Olympia Express Bottomless Portafilter Maximatic – Naked Portafilter, Made in Switzerland
You attach the bottomless portafilter to your Maximatic, grind your coffee, distribute it with the Puck Prep Tool, tamp, lock it in – and flip the switch. The vibration pump builds the pressure, and what you see now is what most home baristas never see: the espresso emerging directly from the bottom of the basket. A black streak on one side – channeling. A consistent, velvety curtain of deep brown – distribution was perfect. The bottomless portafilter is not a style statement; it's your most important diagnostic tool for espresso consistency – precisely because the pump holds the pressure steady for you, any deviation in the shot comes from the puck, not from your hand. From Schwanden, precisely fitting the Maximatic.
What makes this portafilter special
Visual diagnosis of your shot
With a conventional spouted portafilter, the espresso flows through a concealing spout housing into the cup – you only see the end result. With a bottomless portafilter, the entire underside of the basket is exposed; the espresso emerges directly from the basket. You immediately see whether it emerges evenly (good shot) or if a streak or speckling occurs in one spot (channeling, distribution problem). This is the fastest, most honest learning curve in home espresso.
Consistent, dense shot
If the shot is clean, the visual effect from a bottomless portafilter is not only educational – it's also beautiful. The dense, velvety curtain of espresso flowing directly into the glass is one of the most satisfying visual experiences in the home workflow. Crema forms more visibly, and the drops become a continuous flow.
Swiss manufacturing, precise fit
Like the conventional portafilter: Swiss manufacturing from Schwanden, stainless steel, wooden handle in Olympia optics. Bayonet and dimensions fit the Maximatic precisely.
At a glance
| Model |
Bottomless Portafilter (Naked Portafilter) |
| Basket diameter |
54 mm |
| Material |
Stainless steel |
| Handle |
Wood, Olympia-typical look |
| Compatibility |
Olympia Express Maximatic |
| Origin |
Schwanden, Canton Glarus, Switzerland |
Conventional vs. bottomless – which portafilter for whom?
Both portafilters are functionally equivalent concerning the shot itself – the basket, the brewing geometry, the bayonet position. The difference is the bottom of the basket: conventional with spouts, bottomless without. This results in two different workflows.
Conventional: for everyday use
The classic spouted portafilter splatters less, is suitable for quick everyday shots, and guides the espresso directly into the cup. If you simply enjoy making espresso and don't want to analyze every shot: this is your choice.
Bottomless: for learning curve and consistency
This portafilter here. Anyone who wants to analyze channeling problems or optimize their workflow will immediately see where the issue lies with a bottomless portafilter. Anyone who wants to engage more intensively with their shot eventually has both – the conventional one for quick daily shots, the bottomless one for diagnosis and beautiful, visible shots.
What to look out for with a bottomless shot
The bottomless portafilter is honest. If your grind is not evenly distributed, you'll see it immediately – as splatters, streaks, or a faster flow on one side. This is frustrating at first, then educational, finally satisfying. What helps: a good WDT/Puck Prep tool (Olympia Original 54 mm or the more affordable Normcore WDT tool), an honest grinder with consistent grind particles, and patience with grind calibration. It's normal for it to splatter during the first few shots – that's part of the learning process.
Why there's no "third-party comparison" here
As with the conventional Maximatic portafilter: 54 mm is the standard size, but the bayonet system is Olympia-specific. Third-party manufacturers do not produce this geometry. The Olympia original portafilter is the only sensible choice. For precision baskets (internal), there are third-party options like IMS baskets that you can insert into the Olympia bottomless portafilter.
Who this portafilter is for
For Maximatic owners who want to visually analyze their shots and achieve greater consistency – and who appreciate that the vibration pump takes care of the pressure while they focus entirely on grind size and distribution. For anyone already working with puck prep workflows and wanting to see the results. For anyone who needs two cups quickly in the morning but still wants to see what's happening in the basket – the bottomless portafilter fits the Maximatic's quick daily routine just as well as a weekend deep dive.
Accessories that fit the bottomless workflow
Puck Prep Tool 54 mm from the Olympia Express Collection or as an affordable option the Normcore WDT Tool. Premium option: the Moonraker from the Weber Workshops Collection. Dosing Funnel 54 mm: Olympia original or Normcore Dosing Funnel. Precision baskets as a basket upgrade: IMS baskets. A precise scale for stable brew ratios: Acaia Lunar or Pearl.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does "bottomless" or "naked" mean?
In a conventional portafilter, there is a spout construction under the basket through which the espresso flows into the cup. In a bottomless portafilter, this construction is missing – the bottom of the basket is exposed, and the espresso emerges directly from the bottom of the basket. In English, it is therefore called a "naked" or "bottomless" portafilter.
Does the bottomless portafilter splatter?
Initially, yes, especially if the grind is not evenly distributed. With clean puck prep and even distribution, the shot will be calm and dense. This is part of the learning curve – and precisely what makes the bottomless portafilter the best diagnostic tool for home espresso.
Should I buy conventional or bottomless if I only want one portafilter?
Our opinion: For everyday use, the conventional portafilter is more pragmatic (less splattering, faster learning curve). Anyone already working with distribution tools or wanting to diagnose channeling should opt directly for the bottomless one. Many Maximatic owners eventually have both.
Where can I buy or see the bottomless portafilter live?
Online via coffeecoachingclub.ch. On-site in our showrooms in Bern (Gerberngasse 44, 3011 Bern) and Zurich (Hagenholzstrasse 50b, 8050 Zurich). We are happy to show you both portafilters on site so you can see the difference directly.
Roastery Tip
For the Maximatic, we recommend the bottomless portafilter to anyone who trusts the pump and still wants to know exactly what's happening in the basket. The pump keeps the pressure steady, but grind size and distribution remain your job – and that's exactly what the bottomless portafilter shows you without mercy: you see channeling, you see poor distribution, you see uneven grind. This is frustrating at first – but after a few weeks, you'll be grateful for it because your espresso will measurably improve. For beans, we recommend the Nutty Delight for the Maximatic – its nutty-chocolatey aroma harmonizes wonderfully with the Maximatic's heat exchanger system and produces a beautiful, visible shot.
