ECM Cialda Portafilter – Chrome-Plated Portafilter for Coffee Pads with E61
A pad from the pack, placed in the recess, locked in, lever up – and moments later your espresso is ready, without a grinder having run.
That's the whole idea behind this portafilter. Its inner area is shaped so that a coffee pad sits in it the way a puck would sit in a basket: resting evenly, with a defined contact surface for the water. What you'd otherwise control through grind size, distribution and tamping pressure is already set inside the paper pouch here – the dose, the particle size and the compaction come from the factory. What remains is what decides every other shot too: water, temperature and pressure.
There are no espresso laws and no espresso police. A pad isn't a lesser coffee than a freshly ground puck, just a different route to the same cup. What matters is that it tastes good.
What sets it apart
The portafilter is finished in high-quality chrome and made to fit ECM machines with an E61 group head precisely. As with the other ECM portafilters, the handle is angled and balanced, so your wrist stays in a natural position when locking it in. The classic ECM design is retained; on the counter, nobody would notice that a pad is in play.
What's interesting is what this means for the shot. Because dose and compaction are fixed, you no longer shift the flavour profile via grind size, but via temperature and brew time. A higher temperature draws out more body, a lower one preserves the finer compounds and brings more complexity to the cup. And because taste and smell are inseparable – most of what we experience as aroma rises retronasally to the olfactory mucosa when we swallow – it's worth taking the first sip slowly here too.
Clean by hand, as with all ECM portafilters. Warm water is usually enough.
At a glance
| Design |
Portafilter for coffee pads, angled handle |
| Finish |
High-quality chrome plating |
| Suitable for |
ECM machines with E61 group head |
| Cleaning |
By hand, not dishwasher-safe |
| Brand |
ECM |
| Item number |
C699900230, ECM item no. ZA100019-00 |
Who it's made for
For everyone who wants a second, quicker route alongside their usual setup. At the office, when there's no grinder nearby. On a Sunday morning, when guests are over and nobody wants to grind eight shots in a row. Or as a relaxed option for everyone in the household who simply wants a coffee and no discussion about grind size.
And for everyone who has an E61 machine and simply prefers the pad route. Every way to coffee is valid, and none of them needs justifying. You can see which machines with an E61 group head we carry in the ECM Collection; we are an ECM partner.
What goes with it
A pad portafilter thrives on everything around it. In the cups for espresso and cappuccino collection you'll find the vessel to go with it, and that's no minor detail: vessel, colour and material measurably change how dense and how sweet a cup is perceived, even before the first sip. For milk, the milk jugs are ready – the pitchers from Normcore are affordable and good, and if you want more, reach for Rhino or Weber Workshops.
If you'd still like to work with freshly ground coffee alongside it, you'll find grinders under coffee grinders and a matching second portafilter among the portafilters and bottomless portafilters. For those who want a grinder that's affordable and precise: the Varia VS3 or a hand grinder from Comandante or Timemore. If you want more: the Varia VS6, the EG-1 from Weber Workshops or a Lagom from Option-O. Grinders are like car engines – subjective, there is no best.
Frequently asked questions
Which machines does the ECM Cialda portafilter fit?
ECM machines with an E61 group head. If you run a different brand or aren't sure, send us your machine's item number and we'll check the fit in advance.
Which pads fit?
The inner area is shaped for coffee pads. If you have a specific pad in mind, send us the brand and dimensions and we'll tell you in advance whether it fits – we don't guess when it comes to fit.
Do I also need a grinder?
Not for pad shots. Dose, grind size and compaction are already set in the pad. You only need a grinder if you also want to work with a regular basket.
Is a basket included?
The portafilter is built for pads and has a specially shaped inner area for them. A classic basket for ground coffee isn't included; you'll find suitable baskets under precision baskets and filter baskets.
Can the portafilter go in the dishwasher?
ECM recommends cleaning its portafilters by hand. Warm water is usually enough.
Can I see the product before buying?
Our showrooms in Bern (Gerberngasse 44) and Zurich (Hagenholzstrasse 50b) show a wide selection, but not our entire range – the display changes. Drop us a quick line at [email protected] before your visit, and we will check whether the product you have in mind is currently there. If you order online: delivery to Switzerland and Liechtenstein takes 2 to 4 working days.
From the roastery
We roast for the grinder, but the recommendation applies just as much if you grind fresh alongside: Cozy Chocolate and Nutty Delight give a dense, round, sweet cup with chocolate and nuts and are very forgiving. If you want maximum body without any acidity, go for Very Nutty. If you're looking for something lively, try Wild Peach – fruity, a discovery for the curious. And if you stick with pads: that makes good coffee too. That's our recommendation, one of many.
