Buy a portafilter machine - experience real Italian espresso enjoyment
It is the star among espresso machines and no café can imagine itself without it: the portafilter machine. It allows coffee fans to prepare a quick and fresh cup of coffee for complete enjoyment.
The portafilter machine for the perfect espresso
You can prepare an espresso with many different types of machines, but preparing an espresso in an espresso machine is a special highlight and definitely worth it. Only the portafilter machine, with an optimal brewing group, a water tank and the right pressure, conjures up a first-class espresso with the perfect brewing temperature and the much sought-after crema. Equipped with a steam wand or cappuccinatore, you can expand the range of coffee specialties by briefly frothing the milk into a fine-pored milk foam to make cappuccinos and the like. The usual brewing time to prepare a great espresso with your portafilter machine is 25 seconds +/- 5 seconds. The amount of water for the espresso is usually between 25 and 35 ml, but this is also a matter of taste and depends on the barista.
Buying the portafilter machine that suits your personal needs has never been so easy. In our shop you will find a first-class range of coffee machines. The range of portafilter machines extends from the popular Sage espresso machine with a lower product price, which is easy to use even for beginners, to more expensive models such as the ECM or La Marzocco espresso machine. But well-known brands such as Ascaso, Rancilio and Rocket also have a place in our range. You can also buy suitable accessories and portafilters from us. The portafilter machine models generally differ in details such as the brewing head and brewing group. You can also buy espresso machines with an external water tank or portafilter machines with an integrated grinder. Be inspired and discover the large variety of portafilter machines - now is the right time to buy! Let us know if you would like more product details about a machine!
Buy a portafilter machine - these are the differences
The range of different espresso machine brands is enormous. At the same time, the range of portafilter machines from individual manufacturers is usually also wide-ranging. Customers are served from inexpensive entry-level models of the portafilter machine to more expensive portafilter machines. Most of the portafilter machines on offer are made of high-quality stainless steel and are of great quality! Compared to all other variants of coffee preparation, the espresso machine with portafilter insert works with high pressure. With the special brewing technology, the brewing group presses hot water at around 9 bar through the very finely ground coffee powder within a good 25 seconds. The ground coffee powder is first fed into the sieve of the portafilter and pressed with the help of a tamper with what feels like 15 kg of pressure. But what exactly do I have to consider when buying a portafilter machine? Vibration pump or rotary pump, hand lever machine or with milk frother? This requires a look behind the scenes. These types of portafilter machines are available as:
- Single boiler: Inexpensive entry-level models of the portafilter machine with one boiler for alternating brewing water or steam. The ECM Casa V and the Bezzera BZ09 S portafilter machine are popular models with one boiler. (These models are suitable for espresso drinkers who tend to drink coffee creations such as cappuccino or latte macchiato less often, as this requires a change in the circuit.)
- Dual circuit: Equipped with a steam boiler with an integrated heat exchanger for the brewing water for simultaneous use of water and steam. Popular models such as the ECM Mechanika V Slim or the Rocket Appartamneto have a dual circuit.
- Dual boiler: Portafilter machine with two separately controllable boilers for moderately hot brewed water and boiling hot steam. Portafilter machines such as the Rocket R60 V or The Dual Boiler from Sage have a dual boiler.
- Thermoblock: The common feature of single-circuit, dual-circuit and boiler systems is that all variants have a boiler inside them. The Thermoblock portafilter machines are different; these have a heating element that is installed next to the water pipe. The advantage here is a short heating time, so a perfect espresso can be made within a few seconds of switching on the portafilter machine. Popular models here are the Sage espresso machines, such as the Sage Barista Pro or the Ascaso Steel Duo PID.
A portafilter machine is easier to service than a fully automatic machine. It is more authentic and less prone to maintenance. However, only one or two espressos can be produced per brewing process. As a coffee lover, experience the best coffee enjoyment with your new portafilter machine!
How to make the perfect espresso with the espresso machine
In addition to the portafilter machine itself, a sufficient heating time for the boiler, the portafilter and the pipes is crucial for making a perfect espresso with crema. Before making your first espresso, you should allow at least 10-30 minutes for heating up. This depends on the type of system the machine has. To preheat the cups to a comfortable temperature, we recommend using the integrated heating plate on top of the portafilter machine. When it comes to making an espresso, you now need the portafilter, the desired coffee beans and a coffee grinder. Coffee connoisseurs grind their espresso beans freshly with a coordinated grinding level before each brewing process. It is up to you whether you prefer an electric espresso grinder or a manual hand grinder. Put the coffee powder in the coordinated amount into the portafilter, hang the filled portafilter in the brewing group and pull an espresso. This is how you make a perfect espresso in the portafilter machine!
We recommend experimenting with the quantities, brewing time and temperature to create your very own dream espresso. Take a look at the tutorial for making the perfect espresso with a portafilter machine.
Cleaning the portafilter machine is the key to the taste
Cleaning the portafilter machine is just as crucial for the taste of your coffee as choosing the best coffee grinder or tastiest coffee beans. For this reason, it is important to clean the espresso machine shortly after each use. This can be done quickly; by flushing the brewing group, i.e. by briefly drawing an espresso with pure water, the coarse residues in the brewing group are removed. Empty the portafilter over a knock box and remove any remaining coffee grounds with a microfiber cloth. After making the milk foam, the milk nozzle on the portafilter machine should also be wiped with a damp microfiber cloth to remove any burnt milk residue. This is then followed by a quick blow through of the milk nozzle using a short jet of steam.
In the long term, you should clean your portafilter machine thoroughly, and for this you should also descale the machine according to the manufacturer's recommendations. Regardless of whether it is an entry-level model or a high-quality ECM portafilter machine, a thorough cleaning not only has hygienic advantages but also has an incredible effect on the taste of your delicious coffee. Experience real coffee enjoyment now and discover the right portafilter machine for your use!