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WDT...what style/type is best?

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  • #16
    In using a few brands we now carry of WDT tools - I seem to favour the ones that have a good spread of needle coverage - similar to the above images of the Sworks one.

    The JKIM WDT offers this coverage equally well.

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    • #17
      Ronin n I've learnt a lot from your posts so thank you for your insights.

      Personally, having tested the heck out of a number of espresso machines including some that I found quite tricky, I find that WDT with a good puck rake improves consistency. I use a naked basket and a white scale and shot mirror to see how well the pour goes and observe channelling and spraying. I may be the difference between someone who is experienced (you) and a novice (me).

      I agree 100% however that an 11 needle sworks design is not necessary but I derive satisfaction from the aesthetics of Sheldon's puck rakes. If the budget was tighter than a rats bottom then I'd probably use a toothpick and that would work well enough. But whilst functionality is important, it's not the only aspect I value.

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      • Budgiesmuggler
        Budgiesmuggler commented
        Editing a comment
        Agree. And I find my home made cork with 4 accupuncture needles works way better than the tool that shipped with the lagom.

        And see the tool used by the WBC champion this year. Will likely be rolled out to cafes shortly as it’s quick.

    • #18
      If these work for you then that’s great. I’m not suggesting they don’t.
      What I am saying is that you don’t need them. If your distribution is correct nothing will help more. In fact if your distribution is correct them moving things around could hinder.
      In the WBC you need to stand out to be heard, the real reason they are included is often overlooked.
      eg Matt Perger freezing his espresso cups started a trend of frozen cups but completely missed why he did it even though he explained it in his routine.
      Come up with a point of difference for comp, speak to manufacturer, make said tool & use it in a comp telling people it’s awesome = SALES

      A delicious coffee can be made in any number of ways. It’s never wrong, but also not the only way to get there.
      Smoke & mirrors
      Last edited by Ronin; 9 November 2022, 08:44 PM.

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      • amberale
        amberale commented
        Editing a comment
        So, I use a reasonable grinder, a P64, single dosing direct into the Portafilter with the Lagom funnel.
        This does not ensure an even distribution but a quick stir with the WDT rake does.
        I'm not sure what you would recommend as an alternative.

      • Ronin
        Ronin commented
        Editing a comment
        amberale What else have you tried?
        What brand name things you use isn’t relevant.

    • #19
      I tried Tantric sex in Goa one year but frankly, I fell asleep.
      What on earth do you mean?
      My mention of my grinder brand is merely to remove the grinder as a probable cause of fault.
      When single dosing direct into the filter the grounds do not sit evenly and a short rake spreads them.
      I could and have ground into a dosing cup and then poured into the portafilter.
      I have also done this with shaking, raking and a whole lotta other things going on but that doesn't fit with your(or my ) preferred ideal of simplifying the routine.
      I agree, there are a whole lot of ways to make great coffee.

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      • Ronin
        Ronin commented
        Editing a comment
        And how did you weigh the grounds correctly during tantric sex?
        I’m not disrespecting the grinder, but a cheap one can grind well, as well as a quality brand grinder can be crap. Blunt burrs or even the match of bean & grinder can cause issues.
        If you want my opinion on what else to try, I need to know what you have tried.
        Alternatively you can enjoy your current routine.
        All I have suggested is that these tools are not needed. Nothing more.
        I do find it amusing that these tools and others are largely used by the home coffee enthusiast, but while a cafe may have one, they aren’t used.

      • tompoland
        tompoland commented
        Editing a comment
        Not sure cafes have the luxury of time that the home enthusiast enjoys.

    • #20
      All good Ronin.
      Personally, I weigh my beans with a totally over specced scale designed for reloading ammunition, didn't buy it, just had it on hand.
      Accurate to 0,005g or something appropriately silly.
      My grinder is alleged to have less than 0.1g retention.
      I use a bellows made from a turkey baster that I also had on hand to ensure I get the last little specs of grinds from the 64mm flat burr grinder.
      I use a much less accurate set of scales bought from a head shop to weigh my output, druggies only require 0.010g accuracy apparently but they do want better waterproofing than shooters.
      I roast my own coffee and have about 15 different SO beans that I have been roasting and keeping records for over the last couple of years(been making coffee longer but only roasting for a couple).
      My grind settings differ depending on which bean/roast depth/time since roasting.
      It also differs greatly depending on whether I am using an E61 FCD machine, or one of my open boiler direct lever machines.
      I occasionally use a paper filter on the levers but don't really see any difference to the output.
      I use a The Force tamper on the E61 and very simple tampers on the levers.

      In all cases I find it helps to use a WDT rake to even the surface before tamping.

      In a cafe with a dialled in dosing grinder, making dozens of coffees a day one does not need WDT.
      Just dose, wipe off the top, tamp and go.
      That is just not how single dosing home espresso works in my experience.
      Your experience may/must differ.

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      • #21
        The main difference between a cafe with a good barista and a home enthusiast is knowing where to spend the time.
        Single dose at home, busy cafe whatever won’t matter. The point of these tools is to apparently help distribute the grounds. This can be done many ways. These tools will help if your distribution isn’t great, but it’s nothing a few light collapsing taps and a few had taps on the group handle in the right direction can’t compete with. I prefer to touch the coffee as little as possible eg. Not at all
        But flavour is king, do what works for you to get the flavour you enjoy

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        • #22
          I mean - you could also save money by making one for a few dollars, and if DIY doesn't appeal there are also very inexpensive options. But then, coffee snobs have never been averse to spending dollars on bench trophies...

          Comment


          • Ronin
            Ronin commented
            Editing a comment
            True. The whole industry is full of those ‘must have’ new & shiny tool that promises the world but really wont do much if anything

          • Bosco_Lever
            Bosco_Lever commented
            Editing a comment
            Ronin so true. All about the toys, not the coffee.

        • #23
          Except that all the research so far shows WDT increases EY.

          it’s not just compensating for bad distribution.

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          • Ronin
            Ronin commented
            Editing a comment
            Ok
            All the research showed hat the OCD was great until it wasn’t also.

          • Budgiesmuggler
            Budgiesmuggler commented
            Editing a comment
            I don’t think it did with the ocd. It Was made for a specific purpose which was not improving extraction.

        • #24
          EspressoAdventurer Try uploading your pic(s) again. They're not displaying in your post.


          Java "Try again" phile
          Toys! I must have new toys!!!

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