9 Panda Cafe

Engineering the Perfect Puck For years, the espresso world fixated on the 58mm basket as the industry standard. However, a seismic shift is occurring in how we conceptualize fluid dynamics within the coffee bed. The emergence of the Convex Billet Basket from Sworksdesign marks a departure from traditional geometry. By tapering the interior diameter from 58mm down to roughly 32mm at the exit, these baskets force a deeper coffee bed for the same dose. This isn't just a design quirk; it's a fundamental manipulation of puck depth to achieve higher extraction efficiency and unparalleled consistency. This architecture mimics the narrower, deeper beds found in vintage lever machines, which many purists believe produce a more robust and forgiving shot than the shallow, wide beds of modern commercial standards. A Trio of Contenders Three primary players now dominate this niche market: Sworksdesign, Panda Cafe, and Ikape. The Sworks-Convex-Billet-Basket remains the gold standard, machined from a solid block of 304 stainless steel with a magnetic base that integrates seamlessly into a high-end workflow. Panda Cafe offers a similar 58-to-32mm design, though their marketing materials lean heavily on the original work done by Sworksdesign. Ikape enters with a slightly different philosophy, utilizing 0.25mm holes—smaller than the 0.3mm standard—and a higher hole count of 1,149. While the Ikape-Convex-Basket feels lighter and perhaps less premium than the Sworksdesign original, it offers a distinct flow rate that requires a specific approach to grind size. The Grind Size Paradox The most startling revelation when switching to a convex basket is the necessary adjustment to your grinder. Because the restricted exit area and increased bed depth create significant resistance, you must grind much coarser than you would with a standard high-uniformity basket. On a Monolith Max, a typical setting of 1.5 might jump to a 3.0. This massive shift is a boon for home baristas with grinders that struggle at the extreme fine end of the spectrum. It opens the door for coarser burr sets to produce thick, syrupy espresso that would otherwise be impossible to pressure-stabilize in a traditional 58mm basket. Sweetness Over Acidity In the cup, the experience is one of balance and texture. These baskets are incredibly forgiving, offering a wide "sweet spot" where shots pulled between 8 and 18 seconds still taste remarkably balanced. The deep bed acts as its own filter, trapping fines and curbing the harsh astringency that often plagues light roasts. However, there is a trade-off. If you crave the punchy, vibrating acidity of a high-extraction flat basket, the convex geometry might feel too rounded. It exchanges that sharp clarity for a blanket of sweetness and a velvety mouthfeel—a profile I often refer to as "ooey gooey." Final Verdict The convex basket is a specialized tool for the enthusiast looking to maximize texture and consistency. While the Sworksdesign version offers the best build quality and magnetic convenience, the Ikape provides a more accessible entry point. Regardless of the brand, the lesson remains the same: technique and hardware serve the ingredient. If you aren't sourcing exceptional beans, no amount of CNC-machined stainless steel will save the shot. But for those with the right coffee, these baskets provide a fascinating new lens through which to view the art of extraction.