Comparing Precision Shower Screens for Espresso Machines 

Hi y, yes this shower screen fits the machine: www.wholelattelove.com/products/ims-nanotech-e61-shower-screen?variant=19441712037942 You do not need to change the group gasket (rubber seal) to use the Nanotech E61 screen.

That's great to hear. It's amazing what a couple smaller upgrades can do to improve everyday quality in cup. AJ

Exactly what i have done each little step at a time and you can notice the difference in taste to my ECM Mechanika IV

Yep, I have the same espresso machine Lelit Glenda PL41PLUST. I installed IMS shower screen and IMS basket and it resulted in a great improvement. 👌 The difference is huge, despite the fact the espresso was quite good before that as well. 🎉

You are welcome!

same here, Sanremo Capri, upgraded the shower screen IMS 200 and basket and the difference in extraction and coffee profile was astonishing.

Hi PX, Thanks for the comment and question. Unfortunately I do not have that NS machine available to test the shower screen.

Thanks for the kind words! Glad you enjoyed it AJ

Hi JB, Thanks for sharing details of your process!

Good advice. We don't currently carry puck screens but I'll have to get my hands on one to play around with. AJ

Glad you liked it!

Hi TR14, Thanks for the question. Depends on the product. It's a NO for entry-level appliance grade which use pressurized portafilter - fairly certain it's not even possible on most of those. It's a YES when you get into premium entry-level true machines like the Gaggia Classic Pro with commercial sized components.

Glad I could help!

Hi GK, Thanks for sharing your experience!

Hey TOEC, You are correct!

Thanks! It's really weird when you first see it because it's so different from every other screen. AJ

Hi Arman. I usually start timing with first drip. With that, most of my extractions time out in the low 30's. But start whenever you like and be consistent - it's only relative to your own set of variables. Timing is the most basic measure of an extraction.

It's funny the regular IMS one has a LARGER blocked center portion than even the stock screen, I'm wondering if it makes a difference having the center portion blocked off or not.

@@BensCoffeeRants It can't help surely? We're raking pucks to stop doughnut extractions after all...

Hey JR, thanks for sharing your experience!

Thank you very much! AJ

Thanks, Spencer. That's a great combination! AJ

I agree! AJ

Regular non nanotech is also easy to clean since it's a pretty smoooth surface vs most stock shower screens. I think the Matrix is also a bit tougher to clean if you get coffee stuck to it. Stainless Steel puckscreens do work to keep your group and shower head a lot cleaner I Found.

Yeah, totally a worthwhile buy and upgrade. Your friends are just uninformed on them.

Great to hear! There will always be haters for every machine, upgrade, and technique. If you're finding benefit from the mods you've done, that's all that matters. AJ

@@Wholelattelovepage that’s My take on it. if you’re making better espresso for yourself. that’s what matters. one of the friends I referenced i think is just jealous cuz he sees people on reddit, with a much cheaper modded gcp making espresso on par with his lelit bianca v3. 🙃

Hi dd, shower screen can help with flow onto the coffee and aftermarkets stay cleaner and are easier to clean. Also you don't give up space in the portafilter for a puck screen.

Agreed, different flow certainly has an effect on the extraction and taste characteristics. I actually expected the flow/timing differences to be more dramatic. Discounting the BIT basket, the other three finished within one second of each other, so I considered that mostly a nonfactor for those shots. Interesting question about debris getting stuck in the fine holes on the Matrix. While I didn't perform any long-term tests or examine it under a microscope, after my usage I didn't see any signs of blockage. I haven't heard or read of any toxicity concerns with the NanoQuartz coating. From IMS's website, "This coating is non sticky and it is certified for food contact. Even maintaining the same functional features as other non sticky coatings, this material is much more durable and resistant thanks to its hardness. The nano techological productive process allows for a strong adhesion of the coating on the piece therefore preventing the material from peeling off." I believe it is different from teflon, however it will likely fade over time with long-term use. I didn't do any testing with dark roasts. I think you're right that most drive-through-chain-restaurant drinkers prefer dark roasts and there's nothing wrong with that, however I haven't found that to be the case in the specialty coffee and espresso world. A blind test would be more telling in some respects, but introduce far more variables in others - taster preferences, variances shot to shot, etc. Anyway, thanks for the comment and discussion! AJ

I personally think the combo of a smoother shower screen (like IMS or Pesado) with a puck screen is the way to go. No coffee left on the screen and all the dispersion benefits :)

@@petercaddy So you'd say that the coffee puck filter which appears to be a new trend, isn't just when ur using the crappy stock shower but even if already using something like the "IMS Nanotech Precision" shower??? Ive always been sceptical but prolly will buy one later this year.

Hey Roger, thanks for the comment. Sounds like you've got a good system going. We're working on getting some puck screens in to play around with. AJ

Hi JtK, You are welcome and thanks for the comment!

Hi G, Only need to change if damaged or so dirty it cannot be cleaned.

Hey Rey, If noticing degradation then maybe time to replace. But, do check behind shower screen. Assuming you do regular back flush maintenance etc.

@@Wholelattelovepage Yes I do my backflush regularly and do regular maintenance.

Agreed, if you're only going to upgrade one, I would prioritize the basket. That said, there are advantages to each. AJ

Hey Rob, Yes the same screen will fit.

Hey P, You're welcome - they really do make a difference! Marc

You're welcome, thanks for watching! AJ

Hi JE, Thanks for the comment and question. I have not observed pucks sticking to nanotech screens. Perhaps an odd combination of screen, basket type and coffee dose causing that but hard to say. The geometry of the IMS baskets is different than stock and may be less grabby on the coffee puck. Large wells (or holes) could indicate channeling. How are your extractions? Did grind size change when using the IMS baskets?

Hi mb, Online espresso/coffee boards, user groups?

@@Wholelattelovepage nobody seems to know what is the model i need to order for R91

The answer, as always, is profit... With my "hand made in Italy" Lelit, I had to rebuild the steam mechanism out of the box because it leaked. The Italians may know how to make a machine that makes good coffee, but they don't tend to be the best at manufacturing things, and their high labor costs mean they cut corners on things, like the basket and screen...

@@Microang You're unfortunately right, but it stills bug me down to why don't they charge it to the customer and pre-install these IMS upgrades which 100% if everyone agree that it's way better. The retail cost for us for 1 unit isn't all that much, so you'd guess if they buy thousands it wouldn't be as much, so they could just up the price of 60$ and offer their machine with a IMS shower and basket. It would give them a competitive edge over their competitor, up the company's reputation, etc and if it's the customer that's paying for it by including that extra 60$ buck in the price then it's win-win for everyone no? Cutting the corner of a 3000$ machine to sell it 50$ less is just purely stupid.

@@PanzerIV88 they also probably know you'll buy the machine anyway. So why bother? Plus they don't want to step on the toes of their competitors. And we're also assuming companies like IMS have the capacity to produce these in the quantities that would be demanded. Most people who buy machines, even commercial ones, never change anything from stock...

If the rainbow Nanotech last for a full year?! Who cares? You’d have replaced the screen earlier than that anyway.

A bit hyperbolic to call the stock components crappy, trash, etc. They will be fine for a majority of casual users. As with any hobby, there are customizable upgrades for the people who want to dive deeper into the niche, or experiment with different variables. If the manufacturer included a precision 16g basket, people would complain, "why wouldn't they include a 18g basket when that's a WAY better dose?" While we don't manufacture the machines, we are starting to sell upgraded packages to include higher quality components with the machine, such as the Gaggia Classic Prestige, which comes with wooden portafilter, wooden tamper, precision filter basket, and silicone group gasket - all for less price than buying those components individually: www.wholelattelove.com/products/gaggia-classic-prestige AJ

Thank you! Good question and here's my best take on it - in E61 groups, water is shot down through the center of the group onto a dispersion plate/screw which redirects it out to the sides. Different machines will have a different pattern of dispersion from the plate, so I imagine the dead spot in the center serves as an equalizer so water spreads evenly above the shower screen regardless of which direction it is being spread. AJ

@@Wholelattelovepage Oh yes that explains! I guess this won’t work that well on my Londinium ^^

Hi there. A shower screen can 100% last a lifetime if properly cared for, especially the IMS-type screens that forgo the metal mesh screen.

Thanks James. Glad I could help confirm your decision. Enjoy the new machine! AJ

Hi Eugene, could be a couple things. First, simply make sure your machine is sitting level on the the counter. The feet can be screwed in or out to adjust their individual heights. The Classika uses a vibration pump as opposed to the rotary pump machine I showed in the video. In vib pump machine, pressure builds up more slowly and flow rate is generally lower, which may lead to the difference. Additionally, the alignment of your screen combined with the alignment of your dispersion screw could cause this. You could try rotating one or the other slightly to see if that helps. AJ

Glad you enjoyed

Hi John, I believe any of these E61 screens would also work on the Pro 800. AJ

Hey r, Awesome - thanks for the feedback!

So nice of you

Thanks Rick! AJ

Working on getting some puck screens here to play with! AJ

Hey EJ, you're correct that chemical backflushing tends to speed up the wearing down of the nanotech coating. You could do regular water-only backflushes with the screen on, then remove the screen when you do your detergent backflushes. Or, just leave it on and after the coating wears away over time, you're still left with a high-quality IMS shower screen, just with less of the non-stick effect. AJ

Hi TB, Thanks for sharing your experience!

In the video I was using a Profitec Pro 700 with custom wood accents: www.wholelattelove.com/products/profitec-pro-700-dual-boiler-espresso-machine Marc is still here! He just posted a video yesterday reviewing the updated Profitec Pro 500 PID: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-vuci2UFdt4w.html AJ

Don't think so

I’m going to need a close up of those hands to confirm

I'm not entirely sure but I stumbled on this video which might explain it - maybe a cracked diffuser? ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-F3otoWLl74Q.html AJ

@@Wholelattelovepage I did have a cracked diffuser and replaced that too. Same issue. Either Portafilter is off somehow or I don't know. But it's wierd that only the bottomless does it. Thanks for the response! 😀

Hi Rob, I don't have any experience with La Spaziale and I don't believe we carry any specialty screens that would fit it, sorry. AJ

Yeah they can be a pain to take off and can risk damage to the screen, which is why we don't recommend people doing it too often other than for occasional cleaning. AJ

I imagine the shower screen won't have much effect on removing the puck after a shot, except potentially the Matrix. They claim their screen results in drier pucks. I found a Home Barista forum thread where the manufacturer explained this, "The filter is so dense, it creates a back pressure and has an internal pressure working inside the pores. the back pressure allows for a drier coffee because it means there's always water above the shower "denied" passage to the portafilter, which under a normal filter would just pass freely. that layer is sucked back easier." AJ

Baristas and competition, that is what it is all about, in other words a good money making subject. Who is to tell you of how you like your coffee and every other thing but for you to find out and that will be the best you ever had because it's done by you and the way you love it. Have you ever thought is it really possible to have hundreds different types of grinders, coffee machines, scales and a thousands other things for a grain of coffee. Always remember a cup of really good coffee is when you do it for yourself the way you like it and not the way they tell you how you should do it. Competitions have certain rules that is why it's called competition at home you have their rules

Working on getting some puck screens to test out! AJ

Great combo! AJ

I haven't personally used the Mara X, but it should fit any machine with an E61 group. AJ

Haha I definitely wouldn't say that. It's unique and the flow may not look great without a portafilter in, but it's a really cool piece of equipment that deserves some further experimenting. AJ

Hi Bradley, we have custom wood parts for the Pro 700 available on here: www.wholelattelove.com/products/profitec-pro-700-dual-boiler-espresso-machine Click the "customize your machine in 3D" button to select and preview different wood species. The one in the video is walnut. Due to limited supply, we're currently only offering the wood components on new machines, rather than as a separate upgrade. AJ

To keep things clean! AJ

Hi Craig, glad to hear that combo is working well for you! I've actually had a puck screen sitting on my desk for the last month but haven't played around with it yet. We're definitely planning a future video on those! AJ

@@Wholelattelovepage Hi AJ, I think you'll be impressed. I'd be interested to see if there were differences when combining them with different shower screens. I'd also be interested in knowing how they (combined with the shower screen) protect the the machine from internal coffee oil buildup etc. What I'm seeing is a much cleaner/clearer drip tray as a consequence of both a cleaner grouphead as well as what is coming through the solenoid valve. The puck screen compresses the coffee puck during extraction too meaning pucks come out easier. Cheers AJ and say gidday to Marc from me (Craig the Kiwi) :)

IMS makes a separate shower screen specifically for the Gaggia Classic Pro: www.wholelattelove.com/products/ims-nanotech-gaggia-classic-shower-screen AJ

@@Wholelattelovepage Thanks🙏

You mean the IMS? That's the one with the colorful nanotech coating. AJ

@@Wholelattelovepage Yes, AJ, In 8:11 side by side, extraction is more beautiful. Thank you from Brazil.

Hi Ss, Thanks for sharing the details of your experience!

Translation (arabic): Great video 👍 ⭐️ . شكرا لمشاهدتك! Thank you for watching! AJ

Hi Blaine, Have not tested that but near 100% certain it's negligible.

Working on getting some puck screens to play with. Stay tuned. AJ

It was definitely fun experimenting with something completely different! AJ

Great to hear! It's amazing how much of a difference a couple simple upgrades can make. AJ

Great to hear! Even as a beginner, it sounds like you're already going down a good path by choosing quality equipment. AJ

@@Wholelattelovepage Dear AJ, you are very friendly guys on this channel, thank you ;-) By choosing decent material right from the start, you normally are on the safe side… This Austrian guy in the shop where I got this IMS shower screen from had the silly idea to start with the OEM shower screen - and only then switch to the IMS NanoQuartz shower screen… “In order to spot the difference in taste.” Oh, dear… Sorry, but even if he _is_ holding a Ph.D. degree, - his subject might _not_ be that of a home barista. Austria??? Well, you never know… For a good reason, I have been mulling to buy an _ECM Synchronika_ level machine for more than twenty years. Finally, I could afford it - and I am pretty sure that ECM’s OEM shower screen would do the job… But, hell, this is no reason for me to give it a try in order to compare it. I heavily rely on first grade RU-vid channels like yours ;-) Lazy Germans…