18
votes
How important is tamping coffee for an espresso machine
Tamping is one of three key controls you have over the espresso brewing process; The others are dose (the amount of coffee used) and grind coarseness. Together, they allow the coffee machine operator ...
- 1,599
15
votes
Accepted
How important is tamping coffee for an espresso machine
Let's start off with what the function of the tamp is.
Function
The tamp is cylindrical in shape and is ideally just snug enough to fit into the portafilter smoothly. What the tamp does, is prime ...
- 1,409
9
votes
Accepted
How do I know how hard to tamp my coffee?
Each new bean becomes a bit of an experiment with each new machine you use.
A rule of thumb is to grind just enough to fill the portafilter so the beveled edge of the tamper becomes flush with the ...
- 2,746
6
votes
How do I know how hard to tamp my coffee?
When i started brewing espresso some years ago i started out with placing a robust scale on the counter and applying pressure while reading the weight in order to measure how hard i tamped my coffee. ...
- 1,381
5
votes
Accepted
Why is tamping necessary for espresso machines but not mokas?
Espresso machines rely on pressure to extract coffee solutes over a very short (~25 seconds) extraction time. Tamping is a critical aspect to achieving this. By tamping ideally, you eliminate channels ...
- 1,464
5
votes
Accepted
What is essential for a proper tamp?
There are a pantload of recommendations on tamping, but the one recommendation common to all is... practice! And... The most optimal way of tamping depends on every individual pull: the beans (...
- 8,535
4
votes
What is the impact of espresso tamper base shape?
If you only use a double (14g) portafilter basket then you're best to use a 58mm convex tamper. This is because if you look at the basket, in most cases, the sides will slope in. Therefore, if you had ...
- 596
4
votes
Accepted
How much leverage pressure is it needed to compress coffee for an espresso?
Based on your comment on the question, you are referring to compacting ground coffee in the portafilter. This process is referred to as tamping when making espresso.
The widely-accepted amount of ...
- 2,158
2
votes
How to avoid channels when pouring espresso
If the espresso is pouring too fast it most likely means you need to grind finer, not tamp harder.
To avoid channels you first need to make sure your machine's pressure is not too high. 9 bars is the ...
- 121
2
votes
Accepted
Can my tamping method damage the basket or portafilter?
In general, by the majority of baristas, the recommended method to tamp is this:
safely hold the basket (with the portafilter)
fill and tamp the grounds using appropriate force (5–20 kgf)
make a ...
- 7,668
2
votes
Accepted
When should I tamp the coffee?
My rule of thumb is to tamp after inserting the basket into the portafilter for one main reason; after the tamp, I want the coffee puck to remain as undisturbed as possible before pulling the shot. ...
- 609
2
votes
When should I tamp the coffee?
I am unaware if this specific machine has specific requirements. If this is the case, please mention.
I mostly prefer to tamp the coffee after I put it in the portafilter. It's harder to carry the ...
- 7,668
2
votes
Ideal Way to control shot extraction with Gaggia Classic
The best way to control of shot extraction without adding excessively complicated electronics (if by PID you mean proportional-integral-derivative controller) is:
How fine is the bean grounding (the ...
- 591
1
vote
Accepted
Is my 51mm tamper slightly too small?
I was solving roughly the same problem a year ago with my (then new) Europicolla (see here: Espresso: How much can coffee choice affect the porosity of the coffee puck? ). The problem was basically:
...
- 226
1
vote
Is my 51mm tamper slightly too small?
Lapavoni ! I love mine !
The time it takes for water to percolate through the portafilter on tank pressure alone is the best measure of your grind/tamp combination. I shoot for 4 to 6 seconds. Then I ...
- 321
1
vote
Why is tamping necessary for espresso machines but not mokas?
An espresso machine sends the water through the coffe grounds under high pressure, typically 9 bars. If you had an uncompacted bed of grounds, the water would just bore through on a path of least ...
- 406
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