Description
The bottomless portafilter market for Sage machines has grown significantly in recent years, but this particular model caught our attention with its distinctive DE1-inspired aesthetics.
What sets this portafilter apart is its stunning matte black Titanium PVD coating, similar to what we’ve seen in Normcore’s premium range. While this coating promises enhanced durability, we must admit – its striking appearance is what truly makes it stand out. After extensive testing, we’re convinced this is one of the finest naked portafilters available for Sage machines.
Features and Benefits:
• Compatible with Sage 54mm machines
• Food Safe titanium coating for added durability
• Nice quality, heavy weight wooden ergonomic handle
• Comes with cool little portafilter keychain!
• Nice gift box, with very important message…
Speaking of that message – the gift box itself is beautifully crafted, perfect if you’re planning to give this as a present. But what really caught our attention was the thoughtful inscription:
“Maybe I can X Not I can’t”
Our team found this surprisingly impactful. It’s certainly more practical than pondering whether trees share a laugh when one of their fellows takes a tumble (you know the old philosophical question we mean). Once you’ve absorbed this bit of wisdom, you’ll find the actual portafilter even more impressive – and considerably more practical.
The Keychain
While some might see the included keychain as a clever pricing strategy (after all, nothing’s truly “free”), we found ourselves quite taken with this little bonus. There’s something oddly satisfying about having a miniature portafilter dangling from your keys – it’s a conversation starter, if nothing else.
Price-wise, this portafilter hits the sweet spot. It’s neither suspiciously cheap nor extravagantly priced, making it a sensible choice for quality-conscious coffee enthusiasts.
Compatibility
We’ve confirmed this portafilter works seamlessly with all Sage 54mm espresso machines, including:
Bambino
Bambino Plus
Duo Temp Pro
Barista Express
Barista Pro
Barista Touch
Barista Express Impress
Barista Touch Impress
However, we should note that “compatible” simply means it fits. Bottomless portafilters require proper technique and dialling in. Without these, you might find yourself dealing with what we affectionately call “spurters” – those pesky jets of coffee that seem determined to reach every corner of your kitchen.
While watching shots pull through a naked portafilter can be mesmerising, it comes with its hazards. Several members of our team have experienced the dreaded espresso-in-eye incident, usually followed by some choice words we can’t print here. Unless you possess the rare ability to taste with your eyeballs, this tends to interrupt the coffee-tasting process rather significantly.
Don’t expect every shot to mirror those perfect Instagram pulls with their honey-like streams – but when you do achieve that perfect extraction, it’s absolutely brilliant. As an added bonus, the bottomless design allows for taller cups under the spout, which we found particularly useful.
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