Buying task · Dosing funnels and cups
Dosing funnels and cups
What dosing funnels, rings and cups do, why a funnel is sized to the portafilter rim rather than the basket, and when you can skip one.
Short answer
A dosing funnel, or ring, sits on the portafilter and keeps grounds in the basket while you grind and stir. Because it rests on the rim, it is sized to the portafilter, not the basket: Normcore pairs a 54 mm funnel with a 53.3 mm tamper for Breville's 54 mm machines.[1] You can skip one if your grinder drops grounds cleanly into the basket and you do not stir.
What these tools do
- Dosing funnel or ring: a collar on the portafilter rim that catches stray grounds from the grinder and stops spills while you use a WDT tool.
- Magnetic funnel: the same idea, with magnets that hold it on a metal rim.
- Dosing cup: a cup you grind into and then tip into the basket. It lets you weigh the dose away from the machine and, if you shake it, mix the grounds first.
Size it to the rim
| Machine family | Funnel size | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Breville 54 mm | 54 mm[1] | Breville's own funnel lists the Barista Express, Express Impress, Pro, Touch and Touch Impress; the Bambino models are not on its list[2] |
| Breville Dual Boiler and Oracle, Gaggia Classic, Rancilio Silvia, Lelit and E61 58 mm machines | 58 mm[1] | ECM and Profitec both sell 58 mm funnels[3][4] |
| De'Longhi manual machines | 51 mm class | De'Longhi's own tamper for these machines is 51 mm[5]; we found no maker figure for a funnel |
| Lelit Anna | 57 mm-specific | Normcore says this group needs 57 mm-specific tools[1] |
| Flair PRO 2 | 45 mm[1] | Built around a 46 mm basket[6] |
Families have exceptions. Normcore says its 53.3 mm dosing cup fits Breville's 54 mm baskets but not the Barista Express Impress.[7] When a listing names machine models, match your model number, not just the size.
Magnetic or plain
Profitec's 58 mm funnel is magnetic; ECM's is stainless steel.[4][3] Neither page lists the machines it fits. A magnetic funnel holds only on a rim the magnets can grip, so hold a fridge magnet to your portafilter rim before you rely on one. A plain funnel needs a snug fit on the rim instead.
Dose and basket go together
A funnel gets the dose into the basket; the basket decides how big the dose should be. Breville gives an 18 g dose for the Bambino and the Barista Express, and 22 g for the Dual Boiler.[8][9][10] Basket makers publish ranges by height: IMS lists 16 to 18 g of dark roast for its 24.5 mm-high 58 mm basket, and up to 26 g of light roast for the 28.5 mm version.[11]
Smaller doses are not automatically weak. In a 2020 study across three filter baskets, at the same beverage volume, a 12 g dose gave bioactive compounds only about 9% lower than a 14 g dose; the study measured chemistry, not taste.[12] Weigh the dose, then use the ratio calculator to set the yield.
When you can skip it
- Your grinder's chute drops grounds neatly into the basket.
- You grind into a dosing cup and tip it in.
- You do not stir the grounds in the basket.
For what to look for in a funnel, read the dosing funnel buying guide. Our dosing funnel shortlist names the variant to order for each machine family.
Everything in this topic
Guides
- How to choose a dosing funnelHelps you buy a funnel that seats on your portafilter, in the right size and style, the first time.
Shortlists
- Best dosing funnels for 51, 54 and 58 mm portafiltersNames the funnel variant to order for your portafilter rim, explains why it differs from your tamper size, and flags the magnet catch.
Common questions
What size dosing funnel fits a Breville Barista Express?
54 mm. Breville's own BEA201 dosing funnel is listed for the Barista Express, Express Impress, Barista Pro, Barista Touch and Touch Impress. More in How to choose a dosing funnel
Does a dosing funnel fit the Breville Bambino?
Normcore lists a 54 mm funnel for the Bambino and Bambino Plus. Breville's own BEA201 funnel list does not include the Bambino models, so check that a listing names yours. More in How to choose a dosing funnel
Will a magnetic funnel stick to my portafilter?
Only if the portafilter's top edge is a metal that holds a magnet. Try a fridge magnet on the rim of your portafilter before you buy a magnetic funnel. More in How to choose a dosing funnel
Is a dosing funnel the same as a dosing ring?
Yes. Sellers use both names for a collar that sits on top of the portafilter. A dosing cup is different: you grind into it, then pour the grounds into the basket. More in How to choose a dosing funnel
Do I need a funnel for WDT?
It helps. Stirring flicks grounds over the rim, and a funnel extends the wall so they stay in the basket. See what is WDT. More in How to choose a dosing funnel
Does a 54 mm dosing funnel fit the Breville Bambino?
Normcore lists a 54 mm funnel for the Bambino and Bambino Plus. Breville's own 54 mm funnel lists only the Barista Express, Express Impress, Pro, Touch and Touch Impress, so check that the funnel seats on your portafilter's rim. More in Best dosing funnels for 51, 54 and 58 mm portafilters
Why order a 54 mm funnel when my tamper is 53.3 mm?
A funnel sits on the portafilter rim, while a tamper has to fit inside the basket. Normcore pairs a 54 mm funnel with a 53.3 mm tamper for Breville's 54 mm machines. More in Best dosing funnels for 51, 54 and 58 mm portafilters
Do magnetic dosing funnels hold on every portafilter?
Only on a rim the magnets can grip. Profitec's magnetic 58 mm funnel, like ECM's 58 mm funnel, lists no compatible machines, so test your rim with a fridge magnet first. More in Best dosing funnels for 51, 54 and 58 mm portafilters
Questions
What size dosing funnel fits a Breville Barista Express?
A 54 mm funnel. Breville lists its own 54 mm funnel for the Barista Express, Express Impress, Pro, Touch and Touch Impress, and Normcore lists a 54 mm funnel for the Bambino models as well.[2][1]
Why is the funnel 54 mm when the tamper is 53.3 mm?
A funnel sits on the portafilter rim, while a tamper has to fit inside the basket. Normcore's compatibility guide pairs exactly these two sizes for Breville's 54 mm machines.[1]
Will a magnetic dosing funnel stay on my portafilter?
Only if the rim is a metal the magnets can grip. Profitec's magnetic 58 mm funnel lists no compatible machines, so hold a fridge magnet to your portafilter rim before you rely on one.[4]
Do I need a funnel if I use a dosing cup?
Not for grinding, since the cup catches the grounds. A funnel still helps if you stir the grounds with a WDT tool once they are in the basket.
Does a smaller dose make weaker espresso?
Less than you might expect, in one study: at the same beverage volume, a 12 g dose gave bioactive compounds about 9% lower than a 14 g dose. The study measured chemistry, not taste, so let your palate decide.[12]