So, what’s up with this naked portafilter? Well, it’s specifically designed for the 9Barista espresso machine and it’s got a wider aperture than your standard portafilter. What’s that mean for you? You get a front-row seat to the coffee extraction process. It’s part eye-candy and part diagnostic tool because you can spot if there’s any channeling going on – that’s when the water finds the path of least resistance through the coffee puck and can mess with your shot’s flavor.

But heads up, using this naked portafilter isn’t just about popping it in and hitting ‘brew’. You gotta get your puck preparation just right to avoid ‘spritzing’ – those pesky fine jets of coffee that spit out because of channeling. A little attention to your coffee distribution and tamping before you brew can fix that.

The portafilter comes with a wooden handle, bush and basket clip. Just keep in mind that the basket isn’t included.  A basket was included with the original 9Barista espresso machine, however.

So, if you’re into the nitty-gritty of your espresso shots and don’t mind a bit of prep work, this naked portafilter could be your new coffee companion