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  • Advice on tamper

    Hi,

    I have a Silvia with what I imagine is a standard double basket, I am in desperate need of a new tamper and was considering;

    1. Reg Barber
    2. Pullman
    3. Espro (bit pricey though)

    Any thoughts on what would be the best? Is it the 58mm version that suit my needs? Are any of these a better fit than the others?

    Also any thoughts on the best place to buy in Melbourne (Hawthorn area)?

    Any thoughts appreciated, thanks in advance!


  • #2
    Re: Advice on tamper

    Hi illuminati and welcome to CoffeeSnobs.....

    Well all three are great tampers and have their dedicated following.

    The difference, which we are very proud of, is that our tampers are made here in Australia and are made to fit your basket exactly. The other tampers are nominal 58mm tampers and we believe that having a fitted tamper will make tamping easier, more consistent and result in a better "in cup" experience....

    The "true tamp" rings which we machine around the base also helps you to keep the tamper level and can be used as a guide to the correct depth of the puck.....

    However, as I said above.... they are all great tampers - and it really comes down to your personal preference.... If you do decide on a Pullman, Im happy to assist.

    Robin.

    Comment


    • #3
      Re: Advice on tamper

      I have used a Reg Barber and a Pullman.

      Of the 2, I prefer the Pullman.

      Havent got an opinion either way on the Espro.

      Brett.

      Comment


      • #4
        Re: Advice on tamper

        Hi Illuminati,

        I have a Silvia too.
        I know this is a tamper related post but first hear my thoughts on your basket.

        The Silvia standard supplied double basket is 12G, whilst most other double baskets are 14g.
        Unless your technique, Tamping and grinder are spot on, it can be very hard to get a good shot out of that basket [ie without premature blonding].

        Personally, I believe the "finicky" reputation Silvia has, is more to do with the basket than other touted issues.

        With a 14g basket and a decent tamper [and reasonable technique], you will get great shots from Silvia consistantly.


        I went for the ridgeless [AKA Straight walled] Bezzera Basket from site sponsor Barazi. I dont know if a 14g ridgeless basket is better or worse from a taste point of view, but IMHO they are much easier to dose and tamp into.

        With the above tampers you mentioned, only the Pullman is custom machined to fit your basket perfectly and this makes a big difference.

        Secondly, the "True Tamp Rings" on the Pullman are an invaluable guide to keeping your tamping level.

        On the other hand, the ESPRO has a calibrated "click" for the ideal tamp pressure. This is a very useful feature, especially in a multi user cafe situation, but if you have a stepped grinder with largish steps [eg a Sunbeam] this tamper could present a problem.

        However I must be honest and say that I have not used either the ESPRO or the RB.

        My advise is get a 14g basket to replace your 12 and my personal preference would be a Pullman tamper made to fit that new basket.

        Via Pullman, you can actually order a 14g basket and a matching tamper.
        I didnt use this option because of my preference for a straight walled basket.


        Comment


        • #5
          Re: Advice on tamper

          Originally posted by reubster link=1195520853/0#3 date=1195527192

          Via Pullman, you can actually order a 14g basket and a matching tamper.
          I didnt use this option because of my preference for a straight walled basket.


          Hi reubster,

          Agree totally with your comments re basket size, it is certainly easier to get a good extraction from a larger basket.

          The synesso baskets we supply now are available in ridgeless as well as ridged..... so we can supply a fitted tamper with a straight walled basket (which I also prefer) - and they are a great basket..... Ive been using one for a couple of months and the results have been excellent!

          Robin

          Comment


          • #6
            Re: Advice on tamper

            Hi Illuminati,

            There is a whole bunch of traditional wisdom about what is and what isnt important in a tamper and I think that Ill refrain from spouting my personal views and confusing the issue more! Perhaps, however, you would get more useful information if you posted what features you are looking for in a tamper and why. That way, people could comment on whether the tampers that you are looking at live up to those standards and what difference those features are actually likely to make.

            It sounds like you are near us - we are in Abbotsford. (link) You, and indeed anyone, are welcome to come along, introduce yourself to whoever is on the machine and pull a few shots on our machine with our tampers if you like. The best time to do so would be on a Saturday morning or on a weekday afternoon. We stock Coffeelab and Espro.

            Cheers,

            Luca

            Comment


            • #7
              Re: Advice on tamper

              Hi Illuminati,

              My perfect tamper would be a spring-loaded Pullman tamper . Chance of seeing this anytime soon......probably not great.

              So Im sticking with the Espro and eyeing up the pullman - as a relative beginner the spring-loaded 30lb pressure thing interests me, but Id love to learn to do it more by feel.

              Comment


              • #8
                Re: Advice on tamper

                I think I also have a 57mm espro and a 58mm basket - so theres always a little faffing around. From this POV Id go for the Pullman and a new basket (LM triple!)

                Comment


                • #9
                  Re: Advice on tamper

                  I have a Silvia and recently purchased a Synesso double ridgeless basket and Pullman tamper made to fit the new basket. The results have been impressive with consistently good shots.
                  The only adjustment I had to make was that the Synesso basket falls out of portafilter when emptying puck into knock box, I have to hold my thumb on edge of basket to keep it there, but thats a minor hiccup.

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    Re: Advice on tamper

                    you could try to bend the spring-wire in you PF a little so it sticks out a bit more, gripping the basket better...


                    L

                    Comment


                    • #11
                      Re: Advice on tamper

                      Wow, thanks to everyone who replied, such a helpfull forum. After all the research I really like the function and idea of the pullman but after seeing the Reg Barber today at St Ali I cant get over how good it looks. I guess it is really between these 2.

                      Also thanks to reubster and others who also suggested a change in basket, I would like to give this a shot but how would the 58mm Reg Barger go with the suggested basket? Annoying because the Pullman sounds an easier option but the RB looks so good. Ahh the dilemas...

                      Comment


                      • #12
                        Re: Advice on tamper

                        illuminati,

                        If you want to go down the RB tamper path, then Id suggest you get the smallest diameter basket you can...

                        Synesso baskets are almost 59mm in diameter, LM baskets are quite a bit bigger than 58mm.... and RB tampers are exactly 58mm.... so you will end up with grounds around the edge after tamping.... which you may or may not want to knock down....

                        Taking my Pullman hat off for a second..... and putting my JavaB hat on ....

                        I had a RB tamper and found it wasnt as good as one of Gregs (and this was before I joined Gregs team).... I like the tamping right to the edge of the basket.... and "a perfect tamp, first time, every time"...

                        OK Pullman hat back on..... as I said before they are both great tampers, but it comes down to personal choice of function and form.... and the relative importance you place on these two criteria.

                        Robin.

                        Comment


                        • #13
                          Re: Advice on tamper

                          Go for the Pullman its a great product and they will make it to fit your basket exactly, and best of all they are an Oz business.

                          Comment


                          • #14
                            Re: Advice on tamper

                            If you get a Reg Barber from Reg, custom sizing *IS* an option, I think that needs to be mentioned. I imagine his resellers provide this service but I dont know, otherwise order direct. What that means though is that its up to you to choose the right size and operational clearance down to 0.1mm, which is pretty tricky for most people. This is why we decided to sell baskets and tampers. Weve got precise measuring equipment and can get the size and clearance right at our end rather than requiring this of the average Joe who only has a ruler. Alternatively we can machine a tamper to fit your basket. Of course if youre just after a generic 58mm then none of that is an issue.

                            Ive used a RB, a Coffeelab and a Pullman (funnily enough). I like them all in their own way but since theyre all different shapes they each have their own grip which isnt as comfortable when used on others. I definitely like being able to get everything tamped in one action rather than having to tamp-tap-tamp or have loose grounds getting in around the gasket; but thats just me.

                            after seeing the Reg Barber today at St Ali I cant get over how good it looks....the Pullman sounds an easier option but the RB looks so good...
                            Id really recommend handling them all if you can so you can see how they look in the flesh (metal? ) and equally importantly how they feel in the hand, it sounds like its only the RB youve eyeballed so far, and photos rarely do justice to any tamper. As Luca said, Veneziano have the CL and the RB; Talk Coffee in Abbotsford (one of our site sponsors) carry the Pullman so you should be able to try them all out without too much difficulty.

                            Greg

                            Comment


                            • #15
                              Re: Advice on tamper

                              Yes, handling each is a good idea -- the feel in the hand is very important.

                              I have to say that Im most impressed with my Huon Pine Pullman.
                              Very comfortable to use, and the texture of the pine is a delight every
                              time. Along with the finely machined base, makes it something to
                              be proud of. Makes an excellent combination with the Synesso basket.

                              Ive tried an Espro briefly. Its nice, but I found that with a little
                              practice and measuring with bathroom scales that it didnt take
                              long to get a good feel for the 12-13kg required.

                              Comment

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