You’ve bought yourself a beautiful new Sage espresso machine. After using it a few times, you realize you’re still missing some essential Sage accessories. But where do you start?
In this blog, we’ll show you the 8 accessories you need to get the most out of your Sage machine, and tell you which size is the right one for your Sage.
Our Top 8 Sage Accessories
- Tamper Mat
- Dosing Ring or Dosing Cup
- Coffee Scale
- Tamper
- Coffee Distributor
- Puck Screen
- Naked Portafilter
- Milk Frothing Jug
Want to know which tools are suitable for your specific Sage coffee machine? Then check out our Sage machine overview.
1. Sage Tamper Mat
When making espresso, everything revolves around precision and consistency. A common problem while tamping is that the portafilter slips, which results in uneven extraction. This is where a tamper mat comes in.
The tamper mat is specially designed to solve this problem. Thanks to its non-slip material, your portafilter stays stable, allowing you to tamp with even pressure. This not only ensures better extraction but also protects your countertop and tools from damage. Plus, the raised edges catch spilled coffee, keeping your workspace clean.
Whether you have a thin or thick countertop, the Sage tamper mat (and the corner variant) guarantees a stable tamping experience. Invest in this tool and take your espresso skills to the next level.
2. Sage Dosing Ring or Dosing Cup
A regular dosing ring or dosing cup doesn’t fit under the built-in grinder of your Sage, and it won’t let you start the grinder either. The specially designed wings of our Sage dosing ring and dosing cup fit perfectly into your machine’s built-in grinder. The dosing ring design even includes an activation tab that triggers the grinder.
They are made from aluminum, making the dosing ring lightweight and easy to use.
Important note: Make sure you choose the right size for your machine’s portafilter.
3. Coffee Scale
Want to make café-quality espresso at home? With a Sage and a good coffee scale, you can.
Brewing a great espresso is all about the right ratio of ground coffee to liquid espresso. A coffee scale lets you measure exactly how much ground coffee you use, how much espresso you extract, and how long it takes. A good starting point is 19 grams in, 38 grams out, in 25 to 30 seconds.
With a coffee scale, you gain full control over these variables and can adjust your grind size accordingly: if the shot runs too fast, grind finer; if it’s too slow, grind coarser.
Keep in mind, always use freshly roasted coffee beans for the best results, older beans will affect your ratios.
If you’re looking for a reliable coffee scale, our model with a built-in timer is an excellent choice. Be sure to check out the reviews from our many satisfied (home) baristas.
4. Tamper for Sage
Your tamper is an essential part of making a great espresso, but tamping is also a skill that usually takes time and practice.
When using the stock Sage tamper, consistent tamping is difficult. A solid tamper with the right weight and balance makes all the difference. Our 53.3 mm tampers are precisely made to fit your (54 mm) Sage espresso machine.
5. Coffee Distributor
The importance of properly distributing coffee in your portafilter is often underestimated. When coffee falls into the portafilter and you tamp it right away without distribution, you create channeling.
Channeling happens when water under pressure seeks out weak spots in the coffee puck and flows through them into your cup. The result is a watery espresso with poor flavor due to uneven extraction.
Our advice: before tamping, use a coffee distributor for Sage to ensure your coffee is evenly spread. This creates a consistent puck, allowing water to flow evenly through it, helping you get the most out of every shot.
Interested in both the palm tamper and the coffee distributor? Then check out our combo tool!
6. Puck Screen for Sage
A simple but highly effective Sage accessory is the puck screen. The Barista-Essentials puck screen ensures that water from your Sage flows through the coffee puck with even pressure and distribution. This not only improves the flavour of your espresso but also keeps your brew group clean.
Place the puck screen in your portafilter after distributing and tamping, pull your shot, and rinse the puck screen after use. You’ll notice that your used coffee puck comes out nicely compact from your portafilter or naked portafilter when using a puck screen.
Our Barista-Essentials puck screen is precision-made from stainless steel for optimal water distribution without affecting the flavor of your espresso. It is available in exact sizes for your Sage espresso machine, 53.3 mm or 58.5 mm.
7. Sage Naked Portafilter
In addition to our double-spout portafilters, we also offer bottomless portafilters for Sage. While the double-spout version has its advantages (such as splitting a double espresso into two cups), it lacks the ability to fully examine the quality of your extraction.
A naked portafilter (also known as a bottomless portafilter) for Sage is exactly what it sounds like: a portafilter with the bottom removed. The extraction process itself is the same as with a regular portafilter, but with the bottomless version you can watch the entire extraction from underneath.
Besides offering an impressive view, the naked portafilter also serves an important purpose. By being able to see the extraction, you can diagnose issues such as channeling, which often causes a lot of spraying. Based on these insights, you can adjust your technique and improve your espresso.
8. Milk Frothing Jug for Sage
For home baristas with a Sage espresso machine, pouring an elegant tulip into your coffee is a wonderful addition to your morning routine. But what actually makes a good milk frothing jug for Sage?
The most important factor to consider when choosing a milk frothing jug is its width. You’ll want a Sage milk frothing jug wide enough to create a whirlpool effect when steaming milk. This whirlpool breaks down larger bubbles and creates silky microfoam.
We’ve selected a range of high-quality stainless steel barista milk frothing jugs to help take your latte art skills to the next level. For the best value, you can also choose our milk frothing jug set!
Bonus! 9. Sage Knock Box or Knock Drawer
After pulling a great shot of espresso from your Sage machine, you’ll need somewhere to dispose of the used coffee grounds. That’s exactly what a Sage knock box or knock box drawer is for.
Since knock drawers in cafés are designed for large volumes, they’re often not practical for home use. That’s why we developed a compact knock drawer, made especially for home baristas. Thanks to its size, it fits neatly into any kitchen or workspace.
For a smaller budget, we also offer the Sage knock box. It’s a practical and affordable solution. The knock bar is covered with rubber to protect your portafilter from damage, while the rubber base keeps the box stable during use.
