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After the old forum software breaking in a way that we were unable to fix, we've migrated the site to a new platform.

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How do you improve tamping technique to limit injury?

Brett HBrett H
edited January 1970 in How to improve your coffee
http://sprudge.com/barista-injury-study-ergonomics-dainty-gregory.html

Clearly those of us making less than 100 coffees a day need not apply; however, if you have a physiological technical modus operandi why not share it!

When I tamp I stand with my hip as close as possible to the PF and limit my arm extension when pressing down.  Easy for me as I'm tall so what works for me may not work for say the pretty 5'3" blond barista down the way who uses a tamping lever.
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Comments

  • cosmic_couple22cosmic_couple22
    avoid any unnecessary movement or use of said tamping arm other than for tamping specific duties, preserving the joints, ligaments and tendons for a life time of perfect tamping.  ;D    >:D    :laugh: Chester
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  • Koffee_KosmoKoffee_Kosmo
    I kinda use my body weight to tamp and the arm is used as a guidance rudder and the fine finishing work KK
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  • Brett HBrett H
    on 1407891247:
    I kinda use my body weight to tamp and the arm is used as a guidance rudder and the fine finishing work KK
    Yep!  Exactly what I was thinking but in a really stressy fast-paced environment you can understand how best practice is dropped in favour of coping. 
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  • derrilexderrilex
    A better question is, why are you guys tamping so hard ? No need and no benefit.
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  • mwcaldermwcalder
    I've started to get pain in my shoulder area on the side which I don't tamp. I suspect that this is from pushing/pulling pf in and out all day. My tamp is fairly easy going but still have noticed a tweak here and there! But the product is worth it for now :)
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  • galumaygalumay
    I agree with @D, sounds like people are tamping far too hard if they are injuring themselves!
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  • derrilexderrilex
    I think the numbers, numbers, numbers are at it again. Unless you have "x" pressure tamp your shots will be rubbish. Pfffffffft. I dose, nutate and then use my finger tips on the edge of the tamper get it level and that's it. Maybe 1kg of pressure if I'm angry. Oops, numbers again.
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  • cosmic_couple22cosmic_couple22
    Im with D, nutating tamp does all the compression then a light squeeze to flatten off, zero preasure polish to finish. Perfect every time
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  • Koffee_KosmoKoffee_Kosmo
    I just prefer to grind slightly courser and tamp a little harder It makes a difference in the cup flavour KK
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  • galumaygalumay
    I prefer the flavour profile of a finer grind, away from the acidic and bitter towards the caramel sweet end of the flavour spectrum. Not sure that I would be able to taste the difference between the variation in grind in relation to tamp pressure though! Thats a big call. I think also that big commercial levers are oblivious to tamp pressure, I have even tried no tamp in my Izzo and it still pulls a decent shot - pre infusion probably being the key.
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  • GaryatGalaGaryatGala
    As long as the correct posture and technique is used, the chances of problems should be minimized by using a vertical lower arm with a horizontal upper arm, facing along down the bench and use the body to lean into the tamp. The height of the bench should be taken into account for the correct technique to apply. For the nutating tamp or the straight tamp, the same advice applies.
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  • LacehimLacehim
    That's why they invented tamping machines! ;) It all comes down to technique I think, using the tamper the right way, same as using a knife when you are a chef.  you need to know how to use it so you don't put end up inflicting unnecessary strain on a particular area. Home users can do damage too, trying to get that 100kg load on the puck.  :head:  :doh:  Remember, your tamping, not embedding in the basket for life!  8)
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  • derrilexderrilex
    on 1407996202:
    As long as the correct posture and technique is used, the chances of problems should be minimized by using a vertical lower arm with a horizontal upper arm, facing along down the bench and use the body to lean ...............
    So as long as I do this exactly, I will get aboslute God shots every time ? C'mon.  :D Ps, don't forget to stand on one leg  :rofl:
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  • QM0996QM0996
    on 1408010621:
    So as long as I do this exactly, I will get aboslute God shots every time ? C'mon.  :D Ps, don't forget to stand on one leg  :rofl:
    Tamp... I some times just use the palm of my hand...  Dose and Grind is the key..  Along with good balance and being able to pull a face that only a mother could love.
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  • derrilexderrilex
    on 1408028518:
    Tamp... I some times just use the palm of my hand...  Dose and Grind is the key..  Along with good balance and being able to pull a face that only a mother could love.
    How much does that face cost and where can I get one ?
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  • GaryatGalaGaryatGala
    on 1408010621:
    So as long as I do this exactly, I will get aboslute God shots every time ? C'mon.  :D Ps, don't forget to stand on one leg  :rofl:
    Only if the other planets align properly too like dose, fineness of grind, brew temp....with a chinese century egg balanced on your head and with the left hand taking a selfie, posted thereafter to the forum. Result, a god shot together with shock and awe from this online community[emoji23]
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  • derrilexderrilex
    Brew temp !!! ??? What is this witchcraft ?  :D
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  • GaryatGalaGaryatGala
    on 1408094882:
    Brew temp !!! ??? What is this witchcraft ?  :D
    I still get the odd customer who possibly may have come from the rural community asking me if my latte art was done using magic tricks... [emoji38]
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  • derrilexderrilex
    We wont tell anyone that it's done with a toothpick GG. Rest easy. ;)  :D
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