The portafilter is the most common espresso equipment in a kitchen. However, if not used correctly, a portafilter can start leaking and cause a lot of trouble.
A leaking portafilter issue occurs due to several reasons. Generally, a worn-out gasket and improper sealing are responsible for the problem. Sometimes, it happens when users don’t lock the portafilter to the group head securely. Choosing the wrong grind size and poor ground tamping technique can also be a reason for this issue.
In this post, we will share a few methods of how you can fix a leaking portafilter. Let’s explore them.
What Is Causing a Leaking Portafilter and How to Fix It?
A leaking portafilter can cause a mess and create a dangerous situation in your espresso brewing process. However, you can fix the problem after identifying the exact reasons. Check out some common reasons for a leaking portafilter and their fixes.
1. You Haven’t Tamped Well or Locked the Portafilter Accurately.
A bad tamping technique is a common reason behind the leaking portafilter issue. If the ground coffee is poorly tamped, the high pressure of the water can cause the coffee grounds to come out from the portafilter. As a result, you may notice a water leakage from the portafilter.
If you do not firmly secure the portafilter to the group head of an espresso machine, it can move and cause leakage too.
How to Fix:
You need to focus on the proper tamping technique to prevent portafilter leaking. Besides, ensure the portafilter is firmly secured to the espresso machine during operation.
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2. You Have Chosen the Wrong Grind.
A portafilter leaking can occur when using the wrong grind size, which is too coarse or too fine.
When using a coarse grind, the water will flow through the coffee ground fast, resulting in an under-extracted espresso shot.
If you choose too fine grind for espresso, the water will struggle to flow through the coffee ground and build extra pressure, a common reason for leaking portafilter.
How to Fix:
Ground coffee in a portafilter with an accurate grind size can immediately solve the issue.
3. The Gasket Has Been Worn out, or the Shower Screen Is Poorly Installed.
A worn-out gasket is one of the most common reasons causing the leaking portafilter issue. When you have a frail gasket, it will not sit on the group head properly. Thus, it creates a little gap between the group head and the portafilter, which allows water to seep through it.
The leaking issue can sometimes occur because of a poorly installed shower screen on an espresso machine ground head.
How to Fix:
If the leaking issue occurs because of a worn-out gasket, you have no choice except to replace it. Besides, ensure you have correctly installed the shower screen on the group head.
Frequently Asked Questions
Proper tamping is critical to prevent leaking portafilter. But, you should not tamp too hard since it can bring the opposite result.
You need to choose the fine grind, which is neither too fine nor coarse.
If you see no solution after applying all the above methods, it is time to meet a professional.
Final Words
Though the portafilter leaking issue seems serious, it is not. All the mentioned issues are very common and have quick fixing techniques.
If you are struggling with a portafilter leakage, carefully notice the problem and fix it accordingly. If you have failed to solve the problem, contact a professional immediately.
