New tamper required - what's everyone using with their Silvia's?

[damienh7]

Hi all,

Per the thread title, I require a new tamper as the handle of my fairly generic 58mm convex based tamper snapped off a few days ago. Last time around I got the convex base, due to the standard Silvia shower screen screw protruding into the middle of the puck.

Now that I'm in the market again, I figured I'd review my options again, and see what others are finding success with, such as:
- convex tamper
- flat tamper (can the correct dose be achieved with the stock shower screen screw?)
- flat tamper + counter-sunk shower screen screw mod?

I'm using a larger-than-the-standard-Silvia aftermarket double basket... not a Synesso, but can't remember exactly where I got it... possibly coffeeparts from memory.

FWIW, I'm leaning towards doing the shower screen screw replacement (where do people source this?), and a flat base tamper, but keen to hear what's working for other users!

Cheers,
Damien

[fruity]

Flat Pullman, with stock screw. The screw certainly makes an indent in a properly dosed shot, but it doesn't detract from it. There's a lot of hubbub about the Silvia screw but i don't think it's warranted.

[Yelta]

This poll http://coffeesnobs.com.au/brewing-eq...er-tamper.html is a pretty good indicator of preferences, almost 78% prefer flat.

[damienh7]

This poll http://coffeesnobs.com.au/brewing-eq...er-tamper.html is a pretty good indicator of preferences, almost 78% prefer flat.

Thanks Yelta - hadn't stumbled across that poll in my searching (probably because I searched more specifically for silvia+tamper). Interesting results - do you think the % would be similar amongst Silvia users, more specifically - I'm thinking of the common conception re: the screw protruding into the puck more than many other machines... or, as fruity alluded to, is this "issue" perhaps overstated?

[Yelta]

FWIW, I owned a Silvia for almost 10 years, always used a flat tamper, as do most Silvia owners. convex, concave are a bit of a novelty, very few use them.

Yep, replace the screw.

What type of baskets are you using?

[damienh7]

What type of baskets are you using?

99% sure it's a coffeeparts 14gm double. Much better than the stock Silvia double, but possibly worth looking at a Synesso ridgeless.

Re: counter sunk screw, is this typically sourced via a site sponsor, or more of an off the shelf at the local specialist nut & bolt place type thing? I have the V1 Silvia, which I understand may have slightly different requirements too... needs some more research, me thinks!

[DaveD]

Hey Damien,

I've got a flat tamper for my Silvia, which works fine with the standard screw. What I've really found to be brilliant are the ridgeless precision filter baskets from Chris at Talk Coffee. They made a huge difference over the standard Rancilio baskets.

Cheers, Dave

Dave

[TC]

Hey Damien,

I've got a flat tamper for my Silvia, which works fine with the standard screw. What I've really found to be brilliant are the ridgeless precision filter baskets from Chris at Talk Coffee. They made a huge difference over the standard Rancilio baskets.

Cheers, Dave

Dave

Thanks Dave. The baskets are a good match to our Bogav tampers which measure 58.3 and 58.5mm respectively.

Cheers

Chris

[Ronin]

I've been doing some tasting lately at work with espresso, comparing my convex coffee lab design, the reg barber ripple and the reg barber c ripple I acquired for my bday recently. Same machines, grind setting, dose, volume and pour time. Essentially removing variables as much as I can. I will say as a black coffee I preferred the c ripple base, seemed to get a little more out of the coffee, but as a milky coffee the only difference was the c ripple is nice to use, taste difference being lost in the milk.

So I guess it means that, for me anyway, depends what I'm drinking how much it matters.
FWIW all coffees were good but just slightly different (many times, enough to convince me anyway)
But again, if your technique needs improving, or you palate can't tell the difference, it won't really matter.

[Yelta]

Hey Damien,

I've got a flat tamper for my Silvia, which works fine with the standard screw. What I've really found to be brilliant are the ridgeless precision filter baskets from Chris at Talk Coffee. They made a huge difference over the standard Rancilio baskets.

Cheers, Dave

Dave

No argument from me on this point Dave, have been using the 14 to 18 gram EP basket for quite some time Precision filter basket 58mm- Espresso parts vast improvement.