Coffee aficionados, have you ever stared at your portafilter wondering, “ridged or ridgeless?”
Both types offer a means to brew your perfect cup and are almost the same, but the subtle differences can impact your experience.
In this post, I’ll compare ridge vs ridgeless baskets against a number of different factors.
And I’ll also explain which one you should go for depending on how you use it.
Here are some of the biggest differences between ridge and ridgeless baskets:
| Ridged Baskets | Ridgeless Baskets |
| Lock securely into portafilter | Allows for easier, more consistent tamping |
| Groove helps retain grounds evenly | Promotes even water flow and extraction |
| Provides ground level indicator for tamping | Spent pucks knock out completely clean |
| Ridge can can cause channeling | Basket may fall out if knocked wrong way |
| Oils and grinds get stuck in groove, requiring more scrubbing | Require stronger spring |
| Can make tamping difficult | Can’t visually gauge fill level |
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Let me break it down:
The biggest difference is that ridged baskets lock securely into the portafilter, thanks to the groove that a spring in the portafilter grips onto.
This prevents the basket from falling out during extraction or if it gets bumped.
Ridgeless baskets are at a higher risk of getting knocked loose if hit the wrong way when knocking out pucks.
But you can stop them from accidentally dislodging too.
It just needs a stronger spring to hold them in place.
Ridgeless baskets tend to be easier to use on a day-to-day basis.
Their smooth walls make tamping easier because there’s nothing in the way, so you can apply pressure evenly.
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With ridged baskets, it’s trickier to get a level tamp because the ridges can get in the way.
Plus, cleaning is simpler with ridgeless models because there are no places for coffee grounds or oils to get stuck.
When it comes to the actual brewing process, ridgeless baskets are better.
They have a flat design that lets water flow evenly, so you get a balanced flavor.
Ridged baskets, on the other hand, are more prone to channeling and can cause uneven extraction because water tends to follow the gaps in the puck where the ridges are.
This might lead to inconsistent flavor.
Cleaning up is quicker and simpler with ridgeless baskets too.
Because of the smooth-walled baskets, spent coffee pucks come out cleanly. So it just needs a quick wipe after the shot.
Plus, soap and water can get to the entire surface area.
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Ridged baskets usually hold onto bits of coffee grounds / oils even after you pull your shot.
When you knock out the puck, these tiny bits can get stuck in the ridges around the basket.
As time goes on, these leftovers build up, and you’ll need to scrub them out to keep your coffee tasting good and to prevent bacteria from hanging around.
Switching between ridgeless and ridged baskets requires some adjustments.
Ridgeless models need a stronger spring to stay locked in place while you’re using them.
So if you’re changing basket types, you’ll have to change the springs each time.
It’s not a problem if you’re only planning to use ridgeless baskets, but it does add some extra effort if you’re switching back and forth.
If you only use a double shot basket, a ridgeless one often works best.
Ridgeless double baskets help with getting an even extraction and make cleaning up easier.
However, you might need to put in a slightly stronger spring to make sure it stays in place securely when you’re using it.
But if you’re switching between a double shot and a single shot basket, it’s simpler to stick with ridged ones for both.
That way, you can switch between sizes whenever you need to without having to mess with the spring or worry about the basket coming loose while you’re making your coffee.
Now, if you mainly use a double shot but sometimes need a single, pairing a ridgeless double with a ridged single can be a good choice.
Still, you’ll have to change the portafilter spring slightly to fit the ridged single basket.
But most of the time, you’ll still benefit from the ease of use of the ridgeless double.
In the end, both baskets can give you a good cup of coffee.
So it really boils down to what’s most convenient for you and how you plan to use them.
For folks who are new to making espresso at home or who switch between basket sizes often, it might be best to stick with the baskets that came with your machine.
That way, you can avoid any guesswork or extra complications.
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