Update: I tried to see if I could get it to work without the basket falling out of the portafilter. I realized we were hitting it too hard! A few gentle taps and the puck/grounds come out without the basket coming off. I now believe this is a great design. Easy to empty and clean. Highly recommended and updated to 5 stars.

Original review: We have a small espresso machine, a Breville Bambino Plus, and emptying the portafilter has always been a difficult, messy task. Saw a basket like this at our friend's house, except it was the "traditional" design with a round part across the middle of the bucket. When researching on Amazon, this one seemed like a different design and had high ratings so thought we'd try it.

The bucket is a hard plastic but has a rubber layer on the lip that you knock the portafilter against. Overall, it works well but it is a challenge keeping the basket from falling out of the portafilter. We've developed a process of hitting it, pushing the basket fully in, and trying again. It usually takes 3 or 4 taps to empty the grounds. If you hit it too hard, the basket will wall into the bucket.

Based on our experience, it seems the style of bucket that has the round knocking part across the middle of the bucket would work better, as it would prevent the basket from falling out. Is it enough for us to get rid of this one and replace it? No, it works with the process we have come up with and is so much better then trying to empty it in a trash can or other methods we've tried. If were doing it all over again, I would be the other style over this one. Your experience may vary depending on what type of portafilter/basket system you have.

This knock box was recently rated by Serious Eats as their top choice, and I understand why. The design is entirely different from the usual bar-across-the-bin style, but works exceptionally well. Just give one good rap at the edge of the portafilter near the edge of the knockout platform (for lack of a better term) and the puck will pop right out. It's nice and deep, no splattering of spent grounds, and easier to clean with no bar in the way. It is plastic, but seems sturdy and well made; one nice touch is a rubber-type non-slip ring around the base to keep it from sliding around. Overall, a very satisfactory purchase.

This knock box is wide enough to accept the grinds from the portafilter without sending them all over the counter. It takes me about 2-3 knocks to get the coffee grinds out of the portafilter. The number of knocks depends on how much water remains in the portafilter. Still a learning phase for me. There's room for probably 15 portafilter dumps but I usually clean it out after 4. It's a simple design, well made, and looks good on the counter. I would buy again.

My husband and I couldn't stand knocking pucks into the trash anymore, it felt dirty and was making dents in the bin. We haven't tried the knockboxes with the bar in the middle, that design never made sense to me. This one is designed to do exactly what it's supposed to - knock out pucks in a clean way. It's understated with it's small but perfect size and simple look. I also use it for tea bags instead of hovering my cup of tea near the trash and trying not to drip hot water on the floor while removing the bag. It's a very handy item!

I have had an older style knock box for over a decade. I always had to wipe the counter down after using it. This knock box's high walls and no knock bar work perfectly and do not spatter coffee or grounds on my coffee bar.