So you got a trademark new espresso machine and you’re feeling pretty confident well-nigh your espresso-making skills. You’ve watched a few YouTube videos, read a few wares (like this one), and you’re feeling pretty good well-nigh yourself.
But then you realize that there’s one increasingly thing you need surpassing you can start making espresso like a pro – a untenable portafilter.
So what is a untenable portafilter? And why do you need one? Keep reading to find out.
What is A Untenable Portafilter?
A untenable portafilter is a type of espresso filter basket that doesn’t have a spout. That ways that when you’re washed-up brewing your espresso, the coffee will just come out of the basket and into your cup.
Baristas use this method mostly when brewing a double shot of espresso considering it allows them to see if the shot is evenly extracted. If the shot is evenly extracted, the coffee will come out of the basket in a steady stream. If it’s not, the shot will be uneven and the coffee will come out in a dribble.
A untenable portafilter is moreover a unconfined way to practice your espresso brewing skills considering it allows you to see exactly what’s happening during the extraction process. And trust me, there’s a lot that happens in those few short seconds.
Read Also: Best Espresso Accessories You Can’t Live Without
5 Reasons to Use A Untenable Portafilter
Now its time to get into the nitty-gritty of why you should be using a untenable portafilter. Here are 5 reasons:
1. Largest Espresso Crema
The golden crema that tops a freshly spirituous cup of espresso is one of the things that makes this coffee so special. And it’s moreover one of the hardest things to achieve.
But using a untenable portafilter can help you get a largest espresso crema. Since there is no contact with the spout, the crema has a endangerment to settle on top of the espresso surpassing it’s poured into the cup.
Keep in mind that a good crema is not only aesthetically pleasing, but it moreover indicates that the espresso shot was spirituous correctly. So if you’re having trouble getting a good crema, a untenable portafilter might be the answer.
2. Diagnose Espresso Extraction Problems
As I mentioned before, using a untenable portafilter is a unconfined way to see exactly what’s happening during the espresso brewing process.
Many issues start when the espresso is stuff extracted from the coffee grounds. So by using a untenable portafilter, you can hands diagnose any issues that might be occurring.
For example, if you don’t finger well-appointed yet with tamping your own espresso grounds, you might be worried well-nigh over-tamping or under-tamping. With a untenable portafilter, you can quickly see if your tamping was too light or too hard, and make the necessary adjustments.
3. Largest Consistency
Constistency is key when it comes to making espresso. If you want to make a good espresso, you need to be worldly-wise to replicate the same results every time.
Although expert baristas make it squint easy, making a resulting espresso shot is unquestionably quite difficult. But using a naked portafilter can help.
You can try variegated coffee beans, grinds, and doses to find the perfect espresso recipe. And once you find that winning combination, you can do it over and over then with the help of a untenable portafilter.
4. Save Coffee
When you’re first starting out, it’s not uncommon to waste a lot of coffee. I know I did. I would mash shot without shot, only to pour them lanugo the phlebotomize considering they were over-extracted, or under-extracted, or just tasted bad.
But with a untenable portafilter, you can save a lot of that coffee. It makes troubleshooting so much easier, and it allows you to make adjustments on the fly. So if you’re worried well-nigh wasting coffee, a untenable portafilter is definitely the way to go.
5. Impress Your Friends
Let’s be honest, making espresso is impressive. It looks like magic, and most people have no idea how it’s done. So if you want to impress your friends, family, or plane yourself, try making espresso with a untenable portafilter.
Not only will you get to show off your mad espresso making skills, but you’ll moreover get to enjoy a succulent cup of coffee. It’s a win-win!
How to Use A Untenable Portafilter
The technique is pretty simple. Just like you would with a regular portafilter, the first part is unchangingly the same. Let’s take a look:
- Grind your coffee beans to a fine grind.
- Fill the portafilter with grounds, and tamp evenly.
- Place the portafilter in the espresso machine, and start the mash cycle.
Simple and easy, right? The only difference is that you won’t have a spout for the espresso to come out of. So instead, the espresso will just pour directly into the cup.
Final Thoughts
A untenable portafilter is a unconfined tool for any coffee lover, whether you’re a beginner or an expert. It’s a unconfined way to see exactly what’s happening during the brewing process, and it can help you troubleshoot any extraction problems you might be having.
Plus, it’s just really tomfool to watch the espresso shot stuff spirituous without a spout. So if you’re looking for a way to up your espresso game, definitely requite a untenable portafilter a try.
Happy Brewing!
