Carpenters have hammers, Jedis' have light sabers
and Baristas' have portafilters. Yes, the portafilter,
the veritable sword of the barista. The key to your
espresso machine and the device that provides transport
for that freshly ground espresso to the machine
used to extract the venom from the ground beans.
The
easiest way to remember the name of this device
is to remember its purpose as a "Portable Filter."
The portafilter, or filter handle, is what most
Baristašs should consider their most important tool.
Knowledge of the terms and descriptions of the working
components of your espresso machine is an important
part of your espresso machine maintenance schedule.
The portafilter is an integral part to making superb
espresso, how you maintain it, and use it, is as
important as the coffee you put in it.
The
basic components of the portafilter are:
1. The portafilter body
2. The filter basket
3. The pour spout
4. The handle
The
portafilters importance in the process of brewing
coffee is second only to the machine that it works
with. The portafilter should be kept or stored in
the group head at all times. This will ensure that
the portafilter is at the same brewing temp as the
rest of the machine. This is an important part of
the brewing process. Temperature retention through
the brew cycle is very important, when using a cold
portafilter remember to preheat it by running an
empty brew cycle. Storing the portafilter in the
group head will also reduce the time between group
gasket replacement, by keeping the rubber soft and
supple providing a positive seal.
The
filter basket portion of the portafilter requires
a minor bit of maintenance and is relatively non
problematic. The filter basket is held in place
by a tension spring located in a groove inside the
portafilter body. Due to the constant pressure of
the brewing cycle as well as hand tamping, baskets
can develop hairline cracks. This causes coffee
grounds to flow through to your finished shot. If
you cannot see cracks, but you are getting grounds
in your shots, try changing the basket. Remove the
basket from the body by prying up with your thumbs
or the edge of a stubby screwdriver. Care should
be taken so as to not cause damage to the basket.
Scrubbing the filter basket with espresso machine
detergent and steel wool or a scrub pad to remove
coffee oils and stains is all that is really needed
to clean this part. The sealing edge of the filter
basket should also be maintained. Dented or cracked
edges can cause leaks at the group head and cause
premature group gasket failure. Make sure there
are no dents or cracks and that the knock bar on
your knock box is made of a non marring resilient
material.
Coffee
oil build up on the surfaces below the filter basket
can result in bitter or off tasting shots and can
cause the the flow of coffee out of the pour spout
to be uneven. Removing this residue throughout the
day or a minimum once a day is an important process
in the maintenance of your espresso machine. Throughout
the day, scour the inside of your portafilter body
below the filter basket removing any oil residue.
Use a nylon or brass brush on the pour spout area
and be sure to remove all debris. On a double portafilter
(14-16 grams) remove spout cover and clean the inner
surfaces with detergent. Removal of oil build up
in the spouts will ensure even and better tasting
pours.
The
last component is the portafilter handle. Look at
this component as the steering wheel of your espresso
machine. It is important that you have a good comfortable
grip and that it is in good condition. Handles should
be replaced if they are cracked or have sharp edges.
Handles will sometimes become loose from the body.
This fix is as easy as tightening the nut holding
the handle to the portafilter and replacing the
end cap.
The
use of detergent to remove coffee oils is highly
recommended. Many commercial espresso machine detergents
are available for cleaning your espresso machine.
These cleaners are specifically designed to remove
coffee oils from the inner workings of your espresso
machine. Baking soda is also an alternative to the
use of detergents. Soaking your portafilter overnight
in either baking soda or detergent will aid in the
cleaning process. Make sure that the cleaner you
use meets the requirements of NSF.
The
end result of your efforts in portafilter maintenance,
should be superb tasting espresso shots, and a well
maintained barista tool. The tool that makes you
one with your espresso machine. The portafilter.
