Are you new to pulling espresso shots at home? Did you ever felt that something else should be there to easily take out the espresso pucks from the portafilter? If yes, you might never have heard about the espresso knock box. It’s basically a small garbage bin for used coffee grounds with a metal bar to knock the portafilter.
It might at first seem like an unnecessary complication – Do you really need a special accessory to knock the pucks out of your portafilter when you already have a perfectly good garbage can? Obviously Yes! Because the garbage bin cannot be knocked with the portafilter as the wrong action will simply damage both – the portafilter and the garbage can!
Why Use A Knock Box For Espresso Pucks
However, there are good reasons for using a dedicated Knock Box for Coffee Grounds with your coffee maker.
- One is cleanliness: If you’re tapping your portafilter inside your garbage can or composter, you’re going to have to wash it before you use it again.
- The Second consideration is that (depending on what your garbage can is made of) you may end up damaging either your portafilter or your garbage can when you whack the side of the can. Using your sink as a knock box is also not recommended, as the grounds can clog your drain (at the most crucial point of time maybe).
It is also known as a Bash Bin or a Puck Box by an experienced coffee user. (Hey, now you are also experiences. Congrats!)
You need something fairly sturdy that can stand up to being whacked with a heavy portafilter and at the same time not damaging it. Rather than try to improvise something, the easiest solution to this problem is to simply Get a Real Knock Box. They are available for every budget and in a variety of sizes and styles.
Best Selling Coffee Knock Box
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
| Breville Knock Box Mini, Stainless Steel,... | $19.95 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
| HOMEE Coffee Knock Box 4.8 Inch... | $39.99 $15.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
| Breville Knock Box, BCB100 | $29.95 | Buy on Amazon |
Best Espresso Knock Box – Top 8 Picks
1. Dreamfarm Grindenstein
- BREWTIFUL STEIN | The Grindenstèin is the original modern...
- KNOCK, KNOCK | Some say don’t knock it until you try it....
- SMALL BUT MIGHTY | We like our knock boxes how we like our...
- FLIP, BANG, RECYCLE | Short and sweet, our espresso knock...
This little puck box is perfect for someone who pulls a few shots a day – more than that and you’re going to be emptying it pretty frequently. Otherwise, its small size has its advantages. It fits easily into the top rack of your dishwasher, and you can store it under the group head of most espresso machines when not in use, eliminating the need for more counter space.
The Grindenstein is made of ABS plastic with a rubber-coated steel bar. The bar is sturdy enough to withstand quite a lot of knocking, and customers report that it stands up well to years of regular use. It comes in your choice of silver, black or red.
Some people are bothered by the fact that the bar is not removable, as it is with some other knock boxes. Others have said that the bar is too big relative to the size of the container, which can get messy if your portafilter is bigger than average.
Also, for people who use their espresso maker a lot, this product is simply too small. But these are minor quibbles that come down to personal needs and taste. On the whole, the Grindenstein is one of the most popular choices out there.
2. Breville BCB100
- Note: 1)Too coarse a grind, too little coffee, or...
- Durable die cast metal barista style knock box
- Knock bar made of engineering grade polymers
- Removable inner vessel; Top rack dishwasher safe
This model is too big to hide away under your group head, but with its stainless steel body, it will look great on any countertop next to your espresso machine. At about 7 inches tall, it’s the perfect solution for somebody who pulls a lot of shots or somebody who really doesn’t want to empty their knock box very often! It’s also big enough for light commercial use, for example in a restaurant where you only serve espresso a few times in a given shift.
The bar is made of engineering-grade polymer. Together with the inside vessel, it lifts out for emptying and is safe in the top rack of your dishwasher. The external vessel features a polymer ring on the bottom surface to prevent slipping.
The bar is sturdy enough to hold up to repeated heavy use, and some people get pretty aggressive when knocking grinds out of their portafilters. The biggest complaint from customers was that the BCB100 is too big for some kitchens, but obviously, this comes down to individual preference.
3. Breville BES001XL Puck Box, Mini
- Stainless steel canister
- Knock bar removes for easy cleaning
- Anti-slip rubber grip on bottom on unit
- Ultra durable for aggressive use
If you love the look of the Breville BCB100 but are looking for something smaller, the Mini may be the right choice for you. It is one of the best knock boxes available in the market. This square design is almost a perfect 4 ½ inch cube and has a stainless steel canister with a black interior to reduce the visibility of the coffee grounds. This unit is sturdy enough to stand up to the most aggressive barista.
There’s no official word on whether or not the Mini is dishwasher safe. However, the bar removes easily, allowing you to quickly dump out the grounds and give the interior a rinse and wipe. Cleaning doesn’t have to be more complicated than that.
The stainless steel canister has rubber treads on the bottom to keep it stationary when in use. Along with the rubberized bar, these treads also reduce the noise when you knock the portafilter.
There are few complaints about this model. The size is good for most casual home use. A few people find that the grounds can fly out of the box if you knock too aggressively, but the vast majority of buyers are very happy with the Mini.
4. Cafelat Tubbi
- Dump your espresso grounds - holds 15 double pucks
- Keep your work area clean by disposing of espresso grounds...
- Made from extremely tough ABS plastic
- Food safe rubber bar
This knock box for espresso grounds is similar in design to the Grindenstein, though at 5 inches tall it has a bit more capacity. It is made of sturdy ABS plastic with a food-safe rubber bar. The bar comes out easily for fast cleaning.
Tubbi is available in 4 different colors and has a playful, modern style. The back is taller than the front, acting as a mini-shield to prevent the used coffee grounds from splattering all over your counter. It also features a non-slip rubber pad on the bottom to stabilize the knock box and reduce noise.
The weak link in any box is going to be the bar, which literally takes a beating every time you pull a shot. If the bar is not removable, this means that you have to replace the entire product when the bar fails. With the Tubbi, the bar is easily removed and can be replaced if it gets damaged.
The only common complaint with this model is that it is too small for some households. The good news is that the Tubbi is now also available in a larger size.
5. Joe Frex Classic
- Espresso Knock Box, Knock Out Box for Coffee Grounds
- Wooden Knockbox for Home Barista with plastic insert
- PVC insert dishwasher safe
- Classic knock box Volume 1.2L 40oz
This is another simple cube-shaped design. The 5 ½ inch box is made of wood and comes in your choice of brown, black, or a light natural wood finish. The inside container is made of PVC and lifts out by lifting the knock bar. This container is not dishwasher-safe but still cleans up quickly and easily. The bar itself is somewhat unusual in that it is made of a hardwood dowel that matches the outer box.
This is a classic design (as its name suggests) that hasn’t changed much since it came out in 1996. It is economical and with its “organic” look it will suit almost any kitchen décor.
6. AILELAN Espresso Knock Box
- High Quality Coffee Knock Box - Made of special ABS...
- Perfect Size - The size is perfect for storing underneath...
- SPECIAL DESIGN - The coffee knock box's round look and...
- Special Design - Widely used at home, cafe shop, canteen,...
A perfect size knock box that can be stored beneath most of the espresso machines like Breville, DeLonghi, and more. The capacity is ideal so that you don’t have to empty the grounds too very often.
At the base, a rubber grip is provided to avoid slips while knocking. The plastic used to build it up is antibacterial so, even if you’ve forgotten to empty the grounds, there will be no bacterial growth.
For easy cleaning, the rod is detachable and dishwasher safe. The rod is made up of stainless steel coated with durable rubber foam to absorb most of your shocks or knocks easily.
Moreover, the satisfaction is guaranteed to such an extent, that if you are not happy with the product, you are allowed to return it.
7. HOMEE Shock Absorbent
- FAST PROCESSING - Dispose of your used coffee grounds...
- PERFECT SIZE - The coffee waste bin only 4.8inch is perfect...
- HIGH QUALITY - Rubberized knock bar won’t dent or scratch...
- DETACHABLE KNOCK BAR - Rubber bar can be removed from its...
A quality product that stands head to head with its competitors Breville, Dreamfarm, and Cafelet. Few of the attributes that make it unique are:
- Perfect Sizing – Its perfect dimensions allow us to use it anywhere. It’s not very tall nor very broad but still captures most of your ground espresso with its great capacity.
- Rubberized Base – Its built-in rubberized ring at the base grips it very well on the platform and also helps in absorbing the knocks and shocks.
- Antibacterial Body – The body is made up of antibacterial ABS plastic which prevents bacterial growth.
- Easy Cleaning – The metal bar is removable and everything is dishwasher safe.
The above attributes make it one of the perfect choices as an espresso knock box one might be looking for. Also, the price is very feasible as compared to most of the best available brands.
8. HOMEE Square
- FAST PROCESSING - Dispose of your used coffee pucks quickly...
- PERFECT SIZE - The size is perfect for storing underneath...
- HIGH QUALITY - Rubberized knock bar won’t dent or scratch...
- DETACHABLE KNOCK BAR - Rubber bowl can be removed from its...
New boy in the town of knock boxes, the HOMEE Square. The only thing we think is different from others in this model is the shape of the product. The shape is something unusual like other knock boxes and the look is actually what people consider when they buy a coffee knock box.
Dimensions are almost 4.8″x5″ and the capacity can hold up to 10 pucks. A silicone ring at the bottom helps absorbing noise during use. Construction is a stud and can be trusted for the long term.
Best Knock Boxes [For UK]
The reason we have aligned some products differently for the UK public is because of country-specific product availability. The top products in the UK are different as well and some brands sell under another brand name. So, here we are with some great coffee knock boxes for the UK.
1. Sage Mini
Here is our first and top-selling product in the UK, Sage Mini. The construction looks durable and solid. It has a removable bar for easy cleaning and maintenance. The color compliments Dual Boiler and Barista Express machine. Now this one sells under the brand name ‘Breville’ in the US.
2. De’Longhi Stainless Steel DLSC059
Next on our list is by De’Longhi, everyone knows the name. They are great for amazing espresso machines as well as for knocking the pucks out. This product is made of solid steel that can absorb any kind of knocks or shocks from big hands. It has a deep bin for storing more grounds.
3. Dreamfarm Grindenstein
You might already be in love with this product. The black color looks great on any counter. Its thick knock bar gives it an impounding look. The opening is big enough to knock any portafilter. The edge is protected by a thick rubber layer. The core is designed to absorb any strength of shocks. All in all, it’s a great product that goes well in the US as well as in the UK and sells under the same name.
4. Motta Stainless Steel
Motta is a big name for small accessories. They manufacture great coffee tampers as well as some other accessories. But while researching the puck box, they came out with a surprise. This product is very sturdy that will stay with you for life. The strong base can absorb any kind of shock through its solid bar. the bar is also removable to clean up the deep space. Looks professional with any espresso machine!
FAQs
There is nothing to learn about using a Knock Box. There is a metal bar at the center of the box where we have to hit the portafilter with used espresso grounds. One thing of learning is what amount of pressure is to be used to hit the box and once you have it, you’ll optimize that by yourself.
If you are a serious coffee lover, you should already have it. A knock box is a bash-bin to store used coffee grounds by knocking the portafilter over the bar. If you don’t have one, you are at a risk to damage the portafilter.
A coffee knock box is a bin or ‘Bash-bin’ to store the used coffee grounds. It’s different than other common bins because there is a bar to knock off the coffee grounds cake.
Well, for that Breville BES001XL is the perfect fit. It’s also the most sold knock box and is by the brand Breville, which is again a master in making espresso machines.
Wrapping Up
It’s not a necessary or compulsory thing to use a knock box, but it does make things easier for cleaning with little mess. Getting a knock box makes complete sense when you are buying an espresso machine. If you are an engineer at home, then you can also try our espresso knock-box DIY. It can be easily made at home with just a few requirements.
Having separate things for separate tasks makes a less mess and that matters a lot to many. You make an espresso daily, but it’s a strange thing if you still haven’t used a knock box.
