Tampers - Which one?

sharkboy

If you Australian Google search Pullman tampers I think you find what you are looking for... Not wanting to sound melodramatic, but I'm not sure about commercial posting rules. No vested interest here just trying to help out. -Stephen-

EliotR

thanks ;D

Reschsmooth

I have a Pullman tamper (which I got for my birthday - thanks again Pab). It has the jarra handle. I love the weight of it and the fit in my hand. I have also tried the all aluminium ones and find the weight of the pullman one gives me [the perception of] more control. The other benefit is that Greg Pullman is now (or has for a while) including markings around the base to give you an idea of how level your tamping is. Cheers P

mattyj

...not fussed on the timber handles. i kinda like my plain steel one. matty i bet yours has your name engraved on it doesn't it mate ?

I don't have one yet! My tamp is a cheapy from a homeware store, an incasa one that's really heavy ... but a mm too small. My wife is getting me one for our wedding anniversary (a few weeks away!), and it won't be engraved with my name, it'll be engraved with '30th October, 2004' or something like that, so I don't ever forget wedding anniversaries...

mattyj

actually, to elaborate a bit on the flat/convex debate, apparently convex tamps are a bit more forgiving in the cafe's when there's a rush - I guess when you're working quickly, it could be easier to mess up the distribution, or not get it as good as when you're not rushing. The convex base sort of pushes more coffee grinds to the edges of the basket, evening out the distribution a bit from the middle lump that grinders seem to put out. Also, I've noticed that my shower screen and the bottom of my double basket are ever so slightly convex, so in theory, a slightly convex tamp would match the screen and basket, creating a more even puck ... in conformity ...

Gonzo

Some machines have flat showers, other have slightly rounded showers. a) Ideally, purchase a tamper that is suited to your machine but b) Accept that ultimately, it probably doesnt matter which you use because there are going to be other deciding variables if you start "analysing" the process in such minute detail. G.

pab

I've had a Pullman tamper for over a year now for my Giotto (thanks again Pat), and it is a wonderful piece of equipment - nice look, weight and feel. As for thebuying experience, I got my brother, aka, Reschsmooth, one for his brithday and it took around a week to manufacture and receive (including engraving). Can't complain!!!

JM

The theory I read was that slight curve pushes coffee against the sides of the portafilter better than a flat one will - which may therefore lessen the chance for water to take a fast-track shortcut down the inside.

mattyj

that's one of the theories, but the danger is having the centre of the puck less thick/dense, and directing all the channelling there. like I said, long argument that's never really been sorted out.

FreshCoffee2

Yes this is true, But I personally am a fan of the "JM" theory. I wont use a tamper with a big curve in it however, preferring just a slight curve. Perhaps this is the best of both worlds. Regardz FC.