Knowing I have been using a dosing funnel from Orphan Espresso for over 2.5 years Chris from Talk Coffee sent me a Coffee Catcha last week and asked if I would write a short review on Coffee Snobs, so here it is.
Basically the Coffee Catcha is a funnel that sits securely on top of the portafilter while the barista is dosing, and, directs the ground coffee into the basket, it has a short handle that runs along the PF handle, the idea being that the operator holds it in position with his/her thumb, I'm not really sure why the handle is necessary as the CC sits there quite securely without being held, in fact my feeling is the handle gets in the way and makes the CC a little unwieldy.
The base of the CC has a turned lip that fits over the top of the PF and basket, no part of the device is inside the basket, you can even tamp through it if you want (though I'm unsure why you would want to) it certainly does it's intended job, directing nearly all of the coffee into the basket with virtually no spillage.
It's very nicely made from either stainless or chrome plated brass, as well as being well presented in a foam lined box, even has a little instruction book, somehow I doubt instruction will be called for, it will certainly compliment any machine you choose to use it with.
I suspect despite claims to the contrary both the CC and OE funnel will be used more by home barista's than commercially, I really cant see it being adopted in a busy cafe situation.
At the moment it's only available in 58mm, the makers say that versions to fit other machines are coming soon, they also claim it's an innovation developed by them, I bought my dosing funnel from OE in July 2010, approaching 3 years ago!
It's quite a solid piece of gear weighing 123 grams.
What was my impression of the CC compared to the OE funnel?
The Coffee Catcha fits over the PF, the OE funnel sits inside the PF, both seem to work equally well in directing coffee into the basket and dramatically reducing spilled coffee grounds.
The CC is certainly the more attractive of the two, it's heavier by far, weighing in at 123 grams, in fact I found the weight combined with the handle and highly polished finish made it a little unwieldy/slippery to handle, made of powder coated spun aluminium the OE funnel weighs just under 11 grams, it's a simple easy to use device that does what it's designed for without fuss.
Which of the two do I prefer? regardless of price, for ease of use, I'll stick with the OE funnel, I'm sure others will prefer the Coffee Catcha.



Basically the Coffee Catcha is a funnel that sits securely on top of the portafilter while the barista is dosing, and, directs the ground coffee into the basket, it has a short handle that runs along the PF handle, the idea being that the operator holds it in position with his/her thumb, I'm not really sure why the handle is necessary as the CC sits there quite securely without being held, in fact my feeling is the handle gets in the way and makes the CC a little unwieldy.
The base of the CC has a turned lip that fits over the top of the PF and basket, no part of the device is inside the basket, you can even tamp through it if you want (though I'm unsure why you would want to) it certainly does it's intended job, directing nearly all of the coffee into the basket with virtually no spillage.
It's very nicely made from either stainless or chrome plated brass, as well as being well presented in a foam lined box, even has a little instruction book, somehow I doubt instruction will be called for, it will certainly compliment any machine you choose to use it with.
I suspect despite claims to the contrary both the CC and OE funnel will be used more by home barista's than commercially, I really cant see it being adopted in a busy cafe situation.
At the moment it's only available in 58mm, the makers say that versions to fit other machines are coming soon, they also claim it's an innovation developed by them, I bought my dosing funnel from OE in July 2010, approaching 3 years ago!
It's quite a solid piece of gear weighing 123 grams.
What was my impression of the CC compared to the OE funnel?
The Coffee Catcha fits over the PF, the OE funnel sits inside the PF, both seem to work equally well in directing coffee into the basket and dramatically reducing spilled coffee grounds.
The CC is certainly the more attractive of the two, it's heavier by far, weighing in at 123 grams, in fact I found the weight combined with the handle and highly polished finish made it a little unwieldy/slippery to handle, made of powder coated spun aluminium the OE funnel weighs just under 11 grams, it's a simple easy to use device that does what it's designed for without fuss.
Which of the two do I prefer? regardless of price, for ease of use, I'll stick with the OE funnel, I'm sure others will prefer the Coffee Catcha.




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