How many holes should there be in a portafilter basket

kenmc

Only noticed last night that although my baskets (both single and double) which came with my Gaggia Classic have many many 'dimples' on the bottom, there's only actually one (small) hole, right in the centre.
Surely this cannot be right? That must be generating a very odd extraction no? Should I get a 'proper' basket with many holes? Where?

RE*AC*TOR

That is a basket I believe either for a pod, or it's for some sort of pressurized portafilter... either way, there should be me more holes than you can count without tedium.

kenmc

Thanks, yeah I thought it was a bit wierd. It also came with some sort of "crema" device to put under the basket which I duly ignored straight away. Will any 58mm basket fit in? How can I be sure that the next one I buy won't have the same issue?
Found another thread on it: it's a pressurised one.
Right, so now I've to find a normal basket somewhere, quickly!

RE*AC*TOR

Most likely any 58mm basket will be fine.

I can't think of anywhere selling them retail in Dublin though.

Coffeehit and Hasbean probably sell em, but you'll have to wait for delivery.

kenmc

Ebay to the rescue!
Cheers
K

Slaphead07

RE*AC*TOR wrote: »

Most likely any 58mm basket will be fine.

I can't think of anywhere selling them retail in Dublin though.

Coffeehit and Hasbean probably sell em, but you'll have to wait for delivery.

www.gaggia.ie in Citywest would probably have them.

kenmc

Was only there yesterday on a free 'training course' which came with the machine. Picked up a blind filter all right, but didn't see any normal filters on the list. only when I was checking that the blind filter fit in the PF that I noticed the single hole in the existing one. ah well, ebay order is in and will be posted today.

Slaphead07

kenmc wrote: »

Was only there yesterday on a free 'training course' which came with the machine. Picked up a blind filter all right, but didn't see any normal filters on the list. only when I was checking that the blind filter fit in the PF that I noticed the single hole in the existing one. ah well, ebay order is in and will be posted today.

They have a lot of other 'bits and pieces' for Gaggia machines as well. Quite reasonable prices too which is nice.

What was the Training Course like?

kenmc

Slaphead07 wrote: »

They have a lot of other 'bits and pieces' for Gaggia machines as well. Quite reasonable prices too which is nice.

What was the Training Course like?

Well there was no hands-on element which I was a bit surprised about tbh, only thing I think I learnt was how to backflush the machine, but I had seen that on the web anyway. Wouldn't have liked to have paid for it, put it that way, but was handy to be able to pick up the blind filter and cleaning agent - nothing I couldn't have gotten on the web either though of course..
Course covered (roughly)
- History of coffee, how it's harvested & roasted.
- How to make an espresso - the importance of grind - demo of too fine/too course.
- How to make an americano/long black
- how to foam milk
- how to clean

Slaphead07

kenmc wrote: »

Well there was no hands-on element ..... Wouldn't have liked to have paid for it, put it that way...

'nuff said.

stimpson

I have a spare Gaggia double basket if you need it.

kenmc

Thanks, but I've just ordered one! If it doesn't fit or something I'll be back!
K

donnacha

I find it odd that gaggia are including these filter baskets in with the machines. I could understand it with a cheaper brand trying to play up the quality of the machine but the reality is the classic is a good machine. Would it have anything to do with the fact that all these machines now come configured to the pressure suitable for ese pods?

kenmc

donnacha wrote: »

I find it odd that gaggia are including these filter baskets in with the machines. I could understand it with a cheaper brand trying to play up the quality of the machine but the reality is the classic is a good machine. Would it have anything to do with the fact that all these machines now come configured to the pressure suitable for ese pods?

Pressure aside, I thought that only the single basket was pod compatible, at least in terms of the shape/volume of it or whatever, so would have presumed that the double would have been a regular basket, since it can't be used with a pod? It is a bit puzzling though, you have to admit...

kenmc

Proper basket arrived yesterday, used this morning, first time in use an awful lot better than the pressurised one. No spluttering at all with the same grind and tamp I was using with the pressurised one.
Happy me