Lelit Bottomless Portafilter Iconic Zebrano – bottomless portafilter for LELIT58
The first drop gathers under the basket, grows heavy and falls. Above it, you see everything that otherwise stays hidden in the steel.
A bottomless portafilter takes away the bottom and gives you the view in return. You see the extraction open up: dark and slow at first, then a stream that comes together and takes on colour. If the distribution in the basket is uneven, it shows right away – in a spot that turns pale sooner, in a stream that runs off to the side. To be honest: it shows more, it doesn't automatically make anything better. What you do with what you've seen is your decision.
What sets this portafilter apart
Lelit calls this series gemstone-shaped – in German-speaking retail it goes by the name Iconic. The handle has a circular cross-section and a weighted metal core, and it's shaped so that inserting and locking it takes less effort. The weight sits where your wrist does the work, not at the outer end.
Over it lies zebrano wood, an exotic wood with a distinct, striped grain. Every piece turns out differently. That material and feel influence enjoyment before the first sip isn't poetry, it's measurable: vessel, colour and surface change how we rate aroma and body. A handle that feels warm and heavy colours the moment you pick it up.
It comes with a stainless steel basket for two servings of 18 to 21 grams, developed in collaboration with IMS. The choice of basket fundamentally changes the aroma profile – hole pattern and flow resistance help decide which compounds dissolve when. We always describe extraction by weight ratio, 1:2 as a starting point, so 18 grams in and 36 grams out. Never by time alone.
No espresso laws, no espresso police: there's no right and no wrong, the coffee has to taste good. Our opinion is one of many.
At a glance
| Version |
Bottomless, gemstone-shaped handle (Iconic / gem-shaped) |
| Handle material |
Zebrano wood, weighted metal core, circular cross-section |
| Group head |
LELIT58 |
| Basket included |
Stainless steel, 2 servings (18–21 g), in collaboration with IMS |
| Compatible machines |
Lelit MaraX, MaraX3, Bianca, Elizabeth, Elizabeth3, Victoria, Victoria3, Kate |
| Item number |
PLA5801Z |
| Origin |
Lelit, Castegnato (BS), Italy – designed and made in Italy |
Who it's made for
For everyone with a Lelit machine with a LELIT58 group who wants to see what happens in the basket. And for everyone who simply wants a nicer handle in their hand. Both are good reasons. Nobody needs this portafilter – you either want it or you don't, and both are fine.
It suits people who make one espresso a day just as well as those who make six. No shot can be replicated: the bean, the humidity and the person change every day. That's not a limitation, that's the beauty of it.
The Lelit espresso machines show which machine it suits. More bottomless and classic models are in the Portafilters and bottomless portafilters collection.
What goes with it
A bottomless portafilter shows differences in distribution mercilessly, which is why two tools beforehand are worth it. For everyone who wants a WDT tool and a tamper that are affordable and precise: the Normcore barista tools with the Normcore WDT tool and the Spring-Loaded Tamper. If you want more, you'll find the Moonraker and the Weber Tamper at Weber Workshops.
And because espresso is measured by weight ratio, the same principle applies to scales: Normcore for the affordable and precise route, the Acaia coffee scales for app, flow-rate display and Bluetooth. Which machine suits you in the first place is something our comparison and advice tool helps you sort out.
Frequently asked questions
Which Lelit machines does the portafilter fit?
All Lelit machines with the LELIT58 group: MaraX and MaraX3, Bianca, Elizabeth and Elizabeth3, Victoria and Victoria3, and Kate. The Anna and Anita models work with the LELIT57 group – it doesn't fit there.
Which basket is included?
A stainless steel basket for two servings of 18 to 21 grams, developed in collaboration with IMS. Further basket sizes can be added separately and noticeably change the aroma profile.
What does a bottomless portafilter do for you day to day?
Visibility. You see whether the coffee flows through evenly or whether a faster path forms in one spot. It shows more, it doesn't automatically make anything better – the improvement comes from what you then change in grind size and distribution.
How do I care for the wooden handle?
The handle doesn't go in the dishwasher and is best kept dry. The metal part is cleaned as usual. Wood is a natural material; every grain turns out differently and changes over the years.
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're buying online in Switzerland: delivery to Switzerland and Liechtenstein takes 2 to 4 working days.
From the roastery
A bottomless portafilter shows a lot, and the picture is easiest to read with a bean that's dense and round. Cozy Chocolate and Nutty Delight run calmly and report back body, caramel and chocolate. If you're looking for maximum body without any acidity, go for Very Nutty. And if you're curious what a lighter roast looks like under the open basket, try Wild Peach – fruity, lively, a discovery on the side. That's our recommendation, one of many; any other bean works just as well.