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  • #16
    Re: Tamper recommendations?

    Originally posted by pinot link=1109146620/0#14 date=1109301552
    The various wooden handles look great.
    However, I wonder if they comply with the relevant Food Standards???? I remember reading something about varnished wood products and food.......
    Like FRESH, Ill stick to the polished aluminium or stainless steel.
    John
    Hi John,

    I agree with you regarding porous materials used in food preparation areas however, Greg Pullmans Tampers use high denisity Jarrah and they are finished with an oil finish, not varnish. When you consider how many kitchen utensils and implements use wooden handles, bases or are entirely made from wood, I dont think an unvarnished wooden handled Tamper is an issue.

    Another thing to keep in mind, each GP Tamper is unique and made by hand and if you factor that into the price you are getting not only a bargain but a work of art... not something thats been churned out by machines in the hundreds or thousands.

    Just my $0.02 worth.
    Mal.

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    • #17
      Re: Tamper recommendations?

      Also bear in mind John that none of the wood actually physically touches the coffee.

      Pullman tampers rock. Ive also got a nice one from Sienna Coffee which has the same handle as Silvias P/F. Make a nice couple.

      Warren -

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      • #18
        Re: Tamper recommendations?

        We had our Tamper made from a solid lump of Brass one end has a convex and the other end a concave both at about 2mm weiging in at just over 1170g. No pressure is ever used except for the weight of the Tamper itself.... The ability of the Tamper to evenly distribute its weight is very important as many of you already know. We have found that the consistency from a good Tamper is Parramount to a good extraction, I would even go as far to say that the quality of the grind is just as important as the Tamping process, any thoughts from you all about this?

        FB

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        • #19
          Re: Tamper recommendations?

          Originally posted by FrenchBean link=1109146620/15#17 date=1109316917
          We had our Tamper made from a solid lump of Brass one end has a convex and the other end a concave both at about 2mm weiging in at just over 1170g. No pressure is ever used except for the weight of the Tamper itself.... The ability of the Tamper to evenly distribute its weight is very important as many of you already know. We have found that the consistency from a good Tamper is Parramount to a good extraction, I would even go as far to say that the quality of the grind is just as important as the Tamping process, any thoughts from you all about this?
          FB, I think having a heavy tamper (1.2kg is very heavy) is a great idea. At least you know the tamping side of things (i.e. downward pressure) will always be the same. This is one of many variables that is pretty much controlled.

          On the other hand.....you need a bit more room than others to store the beast.

          Ed

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          • #20
            Re: Tamper recommendations?

            Ed

            It takes no more room than any other Tamper I have seen. 85mm high 58mmm dia.

            Allowing for the fact that it is solid Brass.... the weight is a lot. Ive use a few SS Tampers and they have all been good, but I am bised becasue I know mine is a one of a kind.

            My 17yo son has decided he likes making my coffees and he has been taught well.... and when he first strted out he used our other tampers but the consistency was not the best, but with the Brass one it is certainly there. Only thing I need now is someone to feed me Grapes whilst I lay down and thing will be pretty much perfect...lol

            FB........

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            • #21
              Re: Tamper recommendations?

              I definitely prefer a stainless steel base due to the weight.

              Next option is convex or flat base. People tend to be pretty polarised on this. I own both types and for me I prefer the curved as I seem to get a firmer edges.

              Next option is handle length. The shape of the end may be flat or a ball. The width and length of the handle affects the comfort of the tamper. For big hands go with a longer tamper.

              My favourite tamper is a convex Pro Tamp from Espresso Parts http://www.espressoparts.com/index.p...43/1000/3006SS (I bought an older model that is one piece but otherwise the same).

              Most tampers cost a lot more than the raw materials and are considered a bit of an extravagence that lasts forever so splurge within your budget.

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              • #22
                Re: Tamper recommendations?

                My father inlaw made me one of the best tampers Ive ever seen or used, but I might be biased . I showed him some photos of Reg Barber tamps and the Deluxe Lava Pro and being an old metal machinist, he turned a 58mm head out of big chunk of stainless he had lying around the shed. A friend of his lathed the handle and voila.

                I also ended up buying a Deluxe Lava and the Stainless Pro Tamp from Espressoparts.com. I ordered one of them in a convex base. The handles and heads easily unscrew so you can interchange convex for flat to suit your requirements.

                The hard black stuff on the end of the Pro Tamp is great. You can tap the side of the portafilter with leaving a mark. The Lava Deluxe is less sturdy and has burred up a bit.

                All of these tampers have been great. I think as long as you get the correct diameter for your basket as a basis then let your sense of feel and aesthetics take over youll be fine.

                Professional baristas would probably have differing criteria for tamps that get used to make hundreds of coffees a day. The couple Ive spoken to have mentioned a preference for a lighter tamper to lower fatigue and enhance feel for the compression of the ground coffee.

                I think I have an unhealthy attraction to tampers... I want to get an Espro tamp next, then an Impod, then a Reg Barber, and then...




                Stephen

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                • #23
                  Re: Tamper recommendations?

                  chopinhauer:

                  "...people should also check out the Reg Barber tampers from Canada, especially since they are much the same price as Gregs tampers, famous the world over for their incredible quality and beauty, and they deliver quickly and cheaply ($CAN15 cheap considering the air postage).
                  I recently got one custom made to fit my Pavoni Europiccola filter baskets (49mm) and it cost $AUS80 door to door."

                  Reg certainly has been around for a while and has a following. However one of my tampers will cost you $AUD66.95 to the door in 3-5 working days. The difference isnt significant (20%, or $13), but its worth noting. After that, it comes down to the functionality of the units (heres as good a place as any to ask) and the aesthetics, which only you can decide.

                  Pinot: thats right, the handle is oiled hardwood, not varnished pine or similar, and it shouldnt normally touch the coffee (if it does, try turning it up the other way ). There are some solid wood tampers out there, and what youve mentioned is an issue with them, and also the fact that they can crack over time from being left in direct contact with the hot machine. This is not as much of an issue with my units on account of no direct contact from the wood to the machine, and also the healthy doses of oil they get to ensure they stay supple.

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                  • #24
                    Re: Tamper recommendations?

                    This is my homemade tamper, made from scrap 18 ml thick kiln-dried hardwood and part of an old cricket stump.

                    http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y36/robusto/tamper2.jpg

                    The top, tapered wood is there to support the handle which goes right through it, and then attaches to the bottom one with dowel. Beats the plastic Silvia one.



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                    • #25
                      Re: Tamper recommendations?



                      Sorry about the quality.

                      Ed as you can see it is no bigger than any other Tamper. The matchbox gives you the scale.

                      1170g in weight... 2mm convex and concave ends

                      FB

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                      • #26
                        Re: Tamper recommendations?

                        Very Cool tamper FB, slick shape too.

                        Is it polished brass or chrome over the brass?
                        (hard to tell on my lcd screen)

                        ..and do you use the concave or convex end?
                        (curious)

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                        • #27
                          Re: Tamper recommendations?

                          Solid brass..polished

                          I use the Concave as its depth is supposed to be 2mm but it ended up being about 1.5mm which is basically flat over the 58mm surface area...

                          We just inser it into the Groupcup and twist 2-3 times and remove it.. never adding any pressure and we get consistant shots...

                          We like it because it is not only an attractive item but also highly practical and a 1 of a kind.

                          FB

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                          • #28
                            Re: Tamper recommendations?

                            Well, it took a little while, but the father in law came good with a mate who knows a friend, who owed a favour... ;D


                            58.3mm. Excellent bit of gear.

                            I can not understand why Ranchilio dont supply a better tamper, even if it just fitted across the basket better.

                            Boris

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                            • #29
                              Re: Tamper recommendations?

                              My Giotto that costs around 3 times as much as the Silvia came with the same kind of crappy plastic tamp, although it was a slightly better fit than the Silvia one.

                              I only used it once out of academic interest and the rough top precluded getting a good polish on the top of the ground coffee.

                              I guess a reasonable tamp costs real money and is a matter of taste so they probably figure theyll let the buyer sort that out for themselves.

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                              • #30
                                Re: Tamper recommendations?

                                Boris that small black plastic Tamper is a mass produced one, I have seen heaps of them around....... its just a starter one for you... I wonder how many people actually continue to use them.....

                                Seems like we both have Tampers that Tim the Toolman (Home improvments TV show)would like......just thinking of his grunted laugh....lol

                                Theres just something special about your own tamper....... Originality is a special thing

                                FB

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