IMS Baristapro Nanotech precision portafilter basket, ridgeless, 18 g

IMS Baristapro Nanotech precision basket – ridgeless, 18 g (58 mm)

You knock out the puck, one short tap on the knock box, and the basket comes out almost clean – barely any residue, hardly a film on the wall. That smooth surface is the Nanotech quartz coating, off which coffee oils and water simply bead. Shot after shot, the basket feels as if it had just been rinsed.

Underneath, a laser-checked hole pattern does the work: every hole the same size, evenly distributed. The water no longer looks for an easy way through but flows through the whole puck at the same speed. Nobody needs a precision basket to pull good espresso – the original basket does its job. You want one because the cup becomes clearer, rounder and sweeter. It's one of many possible choices, and we respect it either way.

Important: the shot runs noticeably faster

A note from our experience that you should know before your first shot: the Nanotech quartz coating noticeably lowers the friction in the basket – the water runs through the puck markedly faster. This shifts the extraction dynamics, and the taste often changes radically compared with your previous basket. That isn't a flaw; it's the nature of this basket. Count on having to grind finer and dial your recipe in again – grind size first, then the dose if needed – until the cup is back where you want it. If you enjoy fine-tuning, you'll find a rewarding tool here; and once you know the effect, you'll rarely want to be without it. Ours is one opinion among many – but this is an effect you should plan for.

What makes this basket special

Espresso is extraction by weight ratio – usually 1:2, so from 18 g of coffee around 36 g in the cup. How cleanly that works depends on how evenly the water runs through the puck. A precise, even hole pattern spreads the flow over the whole surface – fewer channels, fewer spots that are over- and under-extracted at the same time. What you taste is density, sweetness and a round, long finish; caramel, chocolate and nuts come through more clearly. Taste and smell are inseparable here: a large part of the aroma arises retronasally, as you swallow. The Nanotech quartz coating on the AISI 304 stainless steel makes the surface smoother, repels oils and makes cleaning easier – a detail you notice every day. It is our observation that the choice of basket fundamentally changes the aroma profile – more than many a bigger upgrade.

At a glance

Who it's for

For anyone who wants to improve their existing setup in a targeted way without swapping machine or grinder straight away – every budget is welcome. The difference is most visible in a bottomless portafilter: an even flow instead of individual streams. If you like things that are easy to care for and are willing to dial in your grind size once more, the Nanotech line suits you particularly well. You belong here because you love coffee – not because you run a particular basket.

What goes with it

The basket shows itself at its best in a bottomless portafilter, where you see the extraction directly. Because the shot runs faster, a finely adjustable grinder is especially worthwhile. For a level puck: the tamper collection – affordable with Normcore, premium with Weber Workshops. Against clumps beforehand: WDT tools. On top of the puck: puck screens. And you'll find all other baskets in the precision basket collection.

Frequently asked questions

Why does my shot run faster with the Nanotech basket – and what should I do?

The Nanotech quartz coating reduces friction in the basket, so the water flows through the puck faster. The extraction shifts noticeably and the taste often changes clearly. So grind finer and dial your recipe in again – grind size first, then the dose – until the balance is right again. Allow a few shots for dialling in.

Does the 18 g basket fit my machine?

It's a 58 mm basket – it fits all E61 machines (Bezzera, Rocket, ECM, Profitec, Lelit), as well as La Marzocco and Victoria Arduino. 18 g is a common starting point for a double shot; if you dose higher, go for 20 or 22 g.

What does “ridgeless” mean?

The basket has no retaining ridge running around it. It is held by the spring or by the portafilter. It sits without any problem in most 58 mm portafilters – if in doubt, tell us your portafilter model.

What does the Nanotech coating actually do?

It makes the surface smoother, repels coffee oils and water and lowers friction. In practice: faster flow, less build-up and noticeably easier cleaning. The basket remains AISI 304 stainless steel; the coating comes on top.

How do I clean the basket?

A daily backflush without detergent, and roughly every 50 shots with a cleaner such as Urnex Cafiza. Thanks to the coating, less coffee oil sticks to it.

Can I see the basket before I buy it?

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.