i just received my new redgum greg pullman tamper- what a change it's made after the $25 convex based one!

i'd had trouble tamping into the outer edge of the basket- now with the new custom fit one it's a simple level, tap of cleat and then tamp and twist

i found that there is more crema, and the flavour of espresso from the 14 g ridgeless basket is almost the same as that of the 18 g basket used with the old tamper

you could say i'm seriously impressed! custom quality at factory prices

brett

We've just got our own Pullman tamper in Houn pine. What a machine, saw the rave on CS and thought I'd give it a go.

It fits the 49 mm basket of the PRESSO just fine! It's only a whisker too small for the Atomic, I'll have to get a separate one for that machine....oh well. Such is life!

Good to know, spare baskets for the Veneziano should be delivered by Friday and will be in the post to Greg by Monday. I have NEVER heard so much positive feedback about a product or business in my life. I can't wait to experience it for myself.

Bart.

Bart wrote on Aug 12^th, 2006, 8:03pm:


Bart,
I had several emails from Greg. Informing me of the staus of my order and giving patient advice on my requirements. A lesser man would have bitten my neophitic backside.
He shipped fast, he did what he said he would and the tamper rocks!!!!!

I'd previously played around the pullman and reg barber with 3 different bases (flat, US convex, and Euro convex) and found the US convex reg barber gave me the best results.  I thought it may have something to do with the shape of the shower screen matching the convex angle of the tamper.
I pulled out the pullman tamper over the weekend to give it another try.  I was surprised by the quality of shots such that it has now become my tamper of choice.  Almost every shot since Saturday morning has been drinkable; some the best I have made - gooey, thick, and dark.

The craftmanship of the pullman is fantastic and it feels great in the hand.

I'm hoping to order a Pullman tamper soon ... a few questions, though, to the people who already have one:

Is it really important to post the baskets to Greg for him to match the size?

Also, what happens if you end up getting some different baskets for your machine? E.g. I noticed on another thread that some people recommend getting an 18g basket (Marzocco part no. 700757) for the Silvia ... would this mean I would need a different size tamper? Is there one size of tamper that would fit the standard silvia single and double baskets, and a bigger, 18g basket?

Hmm ... it's all a bit confusing. Any pointers, please?

I've just ordered one from Greg and as I live in Adelaide will pick it up from him personally tomorrow (or should I say later on today) - now that I'm finally getting good coffee from the Rocky+Bott I'm interested in coffee again.

Ed Francis wrote on Aug 17^th, 2006, 10:23pm:


As has been mentioned by 2muchcoffeeman, the LM basket with part number 700757 will not fit the Silvia group handle. I just ordered the LM basket with part number 300013. It will fit the handle and even though it says 14g it will fit much more than the Silvia 14g basket. I've never actually weighed the coffee I can fit into mine, but I have heard other people say they can get around 18-19g into it.

And regarding the pullman with different baskets, I have used a pullman on both the standard Silvia basket and the LM and it fits both perfectly. I'd say they are extremely similar in size.

I picked up a Pullman tamper yesterday. I live in Adelaide, so arranged local pickup and thus got to meet Greg in person - a great guy and passionate about what he's doing. It's times like this that you realise just how good we can do things in Australia. The craftsmanship and design of the tamper is awesome. At Greg's advice, I took along my baskets and the tamper was a perfect fit.

I resisted the temptation to make a coffee at 9:30 when I got home last night, but the 3 I've made so far today have been fantastic. I've just got the Rocky/Botticelli combo working well and the PT has been the final step in getting closer to perfection.

It feels like the tamping effort is reduced,because the PT distributes your force more evenly. No little ring of untamped grinds around the edge of the basket. Just a perfect puck.

I'm able to make adjustments to the grind and know that this is the only factor I've changed (within obvious limits).

Overall I get substantially better tamping than the $20 generic aluminium one Rio gave me when I bought the machine. This would have to be a must-have for anyone who's serious about coffee.

Dave.

It's always safest to send them in, but some machines are known to be more consistent in their basket sizes than others. In these cases there's a greater chance it will fit without you having to send your baskets in. Which machines are reliable and not is information most don't have access to, so as Lachlan did, send a quick email to check it up first.

CoffeePrince wrote on Aug 25^th, 2006, 5:22pm:


I dunno Presso - someone would have to 'tamper' with the ratings system      

fatboy wrote on Aug 25^th, 2006, 6:42pm:


Yeah.  Hey Mal, how do I do that "toppie" thing ;P

It's in the smilies.

I am keen to get a decent tamper, and Greg Pullman's look excellent and great value. However my Simonelli Oscar comes with a convex shaped filter in the shower head - I think it's called a 'European profile'. As Greg's tampers are all flat, will this cause a problem?

Allen

In an act of incredible selflessness, I have bought a Pullman Tamper for a friend before I have bought one for me.   In an act of jealous torture I received it today and had to have a quick look.....mmmmm it is a work of art.

So I can only agree with everything everyone has ever said about how great they are. I'm sure it would make a fantastic coffee, actually, i'm sure it would fit really snugly into my Brewtus basket. I'm sure I could probably wipe off the coffee grounds afterward and it would look brand new  

I'm really sure I want one bad!!!

Thanks Telemaster. I did asked Greg and he said he was sure it would work, I just wanted to have confirmation from someone who actually used a flat tamper with a  convex shower screen. I have a convex tamper but it is a few mm smaller in diam. than the basket, and the edges of the coffee never get tamped flat with an even pressure.  So I'll probably settle for a Pullman unless someone convinces me that one of those tampers that click when you reach 14kgs provides a more consistent tamp. Anyone any thoughts? I'll have to steel myself to do without the filter for a week when I send it to Greg---and that will HURT!

Allen wrote on Sep 2^nd, 2006, 10:05pm:


My review of Greg's tamper

My review of the Espro



My tampers are lined up Espro, Coffeelab, Pullman.  I find the espro to be quite comfortable, but this might just be because I have small hands.  I think that anyone's tamp pressure drifts a little bit and using the espro eliminates that variable, which saves you from trying to compensate for other variables.  That said, it's not like you can't pull fantastic shots without one!  Like I said, I mainly use the espro because I find it comfortable, but it is nice to eliminate a variable, particularly when I change blends a lot.  I use the coffeelab tamper a fair bit, too.  Thanks to the adjustable handle, it fits my hand well and seems to give a bit more feedback than other tampers.  The Pullman tamper is the least comfortable and sits in the back, but the major reason why I don't use it is that I had the base made to fit a basket that I no longer use.  The fantastic thing about Greg is that he listens to every suggestion and criticism made.  As a result, he has added the now iconic guide lines and the chamfered edge.  And you'd better believe that he is testing some interesting prototypes.

Cheers,

Luca

Well now I'm confused again.      Perhaps I'll just have to spend up big and buy both!  But I have a feeling that a proper fit in the basket may be more important than a bit of variation in the tamp pressure. I seem to be getting that under control now, but I need to deal with the uncompacted circumference. Thanks for the help Luca.

Quote:


Thanks, Brett.  The Peppina is awesome; so easy to nail the brew temperature.  The kettle is just an element in water, then there's the lever to move the water.  You turn the element on until the water boils, then, with the lid off, the temperature drops about 0.1c/second, so you can tweak the brew temperature relatively easily.  Of course, this is much easier with a thermometer or thermocouple jammed in the kettle, near the inlet, so I'll have to shop for a new one soon.  Holding the lever down seems to allow preinfusion at gravity pressure.  Although this sounds cool, I kinda doubt that it really soaks into the puck.  But you can help the spring along to increase pressure, or slow the lever's travel to decrease pressure, so there is an enormous amount of flexibility.  The shower screen is just a piece of metal, but, like the stainless dispersion block on the synesso, it wipes completely free of oils.  So the machine really does allow an inordinate amount of control.  If you brew at too low a temperature, you end up with something that looks like espresso, but tastes like french press.  If you get it right, you get wonderfully clean and clear flavours - perfect for single origins and much clearer than the silvia.  The brew pressure drops off towards the tail end of the pour, so I help the lever along at the end to continue getting rich mouthfeel as opposed to watery dreck.  The double filter seems to hold about ... uhh ... 8 or 10g, at a guess, so that's more or less right for a single.  Not a machine for everyone, nor the best machine ever, but certainly great fun!

Quote:


Hey Mal, if you find your existing handles comfortable, I'm sure that Greg would be happy to just machine you a base.

Cheers,

Luca

I'll be ordering one very soon...I can't wait to ditch the poor excuse for a tamper I currently own!

... if only it was that quick and easy!  

Ordered mine today!!!

I got mine today!! I've pulled a few shots and I love it. Now I just need to work on my technique. They really are so much nicer in the flesh.

Greg, good job!

Baristacrat wrote on Sep 22^nd, 2006, 7:52am:


Congrats Baristacrat! Sounds like all is great down in Tassie coffee heaven!

Hope you have a great day...

Chris

G'day All,

Just got my new Pullman Tamper for the Bezzera. As always (this is my third GP Tamper ), the finished article is peerless in quality of workmanship and a beauty to behold.... and use. Thought I would splash a photo of my new little beast for all to enjoy. That handle by the way, has already seen more than 12 months of hard work with the Mokita.... just seems to improve with age the longer I use it. Tough as nails and beauty to last the ages, definitely not too good to use

Cheers,
Mal.