Puck Screen

The Normcore 53.3mm Puck Screen is a simple, cost-effective upgrade that’s been well worth adding to my espresso routine. It fits perfectly in both of my 54mm portafilters — the stock Breville portafilter and my LILQ bottomless portafilter — with no fuss. In use, I do think it helps reduce channeling a bit, but the biggest benefit by far is keeping the shower screen clean. Cleanup is easier, and maintenance feels more controlled overall. Build quality is solid, and it sits flat on the puck without shifting. One thing to note is that it doesn’t work with a magnet, which isn’t a dealbreaker but worth knowing if you’re used to using a magnet to remove your screen. Overall, this is an easy recommendation if you want a small, inexpensive improvement that helps protect your machine and tidy up your workflow.

Not an essential tool, however it does have its perks. It helps filter water and create better pressure for a less runny puck. It makes it easier to clean after pulling a shot and slightly improves the taste of the espresso shot as well. I like this brand for espresso accessories and chose to stay consistent. The material is very durable and has held up through many shots of espresso and many washes. I would recommend this puck screen to anyone looking!

Great additional to your tools. It keeps your machine clean and the dispense of the coffee makes it more smooth. I know that it made my shots much better.

Helps keep the Group Head clean. You may have seen discussions about puck screen benefits like preventing puck expansion, promoting more even water distribution, improving consistency, drier pucks, cleaner baskets...but what I like most is that it seems to do very well at keeping the shower screen clean. Some people seem to be just magically neat and clean. Not me. I make messes, sometimes big ones and I seem to get coffee grounds everywhere no matter how hard I try to keep them contained. Never made espresso on my new Breville without a puck screen except once when I forgot. After every use I wipe the shower screen and around it (the best I can) with a paper towel and the only time I got more than a VERY minute amount of coffee color on my paper towel was after the time I forgot to use this Normcore puck screen. Almost every time the paper towel is spotless and when it's not it is always up in the group head around the shower screen, I'm guessing from grounds I missed and didn't wipe from the rim of the portafilter. Bottom line, the only cons I have seen for puck screens are that you have to pay for them and clean them. This is a good one and I don't mind cleaning it.

✅ What it does well 1. Water distribution / reduction of channeling The manufacturer (Normcore) states that this puck screen “ensures even water distribution, preventing channeling for a more balanced espresso extraction.”  In practice, many users report improved flow uniformity and fewer blind spots in the puck. 2. Quality of materials • Made of 316 stainless steel mesh.  • Filter hole size around 150 µm with a thickness of ~1.7 mm (for the “Regular” version) in many specs.  These suggest durability and a “professional” feel. 3. Machine cleanliness / puck integrity Several sources mention that the puck screen helps protect the group head from getting coffee grounds sucked up and keeps the basket cleaner.  Also, some users find that the puck ejects more cleanly (less break apart) when using such a screen. 4. Value / accessibility The pricing (depending on retailer) suggests that for the materials and features, this puck screen is reasonably priced—especially in the context of espresso accessories (which can be pricey). For many home baristas, the cost barrier is moderate. ⸻ ⚠️ What to be mindful of 1. Volume/space inside the basket Because the puck screen adds thickness, it reduces the available space for coffee grounds slightly. One retailer notes: “using a puck screen will take up some volume inside the filter basket, limiting the amount of ground coffee that can be used by about ±1 g.”  If you’re dosing at the extreme top of your basket capacity, this could affect your workflow. 2. Effect size / returns are somewhat marginal While many claim better extraction or flow, others are more cautious. From one forum: “The puck screen does not improve espresso quality (backed by 2 comments).”  So: the benefit may depend heavily on your machine, basket, grinder, grind size, tamp technique etc. It’s not a guaranteed “magic fix”. 3. Fit / compatibility You must ensure you get the correct diameter and thickness for your setup. The Normcore screen comes in several sizes (51 mm, 53.3 mm, 58.5 mm) and thicknesses (Ultra-Slim 0.2 mm, Slim 0.8 mm, Regular 1.7 mm) depending on needs.  If your machine uses a different size or you already have very tight basket capacity, choosing the wrong variant could cause issues (overfilling, puck contact issues, etc). 4. Cleaning & maintenance While the material is durable, you still need to keep it clean. Normcore’s instructions: rinse after use, clean with appropriate detergents if stained.  If you skip cleaning, the mesh can clog, reduce flow or change the extraction behaviour. ⸻ 🎯 Who it’s good for & who may not benefit as much Good choice if you: • Are using a 53.3 mm (or 54 mm nominal) portafilter size and want to optimise extraction beyond basic setup. • Are experiencing inconsistent extractions, channeling or wish to upgrade your home espresso workflow. • Have a grinder/water/machine setup that allows you to fine-tune and will benefit from the incremental improvement in flow distribution. • Don’t mind spending a little time on setup and maintenance. Maybe less beneficial if you: • Already have very tight dosing or are maxing out capacity in your basket (so the added thickness is a burden). • Use an entry-level espresso machine with poor thermal stability / dispersion, where the puck screen’s benefit may be less noticeable (as some users report). • Are looking for a dramatic change in flavour on its own. It’s an optimisation tool, not a flavour revolution by itself. • Want a “plug-and-play” improvement without developing technique or changing other variables — because many gains depend on combining good grind/tamp/water quality. ⸻ 🔍 My overall verdict The Normcore Puck Screen is a solid accessory for home espresso setups that are already reasonably dialled in and where the user is seeking incremental improvements. It’s not a dramatic game-changer on its own, but it offers good build quality, useful functionality (especially for reducing channeling and keeping equipment cleaner) and decent value. If I had to summarise: • Strengths: durability, good design, potential for better extraction uniformity. • Weaknesses: reduced basket volume, incremental benefit (not revolutionary), requires correct fit and cleaning discipline.

Use this every day to make my Espresso with the Breville Bambino Plus. It help evenly distribute the water, and keeps the shower head of the machine super clean. Highly recommend!

So far great. Quality is top notch, easy of clean and helps a lot if you have some channeling problems with your espresso

This puck screen works exactly as expected better water dispersion and less mess. It fits my 54mm portafilter perfectly and has made clean-up much easier. Solid quality. I have two already.

La mampara ayuda mucho a que no se queden restos de café fino en la regadera de la máquina, esto ayuda a que la limpieza con tabletas sea más espaciada. En cuanto a los resultados con la extracción, noté que se eleva la temperatura 1 o 2 grados C, por lo que es buena idea colocar el porta filtro y de inmediato comenzar la extracción para evitar transferir calor innecesario al café. Si distribuye mejor el agua y no aumenta la presión. La utilizo en una Breville BES870XL.

Great product. Fit my sage bambino perfectly and keeps the showerhead clean

I got this puck filter as it was recommended to buy one from youtube espresso gizmos. Not this specific brand but just a puck filter. I have the normcore funnel portafiler and portafilter. I thought I'd keep everything consistent Overall: i still get channelling (probably has to do with my puck prep), but I definitley think it helps distributes the water better AND it prevents back wash of the coffee grind into the machine which I value. I've had great espresso pulls with this filter

Gör det den ska!

Ce puck screen est indispensable pour votre machine à café, non seulement ça éviter les particules de se coller à votre machine et de la salir mais aussi ça permet d’avoir une pression dessus et donc de sortir un bel espresso par exemple. 😉