There are competing theories as to what you should do when tamping grounds in a portafilter. Some of these include:

• 30 lbs. of pressure, 90* angle
• Knocking the side of the portafilter with the tamper
• Rotating the tamper while pressing down
• The North, South, East, West
• Even the ground distribution with your finger prior to tamping

The only ones I see and hear consistently as required is the use of 30 lbs. of pressure and a 90* angle. The rest are variously employed and are not authoritative or dogma.

What is essential for a proper tamp?

Related: How important is tamping coffee for an espresso machine?

There are competing theories as to what you should do when tamping grounds in a portafilter. Some of these include:

• 30 lbs. of pressure, 90* angle
• Knocking the side of the portafilter with the tamper
• Rotating the tamper while pressing down
• The North, South, East, West
• Even the ground distribution with your finger prior to tamping

The only ones I see and hear consistently as required is the use of 30 lbs. of pressure and a 90* angle. The rest are variously employed and are not authoritative or dogma.

What is essential for a proper tamp?

Related: How important is tamping coffee for an espresso machine?