FAQ & Troubleshooting

If you are a dealer or reseller, please visit our Dealer Section for wholesale information and authorized distributor contacts. If you are a home user, you can contact us directly at assistance@imsfiltri.com.

IMS filters are compatible with almost all existing espresso machines, including the most common standard sizes. For detailed compatibility information and guidance on selecting the right tool for your machine, please check our Compatibility Guide.

Yes. IMS products are designed and manufactured in Italy. All the main stages – from design and development to production – are carried out internally at our facilities, using high-quality materials and advanced manufacturing processes. This approach allows us to maintain direct control over quality, ensure high production standards, and deliver the performance that IMS products are known for in the espresso coffee world.

Yes, IMS filters work with all coffee types. The design ensures uniform extraction, preserving the flavor profile of any blend or origin. For each filter in our catalog, we also provide a table with recommended recipes and roasting profiles (Dark, Medium, Light), so you can achieve the best espresso results every time.

IMS filters are designed with precision-engineered, patented holes and a superior surface finish, which ensures even water distribution and uniform extraction. This patented hole pattern reduces channeling, maximizes coffee flavor, and guarantees consistent espresso shots every time. Unlike standard baskets, IMS filters and showers are crafted to deliver exceptional crema, full-bodied taste, and optimal performance for both home enthusiasts and professional baristas.

IMS filters are made from different types of high-quality stainless steel, chosen depending on the product type:

• 301 Stainless Steel: Used for reinforced discs, like those in E&B Lab shower screens, puck screens, and all-in-one systems. The membranes are made from raw 301 steel.
• 304 Stainless Steel: Used for all standard filters, competition shower bodies, all-in-one bodies, and Big Bang models.
• 316 Stainless Steel: Used in most IM competition shower screens, alongside 301 steel in some cases.
• 430 Stainless Steel: We don’t produce competition filters in 430. Only standard mesh shower screens use it, where the mesh itself is 304, while the body is 430.

This variety of materials ensures durability, corrosion resistance, and precise espresso extraction across all IMS products.

Usually not. However, sometimes different washing processes or slight variations in the steel batch can cause some baskets to be magnetic. Steel can become partially magnetic due to work hardening during molding, which creates body-centered pseudomartensitic structures that are magnetic. Additionally, the mold can sometimes leave tiny ferromagnetic residues on the piece.

Yes! IMS offers filters specifically designed for single-dose espresso machines (1 Cup). For full compatibility details and models, please check our Compatibility Page.

For the perfect moka coffee, we recommend following our dedicated recipe page or watching our step-by-step video guide. Our patented 0.2mm filters ensure balanced flavor, rich aroma, and optimal extraction every time.

After each use, rinse your moka filter with hot water, avoiding abrasive materials. Periodically, perform a deep clean using coffee-specific detergent and ensure all holes are free from residue. Proper cleaning maintains consistent flavor, prevents clogging, and extends the life of your filter.

Not all Moka filters are universal. Check the specific sizes on the dedicated Moka page to find the right filter for your specific Moka pot brand and cup size.

Possible causes: Grind size is too fine, or the dose is too high for the filter's capacity.

Possible causes: Uneven puck distribution, tamping not level, inconsistent grind size, or excessive fine particles.

Possible causes: Grind size is too coarse.

Best Cleaning Practice: Rinse your IMS tools with hot water after each use and perform a deep clean with coffee-specific detergent regularly. Avoid abrasive sponges or harsh chemicals that could damage the surface.

If cleaning becomes difficult: This is usually due to a lack of regular maintenance, hard water usage, or insufficient backflushing.

Possible causes: Shower screen not perfectly centered during installation, deformation of the shower holder/group head, a worn group gasket, or poor cleaning maintenance.

Possible causes: Improved initial water distribution and more even puck saturation.

Possible causes: Grind size not optimized, your puck preparation is already very good, or machine system limitations.

The coffee itself does not change — the extraction precision changes. IMS components drastically reduce extraction defects (like micro-channeling or under-extracted zones), making the flavor profile cleaner, brighter, and much more defined. You are tasting the true potential of your roasted coffee.

Standard commercial filters are often forgiving but inconsistent. IMS high-precision components reduce tolerance for preparation errors. This greatly increases the potential for a perfect shot and extreme repeatability, but it requires greater attention during puck preparation (distribution and tamping).

General Principle: IMS components are designed to maximize flow precision. Because of this, they tend to make variables related to grinding, distribution, and espresso system maintenance much more noticeable. In most cases, any perceived "defect" is not an issue with the component, but rather an increased system sensitivity to non-optimal extraction parameters.