How a good espresso tamper differs from a bad one?

The espresso tamper is one of the most important tools of the professional but also of the amateur barista. What characteristics should our tamper have in order to perform properly?

The proper espresso extraction is characterized by several as a science, since it requires careful control of several variables, such as the degree of grinding, the extraction time, the temperature of the water and, of course, the tamping. We have analyzed the importance of proper tamping for a good espresso cup and we have highlighted how important investment is buying a good tamper for starting a collection of barista tools, even for an amateur.

But what are the characteristics that a tamper must have in order to be considerer good? What separates a good tamper, which will be the crown of a barista tools collection from a moderate or even a bad tamper? We gathered the characteristics that a coffee press should have in order to hold a place in a remarkable collection of barista tools!

What characteristics should a good tamper feature?

Tamper is a tool that requires manual handling. It is essential that the tamper that we choose to have ergonomic design to fit well in our hand, to have a comfortable and at the same time firm grip, to allow us to press the ground espresso with satisfactory strength, without too much tire of our hand. Professional as well as amateur tampers usually consist of a metal surface, and a handle made of metal or wood. Regarding the material of the handle, the views are divided and each barista chooses the tool most suited to the same: it would be a good idea to try holding and feeling some tampers before you go shopping.

A very basic factor in choosing the right tamper is to choose the right diameter. The diameter of the tamper is determined by the diameter of the machine's portafilter, ranging in numbers from 53mm to 58mm. It is important to choose the tamper that suits our machine precisely, so that tamping is not only easier but also right. In any case, it is necessary to consult our machine's manual in order to be sure that we choose a tamper that is not only properly crafted but also fully responsive to our needs.  

- Pretty design

Having get into the process of searching espresso tampers, being amateurs, it means that coffee is a pleasant hobby for you - but even if you are professional, we love coffee a little more than most people. Why should not your equipment be beautifully designed? There are many tampers that are beautifully designed and responsive to our personal taste, while we can choose different handles, choosing the design, color and material that will make our favorite tamper unique. Surely, the barista tools we have to choose must be quality and do their job properly, but that does not mean they should not be beautiful at the same time!

An ergonomic tamper, beautifully designed and of the right diameter is more than enough for either a coffee professional or a passionate amateur home barista. But there are also specialized tampers, most notably those bearing a pressure gauge. Pressure gauge tampers give clear indications of pressure, which can prove to be particularly useful for those who have not been working with espresso for a long time and have not yet built up the sense of pressure they have to use during tamping. Surely, tampers with this specialized feature cost a little more than conventional ones, but they can prove to be particularly useful for an amateur who is at the start of his espresso as well as for a professional who wants to have the full control of espresso making.

There are a lot of home but also professional baristi who constantly enrich their tamper collection with new models, either experimenting with their abilities or simply because they are really passionate about their espresso and tools. If you're starting your wandering in the espresso world, of course, there is no need for exaggeration. Follow the tips and discover the tamper you need - the great collection of tools will come along, along with the experience !