Markarian Senior Member Joined: 27 Jun 2012 Posts: 475 Location: Seattle Area Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Modded Nuova Simonelli Oscar Grinder: Vario-W, Mazzer Super Jolly Drip: Moka, Aeropress, Melitta 102 Roaster: Wear-Ever Popcorn Pumper
Posted Tue Aug 14, 2012, 3:24pm Subject: Filter basket supposed to be stuck??
So I just treated myself to one of Seattle Coffee Gear's custom Saeco 53mm bottomless portafilters. I can't wait to try it out. I got my standard double filter basket in it, but it's in there so tightly that there's probably no way I'd be able to get it out without a screwdriver. I know professional portafilters have this retaining wire instead of the flimsy plastic thumb tab that my normal non-pressurized filter from Saeco does, where the filter basket just fits in loosely. Is this normal or am I risking damage to my new toy? Is the filter basket supposed to live permanently in the PF? Thanks!
Posted Tue Aug 14, 2012, 3:33pm Subject: Re: Filter basket supposed to be stuck??
Use the lip of another standard basket to pry it out. It should pop right out. Generally speaking, baskets are (as in "should be") made of stainless steel and are quite robust.
Markarian Senior Member Joined: 27 Jun 2012 Posts: 475 Location: Seattle Area Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Modded Nuova Simonelli Oscar Grinder: Vario-W, Mazzer Super Jolly Drip: Moka, Aeropress, Melitta 102 Roaster: Wear-Ever Popcorn Pumper
Posted Tue Aug 14, 2012, 7:20pm Subject: Re: Filter basket supposed to be stuck??
This thing is in there really tight. I really worry there's no way I could get this thing out without damaging either part and it'd be nice to just know I can get them apart to clean them every once in a while.
Markarian Senior Member Joined: 27 Jun 2012 Posts: 475 Location: Seattle Area Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Modded Nuova Simonelli Oscar Grinder: Vario-W, Mazzer Super Jolly Drip: Moka, Aeropress, Melitta 102 Roaster: Wear-Ever Popcorn Pumper
Posted Tue Aug 14, 2012, 7:43pm Subject: Re: Filter basket supposed to be stuck??
I'll try that, Franky. The price was a bit steep, but seeing as it's hard to find a non-pressurized PF for the Saecos these days anyway, one might as well get one from SCG. I can see now why bottomless filters are all the rage. The first shot I pulled from it was insane, and I got an incredible crema and 32sec pull from grocery bin $7/lb beans.
FrankyD Senior Member Joined: 27 Jul 2012 Posts: 58 Location: Davis, CA Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Starbucks Barista Grinder: Baratza Preciso/Kyocera... Drip: Bodum French Press Roaster: WB Poppery I
Posted Tue Aug 14, 2012, 7:53pm Subject: Re: Filter basket supposed to be stuck??
Markarian Said:
I'll try that, Franky. The price was a bit steep, but seeing as it's hard to find a non-pressurized PF for the Saecos these days anyway, one might as well get one from SCG. I can see now why bottomless filters are all the rage. The first shot I pulled from it was insane, and I got an incredible crema and 32sec pull from grocery bin $7/lb beans.
Seriously? Man. I wonder what I'm missing with a bottomless PF, or if there's much of a change in flavor from what I get now. I was about ready to pull the trigger on it the other day, but I was thinking about how long I'd keep my Starbucks Barista for before I upgrade.
SCG's the only one that produces a non pressurized and a bottomless for the saecos. I think they custom built it to their specifications and have someone produce it.
Markarian Senior Member Joined: 27 Jun 2012 Posts: 475 Location: Seattle Area Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Modded Nuova Simonelli Oscar Grinder: Vario-W, Mazzer Super Jolly Drip: Moka, Aeropress, Melitta 102 Roaster: Wear-Ever Popcorn Pumper
Posted Tue Aug 14, 2012, 8:36pm Subject: Re: Filter basket supposed to be stuck??
It's true, they're the only place you can get them. There's another place that sells modded Saeco ones, but they're not as high quality.
I can't speak to a difference in flavor, since I'm a newbie, but from what I understand the bottomless PF preserves a little more crema and is mostly a training tool for proper tamping. Either way, it's a wonderful piece of kit, rock solid, heavy, and thick. Definitely doesn't feel cheap.
I'm using a Barista/SIN006 and getting excellent results following some of the tricks I learned on this forum, especially with learning the secret of getting dry steam for foaming. It's not the fastest machine in the world, but it gets the job done and only cost me $80.
Markarian Senior Member Joined: 27 Jun 2012 Posts: 475 Location: Seattle Area Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Modded Nuova Simonelli Oscar Grinder: Vario-W, Mazzer Super Jolly Drip: Moka, Aeropress, Melitta 102 Roaster: Wear-Ever Popcorn Pumper
Posted Wed Aug 15, 2012, 4:17am Subject: Re: Filter basket supposed to be stuck??
Yeah, so...I tried heat, I tried cold. This filter basket is stuck fast inside the PF. It functions well, I'd just really like to have the peace of mind that it will come out. The only way I think I would ever be able to dislodge it is to violently bang it on something :( Not exactly something I want to do with my new investment or a perfectly good filter basket.
Any other suggestions, and do filter baskets even need to be removed regularly?
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