Coffeenoobie Senior Member Joined: 11 Dec 2011 Posts: 2,313 Location: PNW Expertise: I like coffee
Espresso: N S Oscar Grinder: Vario W
Posted Wed Feb 20, 2013, 9:56am Subject: Re: Portafilter size
People like 58 because it is easy to get parts for because it is standard. There is a difference in taste with every variable. But your grinder will make the best improvement if you upgrade it.
Coffeenoobie
Buying advice: GRINDER GRINDER GRINDER. Don't cheap out on the grinder. My coffee treasure map... Click Here (maps.google.com)
emradguy Senior Member Joined: 31 Mar 2011 Posts: 1,706 Location: Houston Expertise: I live coffee
Espresso: Izzo Alex Duetto II Grinder: MacapM4T, Macap M4, OE Lido,... Drip: Espro press; Aeropress Roaster: internet
Posted Wed Feb 20, 2013, 9:56am Subject: Re: Portafilter size
I haven't seen much discussion on this, but I would guess that the lever users might have been through it.
Certainly, the 58mm pf is more "universal", in that it's more likely to be reusable if you ever got a different machine, and all related accessories are more readily available.
Woody Senior Member Joined: 26 Jan 2004 Posts: 579 Location: Hood River, OR Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: La Spaziale Vivaldi I Grinder: Mazzer SJ Vac Pot: Hoover Drip: yuck Roaster: Behmor
Posted Thu Feb 21, 2013, 11:28am Subject: Re: Portafilter size
I have a La Spaziale which uses 53mm. The puck of course is smaller, but therefore thicker with a standard double dose. The only thing I dont like is the fact I can't try VST baskets- they don't make anything other than 58mm.
yakster Senior Member Joined: 25 Feb 2009 Posts: 1,006 Location: San Jose, CA Expertise: I live coffee
Espresso: Gaggia Factory / La Peppina... Grinder: Vario / Kyocera Vac Pot: Yama 8 + Pyrex Lox-in Rod Drip: Brazen / Kalita / Chemex /... Roaster: Behmor
Posted Thu Feb 21, 2013, 3:47pm Subject: Re: Portafilter size
I've heard some speculation that taller, narrower baskets can be easier to work with and are less prone to channeling issues. You could also consider that you can pull a shot with less coffee and maintain a good headspace which could be a cost savings (though I don't think many people would care about this fact). Also, accessory availability like the SCACE Thermofilters are available only in 58 and 53 mm and precision baskets only seem to be available for 58 mm portafilters.
The portafilters on my La Peppina and Gaggia Factory levers are 45 and 52 mm so a 58 mm portafilter looks huge to me. I normally dose in the 13 - 16 gram range for doubles but the corresponding shot volumes are smaller.
Symbols: = New Posts since your last visit = No New Posts since last visit = Newest post
Forum Rules: No profanity, illegal acts or personal attacks will be tolerated in these discussion boards. No commercial posting of any nature will be tolerated; only private sales by private individuals, in the "Buy and Sell" forum. No cross posting allowed - do not post your topic to more than one forum, nor repost a topic to the same forum. Who Can Read The Forum? Anyone can read posts in these discussion boards. Who Can Post New Topics? Any registered CoffeeGeek member can post new topics. Who Can Post Replies? Any registered CoffeeGeek member can post replies. Can Photos be posted? Anyone can post photos in their new topics or replies. Who can change or delete posts? Any CoffeeGeek member can edit their own posts. Only moderators can delete posts. Probationary Period: If you are a new signup for CoffeeGeek, you cannot promote, endorse, criticise or otherwise post an unsolicited endorsement for any company, product or service in your first five postings.
= No New Posts since last visit 