Best Espresso Knock Box of 2023

The Coffee Folk is reader-supported. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.

At first glance, a knock box can seem like an unnecessary accessory, just one more piece of coffee gear to clutter up your kitchen. But these funny little boxes are surprisingly useful and worthwhile if you regularly use an espresso machine. In this article, we will cover everything you need to know before buying a knock box and then give our picks for the best espresso knock boxes of 2023.

What Is A Knock Box?

A knock box or ‘bash bin’ is simply a box used to store used espresso pucks after a shot has been pulled. They all have simple, functional designs and are generally made of plastic or stainless steel with a sturdy bar to knock your portafilter on to release the puck. A knock box is a helpful accessory to accompany an espresso machine, making clean up a breeze.

Why Do You Need a Knock Box?

The main reasons you should consider getting a knock box are convenience and cleanliness. A knock box makes clean up a breeze so you can sit back and enjoy that espresso faster! You won’t have to worry about dripping espresso on your floor as you carry your portafilter to the sink or bin. You won’t risk blocking your drain if you are discarding used pucks down the sink or damaging your bin if you are knocking the portafilter on that. A Knock Box is a simple but functional tool that can make life that little bit easier.

Tamping coffee in a portafilter

Best Espresso Knock Box 2023


Grindenstein Knock Box

Dreamfarm Grindenstein

The Gridenstein Knock Box is a popular and attractive option. It is a sturdy knock box made of plastic with a rubber-coated stainless steel bar. It comes in red, black, or silver colors to suit all styles. It is a very durable knock box standing up to years of regular use. In addition to this, it comes in 2 sizes: a compact size that can fit under the group head of most espresso machines and a larger one if you use it frequently. 

  • Dimensions: Small: 4.3 x 4 inches
    Large: 5.3 x 4.9 inches

Pros:

  • Compact
  • Durable
  • Dishwasher safe
  • Rubber-coated bar shock and sound absorber

Cons:

  • Bar not removable

Breville Knock Box

Breville Knock Box

The Breville Knock Box has a larger capacity than the Grindenstein so is perfect for frequent use, or for those who don’t want to empty their knock box very often. It features a brushed stainless steel body that matches the Breville espresso machine aesthetics, for a perfect pairing. The interior of the box, including the bar, is made from plastic. The inside box also lifts out for ease of emptying and cleaning. On the bottom of the knock box is a rubber grip to prevent slipping. The Breville knock box has a sleek design that will pair well with many espresso machines.

  • Dimensions: 6.8 x 7 x 7.2 inches

Pros:

  • Durable
  • Large capacity
  • Good looking stainless steel body
  • Top rack dishwasher safe

Cons:

  • Some report the plastic bar is not as good as a rubber-coated stainless steel one

Breville Knock Box Mini

Breville Knock Box Mini

Similar in design to the Breville Knock Box, the Mini’s main point of difference is its compact size. This compact knock box is made to fit under most espresso machine group heads. Despite the smaller size, the Breville Mini can still hold up to 20 used pucks, which is more than sufficient for most households.

It features a sleek stainless steel body with a removable plastic knock bar and an anti-slip rubber grip on the bottom. This is a well-made, sturdy espresso knock box that stands up to years of use.

  • Dimensions: 4 x 4 x 4.5 inches

Pros:

  • Sturdy
  • Compact 
  • Top rack dishwasher safe
  • Stylish look

Cons:

  • Reports of coffee splattering upon impact
  • Plastic knock bar not as sturdy as stainless steel

Cafelat Tubbi

Cafelat Tubbi Knock Box

The Cafelat Tubbi is named after its simple design, in short, it is a plastic tub with a rubber bar. The knock box is made from tough ABS plastic, with a silicone ring at the bottom to help absorb noise and prevent slipping. The rubber bar is removable making it easy to empty and clean. And speaking of cleaning, thankfully, the Cafelat Tubbi is dishwasher safe. 

The Cafelat knock box has a simple but modern design. It comes in two sizes, both with a large capacity. The 5-inch box holds 10 used pucks, while the 6-inch box holds an impressive 40 pucks. There is also a range of colors to choose from. 

  • Dimensions: 5.4 x 5.2 x 5.5 inches

Pros:

  • Simple design
  • Large capacity
  • 4 colors to choose from
  • Dishwasher safe

Cons:

  • Rubber bar is not all that durable

Joefrex Knock Box Drawer

The Joefrex Drawer Base is a significant step up in price, but it is an attractive solution to disposing of used coffee grounds! The drawer is designed to sit under an espresso machine or coffee grinder, which is ideal when counter space is at a premium. Not only does it slot easily into an espresso setup, but it keeps coffee grounds out of sight. 

The Joefrex Drawer is built from heavy stainless steel, forming a firm base for your grinder or espresso machine. The knock bar is removable and made from silicone-coated aluminum. Under the drawer are solid rubber feet to prevent it from slipping. There is a range of different sizes available, to pair with different-sized coffee grinders and espresso machines. 

Overall, the Joefrex is a high-quality drawer base that will pair perfectly with that gleaming Italian espresso machine. Drawer bases offer a high capacity without cluttering the counter. However, due to the high price tag, they are more commonly seen in commercial environments. 

  • Dimensions: 1.77 x 9.06 x 0.43 inches

Pros:

  • Keeps coffee grounds out of sight
  • Large capacity
  • Solid build

Cons:

  • Expensive

Homee Coffee Knock Box

Homee Coffee Knock Box

The Homee Coffee Knock Box is an affordable and popular choice. Like many of the knock boxes above, it shares the same simple design. The Homee knock box does, however, come in either a square or round shape.

The box itself is made from sturdy ABS plastic, with a removable rubber bar. You can choose to upgrade the rubber bar to a metal one if you want a more durable option. A non-slip rubber pad under the knock box reduces noise and prevents slipping. The knock bar is simple to remove, allowing you to dispose of waste quickly. The Homee knock box also has a compact design to fit under most espresso machines.

 

  • Dimensions: 4.8 x 5 inches

Pros:

  • Affordable
  • Durable construction
  • Compact size

Cons:

  • Bar can bounce out if knocked too hard

Apexstone Knock Box

Apexstone Knock Box

The Apexstone espresso knock box is the most affordable option on the list and while it functions as well as any other box, you do lose out on aesthetic appeal. The Apexstone knock box is basically a stainless steel box with a rubber rod. The box is durable and has a large capacity, however, this does mean sacrificing more counter space. The box has a wide opening, so you won’t spill any grounds. The rubber rod is not removable, which does make emptying and cleaning slightly more difficult. All-in-all though, this is an excellent option if you are looking for an affordable and basic espresso knock box.

  • Dimensions: 8.31 x 6.73 x 4.37  inches

Pros:

  • Made of durable stainless steel
  • Large capacity

Cons:

  • Not as pleasing as other boxes
  • No non-slip rubber on the bottom
  • Large footprint

Rattleware Hardwood Knock Box

Rattleware hardwood knock box

Finally, we have the Rattleware Hardwood Knock box- the Cadillac of knock boxes. Built like a tank, it is designed for heavy-duty use and will last for many years. The knock box insert is made entirely of stainless steel, with a rubber-coated bash bar that is firmly welded in place. The insert sits in a beautiful maple wood box, that will add a touch of elegance to your espresso bar. On the bottom of the box are rubber feet to keep the box securely in place on your benchtop.

The Rattleware knock box has a large capacity and comes in a range of different sizes. The only downside is that it comes with a hefty price tag. Given the high-quality build and large capacity, this espresso knock box could work equally well at home or in a small cafe or office.

  • Dimensions: 6 x 6 x 6 inches

Pros:

  • Solid build
  • Beautiful aesthetics
  • Replaceable cover

Cons:

  • Expensive

The Best Knock Box – The Verdict

We hope this article has given you some more clarity on why to buy a knock box and what to look for in one. Given that they are all very similar in features it really comes down to personal preference. We believe any of the knock boxes on this list will be good-quality purchases. However, the Gridenstein knock box is our personal favorite, with a modern design, solid build and compact footprint.

Types of Knock Boxes

There are three main types of knock boxes; a box or bin, a drawer, or a chute. The box style is the most common for home use, while the other two are typically found in a cafe or office setting which has a far higher turnover.

Box

The box or bin is the most common type of knock box, particularly in a home setting. This is basically a small bin with a bar running across the top to whack the portafilter on. There are a huge variety of options available in different sizes, colors, and designs. The box is the most practical choice for a home barista, it is affordable, compact, and easy to clean.

Drawer

Another option you could go for is a drawer. Drawers are designed to sit under a grinder or espresso machine with the aim of saving space. Given this, they have a sturdy build and a large capacity. They also keep your coffee nook clean and tidy, with any used grounds hidden away out of sight. The downside of a drawer is that they are very expensive. There is a wide range of sizes to cater to popular coffee grinders and espresso machines.

Chute

The final option is an open-bottomed knock chute. This is basically a knock box with an open bottom. It sits on top of a special bin, designed for collecting pucks. An open-bottomed chute is an affordable and practical way of dealing with a high volume of use. We have not included any of these on our list as they are really for a commercial environment and a bit overkill for use at home. But if you do think this kind of knock box would be more suited to your needs the Rattleware and Rhino Coffee Gear chutes are both good options. 

Cafe Knock Box

What To Look For In A Knock Box? 

When it comes to Knock Boxes there is not much variety. They all have very similar designs and function in the same basic way. Even the prices don’t vary that much. Probably the most important things to consider are aesthetic appeal, size, and sturdiness.

  • Aesthetic appeal: This is one of the most important things to consider when buying a Knock Box. As it will be sitting on your bench top all day you want something that will look good and suit your kitchen décor.
  • Size: Consider how often you are going to be using your Knock Box. If it is a lot you will need a larger box so you don’t have to empty it as often. Also, consider how much room you have on your bench. If you are pushed for counter space you might want to opt for a more compact knock box, that could fit beneath the group head on your espresso machine when not in use.
  • Sturdiness: If you are going to invest in a Knock Box you are going to want one that will last and can stand up to being knocked without damaging the bar or portafilter. 

how to reuse Coffee Grinds

Instead of simply chucking your used coffee pucks in the garbage here are a few surprising eco-friendly alternatives:

  • Coffee grounds make a great natural fertilizer for your garden when added to compost. They help to mask the smell and also stabilize the pH level in the compost allowing foods to degrade quicker.
  • Coffee grinds are a natural bug-repellent. You can sprinkle the dry coffee grounds around your house to keep bugs away.
  • Dry coffee grounds can be sprinkled in the bottom of your rubbish bin to stop the odor.
  • Dry coffee grounds can be used to clean hands to remove strong odors such as garlic and onion.

Happy Buying!

Faqs

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *