DSLatte Senior Member Joined: 19 Jul 2005 Posts: 53 Location: Northern California Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Sylvia, DeLonghi Grinder: Rocky, Zass Vac Pot: None Drip: Cheapo Proctor Silex 4 cup Roaster: Fresh Roast Plus 8
Posted Thu Jul 21, 2005, 1:33pm Subject: What is 30 pounds? How to get it every time
I'm new at this, but I've read here that tamping is properly at 30 pounds pressure. Here's an easy way to get exactly 30 pounds every time and see what it's like too.
Get a floor scale that you use for weighing yourself -- not the podium kind, just the flat floor kind.
Clean it up a little so that you are happy about putting it on your kitchen counter.
Rest your portafilter ready to be tamped on the scale and apply the tamper.
Press until you see 30 pounds on the scale.
This is going to be pretty close. I don't think a couple of ounces either way is going to make any difference.
jakethecoffeelover Senior Member Joined: 3 Mar 2005 Posts: 1,036 Location: Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada Expertise: Pro Barista
Espresso: Gaggia Espresso Grinder: Mazzer Super Jolly... Vac Pot: Perhaps in the future... Drip: Insulated Bodum Kenya FP Roaster: Hearthware iRoast
Posted Thu Jul 21, 2005, 1:52pm Subject: Re: What is 30 pounds? How to get it every time
For me, it's pretty easy to do it within a few pounds. I never knew the human body could be so consistent. If I wanted to make every variable concrete, I'd add this to my unbuilt design for an autotamper. Basically, 30 pounds of weight that are placed upon a tamper that is centered by the handle being placed in a level piece of wood with a hole in it for the handle. I don't think I need it any more, however! It's a good way, though. Keep in mind that your portafilter weighs in at about 1lb.
Posted Fri Jul 22, 2005, 9:00am Subject: Re: What is 30 pounds? How to get it every time
They make a tamper that clicks when you hit 30 lbs. I always thought that was a good idea and then I saw one at an online retailer. Maybe Chris Coffee? WLL used to carry them, but they told me they recommended just getting used to a regular one.
Posted Fri Jul 22, 2005, 9:06am Subject: Re: What is 30 pounds? How to get it every time
The scale works good, but if your place is like mine then the wife threw out the scale a long time ago and puts off getting another. Then I try to think of how much force you use to knead bread dough, it's about the same.
Hmmmmm......my daughter weights in at about 40 lbs.
GeorgeA Senior Member Joined: 24 Feb 2003 Posts: 93 Location: Charlotte, NC Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Izzo Alex Duetto II Grinder: Mazzer Mini E Doserless Vac Pot: Hario Deco; Cory Drip: Melior French Press;... Roaster: Not just yet, but leaning
Posted Fri Jul 22, 2005, 5:29pm Subject: Re: What is 30 pounds? How to get it every time
Buy an Espro Tamper from ChrisCoffee or the Clicker from Espresso Parts NW. No guess work then, or wondering if you are close.
malachi Senior Member Joined: 5 May 2002 Posts: 1,761 Location: SFCA Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Monster Mia (for now)_ Grinder: Monster Cimballi Junior Vac Pot: Not any more Drip: never Roaster: Ecco, Stumptown, Intelli,...
Posted Fri Jul 22, 2005, 5:42pm Subject: Re: What is 30 pounds? How to get it every time
Practice.
Oh... you don't need to tamp at 30lbs. This is a common misunderstanding. The general advice to professional baristas is to tamp with at least 30lbs of pressure. The actual amount is not super relevant, what matters is that you are consistent at that pressure. I, for example, tamp at between 45 and 50lbs of pressure.
Posted Fri Jul 22, 2005, 8:37pm Subject: Re: What is 30 pounds? How to get it every time
A group of us took the Tamping pressure challenge, which turned out not to be much of a challenge. Training tools like the Espro or ClickerTamp are worth considering, but practice rounds with a cheap scale are enough to learn consistency. And like Chris (malachi) said, consistency is the name of the game, not the actual pressure. That said, there is something to be said for consistency among the bar staff. For example, when I use the equipment at Counter Culture on Fridays, I can't follow Peter Guiliano (PeterG). He's a gorrilla tamper and any grinder he sets is off limits to me. :-o
FWIW, I think the 30 pound recommendation comes from occupational overuse concerns, not a proven ideal tamp pressure. Can anyone confirm my vague recollection?
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