IMS Competition basket B602TH25

A precision double basket for post-Millennium La Pavoni levers, made in Italy by IMS. A common first upgrade over the stock basket.

Listed for: La Pavoni levers made after August 2000 (Europiccola, Stradivari, Romantica)

Illustration of the IMS Competition basket

Good for

  • A more even extraction than the stock basket
  • Doses of about 15 to 17 grams

Watch out for

  • Does not fit pre-Millennium 49mm machines
  • Needs a 51 to 51.3mm tamper per the listing

Details from the listing

Model
IMS B602TH25
Dose
15 to 17 g
Height
25 mm
Made in
Italy, by E&B Lab (IMS Filtri)
Also fits
Gaggia G105 and G106, New Olympia Cremina (per the listing)

Why owners swap the basket

A precision basket has evenly sized and spaced holes, which helps water leave the puck evenly. The listing says the shape and hole pattern suit every roast level, from dark to light.

The listing recommends a 51 to 51.3mm tamper. Measure, or test your tamper, before you rely on a tight fit.

Machines it suits

More shots per fill

Professional

The Europiccola's lever and group on a boiler twice the size, with a pressure gauge. The better daily lever for milk drinks or two people.

Boiler capacity
1.6 L per La Pavoni. US sources list 38 oz (manual, Amazon) or 54 oz (importer).
Basket size
About 51mm (Millennium, made after 2000). Older machines use about 49mm.
Pressure gauge
Yes, on the boiler. The US manual says it should top out at 0.7 to 0.8 bar and never pass 1 bar.

Sculpted base

Stradivari

La Pavoni's classic lever on a curved base inspired by violin maker Antonio Stradivari. Sold in 8-cup and 16-cup sizes.

Boiler capacity
20 oz on the 8-cup, 38 oz on the 16-cup (US importer). La Pavoni lists 1.6 L for the EU 16-cup.
Pressure gauge
Yes on the 16-cup. Not stated for the 8-cup.
Size and weight
12 in tall, 17 lb (importer, both sizes). Amazon lists 14 lb for the ESC-8.

More portafilters and baskets

Sources

Amazon US product listings.