I use paper filters with ultra precision baskets for "tea like" turbo shots from very light roasts. They help with extraction efficiency and brightness of the taste but also stop the basket from clogging.

Thank you!!! I started using a filter a while ago and despite my meticulous puckprep, suddenly all my shots had a consistency i was not able to achieve before. But i always wondered whether to water the filter or not. I tried a wet filter a few times, but disliked the taste and decided against it. It is great to have someone like you in the community who walks the walk and not only relies on anecdotal evidence, but tries to take a more scientific but still interesting and enjoyable approach. Keep up your great work!

Best video on filters so far. Thank

Amazing job as always sprometheus. Thanks for sharing this very valuable content

Definitely hit the nail on the head regarding whether or not higher extraction is better. For some coffees, it works wonders for increasing body and boldness of flavour notes to cut through milk for espresso blended coffees or for fruity notes in lighter coffees, but for others, the end result is way too overwhelming to be called pleasant. I think one espresso theory we should hear more about is purposefully dialling down extraction for coffees. I had a Brazilian medium dark coffee on my bar at one point and all of the drinks made with it were waay too overwhelming with excessive bitterness no matter how it was dialled in on my Pullman, so eventually, I got my tapered Lelit tapered basket out, and the resulting espresso was perfectly balanced with great body and dark chocolate flavours. The point is we should look and the roast level and flavour notes to have a basket for certain coffees.

Just saying thanks again for such great and thoughtful videos. I really appreciate your efforts. Hope you have a great weekend.

I appreciate the insight you brought to the conversation. I haven't tried this before so I'll be giving it a shot sometime soon.

Always something new to learn and logical approach. I also noted that there is less chance of channeling and easier to clean my portafilter.

Great video as always. I definitely prefer the paper filter with my high flow baskets. It helps with the cleaning as these high flow baskets clog so easily compared to the old precision baskets.

Very nice video as usual, thank you! Really appreciate how many measurements you take in order to have statistically significant differences to report. It might be interesting to compare paper filters vs. the new high-extraction baskets (or the combination of the two).

Logically presented, as always. I hope your "new" lifestyle" is working well for you. The quality of your vids remains high, the length all that's needed. Many thanks.

After a number of times testing back and forth on different beans, I've definitely settled on paper filter turbo shots. Sometimes over a frozen metal ball, but sometimes not depending on the coffee. I've gone fully modern!

Great video and very educational! Thanks

Going to give it a try! Thanks!

Awesome vid! I've always loved your videos about the ins and outs of different espresso variables and this one's a banger! I always rinse my paper but it's just to make it stick to the basket because I'm paranoid about it shifting during WDT. Robert McKeon Aloe (espressofun) and Jonathan Gagne also have great writeups about the effects of paper filters with more data and experimentation for the nerds who are very interested!

great vid. I find in addition to all the reasons you listed, I use filters to sometimes make up for the fact that I don't yet have a great espresso grinder, just the one that comes with the breville barista. It really helps when I get as fine as its conical burrs will let me.

Thank you for the video, and clear summary. I have not tried it as cutting down the filters seemed too much of a "faff". It does seem that I should give it a go for a couple of times after getting grind size dialled in. Take care, All

Love your work

Thanks for the well executed and informative take. I do filter my espresso and I reached roughly similar conclusions as yours.

Interesting with the wet vs dry filter, sounds like dry might be a good balance. I actually was doing my first shot dry and then rinsing and re-using it for the 2nd shot which was wet, I'm not sure I noticed a difference, but I'm usually mixing things up, trying a different coffee or grinder etc but I'll keep an eye on if I notice the difference now with a wet vs dry filter.

Agreed with most of the stuff you said, except for the rinsing part. Rinsing the filter paper or spraying some water on it, at the very least, makes the paper stick to the bottom and prevents the grounds from going below the filter paper before or during tamping.

I agree with all of your points here.

I found these "Filter Paper for Cafelat Robot Espresso Maker" from Prima Coffee Equipment Co. They are just a little bit bigger than the bottom of my VST 22G basket. After wetting the filter it will conform the the bottom of the basket. Although I have never done any "with & without testing" it seems that the ability to grind finer seems like a "good thing".

Great video as always! I always use filters, but instead of rinsing them I spray them with RDT :) I like the way it changes my extractions and I am big on interesting flavor notes in the cups so I like the clarity.

Thanks for the video. I wonder if adding a filter on top and bottom will have a definite and objective improvement on a certain scenario ie. if on does not have the best grinder or espresso machine. Is using filters better than nothing if you can't upgrade the equipment? (Also let's assume you are doing your best in puck preparation.)

After transitioning to a Unibasket, I started using paper filters since it's way easier to get the puck out after pulling a shot when using them. If I don't put a paper filter in the bottom, it's always a struggle in my case

Thank you my friend.

A very good video, thank you. Can you please offer any guidance what kind of filter paper to use and how to make these filters at home? I have 2 baskets - a VST-15gr and VST-18gr and getting the right paper and right size filter seems very tricky. Thank you, keep it up, please.

I use the Wacaco Picopresso and I find adding paper filters help my shot more balance, increase in taste and texture! Haven’t tried it with any commercial machine or even the Flair though.

Thanks for the video. Have you considered doing a video on the pros and cons of using a metal screen on top?

Who skips to chapters? These are the most compact coffee theory videos ever!

Thank you. What is your stand on using puck screens?

Rinsing makes a huge difference if your workflow involves flipping the portarilter to transfer the grounds from the dosing cup. (E.g. Niche Zero style workflow). It keeps the paper filter nicely centered through the flip.

Report from this armchair barista. 🙂I will generally use filters when pulling light roasts with my 40mm Flair. I find it helps with overall shot balance, though with light roasts I'm already using a 1:3 ratio with a long-bloom infusion. This is just a sample of one, of course, and could be due to my personal tastes or due to some effect of the narrow and deep portafilter.

I started using paper filters to eliminate cafestol after reading that caffeine can increase LDL levels. However, I have since read that this research is ongoing and whether it is significant is open to debate. I started making my own filters from Chemex filters with a 2" punch for a 58mm portafilter. That worked well. However, the paper filter did not quite cover the entire basket bottom. I then tried the Weber brand filters which are made for a 58mm and got a better result (more consistent, bit cleaner taste). Not significant, but better. I am not sure if there was channeling along the edge with my homemade filters (user error, punch not quite 2"??) or whether it is the fact the Weber filters have a rough side (placed toward the bottom) and a smooth side. Filters were rinsed. I called the supplier and they said always rinse. I emailed Weber and they said dry. I am now using dry filters and haven't noticed a difference.

I use paper two ways: to deal with one machine that produces an uneven spray; and to reduce cafestol. As others note, more research is needed on latter. I was surprised a few years ago by increased LDL and had to look at the potential role of my twice a day habit.

I'm not getting consistent results, but the really good shots did provide more clarity than without. I've decided it's not really something so beneficial that I would add it to my workflow. it was a fun experiment.

What if the filter is positioned at the top? Would this alter the result, or would the outcome remain unchanged? If it retains the same outcome as when the filter is at the bottom, I believe it's a good idea to place the filter at the top since it keeps the brew head cleaner.

I've been using paper filters for two to three months now I've had nothing but good results. In addition to that it also helps with the odd channelling that that would occur from time to time.

Only use paper filters at the top (in conjunction with mesh screens) -- I use both sworks baskets and like to keep the grouphead as clean as possible for as long as possible.

Would love to see Spro tackle decaf shots (half-caf or other). I can always taste the decaf, and it's generally not pleasant. Why?

I find with milk base coffees it makes the coffee too light in flavour and you seem to loose those deeper flavours, I find its much better with Espresso but it depends on the blend I use. I really liked your video on it because you are right it does come down to your taste in the end!

What are your thoughts on the la marzocco leva X1? Looking to upgrade my mini to a lever machine

FWIW - I bought the filter papers for my VST-15g basket and tried using them for 1 week (placed on bottom of the basket, dry paper, as per James Hoffmann). For my taste - there is no better or worse here, the paper-filtered double espresso tastes and looks a bit different to standard double espresso. For me it paper filter is not worth the extra cost and extra effort. I think some people may prefer the filtered taste so its worth a try, on individual basis. I plan to stick to the basket alone, no paper filter. Peace. Next thing to try are new fancy $100-200 baskets?

Nice video. Did you pre-infuse? Hard to understand how the wet and dry filter expts would be any different in that scenario.

Thanks for your unbiased and thorough analysis of paper filters on extracted espresso. That was a lot of work! Personally, I am always looking for ways to simplify and speed up the process of making espresso, to not make the process more complicated that it already is. The use of paper filters takes one in the opposite direction (especially if the filters require manual trimming for every filter, but regardless, even if you could buy them, it adds time and material). As my process already produces excellent espresso, my own conclusion is I'd never try adding a step that a) is more time-consuming, b) more expensive and c) seems to me to take away flavor components I value. I can see where others might prefer using paper filters, as the result may favor their palates.

Great information. Also a beautiful crema in those cups. What beans were you using?

I'm a total newb. would it be helpful for manual lever which I am told have trouble with light roasts--not sure why? also would it help filter out the coffee chemicals that are said to raise cholesterol?

As I understand, cause I tried only once in the past with paper filter, using one can help taking the decision if one wants/needs a unimodal or a bimodal grinder

Those extraction numbers are pretty stat sig if you look at the variances within treatment. Impressive. (Assuming you pulling the shots without throwing any out)

I really enjoy a paper filter on some coffees. Especially if making a cappuccino.

I was using both chemex paper filters and mesh puck screen on my Expobar E61 with increased flow, cleaner head and tighter pucks. Fast forward to this past week, I upgraded to the Linea Micra, and had to get a 3Bomber screen with a center hole for the LaMarzocco center screw in the brew head. Its overwhelming. Do I really need these accessories in this machine? Help!! I am a light-medium to medium roast favor, La Marzocco 17gr basket with 17 grams.

I will be trying more shots without filters, good thoughts here!

Never tasted my (Chemex) filters. Don’t use them on the bottom. I found that it reduced body and mouthfeel/oils, which I like in my shots. I place them on the puck. Mitigated channeling, at least in my experience. I now use a 200micron contact screen on top of the filter, with a 50micron puck screen on top of that. I’ve had zero channelling, and the puck looks like it’s sculpted. Precise edges, and uniform colour. Nice balanced shots. The filter and contact screen keep the puck screen clean (can be a pain to clean), and the shower screen remains spotless.

Great video. Just curious if you've tried using a filter on top? I use a filter but I've also started using one on top as well instead of using one of those metal pucks.

I wondered about this few days ago and tried it... and you just posted this.. are you watching me?

Faster shots means also a lower pressure, right? If that's correct, how does it explain a higher extraction rate when adding the paper filter, as we know that the paper prevents many particles to pass through it? In addition, as we add a paper on top of the puck - does it affect the pressure? My experience shows it evens the extraction , making the repeating shots more consistent.

Long time, first time. How do you trim down your aeropress filters? Also, can I ask where you got the demitasse cup you were brewing into?

I make the filters wet in order to have a more consistent and equal extraction (compared to dry filters). Does that make sense?

Wow, great info but think I have been doing it wrong. I put the filter on top of the basket. Looks like you put it on the bottom of the basket. Does it make a difference?

damn, thanks for doing all the leg work in collecting this data! how many hours did this take you?

Does papper filter on top works just the same as metalic puck screen? When I pull multiple shots it’s just frustrating to rinse the screen all the time. I’ll rather use papper filter on top instead.

By reducing oils during extraction, paper filters are great at drastically reducing things like cafestol (which affects your body’s ability to regulate cholesterol).

I wet the filter, not to rinse it but so that it sticks to the bottom of the basket while I RDT. If I don’t wet it, I’ve had it get dislodged during the mixing before and that makes for a bad experience.

I only use paper filters on to instead of a puck screen. Cleaning a puck screen is time consuming and I'm never satisfied with the results. The filters sometimes stick to the shower screen but a quick purge solves that and my shower screen stays clean.

Have you tried putting the filter on top? There are some who argue this placement is better. Would be interested to see a comparison to no filter and the filter on the bottom.

During my tests, the wet paper filter was prone to make my WDT more difficult (worse). In some shots, the paper moved from the bottom position when starting a deep WDT. When the paper was dry, I never experienced that inconvenience.

I am 100% converted to the filtered life. I love an occasional espresso, but at this point I really just make a bunch of filter 2.0, freeze them down as ice cubes and transfer them to sealed boxes. This way, I can have like 5 different coffees available at any point in time, not having to worry about constantly having to dial in, and I can just dilute with cold or hot water to any strength that I desire at the given moment. With paper filters I have gotten as high as 25% for these brews where they could still taste amazing, which is honestly kind of insane. The only downside is that I don't have a paper punch so I cut all the papers by hand, which can get very tirering very quickly, so I look forward to the day that you can easilly buy these papers for the same price as aeropress filters.

Filtered with and without screen?

I’m curious if the effects are different with different filter baskets.

I rinse my paper filters because they are a bit wider than my basket, so I "tamp" it with a towel and it fits very snugly, then I put my coffee grinds.

I thinking maybe paper helps with a lesser quality grinder that might produce more fines but maybe you want that for espresso?

I have been playing with filters for espresso. I find some beans are better with a filter, while other beans lose their complexity.

I didn't try it yet, but I think I don't want to add more steps to my workflow.

There was a study suggesting paper filters removed acids associated with cancer. The association is low unless one drinks a dozen espresso drinks a day. I wonder if filters are compensating for bad grinders. I will never use a filter.

Probably should be combined with baskets that have a higher flow rate to compensate...

I think you should have checked total dissolved solids on just a water and filter test.

☕☕☕ Love Is Important ❤ 😚

Sadly need to use filter because of cafestol in coffee beans

That magazine is over 20 dollars per issue.

I could not think of a funny comment. Espresso good. Coffee good.

An increased extraction does not imply a better coffee. It depends upon what that extra consisted of. I do not like the taste of over extracted coffee. Whenever I do it my blind taster always notices it. As for not smelling paper, that depends upon your smelling ability. At the moment I cannot smell much of anything thanks to a cold like infection I had. I can still taste.

Keep chasing, my friend… thanks for the information. I’ll give it a shot - pardon the pun.

I wet the filter so it sticks to the bottom of the portafilter.

the wet filter basically turns your basket into a pressurised basket . like the ones used for pre ground coffee to make faeke crema

I tried using a filter at the bottom of my portafilter but instead of increasing the flow rate almost no coffee came out!

I tried it but realized it was not for me.

"I am become Spro, destroyer of armchair baristas"

I've been doing this for at least 15 years now. Filtering reduces cafestol, so that's another consideration.

I rinse the paper filter so that it stays put when I turn the portafiler over onto the dosing cup. 😂 That's it. That's all the science I cared about.

I've fooled with it in spurts. Not enough difference to keep me motivated to do it all the time.

Filtered always, in order to avoid cafestol and kahweol.

strange, that you didn't mention the health benefits of a paper filter.. coffee always increases cholesterol, except if you filter it with a fabric or paper filter..

I didn't find paper filters worth time or money to use everyday in espresso brewing.

I thought the idea came from the Aeropress

The paper is likely too small to cause the shot to taste like paper

Was raised catholic and i wanted to eat that paper filter being waved around.

getting more extraction is not the end goal of making good espresso . they recently have studied it and it turns out extraction evenness is a more important variable than the total extraction when it comes to even and rounded flavors . who wants more of an unbalanced flavour

Do not filter the coffee if you like the natural taste.

I’ve never filtered my espressos. I consider it a waste of money and increase of environmental waste production. Paper filters are bleached with chemical, they generate waste at cutting time, etc.