Here we go, another coffee accessory: espresso dosing funnels & rings. But do you really need them? Or are they quick cash grab from the home barista? If you find grinds all over your kitchen or your grinder shoots out coffee at a blistering pace, then you should consider one. Coffee dosing funnels are fantastic at keeping your workstation clean and that is why I use one myself.
My espresso dosing ring.
In this post I'll be discussing how a coffee dosing ring has improved my coffee workflow and have a quick look at the best espresso dosing funnels and rings. But if you want a quick recommendation, I like the one below:
Our pick
This is the dosing ring I use at home. It's affordable, light, and has magnets at the bottom to latch onto the portafilter to avoid accidental knocks.
Why do you need a coffee dosing funnel?
Cleanliness.
This is the number one reason why you need to grab a dosing funnel and why I got one myself.
I found that even if I was super careful when grinding directly into my portafilter I would still spill coffee grinds every so often. Enough for it to become annoying. Not to mention when grinding directly into the portafilter my workflow becomes much slower as I have to be careful not to spill anything.
So if you find your significant other complaining about coffee grinds being all over your kitchen, or are just fed up with mess, a coffee funnel this will help solve the issue.
You'll be able to grind coffee faster, cleaner, and more accurately.
Keep everything clean with a dosing ring.
What features to look for in espresso dosing rings?
Dosing rings are a simple and cheap tool, but there are two features you need to look out for when buying one.
1. Magnetic espresso dosing funnel
Firstly, make sure the dosing ring you buy is magnetic. This is super handy as the dosing ring latches onto your portafilter when grinding beans into it.
I made the mistake of not buying a magnetic dosing ring when I first bought mine. Without a magnet, I sometimes knocked the dosing ring and then grinds would spill onto my bench - defeating the purpose of a dosing ring.
I quickly returned my normal dosing ring and bought a magnetic one. It was much better and solved the issue of accidentally knocks as it latches onto the portafilter.
A magnetic espresso funnel is a must. The little magnets latch onto the portafilter.
2. Get the right size
Secondly, make sure you get the right sized dosing funnel for your espresso machine. Most home espresso machine, like my Rocket Appartamento, have a 58mm group head and portafilter.
However, some popular espresso machines like the Breville Barista Express have a 54mm portafilter. So you want to make sure you get the correct sized dosing ring.
Best coffee dosing funnel and rings
Below are three good options to consider. All of these dosing rings are magnetic, the key differences between them are the build material. I prefer aluminum rings as they're lighter (the portafilter is already heavy), but have also included a stainless-steel option for those that prefer the solid feel.
Our pick
This is the dosing ring I use at home. It's affordable, light, and has magnets at the bottom to latch onto the portafilter to avoid accidental knocks.
Stainless steel
If you like a solid feel to your coffee gear, then this stainless steel funnel is for you. It also comes with magnetic strips at the bottom.
54mm pick
If you have a Breville Barista Express or other 54mm portafilter espresso machine, make sure to get the correct sized option. I like this aluminum ring from Normcore.
Frequently asked questions
Below are some common questions people have asked me about dosing rings. If you have any other questions feel free to leave a comment below and I'll add it to the list.
Should I use a dosing cup with a dosing ring?
You can definitely use a coffee dosing cup along with a ring. This is what I do with my home workflow. I find using a cup reduces mess even more and also has other benefits like consistency through measuring beans. Team it up with a WDT tool for even better results.
How do you use an espresso dosing funnel?
It's simple. Just place your funnel into your portafilter and then grind right into it. Once you've ground your beans, give the portafilter with the funnel in it a good tap to settle the grind, and then remove the dosing funnel to tamp your coffee.
Can you tamp with a dosing funnel?
No, you can't tamp your coffee with a dosing funnel in it. You need to firstly remove the dosing ring before you tamp your coffee on your tamping mat.
What dosing ring to use for a Breville Barista Express?
The Breville Barista express uses a 54mm portafilter, so make sure you get a dosing ring that fits 54mm.
Conclusion
And there you have it, I hope after reading this guide you know why you need a dosing ring (to keep your workstation clean), and have found a ring to suite your needs. If you have any questions for me, leave me a comment below.
