u/Magnasimia

Got an IMS 18g basket after reading a lot of recommendations to upgrade to this or the VST basket from the stock basket.

I will say the IMS has treated me nicely, but I have two gripes.

1. It doesn't stay as snug in the portafilter and sometimes flies out when I'm trying to knock out the puck
2. I have a magnetic dosing funnel which works great with the stock basket, but does not like to stay in place on the IMS. Reading up some more sounds like the IMS is not magnetic.

As I was fiddling around I finally gave a closer look and the holes on both look the same to me. I am wondering if this is me being naive about the difference between the two, or if the stock basket is perfectly fine (in which case I'm tempted to switch back or else get a VST).

Some additional notes: this is the model GCP I bought. And I just rinsed the IMS with Cafiza which is why it might look a little powdery in the third photo.

I really like the setup I have on the upper counter area (second pic). I much prefer the height for seeing what I'm doing, it avoids blocking the disposal switch, and it frees up counter space for everything else (my kitchen is pretty small).

The only struggle is it's a reach - I have to really stretch to steam milk, and it's practically unreachable for my friends who are shorter.

I really want to add a shelf or platform of some kind so I can move everything further towards me, while still leaving the counter below free. I've been browsing Amazon for counter shelves but most of them are very shallow, ie I am not confident the Gaggia will fit on top.

Does anyone with a similar situation have a recommendation or solution that worked for them? The height of the upper area is 5.5" above the main counter.