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  • Tampers 101...

    Hello All,

    Im new to the Dark Arts revealed in this site, so I apologise in advance if this seems a silly question.   :

    I thought Tampers were just a way of leveling out and squashing down the coffee (I assumed this was to get rid of any air pockets and even up the density).  We use a piece of hardwood turned by my husband to fit the basket, and just use an intuitive firm pressure.  

    However, in reading this site I have realised that tampers are taken very seriously indeed (possibly second only to grinders) and that people are prepared to spend what seems a large amount for a very simple tool.

    Could someone please explain the whys & wherefores of Tamper theory?  How/why do different Tampers change the coffee?  And what should I look for when choosing one?

    Cheers - Carrie  

  • #2
    Re: Tampers 101...

    Hi Carrie

    If your husband has turned your wooden tamper to be a near snug fit
    there is nothing wrong with that.
    I would be happy using your tamper.

    Given that your grind is correct for your machine
    The pressure you apply, should be in the ballpark of 15 to 20 kg
    You can use a set of bathroom scales to get the routine down pat

    Post us a picture so we can have a look

    KK

    Comment


    • #3
      Re: Tampers 101...

      Thanks KK

      No... its not snug, apx 10mm less in diameter. We just "bounce" it all over (we DO take care though, and make it as even as humanly possible) :

      -Carrie

      Comment


      • #4
        Re: Tampers 101...

        Hi Carrie, and welcome to CoffeeSnobs.

        Originally posted by CarrieK link=1226715794/0#0 date=1226715794
        Hello All,

        Im new to the Dark Arts revealed in this site, so I apologise in advance if this seems a silly question.   :
        There are no silly questions!

        I thought Tampers were just a way of leveling out and squashing down the coffee (I assumed this was to get rid of any air pockets and even up the density).  We use a piece of hardwood turned by my husband to fit the basket, and just use an intuitive firm pressure.  
        Youve got it in one! Its just that this is not always easy to do, especially with the poor fitting tampers often delivered as standard.

        However, in reading this site I have realised that tampers are taken very seriously indeed (possibly second only to grinders) and that people are prepared to spend what seems a large amount for a very simple tool.
        Yup, I spend a fair bit on my new Pullman Barista (how much did your husbands lathe cost?). Some of that was to get a good fit to the basket, the rest was to get the fancy trimmings like balance, polish, and my favourite colour. I have always enjoyed quality tools.

        Could someone please explain the whys & wherefores of Tamper theory?  How/why do different Tampers change the coffee?  And what should I look for when choosing one?
        Go back to your first statement--if it gets rid of air pockets and evens the density from edge to edge, you are basically finished as far as the task goes. A nicely smoothed top to the puck helps as well, but that can be done with a home-made tamper as well as a professionally produced one.

        The end product is what counts--the coffee in your cup. Enjoy.

        Greg

        Cheers - Carrie  

        Comment


        • #5
          Re: Tampers 101...

          Tell him to make one that is .5 mm smaller than the basket
          It’s the best way to get even pressure to the puck in one easy press


          While he is at it he can make the depth to suit the head space of your machine

          I suggest he looks at the site sponsor / Pullman Tamper web site <<<<<<
          to get an idea of what he should aim for



          KK

          Comment


          • #6
            Re: Tampers 101...

            Hi Greg,

            Im not criticising the price of Tampers, it is just one of the things that has made me realise that they are more important than I had known before. That is why I was asking for advice on what to look for when buying one

            Cheers - Carrie

            Comment


            • #7
              Re: Tampers 101...

              Good advice KK, Thanks

              Comment


              • #8
                Re: Tampers 101...

                We are big on DIY if you have the resources and know-how
                Here is a wooden one I found on the net
                However I don’t like the angled bottom edge



                Another thought does your hubby have metal turning experience
                If so whats to stop him from making one from S/Steel or Brass or Aluminium ??

                KK

                Comment


                • #9
                  Re: Tampers 101...

                  Thanks KK,

                  Yes, metal turning is where hes most experienced (hes a blacksmith) so we were thinking brass or bronze.

                  Cheers - Carrie

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    Re: Tampers 101...

                    Originally posted by CarrieK link=1226715794/0#8 date=1226719765
                    Thanks KK,

                    Yes, metal turning is where hes most experienced (hes a blacksmith) so we were thinking brass or bronze.

                    Cheers - Carrie
                    Ohhh my mouth just started to drool... EVERY where.

                    I was also a Fitter and turner in an earlier life and look to the day where I can have a little lath in the shed :-)

                    Some mates from years ago where blacksmiths and my dad has done some, as required in the bush... Rough by some standards but the needs demanded something... Not least to say that it was some 50 plus years ago and every station had their own forge of sorts... Drays and many other property equipment needed metal work of one kind or another.

                    Now, a raw iron tamp with a special base that was polished (Brass, bronze or the base metal) could look great and could even perform very well.

                    OH... Let me be the first to trial one..... It would bring tears to my old mans eyes.




                    Comment


                    • #11
                      Re: Tampers 101...

                      Originally posted by CarrieK link=1226715794/0#8 date=1226719765
                      Thanks KK,

                      Yes, metal turning is where hes most experienced (hes a blacksmith) so we were thinking brass or bronze.

                      Cheers - Carrie
                      Blacksmith hmmm
                      I see more than tampers for him to make
                      I also see coffee roasters
                      Carrie strike while the iron is hot

                      KK

                      Comment


                      • #12
                        Re: Tampers 101...

                        Originally posted by AngerManagement link=1226715794/0#9 date=1226722394
                        I was also a Fitter and turner in an earlier life and look to the day where I can have a little lath in the shed
                        Ive been eying these on the bay of evil lately.
                        http://www.mini-lathe.com/

                        Comment


                        • #13
                          Re: Tampers 101...

                          Hi Carrie,

                          Yeah the basic principles of tampers are pretty simple and cheap. Whats not so simple and cheap is getting the aesthetics right, making it comfortable and functional for repetitive use and getting the size right! A Vegemite jars never going to win any ergonomics awards, but you might strike it lucky and have one thats just the right size for your basket. But if you dont then you need a lathe to get it to just the right size, and thats where the dollars suddenly start mounting! The tamper youve got, being as small as it is, means you have to stamp all over the coffee, which is very hard to do consistently every time. If the size is just right you only have to do one tamp, which is a lot easier to repeat consistently.

                          Ergonomics is another big thing, and the design of the tamper can affect how easy it is to be consistent with what you do. Something like a Vegemite jar would be pretty hard because youve got nothing positive to grab onto. It would also be a shocker for RSI. Its all these sorts of things that go into making a top quality tamper thats comfortable and easy to be consistent with for the home user, but is also up to the task for high-volume commercial users, wont break, wont rot or swell with moisture and stay looking good. Thats what you pay for.

                          Greg

                          Comment


                          • #14
                            Re: Tampers 101...

                            Originally posted by Greg Pullman link=1226715794/0#12 date=1226737908
                            Hi Carrie,

                            Yeah the basic principles of tampers are pretty simple and cheap. Whats not so simple and cheap is getting the aesthetics right, making it comfortable and functional for repetitive use and getting the size right! A Vegemite jars never going to win any ergonomics awards, but you might strike it lucky and have one thats just the right size for your basket. But if you dont then you need a lathe to get it to just the right size, and thats where the dollars suddenly start mounting! The tamper youve got, being as small as it is, means you have to stamp all over the coffee, which is very hard to do consistently every time. If the size is just right you only have to do one tamp, which is a lot easier to repeat consistently.

                            Ergonomics is another big thing, and the design of the tamper can affect how easy it is to be consistent with what you do. Something like a Vegemite jar would be pretty hard because youve got nothing positive to grab onto. It would also be a shocker for RSI. Its all these sorts of things that go into making a top quality tamper thats comfortable and easy to be consistent with for the home user, but is also up to the task for high-volume commercial users, wont break, wont rot or swell with moisture and stay looking good. Thats what you pay for.

                            Greg
                            ergonomics ...  Umm I was thinking of something along an additional wrought iron  caltrop designed tamper for work;  thus I could leave it out for the sneak users at work  :

                            However, Greg has summed it up and not unlike every thing else with coffee, the actual TAMP can and does have an impact... Either directly or indirectly on the outcome and on the baristr...

                            Comment


                            • #15
                              Re: Tampers 101...

                              I reckon one of the smartest things I ever did (after buying an espresso machine and decent grinder), was to discover Gregs Tampers and buy one. That was years ago and as I followed the upgrade trail (that is pretty common with folk around here :) I have updated my Pullman Tampers along the way. Have quite a collection now but would never think of letting any of them go.... What price a unique piece of art that also functions perfectly 8-)

                              Mal.

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