If you got frustrated making an espresso, even after spending a lot of time and money, you are getting inconsistent coffee quality. An Automatic tamper espresso is a tool used to flatten and pack powder coffee into the portafilter of your espresso coffee maker.
Tempting is a method a Barista will use to take a loosely dosed amount of coffee grounds and turn them into a tightly compressed, where the water and coffee will come in contact, evenly dispersed puck within the portafilter, when it’s brewing. Choosing a quality tamper is often overlooked as an important consideration in brewing good expresso. Experience Barista knows that a combination of tempting pressure and grind fineness are crucial elements that must remain constant whenever you brew so that the result does not vary from shot to shot. Here are buying tips for tamper.
1: Flat or convex tampers
There are two varieties of tamper offered, convex and flat. Convex temper is of a slightly rounded surface that leaves a mild indentation in the coffee puck after tamping. On the other hand, flat portafilters have flat surfaces that compact the coffee evenly. However, you should choose the tempered that feels most comfortable in your hand and that can produce the most consistent results.
2: Size of the tamper
The best espresso tamper sizes vary in millimetres from 48 mm to 58 mm with most brands utilising a 58 mm size tamper. The size of the many tampers will include in a basket right in their name. For choosing the perfect temper size for your machine, it’s best to check out an expresso tamper sizing guide. The diameter of a tamper must match the diameter of the portafilter basket, you’ll use with it.
3: Handle of tamper
The handle should be smooth and comfortable in your hand and not leave pressure marks after each tamper. It is always safe to choose the correct handles that ensure safety during tamping and helps you to build up sufficient pressure. You can go for a smooth polished wood tamper handle or stainless steel version.
4: Aesthetically pleasing
It’s a pleasure to handle and behold a quality tamper, so it’s worth trying to find one that aesthetically pleases you. Like for a modern or rustic kitchen, a wooden handle can look very elegant. Some of the tampers have metal bands on the ways with interesting designs so you might also consider choosing according to your preference. Make sure it does not interfere with the functionality of the tamper.
5: Material and cost
You can get expresso tampers in various materials, that can range from low-quality plastic to stainless steel. The best option would be stainless steel, which will last longer and be better in every imaginable way. Similarly, they vary in cost from less to more for a custom-made one. So make sure to get one that is solid and well finished.
So, before buying make sure to go through these tips and find the great option to invest in that help you to produce that perfect cup of coffee.
