Coffee Data Science

Microplastics Clogging Espresso Filter Baskets

For the love of a basket

Robert McKeon Aloe
3 min readOct 18, 2024

I have been using the Wafo Spirit basket since they came to market. They have been superior to other baskets, but the main issue I have had is cleaning. I tried multiple solutions, and I have been stumped. It turns out, I am the problem; it’s me.

I have been cleaning them with microfiber towels.

I started using microfiber towels because I didn’t want to have to go through so many paper towels in dealing with espresso.

Normally, I try my best to clean the filter every month. However this time, I decided to understand the problem more than I had before by collecting what came out of the filter when I cleaned it.

I had a lot of water as the result of the ultrasonic cleaner, so I let the particles settle. I removed the water, and then viewed the collection of particles under a microscope. This is what I found:

There were tons of microfibers. I was stunned. My theory is that the microfibers build up and combine with the coffee fines to clog the filter.

I changed how I cleaned the basket. I’m sad it took me so long, but I’m thrilled to share this find so others can avoid the mistake I made. Hopefully, I can use another cleaner to get the basket back to the original hole opening.

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Further readings of mine:

My Second Book: Advanced Espresso

My First Book: Engineering Better Espresso

My Links

Collection of Espresso Articles

A Collection of Work and School Stories

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Robert McKeon Aloe
Robert McKeon Aloe

Written by Robert McKeon Aloe

I’m in love with my Wife, my Kids, Espresso, Data Science, tomatoes, cooking, engineering, talking, family, Paris, and Italy, not necessarily in that order.

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