Follow up after my first session with the new Brew Gasket, Shower Screen and Basket:
First, the
Cafelat Silicone Group Gasket is really nice. I'm not gonna pretend this is doing anything ANY gasket can do... but I like the feel when I seat the filter and tighten it into place. For lack of a better description, there is a spongy-esque glide as I lock the filter in place. Other than that... it doesn't leak. Job done. Beyond that, the Silicone shouldn't break down the way rubber can.
Would I recommend? Yes.
OK...
IMS Competition Shower Screen (57mm) I have is presumably the Integrated Membrane version. (No real distinction made on packaging, but there is not a two-layer build like my OEM screen.)
All I can say is that it does appear to distribute water more evenly when running without the filter on. Of everything, the machine
sounds different which I found surprising.
And... the Baristapro Nanotech Series 22g Ridgeless Basket:
Side by side with my 21g basket (allegedly from Rancillio) you likely wouldn't notice any difference, visually. When I had them sitting side by side on my kitchen table, I did notice the Baristapro was completely flat on the bottom and the Rancillio was slightly uneven and rocked a bit.
Both products are very nice, no burrs or rough edges. They installed as one would expect and perform at least as good as what they replaced.
Pulling shots:
Most notable as I went through four shots (first was sacrificial) I had to make my grind a little more coarse than usual. (Temp and humidity are pretty much the same between yesterday and today.)
Overall, I can't say I noticed anything magical in the way my shots looked as they were extracting. However, the shots did seem to taste more rich as if more oils were emulsified into the extraction. I've always had good Crema with my shots so I can't even point to that as a distinction.
Beyond that, its difficult to say anything for certain as I am also trying really hard not to fall prey to expectation bias or anything.
As far as using these products, they are nice and behave well. Are they an Upgrade? *shrugs Perhaps just a tune-up?
Are they worth experimenting with if anybody is so inclined? Yes.
All three items cost me a bit under $54.00 before tax. Shipping was free.