Spouted portafilter

A portafilter with one or two spouts at the base, directing the espresso flow downward into one or two cups. The traditional form — bottomless (naked) portafilters are a more recent invention.

Why it matters — Spouted portafilters direct the shot cleanly into a cup. They're slightly slower to clean than bottomless and you can't see channelling — but for café service where speed and cleanliness matter, they're often preferred.

Good to know

• A single-spout portafilter is for pouring into one cup; a double-spout splits the shot into two cups (used in cafés to pour two drinks from one pull).
• For diagnostic purposes, keep a bottomless portafilter alongside your spouted one — quickly swap to diagnose channelling.

Related: Portafilters