Solved bottomless issues by using a Portafilter screen for top and paper for bottom

[mdavis121212]

Despite using the WDT extensively I never had good results with a bottomless Portafilter. My machine is an old Saeco Classico but it still works. But I always suspected the water flow on it wasn't good. The center of the puck is always depressed more than the rest. Adding a Portafilter screen and paper filter seems to have fixed the problem. Shots now don't squirt but come through center of the Portafilter. I suspect high end machines don't have this problem but the Screen really fixed the problem for me.

 

[shadow745]

By far the best thing to do is maximize what you have in front of you and I've had great/consistent results from many lower tier machines over the years. If you figure out the best overall combo for brew temp/pressure and flow rate for a particular coffee you will be rewarded and this can be done on pretty much any machine out there.

I know there's lot of buzz lately with screens/filters and most likely don't know it's far from a new idea as that was being experimented with quite a few yrs ago. I never bothered with it as no doubt paper filters will remove some of the natural soluble/oil in the coffee leading to a thinner extraction, which I don't want. Actually seek heavy texture as much as flavor... to each their own and do what works though.