I think there is a very significant and important reason to remove it as well! Water and coffee can get trapped under the plastic disc!! That’s a major design flaw on Breville’s part. I just got my machine and was wondering what the point of the plastic was. I found this video immediately and decided to take it out. Found grossness already under it! Glad for your video 😃

Thanks for this video! I removed the plastic disk from my portafilter and I think it's improved things for a number of reasons, not necessarily related to the quality of the espresso. I usually warm my machine up properly, so the benefit you suspect the disk provides was redundant on me anyway. It has had an unexpected improvement in a couple of other areas that used to frustrate me about this machine. 1. Always wondered why the weight of the grind would be be inconsistent, even though the grind setting is the same. It turns out the variable weight was not because of the grind volume, but because trapped water under the plastic disk was affecting the weight of the portafilter. Problem solved there! 2. After washing and drying my portafilter, when carrying it back to the machine it would almost always keep dripping water (typically on the floor) which it does no longer. Another problem solved! There is also the additional benefit of knowing my portafilter can be properly cleaned. When I removed the disk, there was a year worth of coffee scum build-up which must have been tainting the output somewhat.

Thank You Hoon! I have learned so much watching many of your videos. I have now learned and perfected how to dial in and really take it up a notch and enjoy my espresso . You are a spokesman for the BBE. Glad to hear that you and your family have recovered. I am always learning by watching your videos.

Yeah it’s out! Look forward to the difference it’ll make for tomorrow’s coffee! Thx for your help!

Great video about that plastic thing...I always wondered about it!

Thanks! I didn't know it was possible to remove the disc. After trying my new Barista Express I could hear water under the plastic disc and it wouldn't go away. It kept water under the disc and kept it there until the next brew.

Thank you, happy Friday!

Filtr Basket is stuck and does not come out.. Can you please suggest how to take it out

I thought it was for the pressurized filters so it wouldn’t splatter when it comes out but you may be right

I am having trouble fitting the portafilter into the gasket - it won't turn after slotting in? Could you perhaps explain what has happened?

Another great video, thanks! And thanks for asking my crazy questions about opening the Good Bro’s bags and the valve! I’m impressed that you took the time to respond!

Hi Hoon great vid, I'm going to try taking the plastic out of mine. I time my shots but am always unsure when to start timing with pre infusion.

Awesome video my friend!! I did not know the plastic thing in the portafilter was removable. I will try it to see if it makes any difference. Have an awesome weekend!!😀😀😀

interesting, wanted to remove from my sister’s Express INFO Breville 58mm portofilter Bodum double wall Pre-heat cup Set temp 204°F (because of medium roast) Shot temp 163°F

Check this out about the Rancilio Silvia "Do you really have to wait 45 minutes in the morning before you draw the first shot or is there a work-around? BEST ANSWER: Actually yes more wait time is welcome. The wait time is mainly due to the thermal mass of brass this machine has. The boiler and group head is made of brass, and they get up to temp in around 30 minutes, the extra 15 is to get the brass portafilter and basket up to temp as well. Why? to simply make use of the brass! Ask yourself why did they use brass, and why higher end machines use brass and top end use copper? why not Aluminum or stainless? Simply because brass retains heat more than other types of metal, and the best is copper (which most HX machines do use). which means when you pull a shot the temp of water running from boiler to grouphead to portafilter should remain consistent till it reaches the grounds and out of the portafilter. Temp stability is vital to ensure proper extraction, cause you might have water in the boiler at right temp but until it reaches the grounds, if not brass/copper temp might drop dramatically. Wait time is to make sure all the parts are at the same temperature and so water will hit grounds and come out at the correct temp which will make your espresso taste far better. " BTW, the portafilter has no plastic insert.

You are awesome man, I like everything you present

Like your videos. Thank you. However, I don’t understand why you are always using the double cup option. I thought that the double button is for two cups.

Someone asked what you could do to “slow down the shot”. You answered correctly; two things. Change the grind and/or the amount of coffee in the portafilter. But another option is to change the Program setting to suite your tastes.

Finally got my Breville Touch calibrated after half a bag of beans haha. One of the problems I had was me tamping way too hard. Getting espresso to taste not bitter or sour was quite a challenge. I would never buy another Keurig pod again.

How do you remove the basket without using any tools? I’m having trouble removing it

If you change the dosing, you have to change the grinder setting to keep dial in.

Don't take this as negative, but I feel like changing the tamp pressure negates any change the plastic may have made. When testing things it's best to only change one thing at a time so you know what is causing the difference

Hi! Great videos thanks for sharing. At what setting do you set de grinder?

I commented the below comment on a comment but thought it’d be helpful to write it separately: Breville has officially said the plastic is for heat resistant (helps only those who don’t warm it up). Also, they said it’s to prevent splashing (but I think this only applies for pressurized baskets). So for me, I removed it.

From a manufacturing stand point, adding the black plastic disc in the Porta filter increases the cost, and assembly complexity so there must be a very good reason to have it there, and for so long. I would not remove it though. Breville would be first to remove the disc and save millions of dollars.

Hi Hoon, i took out the plastic piece in my portafilter a few days after I bought my Breville Barista express. I flush my portafilter after i heated up my machine and it still retain the heat. I think the plastic piece is just to assist with the flow during extraction. Just my thinking.

How many gram basket is the basket for the breville?

Is there upgrade from this original porta filter cups to better ones, my single cup pressurizes keep choking and everything is cleaned… Alan H

Ohh good point hoon.. thanks

Can you share the link for the scale?

Hello Mr.Hoon sir I want to ask you after this experiment are you gonna continue using the plastic thing or not.

Why is my portafilter so hard to lock in. Feels like it’s always a struggle

Imagine doing all this, and then 50 years later, thinking wow, we accomplished, a lot.

Hi, Heat and plastic don't go together. It will leech in your shot and have bad health effects. Just do a little research on it, and you will see. So no plastic for me.

He do u know how to make the machine brew slower, this is the only issue I have

I like this video!

Hi Hoon, what was the name of the coffee machine that you mentioned you would probably buy at this time if you were in the market for a new machine? Thanks

Is it ok if the plastic puece moves a little?

what do you call about that black plastic thing in that porta filter? Is there any store that sells a spare in case that plastic one is lost?

Is there 54mm porterfilter for the breville dual boiler? I dont like the 58mm it comes with...

Did you push and hold the double shot button for manual mode?

I have that same 54mm portafilter and my coffee is splattering all over. What can be causing that? I'm using 2 cup pressurized filter*

Oh dear, I’m babysitting the grand dogs. Not getting pressure on their Breville express. I hope I didn’t break it.

Do IMS precision 54mm basket fit in bottomless portafilter 54mm?

I think my grinder is off I got a new burr

I’ve been using 20grams pre shot

Just get a bottomless portafilter.

I hate to say this, I think you are spreading irresponsible advice on removing the plastic temperature insulator as an option. The insulator was clearly explained in the user manual. If you haven't read it, I advice that you re-read it over and over again. Judging by the way you explain things, I know you are just a novice "barista" wanna be. As far as measuring the brewed coffee temperature, you could only measure it deep inside the portafilter or below the group head with a thermocouple not in different cups after a few seconds. Temperature of 140-150 degrees F is quite the norm and more comfortable to drink for most coffee drinkers. Also the espresso pressure should be as close as possible to 9 bars plus or minus 1-2 bars. Sorry to say it like it is.