What is the difference between 15g and 18g VST baskets?
A 15g basket is a standard double basket. Ideal if you like more complexity in your shot without the shot running too long. This is an 18g basket which is an oversized double basket. Ideal if you like a double shot but with a bit more richness. A double basket is currently sized for 16-18 grams of ground coffee. It used to be 14 grams but has since expanded. The single basket is intended to hold 7-10 grams of ground coffee, and a triple basket, around 20-22 grams.For a 51mm portafilter, a double shot basket usually takes 12-16 grams of coffee. A single shot basket would use around 6-10 grams. The specific basket depth is the key limiting factor for this smaller diameter.When using a 21g basket, grind your coffee into the basket weighing 20g. Tamp your coffee making sure to leave a flat surface. This ensures even extraction.
Which size VST basket?
What size VST basket should you get? This depends on your espresso machine and how much coffee you prefer per shot. Most home baristas prefer an 18g or 20g basket, as these are versatile and give excellent results for most coffee types. When using fresh espresso beans and a bottomless portafilter, more crema can be seen in espresso shots. The absence of spouts preserves those sought-after tiny crema bubbles, enhancing both the flavor and visual appeal of the espresso.The most apparent advantage of using a bottomless portafilter is the visual feedback it provides during the extraction process. Unlike traditional portafilters with spouts that obscure the view, the bottomless design exposes the entire coffee bed as espresso flows directly into the cup.But for the most part, you should choose a basket whose size matches the amount of coffee you want to use when brewing. Most baskets over 20g won’t fit in a spouted portafilter, and you’ll need a bottomless to use one of those.
Does VST basket make a difference?
Unlike your standard basket, VST baskets undergo laser measurements to ensure uniform hole size and spacing. This helps water flow evenly through the coffee puck, giving you a smoother, more balanced extraction. Think of it like this: your espresso basket is like the filter in your coffee machine—only way more precise. The VST Precision etched filter baskets changed the game for espresso brewing. Guided by the ultimate extraction of your coffee, improving flow and harmonising resistance and pressure in the basket leads to increased balance and flavour in the cup. VST’s espresso filter baskets deliver a consistent performance.Unlike your standard basket, VST baskets undergo laser measurements to ensure uniform hole size and spacing. This helps water flow evenly through the coffee puck, giving you a smoother, more balanced extraction. Think of it like this: your espresso basket is like the filter in your coffee machine—only way more precise.
Which basket to use for espresso?
If you’re drinking a pure espresso, you’ll probably opt for a single shot basket. If you fancy a cappuccino or a latte, they can be with either a single or a double shot, topped with steamed milk and milk foam. The flat white is traditionally made with a double shot basket. Gaggia machines often offer more functionality and more control than the Jura machines at the same price point. So if you love espresso with milk then a great Gaggia is cheaper than a Jura with equivalent milk-based options. Plus the Gaggias often have manual milk wands.Our favorite espresso machine is the Breville Bambino Plus. It’s easy to use and has excellent temperature consistency (important for pulling top-quality shots). We also highly recommend the Breville Barista Express Impress, which has a built-in grinder and a tamping arm.Gaggia puts more of a focus on coffee quality than DeLonghi. This is evident from their use of flat burr ceramic grinders in all their super-automatic espresso machines. Many also have dual boilers (one for coffee and one for milk foam), and both a manual steam wand and automatic milk to help you get perfect microfoam.
What is a VST basket?
VST is a brand of precision fabricated baskets where all the holes are the same size and distance apart from each other, allowing for a more uniform extraction. IMS is another brand you can get as well. These baskets can produce a better quality shot, but are also less forgiving of mistakes. IMS: While IMS baskets are very well made and have relatively tight tolerances, VST baskets are often regarded as the gold standard when it comes to uniformity. VST’s rigorous optical analysis ensures that every basket performs the same, minimizing variability between shots.VST is a brand of precision fabricated baskets where all the holes are the same size and distance apart from each other, allowing for a more uniform extraction. IMS is another brand you can get as well. These baskets can produce a better quality shot, but are also less forgiving of mistakes.IMS: While IMS baskets are very well made and have relatively tight tolerances, VST baskets are often regarded as the gold standard when it comes to uniformity. VST’s rigorous optical analysis ensures that every basket performs the same, minimizing variability between shots.
Which is better IMS or VST espresso baskets?
IMS: While IMS baskets are very well made and have relatively tight tolerances, VST baskets are often regarded as the gold standard when it comes to uniformity. VST’s rigorous optical analysis ensures that every basket performs the same, minimizing variability between shots. Which precision basket should I buy? Our vote is for IMS! They’re the most cost-effective, produce the cleanest pucks, and have almost identical results to the Pullman and VST precision baskets, respectively. Also, they’re ridgeless, meaning they can accept oversized tampers.