Whats the concensus on puck screens?

skylark

My Lelit Lizzie shots have started to stick to the shower screen fairly consistently after reducing my dose from 18gm to 16gm and it seems that since my MaraX days that puck screens have become ‘en vogue’. Just wondering how they are viewed within the community and, since i’m sure there’ll be views on both sides, what are the alternatives to prevent puck ‘stickiness’? Just a thought, that’s all …

MediumRoastSteam

skylark - get one. Personally I’m a fan of simplicity, so I wouldn’t bother. However, for similar reasons, and the additional benefit to keep the machine’s shower screen and 3 way solenoid valve cleaner, I think it’s worth it.

Do remember puck screens take some space, and will need period cleaning themselves. So weekly or by-weekly soak them in Puly, and always rinse after each use.

For me, dosing 18g in a 18g basket (e.g: VST, E&B 24h) and putting the screen on top was preventing me from locking the PF correctly. So, I bought the next size up basket 20g and all is well again.

There’s no need to spend a fortune either. I got mine from Amazon and paid £6. You can get cheaper from AliExpress, specially worthwhile considering if you are buying a few of them.

Doram

skylark Just wondering how they are viewed within the community and, since i’m sure there’ll be views on both sides, what are the alternatives to prevent puck ‘stickiness’? Just a thought, that’s all …

Another vote for a simple mesh screen. Been using one from AliExpress for almost two years now (on Mara X). Main reason for liking it: keeps the group significantly cleaner. I still drop the shower screen for cleaning but there is hardly anything to clean, and when I do a chemical backflush the water is almost clear.

I didn’t need to change anything: using it with a 15g dose in a 15g IMS E&B lab basket with no issue. I also don’t find that it’s gets particularly dirty. I just wash it after every shot (with soapy water) along with the basket and PF and it seems very clean. When I have some Cafiza solution I drop it in, and nothing seems to come out of it.

Does it reduce changeling or change the shot in any way? I don’t know, but I have incorporated it into the workflow and everything seems fine to me, so I just use it for cleanliness.

Cuprajake

Like them, but they are disgusting and hard to clean

I’ve moved to using paper top and bottom to keep the group somewhat clean, just still out atm haha

MediumRoastSteam

Cuprajake - problem is that with the Elizabeth, with a paper filter, you’ll still get a stuck puck.

LMSC

MediumRoastSteam If you are dosing 18g, why don’t you try 17g-17.5g!

Dusk

Are some better than others? I’ve seen two types, one that looks like a portafilter and is just a thin bit of metal with lots of holes in and ones that look like various layers of woven mesh. The former look easier to clean but perhaps forcing water through fewer holes, the latter I imagine would be much harder to clean but perhaps perform better?

skylark

Well, there’s quite a bit of support for these, i expected less for what, after all, seems like it’s just a bit of flimsy mesh sitting on top of your puck. But, comments seem to think they do more good than not so i’ve cashed out for a pair which will save rinsing each and every day. Not too keen on using paper filters, seems to take away a bit of the overall mystique of the process. Also it’ll be easier to drop into a bowl of cleaner and still have a spare. I’ve got a spare 20gm VST basket from Mara days so will be keeping an eye on the 16-18gm for any obvious problems.

Cuprajake

There’s more to it.

A thicker screen that doesn’t flex actually compresses the puck which changes the shot some what

You will note a harder puck post shot that taps out easier.

MediumRoastSteam

LMSC

LMSC If you are dosing 18g, why don’t you try 17g-17.5g!

Who said I haven’t? 😉

To cut a long story short, I’ve been experimenting for a while. Essentially, the best thing is to figure out yourself. Get a puck screen, do the 10p test and then work out how much headspace is left. You don’t want the puck compressed so much that it can’t expand. Besides…. Given the depth of the LSM baskets, I don’t think you’ll have any issues if you decide to give them a go.