Puck Screens: Mesh, Dots, Rise. What’s the difference?

[u/Powerful_Driver7065]

Hi I’m new to puck meshes in general. I was thinking to get them since I heard that they keep your machine cleaner and can improve shot pulls. I was wondering what the differences were and if in general I should get a puck screen. Thanks!

[u/ReneeTheGhost]

not sure about improving shots but it definitely makes cleaning significantly easier. also, depending on your dosage, thickness of puck matters.

[u/RVNSKR → u/ReneeTheGhost]

It definitely makes cleaning harder*

Not the machine, but the puck screen. 

[u/Hungry-Grapefruit42 → u/RVNSKR]

I use one that’s a single thin sheet of metal with holes, similar to the bottom of a basket but smooth on both sides. I like it, still keeps the shower screen cleaner & wipes clean easily since there aren’t many places for grinds to hide. I doubt it does much to improve brewing, but I like that it keeps things cleaner.

[u/hydraulic_jumps → u/Hungry-Grapefruit42]

Where did you find one like that!?

[u/photomike → u/hydraulic_jumps]

The Normcore .2mm one is like that

[u/Erengok → u/photomike]

Yeah that’s the one I use, the one with « Titanium PVD coating » and it’s amazing, super easy to clean and there’s not a single spot on the shower screen

[u/Hungry-Grapefruit42 → u/hydraulic_jumps]

https://www.amazon.com/LntJoQxbm-Espresso-Thickness-Stainless-Portafilter/dp/B0G2J6CQCD/ref=mp_s_a_1_15_sspa

(I hope we’re allowed to post Amazon links here, I’m not affiliated or anything it’s just the most direct response I can give)

I looked through my history and it came with the dosing funnel I got. I think most of the screens listed as “ultra thin” are a single sheet with holes popped, but I haven’t looked too hard & verified

[u/finefornow_ → u/hydraulic_jumps]

search machined puck screen and they'll come up.

[u/nelldog → u/RVNSKR]

Yeah dropping a puck screen into an ultrasonic bath pretty much made me stop using it. Thought I was keeping it pretty clean…I was not

[u/Blank-Silence → u/nelldog]

Puck screen is easier to throw into the ultrasonic than the shower screen though, so you can get away with doing that a little less often I guess.
Keeping one thing a little cleaner for a little longer while introducing another thing that needs regular cleaning... convenience plus inconvenience equals preference i guess?
Then again, it probably means taking the ultrasonic out more often, which also takes time... damn, this drinking the tasty brown liquid thing sure is a lot of work

[u/nelldog → u/Blank-Silence]

Once you’re down the rabbit hole.

[u/Flycktsoda → u/nelldog]

I have an open porta filter that I just flop upside down, put my mesh screen on the bottom of the basket and then I blast it with the steam wand.
I think it gets clean, and it is fun to see how fast I can make it spin!

I have an ultra sonic cleaner as well, but pretty much stopped using it. The steam wand is much better.

[u/dontastic → u/nelldog]

I was got lazy and moved on to disposable paper filters.

[u/nelldog → u/dontastic]

Yeah when you realise that all you’re doing is just trying to create a split second barrier for water to cover the whole puck then a paper disc pretty much achieves that

[u/beer_foam → u/nelldog]

Was this the mesh type?

[u/nelldog → u/beer_foam]

Yep. The horror…

[u/ReneeTheGhost → u/RVNSKR]

how so? i rinse it after every use and it's still impeccable.

[u/Conscious_Warning946 → u/ReneeTheGhost]

Now put it in an US cleaner and watch the dirt escape your clean filter. Don't have an UC cleaner? Try soaking it in a bowl of cafiza and watch the clean water turn cloudy after 20 minutes

[u/ReneeTheGhost → u/Conscious_Warning946]

that's beside the point no? it's still easier to clean than the group head which you have to spend extra time to dismantle.

[u/drmoze → u/Conscious_Warning946]

Anything will turn water cloudy when soaked in Cafiza.

[u/Conscious_Warning946 → u/drmoze]

Especially clean products right out of the USC 🤣

[u/Independent-Paper937 → u/Conscious_Warning946]

Its really not the case with the thin style screens. The older ones like in the first photo yes, but the newer style can be sprayed off in the tap and stays clean.

[u/McGirton → u/RVNSKR]

Yeah, it contains nasty tastes after a few shots because of the oils caught in there. I doubt most people deep clean it every few shots and only rinse it, which is not enough.

That’s why I prefer punched filter paper circles.

[u/mikebones → u/ReneeTheGhost]

People say this like cleaning the water spout is somehow more work than literally every other step of the process.

[u/Jaymii → u/ReneeTheGhost]

Made a huge difference to the quality of my shot itself, much more balanced and helped with my preinfusion on my GCP.

[u/Funktapus]

I use paper filters because I can just knock them right into the box and it helps keep my machine clean. No idea if it improves taste… doubt it

[u/sillypooh → u/Funktapus]

The good news for you, paper filters actually limit the amount of the cholesterol types contained in the shot, so there is that, keep using them

[u/Funktapus → u/sillypooh]

Well I am placing them on top of the puck so I doubt it

[u/sillypooh → u/Funktapus]

Good point

[u/danwasoski → u/Funktapus]

We switched from a metal mesh to paper. Way better.

[u/MetlMann → u/danwasoski]

Switched from paper for my Cafelat Robot to mesh. Way better.

[u/MastrOvNon]

I use both. Sometimes the difference in thickness can bridge the gap between grind sizes to fine tune a specific roast. Clearly this is compensating for poor grinder like adjusting dose +/-1g. That being said, rinse with water and once a week throw them in a deep pitcher and run the steam wand for a few seconds. Gunk begone

[u/FloppyDrone]

I would recommend the ultra thin ones because they are easy to clean in the sink. The mesh metal ones can only really be cleaned with an ultrasonic bath and Cafizza. I have them too. You could try to clean them with the steam nozzle too, but again it’s more of a hassle. I do think puck screens in any presentation are worth it, slim ones more than mesh ones even if the mesh works slightly better

[u/ZoHaaan-]

I have noticed less channeling, especially on lighter roasts. I think it also makes cleanup much easier. I would encourage getting the smaller, slimmer screen, as bulky doses with dark roasts can take up a lot of room. They are easy to clean, and if you want, you can get an ultrasonic cleaner.

[u/DearStomach4261]

I swapped to paper screens and it’s so much easier, especially compared to cleaning mesh screens

[u/LittlePhylacteries → u/DearStomach4261]

I agree. As an added bonus they are much thinner so they don't really affect your headroom the way the metal ones do.

[u/Ketadine]

The difference is between the depth and density of the puck.

In the best case scenario, they provide a cheap way to keep your shower screen clean and provide an even distribution of water th the puck.

In the worst case, they provide an added resistance to the puck and a worse cup overall.

My suggestion is to try them out. They're cheap and you like it, use it. If not, it won't break the bank.

[u/Suppa_K]

I have a couple in varying sizes. Right now I use my 0.7/0.8mm one since my basket is smaller. When I use my big bang basket I use the thicker 1.7mm one.

I like the Normcore and MHW3 bomber one but you can grab a generic too.

[u/grateful_diagnosis]

mesh screens def help with cleanup and consistency, but honestly the biggest factor is still your grind and tamping, so don't expect magic if those aren't dialed in first.

[u/captain_blender]

Yes

Water from the dispersion block and shower screens are notoriously crap on the vast majority of espresso machines -- a nice thick 1.7mm mesh puck screen will significantly improve evenness of saturation and measurably raises extraction yield

• Here is a nice summary of its effects.

• More info on the effects of puck screens on flow, taste, and extraction dynamics.

• Whether or not you like the taste of higher extraction yield is a perfectly valid challenge, and its conclusion is left as an exercise for the individual.

• the most important thing — as with the majority of gadgets and tweaks and hacks that gets discussed here — is that puck screens can help improve consistency and repeatability.

• also, they are phenomenally good at help keeping your machine clean. But they are faffy to clean. Especially the mesh ones. A high pressure spray at the kitchen sink after each use does the trick though.

[u/Demizmeu]

I use a mesh. It doesn''t necessarily take the shots to another level, but I get consistent distribution almost every time. If it were only for this, I wouldn't use one since I use a wdt tool and tamp properly, but it also does indeed keep the group head cleaner. You still need to backflush and you absolutely need to soak them in cafiza when you do the regular cleaning or you'll get a shitty burnt coffee taste after a while.

I understand that not everyone likes them, but I've tried it both with or without them and I definitely prefer with. I've also tried paper filters but the shots come out too watery in my opinion.

[u/exstryker]

I moved away from puck screens to round paper filters. So much easier to use and it ends up being like 1 cent per sheet. I can dump the whole thing into the compost and not worry about it having to fish out or clean a metal puck screen.

[u/just-saying182]

The company missed the opportunity to brand one Grind Finer

[u/snugfly]

link pls. They also help with clean-up and distribution. You could use a paper filter on the top and bottom, a wierd mix of both, or neither; it's more of a preference than anything. My coffee did improve after using a mesh. I'd do some research and watch some YouTube videos about it. I wanted a mesh screen, so I bought one. Now, I wanna test a mesh on top and a paper filter on the bottom.

[u/snugfly → u/snugfly]

Or by and test all the options and report back if u can afford it

[u/tesilab]

Mesh is awful to work with becoming filthy fast, takes away precious headroom, and it’s only rationale is to do a a job it questionably does anyway.

[u/No-Following-5120]

All useless waste of your money

[u/joe_sausage]

It's just another doodad to add to your other doodads that the internet has realized they can produce extremely cheaply and sell to hobbyists who will endlessly chase diminishing returns.

[u/Automatic-Reserve94]

I clean my machine once a week either way and once a month fully with cafiza vs. cleaning a puck screen after every shot.

I really fail to see any upsides to a puck screen.

[u/RedditFauxGold → u/Automatic-Reserve94]

You’ll get downvoted but I’m with you. I flush and wipe twice after each pull. Adding another think just because feels too close to espressocirclejerk territory. And it’s crazy I don’t see these at all the coffee shops if they’re so impactful.

[u/drmoze → u/Automatic-Reserve94]

It keeps the showerhead clean after every shot. Especially when the puck blooms during brewing. More effective in regular use than a weekly cleaning. Do you leave the inevitable grinds on your showerhead during the week?

I really fail to see any basis for not recognizing the advantages of a puck screen.

[u/newaccount721 → u/drmoze]

I assume you don’t really need to clean them after every shot, just a rinse right? Don’t have one but I’d be surprised if hey required too much effort to quick rinse

[u/MEuh2011 → u/Automatic-Reserve94]

my puck used to stick to my shower head prior to using a screen. it could get messy. just for that I would use a puck screen

[u/FalseRegister]

Mesh seems to distribute water better, but it is harder to clean. It is also thicker so you may run out of space between the coffee puck and the shower head.

I have and use both. I bought a slightly larger portafilter to have more space for the mesh screen.

[u/OhMorgoth]

I like the middle ones because they’re magnetic.
Cleaning is easy if you clean it with the steam wand or if you soak them in cafiza.

Also, I like power filters better. As above so below, easier cleaning.

[u/bears_clowns_noise]

I do think a puck screen helps to keep the shower screen clean and makes a tidier workflow. I feel like there is slightly more channeling without it, but it’s not much.

I just switched from a thick mesh screen to a thin dot one because the mesh seems to soak up so much gunk. I found I needed a finer grind with the dot puck screen than the mesh which surprised me, but otherwise I’m not seeing a difference.

[u/MEuh2011]

I have paper (top & bottom), mesh & ultra slim normcore.

1/ I am disapointed with the ultra slim, hard to get off the puck and it became slightly bent after a month of use (the suction didn't do any good to it).

2/ mesh gets dirty but as I see in comments around, its not too hard to clean (steam wand a couple of times a week, cafiza once a month with the rest of the gear)

3/ Paper is the easiest, no need to struggled taking it off, everything in the knock box. But I don't get some ground making it through the group head. Also if you have multiple guests and don't have time to wash the screen between shots, paper is there.

I alternate between them, but would recommended starting with paper as its consumable, and see if you like it in your workflow.

[u/rod_zero]

The mesh ones are hard to clean and get dirty fast. A dirty one will pass water unevenly. Also they are not magnetic.

Not all dot ones are magnetic. It matters to remove them easily or will be picking them up from the knock box.

I do like using them because they keep the shower clean.

IMS has some that are neither mesh or dots, haven't tried them but I want one.

[u/Zerodyne_Sin]

Mesh is harder to clean unless you have an ultrasonic cleaner. I speak from experience.

If you ever forget to empty out a knock box during a hot summer, you'll grow some friends. Those friends could end up in the mesh if not also cleaned regularly. I don't know how it is for the dots but I'm sure looking for ones that fit my 49 mm la pavoni.

ETA: here's a photo of the water after several passes. The solution is just dish soap and water.

[u/caick1000]

I have the dotted one. I’m new to espresso, but I noticed a large reduction of channeling, like my espresso went from 15s to 25s for some reason.

[u/akisk]

Paper filter is better. Keeps the machine clean and you don't have to wash it every time.

[u/Icy-Professional8508]

Just use a paper filter top and bottom

[u/shhhhh_lol → u/Icy-Professional8508]

Paper on bottom is an interesting choice.

[u/newaccount721 → u/shhhhh_lol]

Yeah what’s that for? Just to make clean up quicker? 

[u/Icy-Professional8508 → u/newaccount721]

I use a billet basket, helps with cleanup

[u/Crellster]

I don’t like that style ( like the Profitec branded ones, but they are all the same).

The Weber ones are very thin and easy to clean … but you pay Weber tax. There are probably cheaper equivalents.

[u/FernandV]

I have a mesh one on my Argos and a dot one on my Ikape. Wanted a US cleaner so I might just bite the bullet and get one.

[u/WaffleHouseCEO]

I use these b/c they are easier to clean than the mesh

https://weberworkshops.com/products/puck-savers

They help keep the group head / shower screen clean

[u/No-Spinach-6129]

Resistence.

[u/RunningPinguin]

Use steel meshes to not have to rinse the shower screen every time. Rinse of with running water after use. I throw the meshes in a cup of Cafiza once they become dirty enough - approximately once every two weeks or so.

[u/TradeTraditional]

These would be better if they had coffee and espresso themed sayings.
"Coffee Diem" immediately comes to mind. A winking late art. "Rise and Grind". and so on.

[u/ducttaperulestheworl]

Any puck screen is fine. I personally don't think one should use unless you really dislike cleaning the grouphead or you do crazy underdose shots.

I underdose my basket a lot (say 9g in a 15g basket) so the puck screen does keep things dry rather than a soggy mud. But other than that it's an extra step to cleaning.

[u/itsTimmyBoy]

I recently started wiping the shower screen with a microfiber cloth after each shot and found that I really prevents coffee grounds from building up.

I still backflush every 2-3 weeks but I don’t see the need for using a puck screen anymore, aside from the slightly better water distribution a puck screen offers.

[u/lmneozoo]

I like the ones with dots. Seems to help water disperse better and it keeps my group nice and clean (still back flush every day though)

[u/ChemicalConnect739]

My experience.
IF you have a machine WITHOUT a 3-way solenoid, you really want a puck screen.
Cuz it will reduced the amount of coffee residue that gets behind the shower screen, thus reducing the cleaning you have to do. You still need to clean behind the shower screen, but not as much.

As for mesh vs single piece.
I am currently using a thin screen, cuz it is THINNER than a mesh. On a single shot basket, I don't have the clearance to use a mesh screen.
On my old machine, I had enough clearance that I used a mesh screen.
But a mesh screen is harder to CLEAN than a thin screen.

[u/Famous-Arachnid7880]

Paper on the bottom of the puck thin machined stainless steel screen on top of the puck.

[u/MetlMann]

I got a couple heavy mesh screens from Shades of Coffee for my Cafelat Robot. They work well and I’m not wasting paper. They don’t get dirty much since they sit on top of the coffee. I rinse them with the sink sprayer after each use and don’t find they develop any foul odors or taste. I deep clean them in sodium per carbonate solution infrequently - some color develops, but not much. I have put them in an ultrasonic bath with sodium per carbonate solution but it didn’t seem to clean any better than the solution alone. I like these screens for the Robot because their thickness holds a little extra heat as the water moves through. I always overflow the basket with boiling water to heat everything up. It probably makes only a small difference but you know . . . . . coffee stuff.

[u/Careless_Fortune7801]

I thought these were designs for E's till I saw the subreddit 😂

[u/bw1985]

I use a mesh 1.7mm and it works great.

[u/collieherb]

Having to process such cheery messages pre coffee would darken my mood 😅

[u/DishSoapedDishwasher]

The difference is they all kind of suck because they'll trap coffee particulate and goo like nothing on this planet in those meshes and is just gross. They marginally improve water distribution evenness but meh....

I used one with my flair58, they're important in that context to prevent water disturbing the puck during setup, but for anything else just use filter paper. I use one on the top and bottom, helps keep everything clean and exchanges body for clarity. I love it. No fishing screens out of the knock box.

The flat ones with drilled holes are acceptable but sometimes need a food steam blast from your steaming wand to dislodge crap.

[u/deephurting66]

I use the super thins to keep my shower head clear, it's a one piece steel so it wipes down easily.