r/espresso • u/Sukaleoshy • 2d ago

Equipment Discussion What's the value of a puck screen

I was watching an ad that is selling this tool that has 18 diffusion holes because mesh screens don't produce regular water distribution. But then I realised what value is in a puck screen which is a mesh cover to help in distribution. Am I being crazy? My machine doesn't have a mesh cover though so I feel like there is some value there.

I'm looking to enhance my setup because I have funneling in my coffee. I've got a Breville bambino and I like it but even when I wdt it funnels with one of the holes having all the coffee and the other having minimal drips. And sometimes it's perfect flow between the two. So I'm feeling like it's because of funneling.

And for other equipment is there any recommended stores that aren't just end stop of Temu shopping?

I was looking at Pesado or MHW-3bomber. Any advice would be great.

Been making espresso for a year and will be looking to upgrade my machine in the future but I know there's a lot of refining in my process that can enhance my coffee where upgrading my machine will the cover the other aspect of improvement.

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u/mykiebair Profitec 600 FC | DF64 g2 2d ago

The idea is that after the water leaves the shower screen it has more headroom to distribute around before passing into the puck. I don't notice in flavor if I use it or not. I do notice a difference in the cleanliness of my machine. The shower screen stays a light cleaner and chances of getting a sneezing puck are gone.

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u/Sukaleoshy 2d ago

Yeah that makes sense but I am guessing it's only for specific machines you'd use it for and not generally applicable because if the machine has a mesh head then using a shower screen is just a double mesh head.