Please recommend me a decent tamper

[truffles]

Hi guys,

I've done a few searches and have read that there's a few good brands of tampers out there. I would like to know what you guys use and what are the pros and cons of each.
I'm a beginner and recently got a La Pavoni EL with a naked portafilter along with the basket that came with it. Correct me if I'm wrong but it's 51mm?
I'd like to do as much research before forking out $80-$160 on something that's overkill. What I need would be something that will replace the lousy plastic one that came with the machine.

Your help is appreciated!

Jon

[bcspark]

I have and use a Pullman Barista tamper for my Bezzera Strega sized to suit my VST baskets.This is my most important equipment and ease of use is extreme

[Gerry123]

I have a 53mm Pullman Deluxe Tamper with Jarrah handle in the For Sale section. - $35 plus post. Not sure what the basket size is for your machine but mine was matched to a Sunbeam EM5600

[Rolf]

it could be a 51 mm or 53 mm, better you look for that again.

[artman]

The Pullmans are very nice, probably not a huge selection for the smaller size baskets? You could get the Pullman one mentioned above (sounds like a bargain) and get it sized to your basket for a precise fit (assuming it's too big). Pullman used to offer that service previously.

Cheers

[truffles]

Hey guys, looks like my basket is 53mm.

Gerry, would you be able to PM me the serial number so I can ask the guys at Pullman if they can re-size if need be?

Thanks

[truffles]

Any other good tampers other than the pullman?

[WantRancilio10]

Eazytamp 'click' spring-loaded coffee tamper – consistent results for the professional and aspiring home barista

[Dimal]

G'day truffles...

Personally, I think you would be better off finding the time to visit one of our Site Sponsors or another reputable specialist retailer, and try out a few different Tamper designs personally, An ideal tamper for one is not necessarily the same for another as many factors are brought in to play, e.g. the size of your hand, length of your fingers, the balance of a tamper using your preferred grip, etc etc....

A short amount of time spent on getting the best 'fit' for you, will be time will spent...

Mal.

[TC]

Agreed Mal,

The tamper chooses the hand. Ergonomics are important.

[truffles]

Thanks guys that could be the best solution. I'll look at some local shops in WA and see if I can bring my basket in and try fit

[Baref00t]

Don't think I can put an evilbay link on here, but search for 49 58mm tamper - ships from Israel. Takes a couple of weeks, but is way better than the 'Protamp' I replaced it with, better weight overall, heaps better balance, sharper edge... The handle on the Protamp is too heavy, throws off the balance and feedback. These are both the VST 58.35mm cut.



That said, I've ordered a nice piece of Jarrah to turn into a new handle for the Protamp base, so that should fix her right up!

[shortblackman]

I cant remember . does "el" represent La pav europiccola ie lever? Theyre classified as either 49mm pre millennium or 51mm post millennium. I have a Pullman barista custom fitted to my la pav professional basket for about $200. Steep, but its bloody good. Instant significant improvement, to a surprising degree.

the $200 is forgotten, but the joy remains.

I have done a bit of a spiel on another thread, which you may have seen. The placky tampers that ce with LP are an assault to spatial perception, so it needs to be replaced no matter what you pay.

you used the "el" tag, so you might be talking about a pump machine? that I'm not familiar with at all

[shortblackman]

The Pullmans are very nice, probably not a huge selection for the smaller size baskets? You could get the Pullman one mentioned above (sounds like a bargain) and get it sized to your basket for a precise fit (assuming it's too big). Pullman used to offer that service previously.

Cheers

pavoni levers only come as big as 51mm. So to get a bigger one at that priced sized to fit would be a very good option. Send it and the basket to Pullman for best results, dust of your single basket for use while the works being done (quick turnaround, my experience) & bobs yer uncle!

[truffles]

That's correct, it's the Europiccola Chrome. I thought it was 51mm as well when I did some research, however I checked with the ruler and it's more of a 53 mm.



However, measuring the plastic tamper that came with the machine, it's 51 mm and it fit very well.