ECM Portafilter Grand Crema Carbon – bottomless portafilter with IMS precision basket
The first drop still hangs from the basket, then several streams run together, become one, and fall honey-coloured into the cup.
That's why many people eventually switch to bottomless. A portafilter with spouts shows you the result; a bottomless one shows you the way there. You see where the water comes through first, whether the puck opens evenly, when the flow tips over. None of this is a rule – it's simply more information, and what you do with it is up to you.
Basket, design and what it does to the taste
Included in the box is an ECM IMS precision basket for 20 to 22 grams. That's the real statement of this portafilter. The choice of basket changes the flavour profile fundamentally: hole pattern, hole diameter and the evenness of the perforation help decide how the water spreads through the puck and which compounds are extracted in which order. A precision basket has tighter manufacturing tolerances than a standard basket, and that shows above all in the first seconds, while the puck settles.
A basket for 20 to 22 grams is a generous format. Espresso is described by weight ratio, for us usually below 1:2 – so 21 grams turn into less than 42 grams in the glass. That gives a dense, full shot with plenty of body. If you prefer a smaller dose, reach for a different basket; the portafilter takes anything that fits in the basket seat.
It's bottomless and angled, the look is carbon and picks up the design of the ECM Edition No.1. Nobody needs this portafilter to pull good espresso. You want it – or you don't, and both are fine. Our opinion is one of many.
At a glance
| Design |
Bottomless, angled |
| Basket included |
ECM IMS precision basket for 20 to 22 g |
| Look |
Carbon, design of the ECM Edition No.1 |
| Brand |
ECM |
| Item number |
89441 |
Who it's made for
For everyone who wants to see what happens in the basket – and for everyone who simply likes how it looks under the group. Both reasons are completely legitimate. Bottomless extraction is a learning tool, not an exam: it shows you how your distribution and your tamping come across, and gives you a clue where to start next time.
A practical note: without spouts, it spits when the puck opens unevenly. That's part of switching over and settles down as soon as distribution and grind size suit each other. No shot can be replicated – beans, humidity and people change every day. That's not a limitation, that's the beauty of it. You'll find the ECM machines we have in store to go with this portafilter in the ECM collection.
What goes with it
Once the basket question has hooked you, the next stop is the precision baskets and filter baskets – that's where the formats from small to large sit side by side, and changing the basket changes the drink more clearly than most other adjustments.
On top of the puck goes a puck screen, which spreads the water more evenly and keeps the shower screen clean: for everyone who wants a puck screen that's affordable and precise, the one from Normcore is the calm choice – if you want more, go for the puck screen from Weber Workshops. Tamping follows the same pattern: Normcore Spring-Loaded for the affordable route, Weber Workshops for those who want more. And under the cup goes a scale – Normcore for compact and reliable, Acaia for app, flow-rate display and Bluetooth.
Frequently asked questions
What does bottomless mean for a portafilter?
The bottom with the spouts is missing, so you look straight at the underside of the basket. The espresso runs out freely, and you can watch how the puck opens and how the flow looks over time.
Which basket is included?
An ECM IMS precision basket for 20 to 22 grams. With 21 grams and a ratio below 1:2, less than 42 grams end up in the glass.
Does the portafilter fit my machine?
It's an ECM portafilter and made for ECM machines. If you'd like to know whether it fits your specific model, drop us a quick line – we'll check it for you before you order.
Why does it spit when I pull a bottomless shot?
Because the water finds a spot in the puck where it gets through more easily. That's exactly the information a bottomless portafilter is there for. Evenly loosening the grounds and a level tamp usually calm it down within a few shots.
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
A 20 to 22 gram basket wants a bean that brings body. Cozy Chocolate and Nutty Delight fill this format well – dense, round, chocolate and nut right into the finish. If you're looking for maximum body without any acidity, go for Very Nutty. And if you're curious how a lighter roast looks in a bottomless shot, take Wild Peach – fruity, lively, a discovery off the beaten track. That's our recommendation, one of many; any other bean works just as well.
