The implications of using a naked portafilter on a Sage or Breville home espresso machine
Think of coffee puck prep, espresso extraction and channeling
First of all, what is a naked portafilter?
Very simply put, a naked (or bottomless) portafilter is the one where the spouts are removed, leaving the basket exposed. The really cool thing about a naked portafilter is that it allows you to observe the espresso extraction process and take note of any apparent issues, such as espresso channeling that might occur because of uneven grind distribution and tamping.
The signs of a good espresso extraction
The consensus among baristas is that a good espresso extraction means the rapid integration of multiple streams of espresso into a single one.
Espresso taste
However, I personally wouldn’t discard an espresso shot based on visuals alone. I always recommend tasting and evaluating the quality of the espresso extraction first. A well extracted espresso should have a rich sweetness, balanced acidity (it should complement the espresso, not overpower it), smooth texture and a long lasting pleasant aftertaste.
Espresso body
Also, since the espresso shot comes in contact with no other surface than the bottom of the filter basket, I noticed an improved overall texture and higher smoothness of the espresso shots prepared with a naked portafilter.
Using a naked portafilter on a Sage or Breville home espresso machine
If you own a Sage or Breville home espresso machine, one important fact to keep in mind is that these machines exceed the standard 9 bars of pressure during the espresso extraction. This means that even the smallest imperfections in the coffee puck prep may lead to spraying and channeling, some worse than others. So, while I encourage you to experiment and use a naked portafilter with these home espresso machines, it’s good to manage your expectations beforehand.
If streams of espresso are severely spraying all over the machine and drip tray during the extraction, this can indicate something has gone wrong and you might want to take a careful look at how you prepare your puck prior to extraction.
I hope you find these tips helpful and, if you’d like to dive deeper, you may consider our espresso and latte art home barista workshops. Happy brewing!
P.S. If you enjoyed reading this, you might find this blogpost here interesting too – Espresso channeling on Sage or Breville home espresso machines