For these simply beginning their espresso journey, there’s loads of gear to contemplate. Selecting the finest espresso machine in your wants is a should, together with buying an espresso grinder. Enjoyable demitasse cups and espresso beans are additionally apparent decisions. However tamping, which is arguably crucial step in espresso brewing, is routinely missed.

“The aim of tamping is twofold: firstly, to compress the grounds tightly collectively, and secondly, to create a mattress of grounds of constant depth and levelness,” explains Madeline Jones, account supervisor and coach at Uncommon Breed Espresso. Correct tamping ensures that the pressurized water exerted by the espresso machine flows by means of the grounds evenly. “If the grounds aren’t compressed sufficient, the areas between the grounds might be inconsistent in dimension,” Jones says. “This enables water to circulation extra rapidly by means of some areas of the mattress of grounds and extra slowly by means of others, which impacts how a lot taste is pulled from the grounds.”

Many residence espresso machines come pre-packaged with a tamper. Typically, they’re constituted of flimsy plastic and don’t correctly match the portafilter. If you’d like tamper, you’re going to have to purchase it individually. I took on the duty of discovering one of the best ones, testing a number of totally different types at quite a lot of value factors. 

The Winners, at a Look

This high-end tamper is a favourite amongst residence baristas for good purpose: It’s trendy, sturdy, ergonomically designed, and pleasantly weighty. Better of all, the deal with size is adjustable. It’s dear, however with a easy machine like a tamper, the little particulars matter and the Pullman BigStep will get every thing proper.

Calibrated, spring-loaded tampers apply constant strain by simply pushing within the deal with. The Normcore’s construct high quality is top-notch with a contemporary, matte black end and a sturdy, ergonomic, tapered deal with. It contains a number of calibrated springs that mean you can alter the strain.

We’ve beneficial this tamper earlier than. The 2-in-one leveler and tamper delivers completely leveled espresso and takes loads of the guesswork out of the tamping course of. For the espresso nerds on the market, you’ll be able to nonetheless tweak the depth of the tamp and the leveler utilizing the inner threading mechanism to dial issues in as exactly as you’d like.

This tamper from LuxHaus supplies a extra reasonably priced different to the Pullman BigStep, however sacrifices little or no by way of construct high quality or design. It’s hefty and durable with a deal with design that makes it snug to make use of. In our checks, it produced constant outcomes, with stage pucks, no channeling, and scrumptious espresso.

The Exams

• Construct High quality Check: Whereas utilizing every tamper, I assessed its construct high quality, noting its dimensions, form, supplies, and weight.
• Tamping Check: I used every tamper to tamp after which brew a shot of espresso, weighing the grounds pre-tamping to make sure consistency from mannequin to mannequin. I famous how lengthy it took to drag the shot and whether or not the water flowed by means of the portafilter on the proper fee. I additionally taste-tasted every shot.
• Again-to-Again Shot Check: Following all the identical parameters because the above tamping take a look at, I tamped and pulled back-to-back photographs utilizing my profitable tampers. I wished to see if they may ship the identical outcomes each time.
• Ergonomics Check: I famous how simple every tamper was to make use of and the way snug it was in my palms. Although not more likely to occur at residence, accidents of the wrist and hand aren’t remarkable amongst skilled baristas as a result of repetitive movement of tamping. An ergonomically designed deal with helps forestall this. 
• Cleanup Check: For probably the most half, cleansing tampers is a straightforward matter of wiping dry espresso grounds off of the bottom, however when testing, I famous any design nuances or flaws that made cleansing tougher. 

What We Realized

Consistency Was All the things

Tamping is among the most vital variables in brewing espresso and by far the best step to mess up. One of the best tampers constantly and uniformly stage and compress pucks each time. Any fashions which might be cumbersome or don’t match the portafilter properly can result in an uneven tamp and poor extraction. For instance, tampers with uncomfortable handles made it tougher to evenly apply strain to the portafilter, which generally results in channeling. Spring-loaded tampers keep away from this by having a lip that retains the tamper stage with the portafilter’s partitions.

Which Tampers Had the Greatest Construct High quality? 

If used recurrently, a tamper goes to be subjected to loads of power and desires to have the ability to maintain up. The deal with receives many of the strain, so be sure to decide on one which’s strong and durable. Throughout my testing, I discovered that one of the best tampers had chrome steel bases. Not solely did they’ve important weight to them, which helped with making use of the right quantity of strain, however they had been much less more likely to bend, warp, or break. “What to keep away from is plastic or aluminum. They’re too flimsy and light-weight,” Jones says. 

Tamper Sort Is a Matter of Desire

Of the three types of tampers I examined, every had their very own professionals and cons. In the end, you need to resolve which works finest in your wants and espresso machine, however there listed below are some issues to bear in mind:

• The traditional type of tamper is easy. It’s mainly a deal with connected to a large cylindrical base and is probably the most broadly used kind. Due to its simplicity, it takes a little bit of follow to make use of accurately. It’s worthwhile to be sure the tamper is stage with the portafilter and apply the right quantity of strain (30 to 40 kilos of power) by hand.
• Spring-loaded or calibrated tampers are constructed with an inside spring that, when compressed, delivers a exact, predetermined quantity of strain. Like a traditional tamper, it nonetheless must be used accurately to get a superbly stage tamp, nevertheless it removes the strain guesswork. Nevertheless, if used improperly, it’s attainable to push previous the place the spring stops and over-tamp the espresso. With heavy use, the springs can even break or dislodge. Due to their inside springs, calibrated tampers additionally can’t be washed with water.
• Palm tampers are newer to the house espresso scene. This type works by tamping to a predetermined depth within the portafilter as a substitute of a calibrated strain, which makes them very constant. They typically have a leveler on one aspect that helps make sure the grounds are even earlier than tamping. Their tamping depth is adjustable.

Approach Was (and Is) Necessary

In the end, no tamper is foolproof. Studying easy methods to use your tamper correctly at the side of your espresso machine and grinder will allow you to pull constantly scrumptious photographs. Listed below are some ideas:

• Use correct kind to stop pressure accidents. Hold your wrist straight and your elbow bent at about 90 levels, making use of strain by means of your shoulder and triceps moderately than your wrist. 
• Make sure the tamper is stage with the espresso mattress earlier than making use of strain to keep away from uneven extraction. 
• Give attention to attaining constant tamping strain moderately than measuring actual kilos, however rule of thumb is to shoot for 30 to 40 kilos of strain per sq. inch
• If you want to alter the extraction time, modify the grind dimension as a substitute of altering tamp strain.

The Standards: What to Search for in an Espresso Tamper

Since they’re used to use strain to portafilter baskets, one of the best tampers are sturdy and have ergonomic handles. Most significantly, the highest tampers ship constant outcomes repeatedly.

Our Favourite Tampers

What we preferred: The Pullman BigStep tamper is the Ferrari of traditional tampers. Its construct high quality is top-notch and it’s ergonomic, with an ideal heft and balanced weight distribution. Better of all, it produced constantly tasty espresso over a number of checks. It additionally has spacers you should use to regulate the size of the deal with to fit your wants. 

What we didn’t like: At about $130, this tamper is more likely to be too costly for some. However, I wouldn’t advocate it if it was something lower than stellar all through my testing.

Key Specs

• Supplies: Stainless-steel, rubber, aluminum
• Dimensions: 3.5-inch deal with (adjustable with spacers); 53.3-millimeter base
• Weight: 12.5 ounces
• Cleanup: Wipe down with dry fabric

What we preferred: Like most spring-loaded tampers, the Normcore is constructed with two springs and a lip that applies a gentle, constant quantity of strain each time. It additionally avoids spring-loaded tamper’s greatest weak spot: It retains the grounds stage with a lip that matches over the portafilter and prevents the consumer from pushing previous the place the spring stops when tamping. The Normcore comes with alternative springs calibrated to fifteen, 25, and 30 psi so the consumer can choose which strain works finest with their espresso machine. 

What we didn’t like: The strain utilized to the bottom portafilter is determined by the springs and isn’t a variable you’ll be able to management. For some residence baristas, that could be a draw back, however with a little bit of dialing in, the consistency is value it.

Key Specs

• Supplies: Anodized aluminum deal with with chrome steel base
• Dimensions: 3.3-inch deal with; 53.3-millimeter base
• Weight: 1.08 kilos
• Cleanup: Wipe down with dry fabric

What we preferred: With regards to consistency, this type of tamper is as reliable because it will get. This tamper has a distributor instrument on one aspect, which can be utilized to stage the highest layer of the bottom espresso. As soon as flattened, simply flip the tamper over and press right down to compress the grinds into a superbly leveled puck. For espresso snobs, you’ll be able to tweak the depth of the tamp and the leveler utilizing the inner threading mechanism.

What we didn’t like: After utilizing normal tampers with handles, palm tampers take slightly getting used to. They compress the espresso within the portafilter basket to a selected depth as a substitute of utilizing strain, so it’s attainable to over- or under-tamp in the event that they’re not calibrated correctly. Fortunately, as soon as dialed in, it produced the identical outcomes each time.

Key Specs

• Supplies: Stainless-steel and durable plastic
• Dimensions: 2.75-inch diameter by 2-inch peak, 53.3-millimeter base
• Weight: 1.19 kilos
• Cleanup: Wipe down with dry fabric

What we preferred: For an reasonably priced tamper, I like to recommend the LuxHaus. The deal with is well-shaped and feels sturdy and cozy. All through my tamping checks, it created constant, stage pucks that pulled scrumptious espresso photographs.

What we didn’t like: Though performing properly, the burden distribution felt slightly off, although it’s solely noticeable when evaluating the LuxHaus side-by-side with different tampers.

Key Specs

• Supplies: Stainless-steel, exhausting plastic
• Dimensions: 4-inch deal with; 53.3-millimeter base
• Weight: 14.4 ounces
• Cleanup: Wipe down with dry fabric

The Competitors

• The Drive Tamper: This spring-loaded tamper labored properly in my checks, however at almost 5 instances the worth of our prime choose, I didn’t discover a marked efficiency enchancment.
• MATOW Espresso Distributor & Tamper: Nearly an identical to the highest palm choose, the MATOW tamper carried out equally, however I discovered the Crema was barely simpler to regulate correctly.
• IKAPE Espresso Tamper: Very similar to the Normcore tamper, IKAPE’s double spring-loaded produces even, stage pucks of espresso. The Normcore carried out barely higher in subsequent style checks, however this tamper is a strong different.
• Rhino Espresso Gear Black Tamper: Although sturdy, I discovered the deal with on this Rhino tamper to be cumbersome and top-heavy.
• FusedLine Sage Barista Tamper: This strong chrome steel tamper is constructed to final, however the deal with was quick and awkward to carry. 
• CreativeWerk Espresso Tamper: I liked the ergonomic picket deal with on this one, however the weight distribution felt bottom-heavy. It could be an ideal match aesthetically in sure kitchens.

FAQs

Must you tamp twice? 

If completed correctly, tamping twice is pointless. “Undoubtedly don’t tamp, knock the aspect of the portafilter with the tamper, and tamp once more,” Jones explains. “Not solely are you disturbing the evenly distributed espresso mattress, you danger damaging the portafilter and tamper within the course of.”

What dimension of espresso tamper do you have to purchase?  

Totally different espresso machines require totally different sizes of tampers. The scale of the portafilter basket determines what dimension of tamper you want. “It is very important match the tamper to the grouphead, in any other case it gained’t match or might be too small to correctly compact the espresso grounds evenly,” Jones explains.

Must you twist whereas tamping? 

No, twisting can disrupt the grounds and trigger an uneven mattress. “Twisting whereas making use of strain creates sheared layers contained in the portafilter,” Jones explains. “The objective of tamping is to take away air pockets and create a uniform mattress of espresso.”

Why We’re the Consultants

• Dylan Ettinger is a Critical Eats contributor who makes a speciality of espresso, spirits, cocktails, and barware. With over a decade of expertise within the specialty espresso business, he has spent the final 4 years testing and reviewing espresso grinders, espresso machines, pour-over cones, and different residence espresso home equipment for quite a lot of publications.
• For this piece, he mixed his expertise within the espresso business with that of Madeline Jones, account supervisor and coach at Uncommon Breed Espresso, to be able to decide what qualities make one of the best espresso tamper. 
• Dylan examined 10 espresso tampers for this overview.