Should I Use a Puck Screen? Is it Worth It?

What Is a Puck Screen?

If you've ever pulled a shot and found your coffee puck looking like it went through a mild earthquake, you’re not alone. Enter the puck screen: a simple metal mesh or filter placed on top of your coffee grounds before brewing. Its job? Distribute water more evenly, protect your group head from gunk, and (depending on who you ask) improve your shot quality.

But with more options than a long-haul business class menu - metal or paper, thick or thin, reusable or disposable, it’s easy to get lost in the turbulence. Let’s cut through the brew fog and break it down, Jet Bean style.

Metal vs Paper Puck Screens: What’s the Difference?

Metal Puck Screens

Usually stainless steel mesh or perforated discs, metal puck screens are designed to sit on top of your coffee bed and diffuse the flow of water from the shower screen. They’re reusable and a bit of a tank—durable, easy to rinse, and always ready for the next takeoff.

Pros:

• Reusable (eco-friendly and wallet-friendly)
• Durable and easy to clean
• Helps prevent channeling by diffusing water flow
• Protects group head from splashing grounds

Cons:

• Can lower headspace in the portafilter, leading to overcompression in tight baskets
• Retains heat, which can slightly affect brewing temp
• Requires more precision in prep, poor puck prep can be exaggerated

Paper Puck Screens

Think Aeropress or Chemex filter material, just cut into a circle. Paper screens are usually used either above or below the puck (or both, if you’re getting fancy). They’re single-use, compostable, and loved for their clarity in taste.

Pros:

• Adds clarity to your espresso by filtering out fines
• Absorbs excess water, reducing channeling
• Easy to dispose of - no rinsing or long-term cleaning
• Can be used above, below, or both

Cons:

• Ongoing cost and waste (even if compostable)
• Fragile - can break down mid-shot if not pre-wet
• One more thing to remember before your morning meeting

Should You Use a Puck Screen?

Here’s the deal: puck screens can absolutely improve consistency, but they aren’t a silver bullet. They shine most in high-precision setups, where your grind, dose, and tamp are already dialed in. If you're using a pressurised basket or just getting started, it may not move the needle as much.

Think of puck screens like autopilot: brilliant when the flight path is already well planned, but not something you blindly rely on.

When They Make the Most Sense:

• You’re using a bottomless portafilter and chasing those perfect tiger stripes
• You want to keep your machine cleaner and reduce group head grime
• You’ve got a consistent puck prep and want to push clarity or reduce channeling

When They Might Not Be Worth It:

• You’re brewing on a tight schedule and can’t add more steps
• You’re already getting great shots without one
• Your espresso machine has a low clearance and metal screens mess with pressure

My Recommendation?

If you’re a Jet Bean customer, chances are you love the process as much as the product. So yes, try a puck screen! Start with a metal one - they’re reusable, forgiving, and a good entry point. If you’re chasing extra clarity or struggling with channeling, try adding a paper filter below the puck as well (known as the "paper sandwich method" when combined with a metal screen on top).

But don’t let it become a 'must have'. Nail the basics first: fresh coffee, correct dose, consistent tamp, and then layer in tools like puck screens to refine the craft.

Final Approach

Puck screens aren’t mandatory. But like a good co-pilot, they can smooth the ride and help you land more consistent shots, especially when flying with high-quality single origin beans (like our Blackbird or Concorde).

Whether you go metal, paper, or both, just remember: the perfect espresso is part science, part art, and part obsession. And we’re here for all three.

Chris Louch
Frequent Flyer | Coffee Evangelist | Jet Bean Loyalist