good tamp?

[blue]

ok, I hate the tamp thingy on the grinder in my cafe (Day 3, going well), it doesnt actually fit properly, and its messy, and I know i can buy a hand held one.... but which one and are there things about them I should know?

[>Veneziano]

Re: good tamp?

Well done on starting up! The first week is always the hardest and youll probably come up with a million things that you had never thought of, but rest assured - its the same for everyone!

The most important thing in a cafe environment is to buy a tamper that is ergonomic to use. A tamper with a poor handle can lead to RSI.

We have two favourite tampers, which we stock. The coffeelab design tamper has removable spacer rings to adjust the height of the handle so that it fits you hand comfortably, as well as rubber grips along the handle to cushion your palm. These design elements were part of the reason why the coffeelab tamper won the coffeegeek.com editors choice award, ahead of other tampers such as the custom-made Reg Barbers. In fact, Mark wrote that "[t]his is the BMW or perhaps more appropriate, the Maserati of the tamper world."

The Espro tamper is also engineered with ergonomics and durability in mind. It is particularly useful in a cafe where multiple people make coffee because it gives an indication of when a 30lb tamping pressure is reached, so it eliminates variation in tamping pressure as well as stopping baristi from getting overzealous and potentially hurting themselves over many coffees.

Two tamper options often come up for discussion; convex vs flat and custom-fitted vs standard size. I have done some tests using a bottomless portafilter and I have to say that I havent had any difficulty getting consistent picture perfect pours with any of the options. Convex is much more popular than flat in the commercial environment and on busy shifts it seems to make things a little easier, but thats just my gut instinct.

Hope that helps,

Luca

[>Veneziano]

Re: good tamp?

Teeheeehee ... Im not getting an edit button to fix up that hyperlink, for some reason.

[blue]

Re: good tamp?

its all good, first link has link to other one at bottom of page. thanks... just cruising looking at different models.

[Wushoes]

Re: good tamp?

I use both Coffeelab and Espro...Ive come to prefer the Coffeelab, though it feels imbalanced by the relatively thin neck. For everyday use in a busy bar, the Coffeelab is a godsend...I used to have a generic S/S tamper that didnt have such a good handle...and it was a pain!

[lucinda]

Re: good tamp?

Love the purple coffeelab.

Though I am very happy with my pullman.

[gregpullman]

Re: good tamp?

Hi blue,

The Pullman deluxe tamper (in my avatar) is probably more popular in the domestic market than the commercial market, though there are commercial operations using it and are very happy with it. Im presently working on some prototypes with commercial idiosyncrasies in mind which Im sure youd also be happy with, but they wont be available until later this year, so may be out of your timeframe.

Anyway, you can find more out about the Deluxe tamper at www.coffeetamper.com.au or contact me if you want any further information.

The units Luca recommended are popular tampers too, so good luck with whatever you decide!

Greg

[Wushoes]

Re: good tamp?

Cant wait till those babies come out!

[blue]

Re: good tamp?

happy to road test any for you, lol.
might be good from a newbies perspective?

[blue]

Re: good tamp?

greg, your site says you are moving?

[gregpullman]

Re: good tamp?

Yep Im back in Adelaide now but orders are being processed by my agent in WA. So business as usual!

[Dimal]

Re: good tamp?

So, if JB is 007 then does that make you M or Q Greg :-?

Mal.