IMS Big Bang Precision Filter Basket for 58mm portafilters, 18-20g. double espresso (h23.5)

While cleaning my Isomac Millennium (E61) I decided, after 20 years of use, to try one of the puck screens folks are using these days. The puck screen on the Millennium is not at all easily removable so cleaning it well is a real pain involving tons of backflushing.When the puck screen came, I realized it wouldn't fit in the tapered OEM basket, so that led me down the path of getting a new basket with straight walls that would fit my portafilter. I'm happy to say that this basket fits perfectly in my portafilter and also accepts my 58.5mm puck screen (which does indeed help a lot with the grouphead screen staying clean). My espresso is also notably sweeter, though I'll have to spend more time with this basket before I can say it wasn't due to my latest cleaning. I did have to grind a bit finer with this basket, so I would expect some impacts to flavor.My tamper is 58mm, so it does leave a few fines around the edge, so I'll probably upgrade my tamper to 58.5mm next.Overall, the basket seems well made, looks cool if that's important, and my espresso tastes great.

Installed easily and shots pool to the center of this screen quickly. I was able to go a little finer with my grind since holes extended out further than my previous basket. No issues, good shots, cleans easily.

I liked this very much for anything over full city. Had to grind much finer than I was expecting but makes enjoyable sweet shots.

I bought this for the ability to put 22gr + of grounds for that triple shot. I'm very happy with its size. It fits 22gr nicely and allows me to WDT without any of the grounds spilling over the edge. I don't think I could get 24 or even 23gr of grounds in this basket, without the grounds getting too close to the shower screen. Every coffee grinds different, though, so your coffee choice may give different results.I don't really see any difference in the way a shot comes out the bottom of the portafilter and I don't really notice any difference in coffee flavors. It solved my need for that XL basket. I liked it so much I bought the H25.5 for a spare 14-18gr basket.The only Con I have, is the graphics printed on the bottom interior of the basket. I would prefer no graphics just to have a cleaner look. It doesn't not hinder function in any way, though.Enjoy!

I own several espresso baskets, but the IMS Big Bang has completely won me over. It’s been my go-to for over six months, and I haven’t felt the need to swap it out once! The consistency is outstanding, delivering even extractions every time. It’s also easy to clean, which is a huge plus. If you're serious about espresso, this basket is absolutely worth it!

I was excited to receive and try this basket. It performs quite well. I have several VST and IMS baskets. I prefer VST because it has smaller holes than my IMS that I am accustomed to. The Big Bang has smaller holes and a very unique hole pattern that seems to work extremely well. Overall it performs great! I do wish for a few minor changes. I wish the holes went out further to the edge. There is a huge area where I feel they should have added more holes. Because of this, my pucks do not knock free. It is one of the messiest baskets I have ever used. Residual grounds get stuck around the edges. Not the end of the world as I almost always rinse my portafilter regardless.I do find this basket to excel at a medium roast over a lighter roast. overall for the price, I have no regrets.

This basket is a good, general purpose basket that's good at creating "pretty" shots with the classic rat tail visual, due to its unusual hole distribution. It's also (purposely) not a high flow basket, so it's good at doing flow profile shots or darker roasts. It fits a variety of portafilters, and is easy to clean. A great basket if you need the features.

I purchased this basket for use with a Gaggia Classic Evo Pro. Right now, this is a mostly stock unit (no adjustments to the OPV, no PID) and the only modifications performed has been switching from the stock shower screen to an IMS GA200IM and the use of a bottomless portafilter.Compared to stock baskets, the big bang offers a number of advantages. First, this is a straight wall basket which I definitely prefer over the curved basket included with my portafilter and the unit itself.For dialing in, this was relatively easy and only took 5 adjustments on grind to get a very workable and consistent extraction. In terms of flavor, it does seem to offer a different level of extraction than possible from the traditional "competition" straight wall basket, but seems a lot easier to dial it in. I forsee this will become particularly useful when trying new coffees, as it is certainly frustrating to go through 20% of a 12oz bag of coffee just to get the grind dialed in.