The most perfectly consistent tamps possible! Excellent for both training and daily use.
Positive Product Points
Provides exact feedback for a 30lb tamp. Very substanial feel for final polish.
Negative Product Points
None
Detailed Commentary
Many people have described tampers like this as being good for training only but I firmly disagree. The consistency of my shots has never been this good - every one is near perfect. I've always tried to minimize the variables in the system, from the roast to the grind, to the tamp and the brew temperature. Since using this tamper each shot has been a thing of beauty.
I was surprised at the heft of this tamper when it arrived from Chris'. It has a heavy rock solid feel. The finish is perfect; with the bottom part highly polished and the top handle a smooth black aluminum. It fits the hand very well.
Pressing the tamper down on to the coffee in the portafilter will result in a soft but definitely solid "click" to let you know you've reached 30 lbs pressure. Give the coffee a polishing twist and you're done.
There is a small piston inside that gives the feedback "click". There is nothing to adjust or maintain inside the tamper. It just wipes clean.
With regular tampers there really is no way to know when you're at 30 pounds (and pressing on a bathroom scale is not very easy!) I was able to train two espresso "newbies" to tamp and each of their shots was right on from the beginning.. The Ergo-Tamper is an excellent tamper, but I was never able to get the consistently gorgeous shots I'm getting now.
Buying Experience
What more can you say about ordering from Chris? Outstanding customer service and communication each time, no matter how small or how large the order.
