Normcore 53.3mm Puck Screen - 316 Stainless Steel with Titanium PVD Coating - Lower Shower Screen - Contact Screen - Reusable Metal Filter for Espresso Portafilter Basket - 1.7mm Thickness 100 Micron

Usual Normcore quality, screen works well and definitely feels like a step up from the OOTB one included with my Flair.You get what you pay for and, in this case, that's a high quality screen that seems to work as advertised.

This gave me the best bang-per-buck improvement to my coffee making of any of the many bits I have bought over recent years. It is now a staple in my workflow. This device gets me more consistent results and reduces mess in the basket and group head.A bonus was that the thickness of this filter required a reduction in my recipe from 18g to 17g of coffee so that attaching the filled portafilter did not result in the filter touching the group head shower screen fixing bolt (Rancillio Silvia). You should look to have a gap between the filter and the shower screen to allow the filter to do its thing. The filter increases the resistance to the movement of water through the puck and so increases your water contact time for the same amount of coffee. This extra time increases your extraction so using less coffee or grinding a little less fine will likely be required to maintain your previous results from before you had the filter.The shower head is so much cleaner with this in play as coffee does not migrate to the shower screen as it is sandwiched in place. The puck knocks out so cleanly, its really satisfying to use :)Pros:More extraction due to increased resistance means I can use a little less coffee for a much better result. I get at least an extra double from each 250g bag of beans.Cleaning up / resetting the coffee machine ready for next use is quicker as less mess is created (1 caveat to that described below).My results are far more consistent with this filter in use. I also use a WDT distribution device prior to tamping and then adding the filter on top.I only need to backflush with machine cleaner every 2 weeks (used to need every week) as the shower head stays clean after each use. Quick 2 second flush of clean water before switching off gives clean water as output.The filter will need cleaning every 2 weeks in coffee machine cleaner - let it soak with everything else so no extra time required.Cons: Only one. When you knock out the puck of spent grounds you will need to tease the filter away from the hot puck and give it a quick rinse (with the basket and portafilter) and this sometimes results in grounds on your fingers, under you nails etc. Not a big deal for better coffee but I do think I needed to mention it.

The aesthetic of this puck screen alone is great but it functions really well too!The black colour goes well with the portafilter and the machine itself.Pros:- fits perfectly in the Sage portafilter.- prevented channeling issues (which I found to be common enough if using the tamper that comes with the Barista Express).- comes out with a satisfying clean puck and extraction is somewhat improved.Cons:- I have only had this item for a couple of weeks yet there are signs that the pvd coating is wearing off.(this is the only reason I would mark this down 1/2 star for now). I'll continue to monitor this over coming weeks.TIP - If you are using the Barista Express, consider programming the machine to extend the shot time for better extraction

Superb build quality and already has made a bit of difference to my shots

Setup - Niche Zero grinder, Lelit Mara X V2I was getting great shots from my Lelit before buying the norm core puck screen...or so I thought. The difference the screen makes in terms of consistency, flavour and quality of crema was really unexpected. Probably the best accessory I have bought yet for my setup. Absolutely essential!

Maybe I get better shots or it is only placebo. But man, it is so satisfying to use: basket and shower head stay sooo clean. You also get wonderful pucks :)

I'm not sure it makes coffee much better, but it keeps the group head clean so well worth the investment.I would highly recommend these.

I got it because I thought "why not?" and found it made no difference to the coffee - it *did* keep the shower screen clean, but the time you save on cleaning that will be more than swallowed up by cleaning the puck screen. These mesh screens get very, very filthy and can completely ruin your coffee if you don't clean them thoroughly (and I mean thoroughly, I found only an ultrasonic bath cleaner would do it effectively). You don't really need one of these. Save the money for better beans.