Espresso Paper Filters Guide
Put a paper filter below the puck to filter the outgoing espresso; put one above it to separate the grounds from the shower screen. Because water encounters them at different stages, the two placements should not be expected to produce the same result.
Compare the jobs
| Placement | Primary role | Check carefully |
|---|---|---|
| Below the grounds | Filters the beverage and changes flow at the basket base | Base diameter, flat fit and shot speed |
| Above the tamped puck | Creates a barrier beneath the shower screen | Flat placement and remaining headspace |
| Both | Combines the two arrangements | Whether each added step provides a useful benefit |
Bottom paper: start with fit and flow
A bottom disc can retain fine particles before they reach the cup. It may also speed up the extraction, so do not automatically grind coarser. Fit the disc to the basket’s base rather than assuming every “58 mm” basket needs the same paper diameter.
Our espresso paper-filter guide explains the first comparison and subsequent grind adjustment.
Top paper: a different position
A top disc can reduce direct contact between coffee grounds and the screen. It does not filter the brewed drink on its way out of the basket, and it is not a guaranteed solution for channeling. Leave suitable headspace above the puck and avoid folding the paper against the basket wall.
The machine still needs its normal shower-screen cleaning routine. A cleaner-looking screen is not evidence that the internal brew circuit is clean.
Try one placement at a time
- Establish a repeatable unfiltered recipe.
- Add either top or bottom paper.
- Record dose, beverage weight, time and taste.
- Adjust grind if flow changes, then compare repeat shots.
- Only test both together once you understand each separately.
Choose by the result you want: a different texture, easier cleanup or a useful flow change. More filters do not automatically mean a better extraction.
