One of the most important things, but also one of the most maintained items, is the portafilter gasket. This portafilter gasket is used to seal off the portafilter against a rubber surface, which prevents leaking from the outside of the portafilter. It is handy to replace the portafilter gasket with regular intervals.

There are various sizes and types for portafilter gaskets, this depends on the brand of espresso machine and the model of brewing group used. Seen not every brand uses 1 type of brewing group. There are also small differences between the OEM/original portafilters and aftermarket. This is a thing of dimensions and not of quality.

For example, Faema uses a flat model of portafilter gasket which is 74x58x8mm but have also a conical version which is 71x56x9mm.This model is only used on a small number for espresso machines of Faema.

A other example is for instance portafilter gaskets used on Astoria/Wega espresso machines. Which have are 72x56x8,5mm. But their smaller groups used 67x56x5,5mm

When do you know when the portafilter goes bad? When the water comes from the top of the portafilter

It is also possible that your portafilter still leaks when you replace it with a new portafilter gasket. Then it is possible that or your portafilter ears are worn down or the clamping ring. You can solve this by adding spacers or thicker portafilter gaskets. But when you replace your portafilter and have installed a thicker portafilter gasket, your portafilter won’t fit in the brewing group. So when you replace your portafilter it is also handy to replace the portafilter gasket.