Kelpburger Senior Member Joined: 6 May 2004 Posts: 163 Location: Ramstein Germany/USA Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: EMC Giotto!! Grinder: Mazzer Mini Electronic-B!!
Posted Sat Jul 23, 2005, 4:27pm Subject: Tampers: Just a big hunk of metal right?
I admit it. I have a bit of an obession with tampers for some reason. I own several high priced ones and research and read about them far too much.
It just a big hunk of metal with a handle though!
Many times I read posts here telling people they need to get a nice tamper to make better espresso. Correct me if i'm wrong but you can get the same quality (and consistant) shot tamping with the plastic tamper that came with your machine that you can get with a $40+ Reg Barber tamper.
Ok, maybe if you are a Pro Barista pulling shot after shot all day you could justify an expensive tamper to help reduce wrist and hand fatigue. For most of us who only make a few shots a day I think it's far from a nessessity.
Personally I just like the looks of them sitting on the top of my machine and the weight feels better than the flimsy plastic. I don't think using them makes my tamps straighter, better, or more consistant.
Admit it now. It's a status thing just like those $100+ Illy espresso sitting on your shelf.
Teme Moderator Joined: 7 Jan 2005 Posts: 1,221 Location: Finland Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Izzo Alex Duetto II Grinder: Mahlkönig K30 Vario
Posted Sat Jul 23, 2005, 4:43pm Subject: Re: Tampers: Just a big hunk of metal right?
In my opinion, you can theoretically get the right results with any tamper as long as it is a good fit to your filter basket. No matter how much you pay for it or what it looks like. The problem is that I have not seen cheap tampers that match this criteria.
But to be honest, having a nice looking tamper that feels good can be pleasant in its own right...
Clark Senior Member Joined: 5 Apr 2004 Posts: 345 Location: Ottawa, ON Expertise: Professional
Espresso: Synesso Grinder: Robur-e/Anfim
Posted Sat Jul 23, 2005, 4:49pm Subject: Re: Tampers: Just a big hunk of metal right?
I'd have to agree with you. For someone working as a pro barista it's very important to have a comfortable and durable tamper, and one that looks great adds a lot to the impression of professionalism. However, for someone pulling shots at home once or twice a day the little plastic tamper should do just fine. As long as it's the right size and you can grip it properly to get an even tamp while applying sufficient pressure you're ok.
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 Sat Jul 23, 2005, 5:05pm Subject: Re: Tampers: Just a big hunk of metal right?
I think I have the authority to say that one can get very nice shots using the little plastic doo-dad. It just requires about 10 seconds extra time between grinding and brewing and PLENTY of practice. Here's an example of a pour I got using the plastic tamper which was about 1cm too small in diameter. The Reg Barber I borrowed from the Elysian Room is much easier and nicer, though. I preheat it on top of my machine so it's closer to brew temp!
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 Sat Jul 23, 2005, 5:09pm Subject: Re: Tampers: Just a big hunk of metal right?
This was even enough... It gave me a better shot than I have yet to have using the Reg Barber with Hines (partially due to my practice with brewing temps using the home blend used to make this shot vs. my 1 pound of experience using Hines).
Now that I'm done partially hijacking this thread with naked pulls, I'm gonna post in the "Look Out JonR!!!" thread with my newer pictures using the Reg Barber!
dolcimelo Senior Member Joined: 15 Jan 2005 Posts: 139 Location: Nagano, Japan Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Elektra SXCD, Aero Press,... Grinder: Mazzer Mini Vac Pot: Cona B Drip: Not since getting the tap... Roaster: iRoast2
Posted Sat Jul 23, 2005, 10:19pm Subject: Re: Tampers: Just a big hunk of metal right?
Jake, Great pics! You are absolutely right when you say you can get a great pour with a plastic tamper - you can get a great pour with no tamper. What you can't get is the type of tamp necessary with up-dosing techniques like Paul Bassett uses, or any hard-tamp technique. It is just physically impossible to pack the coffee the same way with the stock plastic tamper. And I say that as no fan of grunt tamping per say, but a hard tamp is unavoidable with some techniques, and a preference of many on these forums. That said, I still enjoy no-tamp draws as well as up-dosed press-the-crap-out-of-it draws.
Audrius Senior Member Joined: 27 Apr 2005 Posts: 35 Location: Virginia Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Arte Di Pocinno Lever;... Grinder: Solis Maestro Plus;... Drip: Bodum Press Pots; Krups Moka...
Posted Sun Jul 24, 2005, 5:44am Subject: Re: Tampers: Just a big hunk of metal right?
For those concerned with cost, I've found that some small circular meat pounders can work fine and usually cost only $5 - $10. But none will ever fit your portafilter just right, so you end up traveling to the four "corners" to finish a tamp. This makes it harder to get consistent tamps, especially for us home e-drinkers. (And your guests probably will wonder if you also used it to make their veal scaloppini). So unless you're truly in a cash bind, might as well spring for tamper made to fit your portafilter. The plastic can work ok, but it's such a pain over the long haul, and your machine will outlast it anyway.
Matt - I had never tried a no-tamp pour and just did (ground it a tad finer and just leveled and pressed a bit w/the heal of my hand). Very mellow - a nice second cup for a change of pace.
dolcimelo Senior Member Joined: 15 Jan 2005 Posts: 139 Location: Nagano, Japan Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Elektra SXCD, Aero Press,... Grinder: Mazzer Mini Vac Pot: Cona B Drip: Not since getting the tap... Roaster: iRoast2
Posted Sun Jul 24, 2005, 6:11am Subject: Re: Tampers: Just a big hunk of metal right?
Audrius Said:
Matt - I had never tried a no-tamp pour and just did (ground it a tad finer and just leveled and pressed a bit w/the heal of my hand). Very mellow - a nice second cup for a change of pace.
Glad you found something a bit different. I'm not saying this is how to make coffee (I try all sorts of things just for the hell of it), but you can be surprised. Next time, try grinding a bit finer still and just level without any tamping at all. The screen will press into the top and I suppose you'll get tons of channelling, but you can still get great pulls this way. You may like to see how short (in volume) you can get. Also, try just using your fingers, including as you dose, to increase the dose and keep the distribution even. You can pack pretty well with your fingers.
Posted Sun Jul 24, 2005, 6:48am Subject: Re: Tampers: Just a big hunk of metal right?
I have to have two tampers, one for the La Pavoni (51mm) and one for the Anite (58mm). I have used lightweight aluminum and plastic tampers before with out results. However, I always feel the plastic one is going to snap if I happend to have my hand at the wrong angle.
The heavy metal tampers just feel better, give a better polish (the twist after the tamp). I also leave the 58mm one in the fliter basket as I snap the basket into the PF...keeps the coffee from loosening up - I just give it one last little press before locking in. (Has anyone else noticed this happening when the basket snaps into the PF versus just sitting in there?)
In the end, the correct fit is what does the job - one exertion of equal pressure across a flat surface, equal in diamter to the basket, to produce an even, flat, compacted puck. If youhave to move it, you will get ridges and valleys - even if you can't see them.
I've posted about tamper fit in a couple of other threads...the tamper should fit snugly into the basket - like a round into a breech or (for folks not famliar with breeches, rounds, etc.) like a not-moving drill bit into the hole just drilled in a plank: you can insert the bit and it moves smoothly through, but does not shift side-to-side.
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