Tampers

So many elements go into making a great espresso: the beans, the grind, water temperature, pull speed, pull pressure and tamp pressure. So get just the right tamp is important and consistency can best be achieved with a calibrated tamper. This can go from calibrated hand tampers to manual lever units to electric. There are plenty of Youtube videos describing the use of tampers and rating them.

The La Pavoni Europiccola pre-millenial that I have uses the 49mm tamper.

HAND TAMPERS

Some hand tampers are calibrated to the depth of the press like the Mahlgut and the JoeFrex, others by pressure like the Happy Tamper and the Normcore. They cost $100-$200.

Happy Tamper makes a calibrated tamper of various basket sizes (and also makes a wire distribution tool).

 

 

 

JoeFrex

 

Neouza

 

Happy Tamper

 

Normcore

MANUAL LEVER TAMPERS

Lever tampers have an adjustable pressure setting. On pulling the lever the tamp releases once the set pressure is reached. Two popular makes are Macap and Mazzer. The Mazzer also rotates at the end of the tamp to smooth out the surface. They cost from $500.

 

Macap

 

Mazzer

ELECTRONIC TAMPERS

Electronic tampers offer precise pressure settings and easy of use but are quite expensive — $1,000 and up. See the Cinoart PT2, the Slingshot Kilo, or the PUQ. There are lots of reviews on Youtube.

 

Cinoart PT2

 

Cube Compak

 

PUQ

 

Slingshot Kilo