'Solved' | How to Fix Espresso Channeling for 'GOOD' | Breville Barista Express

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[lifeform]

Thank you. Filter papers have totally sorted out my channeling issues. I don't care if it makes me "amateur hour", I'm getting results that I'm very happy with every time.

[adrianchilds]

I’ve got to see why I don’t get notifications for your streaming. I’ve had my Breville Barista Express for 3 weeks and am learning so much from you. Thanks Hoon!!

[harrydog]

This is not fixing the channeling but covering it up, look at those giant holes in the puck at 15:42 and 16:27, that's channeling. The water inlet is hitting the holes in the IMS screen and creating a water drill. I fixed this by using a thin Stainless steel plate above the shower screen. This is a crude dispersion plate, I used a nail to place six holes around the middle but not in line with the water inlet. Then 5 short slits around the outside edge using tin snips and it keeps the plate from moving. The nail holes keep the plate from going flush against the screen. Both the holes and slits allow water to be back flushed at the end of the shot and for cleaning. The shots are better more flavor in the cup, nice upgrade.

[scrumdiddly]

Exactly what happened to me. I got the 1mm pick screen but there was not enough head space for the pre infusion. The top and bottom paper works best for my oracle touch.

[MichaelMa]

Hey, I know old video but maybe maybe that the generic/Amazon filter basket doesn't create the little bit of channeling as you say. It' just that the IMS filter screen creates more of a laminar flow, whereas there's a lot of turbulence from the holes from the cheaper basket, which creates a bit of a splatter once in a while.

[fredwilson]

The question of channeling or not channeling aside, your first brew was 40g in ca 30 secs and the second pour was 44+ g in ca 25 seconds, a 10% increase in yield and almost a 20% decrease in brew time and yet you seemed surprised to find a taste difference. I don't understand why the surprise. :). I would be surprised if they both tasted the same

[matt-g-recovers]

So much out there on puck prep recently. What about the Bambino normal? For pressure? Does it have 14bar or blow-off Valve?

[AutoBotcity]

I don't have the Ims 18g basket yet BUT i want to get the filter and the hole punch. I will be using the portafilter and basket that Breville express came with so which hole punch do I purchase? There's like 3 of them on your link.

[johngreenhow]

Are you using a preset for the shot or are you using a manual pour?

[IgorLinkin]

Is it really helping though? You are just adding an extra layer at the bottom which can help blocking the channeling from going directly out of the basket. At least that's the impression I got from it. Channeling is still happening but you are not able to see it now as it's being blocked by the paper.

[slny]

The IMS link wouldn’t work for Breville Express as it’s the wrong size. Apparently, IMS in 54mm isn’t available anywhere that I could find. Maybe someone here knows where to find one.

[kitjamieson]

Surely, the paper has the risk of adding a flavour. The puck screen on the top was to generate a consistent wetting of the top of your puck, which seemed to give a faster central streaming than you achieved with the paper on the bottom.
Apart from that, I thought you would add the paper screen above your coffee and not under it. Moreover, why not cut your paper screens from conical paper filters?

[Crystal_belle]

Hi Hoon, is okay to use tissue paper to wipe the shower head?

[peterpan]

i think u still have channeling issue with your coffee puck, you still don't see that now that you have a filter to cover that up

[christianbevans]

I use the paper from aero press it comes with 360 papers also use it for espresso and moka pot as well.

[illiniwood]

For anyone that has a 58mm portafilter, Cafelat Robot filter paper fits the bottom and the top near perfectly. They can be found at both Prima Coffee (U.S.) and idrinkcoffee (Canada), which ships to the U.S. free for orders over $50.00. They both got my order to my door(Illinois) in about 4-5 days. Anyone looking for a lighted mirror for their bottomless portafilter shots Flair Espresso has the best deal. Plus, their "58" puck screen is a re-branded Bplus screen at a cheaper price....Cheers!

[Tass...]

Just to be clear... This does not "solve" channeling" it disguises channeling. Just like if you use a normal portafilter (with a bottom) you can't see the channeling going on. Bottomless portafilters let us see the channeling and help us to improve our puck prep techniques to avoid channeling. Using a filter paper on the bottom of your basket on a bottomless portafilter is just hiding that channeling again. Which kind of makes it pointless to use a bottomless portafilter. You may as well just use a standard portafilter if you just want to hide the channeling you might have. The ONLY way to "solve" channeling is good consistent puck prep. It is not by hiding the faults with things like filter paper.

[bubutsevet]

Is it ok or recommended to reuse the paper?

[aotkaa]

If you think double basket is channeling, try single one. Lol