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Espresso: Questions and Answers
What exactly are VST baskets and are they worth it?

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Discussions > Espresso > Q and A > What exactly are...

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Burner0000
Senior Member

Joined: 28 Jul 2011
Posts: 400
Location: Kitchener. Ontario Canada
Expertise: Professional

Espresso: Rancilio Silvia, VFA Expres...
Grinder: Macap MX/VFA N1464/Kyocera...
Drip: Manual Drip, French Press
Roaster: Behmor 1600 / Sonofresco

Posted Tue Mar 5, 2013, 2:20pm Subject: What exactly are VST baskets and are they worth it?

Just wondering what the deal is with VST baskets. I own a Silvia V3 and I have come across several posts about these. Do they improve shot quality?

NobbyR
Senior Member

Joined: 10 Jul 2011
Posts: 1,613
Location: Germany
Expertise: I love coffee

Espresso: Poccino Opus One, Ariete
Grinder: Eureka Mignon Istantaneo,...
Vac Pot: N/A
Drip: Melitta Linea Unica de Luxe
Roaster: N/A

Posted Wed Mar 6, 2013, 5:11am Subject: Re: What exactly are VST baskets and are they worth it?

VST baskets are designed to have a highly uniform and precise pattern, diameter and circularity of their holes. During manufacturing, the holes are tested to be within a few microns of each other in their shape and size. All of this is supposed to give you a more even and better extraction. The baskets are highly popular among coffee geeks around the world. Whether they're worth it or not, you'll have to find out for yourself, I guess.

*** "This drink of the Satan is so delicious that it would be a shame to leave it to the infidels." (Pope Clement VIII on coffee)

Posted Thu Mar 7, 2013, 8:56am Subject: Re: What exactly are VST baskets and are they worth it?

Interesting.. Better extraction means better taste. Time to start hunting around. Do you know of any good online deals for them? 58mm.

slybarman
Senior Member

Joined: 3 Nov 2011
Posts: 334
Location: usa
Expertise: I love coffee

Espresso: La Nuova Era Cuadra
Grinder: Baratza Vario

Posted Thu Mar 7, 2013, 9:31am
Subject: Re: What exactly are VST baskets and are they worth it?

Burner0000 Said:

Interesting.. Better extraction means better taste. Time to start hunting around. Do you know of any good online deals for them? 58mm.

Posted March 7, 2013 link

I think they have a deal going now where you buy their pricey tamper (58.35mm) and you basically get their pricey basket for free. Taken together, it is not a bad deal.

MatP
Junior Member

Joined: 1 Mar 2013
Posts: 31
Location: Southern California
Expertise: I like coffee

Espresso: Gaggia Classic
Grinder: Macap MXP
Roaster: Behmor 1600

Posted Thu Mar 7, 2013, 10:25am Subject: Re: What exactly are VST baskets and are they worth it?

I have never heard of VST baskets before, but I got a HQ basket from espressoparts, and it made a great difference compared to the stock basket of the Gaggia. The price is great as well (6 or 7 bucks for the 14gr which will hold up to 20gr without any problem, perfect for a double). Is the VST really $30? Anyone compared it to HQ baskets from espressoparts? Edit: here is the basket I use, and am very happy with: http://www.espressoparts.com/EPF_870N Thx MatP

Posted Thu Mar 7, 2013, 12:40pm Subject: Re: What exactly are VST baskets and are they worth it?

Yup.. $30 is fine considering how much I will be using it. espressoparts is too expensive for me unless I am making a large order. I live in Canada.

brianl
Senior Member

Joined: 1 Dec 2012
Posts: 152
Location: Chicago IL
Expertise: I love coffee

Espresso: Gaggia Classic (w/PID)
Grinder: Baratza Vario
Drip: chemex

Posted Thu Mar 7, 2013, 1:16pm Subject: Re: What exactly are VST baskets and are they worth it?

You know, I am not sure if it is worth it but it sure does make me feel better. I know the original gaggia classic filters I have are absolute garbage. No comparison there. After investing in a grinder, PID, and other items. It seems silly to quibble over 20 bucks (16 shipped for the EPs one and 37 shipped for the VST). I have a 15g Ridged one and just ordered a 18g ridgeless. I have a 22g or something like that triple that isn't VST. It sucks that I cant compare them because they are all different sizes. However, throw some scientific research on each filter backet in the shipping box and it makes me feel better.

MatP
Junior Member

Joined: 1 Mar 2013
Posts: 31
Location: Southern California
Expertise: I like coffee

Espresso: Gaggia Classic
Grinder: Macap MXP
Roaster: Behmor 1600

Posted Thu Mar 7, 2013, 1:31pm Subject: Re: What exactly are VST baskets and are they worth it?

Brianl, Spending more money does not make me feel better. A better coffee on the other hand will. So of course $20 is not much, but it is not a reason to spend them if it does not make a better coffee, does it? BTW, espressoparts has free shipping on parts within the US, so now you are off $30 in your calculation ;-) Cheers MatP

brianl
Senior Member

Joined: 1 Dec 2012
Posts: 152
Location: Chicago IL
Expertise: I love coffee

Espresso: Gaggia Classic (w/PID)
Grinder: Baratza Vario
Drip: chemex

Posted Thu Mar 7, 2013, 1:58pm Subject: Re: What exactly are VST baskets and are they worth it?

they have never given me free shipping. so unelss i'm doing something wrong or there is a price limit. The point is this. have you ever ordered one? They provide the details of their tests that SHOW the precision. So I know I'm getting the best product in those terms. The ones you mentioned, I see no such thing. Therefore, you completely misread my post.

MatP
Junior Member

Joined: 1 Mar 2013
Posts: 31
Location: Southern California
Expertise: I like coffee

Espresso: Gaggia Classic
Grinder: Macap MXP
Roaster: Behmor 1600

Posted Thu Mar 7, 2013, 2:20pm Subject: Re: What exactly are VST baskets and are they worth it?

Brianl, from the beginning I mentioned I do not know the VST baskets. I am just giving OP an alternative worth looking into, especially given the price difference. I also expressed my interest into knowing if anyone ever made a side by side comparison. I never said you are wrong or whatever, so you should not feel offended. For the free shipping at espressoparts, you can use the code PARTSSHIPFREE at check out. They advertise it at the very top of their website. Thx MatP

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