Filter basket

The perforated metal cup that holds the ground coffee inside the portafilter. Available in many sizes (single, double, triple) and qualities (stock, IMS, VST, precision).

Why it matters — Basket quality directly affects extraction. Cheap stock baskets have inconsistent hole sizes and irregular hole placement; precision baskets (VST, IMS) have laser-cut, uniform holes that produce more even extraction.

Good to know

• Match the basket dose capacity to your workflow — an 18 g basket needs around 18 g of coffee for full headspace; under- or over-dosing changes extraction behaviour.
• Wear changes basket behaviour over time. Replace every couple of years for serious home use, more often for café use.

Related: Filter Baskets