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  • Re: Should I Buy a Pullman Tamper?

    I bought a $12 popper, and it sort of worked - I used it twice and realized that there must be a better way, so I invested heavily in a turbo oven and a flower pot and a few bits and pieces from my useful box - result was an even roast - yippee I have saved hundreds - all I need to do now is spend heaps on a tamper to get the perfect cup - I dont think so - How can an expensive tamper make so much difference???????

    This is a genuine question - I have looked at people raving about Pullman - but the tamper provided with My Breville Fresca does the job, and the combination of freshly roasted beans with my new machine provides me with the best coffee that I have ever tasted - I just cant imagine that a device to pack the grind down at great expense could make one iota of difference. Ridiculously priced tampers look like a bit of a w*nk to me - they may be a work of art but as for improving your coffee I am yet to be convinced!

    Over to you pullman owners - convince me that what you have spent makes any difference to the taste!

  • #2
    Re: Should I Buy a Pullman Tamper?

    Originally posted by 092E3F2C3F126E625A0 link=1299019276/2#2 date=1299062927
    Over to you pullman owners - convince me that what you have spent makes any difference to the taste!
    Because the Pullman fits better than a standard tamper theres less work to do to get an even tamp all the way to the edge of the basket.
    If you dont tamp to the edge the risk of channelling down the sides of the basket is greatly increased.
    Channelling will lead to faster blonding.
    Blonding leads to bad tasting coffee.

    Comment


    • #3
      Re: Should I Buy a Pullman Tamper?

      As per TG. 8-) When I brought mine I showed my brother and he called it "coffee jewelery" if that is w**k so be it. I too questioned the $s as you are but quality costs, and compared to your potential machinery costs and you should have a Pullman for life it is reasonable. Does it improve the taste in the cup? possibly not but it does make getting a good/great result easier & more consistent. Ultimately it is your decision but you will be very hard pressed to find bad remarks about Gregs product.

      Steve

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      • #4
        Re: Should I Buy a Pullman Tamper?

        There are probably quite a lot of features about the Pullman Tampers regarding balance etc that make a huge difference to a professional barista making coffees all day, but less so to the home coffee maker on domestic equipment, making 1 to 3 coffees a day.

        You sound very happy with what you are currently providing, and you have probably nailed the most important one - freshly ground coffee, so changing tampers will not have the same dramatic impact. So from a pragmatic and practical perspective, it is best not to try persuade you towards a Pullman Tamper. However many of us Coffeesnobs are beyond pragmatic and practical, and coffee and the equipment is a passion.

        What I might say is that if you start to get tempted by upgrade-itis, and start purchasing and using higher end equipment, then upgrading the tamper may become an option.

        I use a Pullman tamper, besides some of the aspects TG mentioned, I find it much easier to use and get a consistent tamp. I also found the cheaper ones got dents and nicks in them, (from my own mis-handling), which scored the surface of the coffee leading to channeling etc. But an option could have been replacing it with cheaper ones more often. So there is certain element of bling as well  [smiley=wink.gif].

        GrahamK

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        • #5
          Re: Should I Buy a Pullman Tamper?

          It may or may not improve the overall quality in the cup but I never purchased a Pullman for this reason.

          Firstly, I like the fact that the tamper was custom made for my equipment (and this probably does improve the overall result in the cup). The size fits perfectly with my basket and I had some imput into the choice of timber used. It is beautiful, I gain almost as much pleasure from looking at it as I do using it.

          Some will see the value and others will not.

          Comment


          • #6
            Re: Should I Buy a Pullman Tamper?

            Originally posted by 57627178717D5B100 link=1299019276/3#3 date=1299106855
            I use a Pullman tamper, besides some of the aspects TG mentioned, I find it much easier to use and get a consistent tamp. I also found the cheaper ones got dents and nicks in them, (from my own mis-handling), which scored the surface of the coffee leading to channeling etc. But an option could have been replacing it with cheaper ones more often. So there is certain element of bling as well 
            Originally posted by 737A642120100 link=1299019276/4#4 date=1299109633
            It may or may not improve the overall quality in the cup but I never purchased a Pullman for this reason.

            Firstly, I like the fact that the tamper was custom made for my equipment (and this probably does improve the overall result in the cup).  The size fits perfectly with my basket and I had some imput into the choice of timber used.  It is beautiful, I gain almost as much pleasure from looking at it as I do using it.

            Some will see the value and others will not.
            +1 

            I first got my Pullman for use with my Presso.  It fitted comfortably in my hand and allowed me to produce a consistent even tamp.

            I then had the base resized to fit my Lusso.  Having used another tamper whilst waiting for the resize, when the base came back the tamping process became so much more consistent again, the Pullman fitted my hand like a glove. 

            Personally I think they are more a work of art than a tool.  But they are worth every penny.

            Sniff

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            • #7
              Re: Should I Buy a Pullman Tamper?

              I dont think we need to convince you. I think you need to be happy with your own decision.
              If you dont think it will make a difference, then so be it.
              If you think it will, then a tamper should be on the list.
              Then it comes down to which type and how much.
              I personally like my Pullman tampers. If I had the spare cash, I might try to offload one and get a Barista, but for the moment, what I have does the job, and I believe that it makes a difference.

              Brett.

              Comment


              • #8
                Re: Should I Buy a Pullman Tamper?

                I started off with a cheaper machine and a Rattleware tamper which did the job adequately on the 53mm baskets. Generally no side channelling or other problems due to the smaller basket sizes.

                Recently picked up a new machine with 58mm baskets and it came with a horrid piece of ill fitting garbage its former owner called a tamper, the base is not flat or consistent, it is undersized nearly 1.5mm and it side channelled like a bas1234 most times no matter how careful I was and did the nsew rotating tamp thing. No way of getting a decent shot with any consistency. enter Pullman number 5 to the collection exit any side channelling since.

                Nothing wrong with cheaper tampers if they fit and work consistently, over long term use price is one of the last factors for most of us. Also like the others above they are a handcrafted one off tool that looks and feels good to use.

                Comment


                • #9
                  Re: Should I Buy a Pullman Tamper?

                  Originally posted by 5F585C535B514454535A3D0 link=1299019276/7#7 date=1299112494
                  Nothing wrong with cheaper tampers if they fit and work consistently, over long term use price is one of the last factors for most of us. Also like the others above they are a handcrafted one off tool that looks and feels good to use.
                  this 8-)

                  My Jarrah GP tamper looks like new after 7 or 8 years. I cant see that I would ever need a new one, sorry Greg ;D

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    Re: Should I Buy a Pullman Tamper?

                    Steve,

                    Asked myself the same question last week, and ended up biting the bullet. For me, Im chasing that god shot every time, and from what Ive seen here, tamping counts.

                    I recently upgraded my grinder, while its early days, Im pretty sure that the new grinder has exposed some flaws in my tamping that my em0450 was hiding.

                    Im due to get it on Tuesday - Ill post some results on the difference.



                    Comment


                    • #11
                      Re: Should I Buy a Pullman Tamper?

                      At the end of the day Steve, you need to be happy with what youre drinking. It may be that its possible to get better results with better equipment, but at this point in time if youre happy with the coffee youre getting from your existing setup, why change?

                      The comments from the guys in this thread are useful indicators that you may be able to improve your results further, and the testimonials on our website really bear out the same observations (to be honest it surprises me too - after all its a pretty simple device and how can it make such a difference? Yet it does for some of the reasons already mentioned in this thread). So once you find youre not happy with what youre pouring, or youre getting inconsistency or find some other deficiency then by all means start looking at ways to improve your setup - certainly I cut a lot of frustration and inconsistency out of my shots when I made tamper #1. But until that time comes for you theres probably not a lot of value in investing in something you dont think you need.

                      Greg

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                      • #12
                        Re: Should I Buy a Pullman Tamper?

                        youre average, at best, as a salesman Greg

                        Comment


                        • #13
                          Re: Should I Buy a Pullman Tamper?

                          OK and thanks for all your replies - I am now convinced.  I  admit I was sceptical about the benefits of what I thought was a modern day ramrod but Thundergod explained it all and others elaborated.  I was also greatly honoured to be replied to by the creator of the device I was so doubtful about. I now aspire to owning a Pullman, but she who must be obeyed (and she who doesnt drink coffee) is yet to be convinced! Wish me luck!!!!!

                          In terms of value for money a Pullman tamper will outlast me (and I have probably got at least ten years to go), so I will work on S.W.M.B.Obeyed.  Meanwhile my supplied tamper seems to be doing all that is required of it most of the time, but those Pullmans do look beautifu and they are a work of art - I want one and I want it NOWl!!!!

                          Comment


                          • #14
                            Re: Should I Buy a Pullman Tamper?

                            I dont know about that, could be a shrewd sales tactic.
                            Affirm that there is no current need to change. Seed a few little suggestions about potentially being less than happy with your situation in the future. Pretty quickly someone who was blissfully happy sees the possibility of a (purportedly) better future and finds they are coming down with a bad case of upgraditis...

                            Comment


                            • #15
                              Re: Should I Buy a Pullman Tamper?

                              Mood=Cynical? Never! If you do a bit of reading on CS I think youll find this is the position I always take whether were talking tampers, machines or whatever.

                              Greg

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