafilters only. | It can be used with any type of portafilter. |
Convenience | More user-friendly. | User-friendly. |
Cleaning | Easy to clean and dishwasher safe. | It may not be dishwasher-safe. |
Storage | Easier to store. | Takes larger space to store. |
Price | More expensive. | Cheaper. |
How Does The Puck Sucker Work?
The device is designed to automatically take the used coffee grounds out of the portafilter. It creates a vacuum force that sucks the espresso puck from the portafilter without banging or touching it.
The suction begins when you activate the device after placing a portafilter on it. After get loosen, the puck is stored in the waste chamber of the machine.
Here are the steps on how to use the puck sucker:
- Place a portafilter filled with the used puck on the device.
- Press the ON button to trigger the vacuum pump.
- The machine will create a suction force and suck the puck out of the portafilter within a few seconds.
- Finally, the removed puck will be stored in the waste container.
Compatibility with Different Types of Portafilters and Baskets
Unfortunately, the puck sucker is only compatible with 58mm Breville-only portafilters. If you have a portafilter with different diameters or a 58mm portafilter built for other branded espresso machines, they will be incompatible.
Based on the above statement, you must have any of the following Breville espresso machine’s portafilters to use the device:
- Oracle
- Oracle Touch
- Dual Boiler, and
- Dynamic Duo
Note: A 58mm Breville portafilter made by other companies is also usable on the Breville puck sucker.
However, you cannot use other 58mm non-Breville portafilters on the device for the following reasons.
Different Design
Breville has particularly engineered it for its 58mm portafilters. So, non-Breville portafilters, even with the same diameter, will not fit into the device because of differences in design.
Improper Vacuum:
If you still try a non-Breville portafilter on the puck sucker, it may not create a vacuum force for puck removal. As a result, it can cause the puck to leak out of the portafilter.
Drawbacks of Breville Coffee Puck Sucker
Though the device is quite helpful for professional and serious espresso enthusiasts, it may have a few drawbacks for average users. Here are the common pain points for the users.
It Requires Batteries:
The machine is powered by a 9V battery included in the device. It means the puck sucker will be completely inactive when the battery’s charge is finished. Periodical battery recharge or replacement can be a headache for busy users.
Only Compatible with 58mm Breville Portafilters:
This device is not for you if you have an espresso machine from a different brand or a Breville one with a smaller portafilter. Unfortunately, it is designed for a limited group of customers only.
More expensive than traditional knock boxes:
Comparing a regular knock box, the device is several times costlier. Due to the high price, it is out of most people’s budget.
FAQs on Coffee Puck Remover
According to Breville’s website, the device has a one-year consumer warranty.
Yes, the device is powered by an integrated 9V battery.
Its operation can be a little noisy, but it is much quieter than a regular knock box.
You can easily clean the device by releasing its lid. You can also handwash it since the device is dishwasher safe.