What is a coffee tamper and how to use it correctly

A tamper is a special device that is used to compact ground coffee as a “filter” in a coffee machine.

As a rule, every professional barista or lover of quality coffee has this device. Thanks to the tamper, coffee turns into a kind of tablet, which passes water through itself over a long period of time and is evenly wetted. Typically, the water will quickly flow through the coffee and take most of the extract with it. By slowing down the flow of water, the coffee powder gets wet evenly, preserving the extract and improving the quality of the drink. If you do the opposite, the taste will be watery and sour.

This device is very important for making espresso. Every professional barista uses it to prepare the popular drink. There have even been special lessons, books and video tutorials on using tempera.

What types, shapes and materials are there for making tampers?

From the very beginning, only plastic was used for production. But nothing ever stands still, there is progress everywhere. Subsequently, devices began to be made from various materials, of different shapes, and eventually certain types appeared.

Forms

There are three main types of shapes: flat, convex and round. The most relevant at the moment are flat and convex.

• Flat ones are used to make the tablet uniform;
• Convex ones focus on the middle of the tablet, while leaving the sides slightly above the middle.

Consultants still cannot give an exact answer as to which form is better. After all, both are good in themselves, and they do not differ in quality.

Material

• Plastic. This is the lowest cost material on the market, hence the low quality distemper.
• Aluminum is a lightweight metal that can easily corrode in a humid environment. Due to its low weight, a tamper made of this material will not be able to tamp the coffee well enough, so it is not worth purchasing a tool made of this material.
• Steel is the most suitable material because... It is heavy, does not rust and is durable.
• Tree. This material is generally used to make the handle of the tempera, but not its platform.

Dimensions

Dimensions include two parameters: diameter and height. Standard parameters: width - 53, 5 or 58 mm, and height: 7-10 mm. To avoid making a mistake when choosing, you should pay attention to the filter of the coffee machine. The diameter of the platform should be 0.5 or 1 mm smaller than the filter itself. If the filter is cone-shaped, then the measurement should start from the narrowest part.

Manufacturers and average product prices

The cost depends on whether the product is branded or not. A branded item with a platform made of steel and a wooden handle will cost an average of 2000-2200 rubles.

Branded temperas made entirely of steel will cost approximately 1300-1600 rubles.

Unbranded ones cost about 1100-1300 rubles.

The best coffee tampers

A tamper is a small hand press consisting of a handle and a working surface. It is used to tamp ground coffee and form it into a kind of puck (coffee tablet).

The seal slows down the passage of water and promotes uniform wetting of the powder during brewing. Thanks to this, the espresso is tasty and strong.

Motta in polished aluminum 53 mm

A universal tool for experienced and beginners

Motta guarantees equal pressure on the coffee powder. The tamper attracts with its impeccable performance and good price-quality ratio.

Reasons to buy:

• beautiful polished surface;
• hex handle;
• strength.

The polished aluminum bar accessory compacts the coffee powder in the portafilter and creates a flat tablet surface. Due to this, hot water evenly permeates the grounds and, passing through it, is maximally saturated with coffee aroma.

Food grade aluminum is not subject to corrosion and does not affect the taste of the product. The handle does not slip in the palm, allowing you to place a good emphasis without extra effort. The diameter of the structure is 53 mm.

Despite the fact that the device is extremely lightweight, it is convenient to work with. It can withstand heavy loads, does not deform from impacts and looks great combined with any espresso machine.

Push tamper leveler, ø 51 mm, 911665

Height-adjustable multi-tool

The Push Tamper is a new invention that makes tamping easier and ensures that your coffee compacts evenly without much effort.

Reasons to buy:

• attractive appearance;
• flat base;
• ergonomics;
• functionality.

What distinguishes the Push-temper from the classic model is the absence of a handle and the ability to adjust the tempering depth using a special scale from 4 to 15 mm. To form a tablet, pour powder into the horn, install the device and press firmly.

The round flat sole is made of stainless steel and food-grade aluminum. The top part is ribbed, so it is comfortable to hold in your hands while working. Base diameter 51 mm, total height 35 mm.

The product has excellent technical functions and is practical to use. With it you can fully control the uniformity of tamping to obtain delicious espresso.

JoeFrex D57 Classic

Distemper with convex base

A weighty press with a comfortable ergonomic handle is a welcome gift for people who prefer reliable and high-quality coffee accessories.

Reasons to buy:

• original design;
• environmentally friendly materials;
• standard size;
• polished handle;
• durability.

The base of the tempera is made of stainless steel. The sole is convex - with its help the coffee tablet is more compacted in the middle. A small recess appears in the center to allow hot water to drain.

The collapsible accessory itself is equipped with a high wooden handle. The heavy and durable model feels pleasant in the palm of your hand and works flawlessly. Diameter 57 mm.

The convex tamper compacts the coffee powder well. The formed tablet ensures optimal extraction and the espresso comes out rich and strong.

Temper steel with bakelite handle, 58 mm

Dismountable tool for compacting fine powder

The original press, which compresses ground coffee before brewing espresso in the coffee maker, is an excellent choice for home and professional use.

Reasons to buy:

• steel base;
• non-slip handle;
• pleasant heaviness;
• uniform pressure.

The smooth round base of the tempera is made of food grade stainless steel. The scratch-resistant surface does not absorb foreign odors and does not oxidize. The figured handle is made of bakelite. Durable, friction-resistant plastic that imitates the structure of wood. But unlike it, bakelite does not allow air to pass through and does not absorb moisture.

The dismountable parts are securely screwed to each other. The 58 mm surface is suitable for professional coffee equipment with large horns. The size and shape of the handle greatly simplifies the work, allowing you to compact coffee quickly and efficiently. In order for the model to last for a long time, it is recommended to wipe it dry after washing and store it unassembled.

Tasty Coffee tamper

Basic press in several sizes

Tasty Coffee is a basic tamper for single and double portafilter coffee machines. The model ideally compacts the powder and promotes proper extraction of ground grains.

Reasons to buy:

• sufficient weight;
• wooden handle;
• long service life;
• several sizes to choose from.

The tamper has a flat stainless steel base that evenly compacts the coffee over the entire diameter of the portafilter. There are specimens available for sale in sizes 53, 57 and 58 mm.

The tall, comfortable handle is carved from wood, carefully sanded, impregnated with oil and coated with clear varnish. The Tasty Coffee logo is laser engraved at the top. A hand press looks stylish, beautiful and makes preparing a drink much easier.

A convenient and practical tamper will appeal to beginners and experienced baristas. Since it comes in several sizes, everyone can choose a model that matches the coffee machine filter.

Fu Tea Temper all-metal, stainless steel steel 49 mm

Long-lasting tamper with a comfortable handle

The accessory from Fujian Fu Tea is designed for coffee makers with a rather rare portafilter diameter of 49-50 mm. The classic flat surface does not oxidize and produces a uniform tablet.

Reasons to buy:

• elegant design;
• robust design;
• rust resistance;
• Dishwasher safe.

The stainless steel unit is a great choice for those looking for a good coffee tamper. The fairly lightweight design does not overstrain your hands during compaction and quickly forms a dense tablet.

The model consists of a round sole and an oval handle, which are fixed to each other with a reliable screw. Due to this, the tamper is convenient to hold and use. Working surface diameter 49 mm.

Stainless steel has no additional coating that affects the taste of the drink. The press makes stable and clean tampers and does not wear out for a long time.

How to choose a coffee tamper?

To make the right choice, you should focus on some parameters of the coffee machine:

• The diameter of the filter should exceed the diameter of the tamper by 0.5-1 mm. Because if the device is too small for the filter, then the compaction process will take a lot of time and effort;
• The filter used, which can be single or double. The shape of the tempera platform will depend on this. For a double, it is advisable to purchase a device with a flat platform. Although experts cannot say that this is a mandatory requirement. During the cooking process, the barista can determine for himself which one is best to use. Fans should use a flat one, because... it immediately compacts the coffee evenly.

FAQ

What size should a tempera handle be? There are tampers on sale that are made entirely of stainless steel. These are heavy and reliable models that provide maximum tempering convenience.

In addition, manufacturers produce presses with handles made of natural wood and plastic. Both of them are of good quality, but light in weight. Here everything depends on individual preferences.

What is a coffee leveler? The leveler is a round washer, complete with three precision slopes engraved on the stainless steel base. It is needed to compact and level the coffee powder before tamping.

The accessory makes the coffee homogeneous and helps avoid incorrect extraction. The leveler, like the distemper, is selected according to the diameter of the holder.

What tamper should I use if I'm brewing espresso for the first time? If you haven't gotten the hang of it yet, it's best to start with a push tamper, which has a stop that rests on the edges of the horn. With it you will learn how to tamp without distortions. Once you gain experience, you will be able to use any tamper that seems convenient.

History of the origin of tempera

Almost 25 years ago, Canadian native Rage Barber opened his own coffee shop. He learned the secrets of the barista profession in a small American town. During the training, the Canadian mastered the skills of working with a coffee pressing tool. At that time, temperas were made of aluminum and plastic.

When Barber returned home, he began to develop a new instrument. The ideal design appeared after several months of fruitful work. In the modern world, the tool is made of high-quality metal, and its handles are comfortable for baristas.

Modern tools come in different materials or configurations, but a working surface and a handle are essential components. It is very important in the work of coffee shops: the taste of the finished drink depends on the pressing. If a non-uniform tablet is formed, the espresso will turn out burnt or very liquid.

DIY tempera

If you follow the recommendations, you can make tamper at home. To make a press device, we take a blank made of bronze, aluminum or stainless steel - only reliable material. Sometimes handicraftsmen make a hand press from plexiglass. The only caveat: bronze and aluminum coffee accessories are subject to oxidation. Coffee powder is pressed with high quality if you use tempera with sufficient mass and a suitable shape.

Factory products have a diameter of 50-60 mm. We decide on the size taking into account the filter parameters. What we do next:

1. We take the necessary materials.
2. We grind out the lower part of the tempera from the raw material.
3. We are working on the handle: we make it from oak or birch. It should be firm and dense.
4. We connect the lower part with the handle. We connect both parts with a screw. The part must pass through the metal base of the press.

Monolithic products are very complex, but some craftsmen know how to make them themselves. They use ready-made templates from the Internet or work on their own template. A monolithic tool is machined from one piece of raw material.

What are they made from?

The tamper consists of a tamping base and a handle. Moreover, it can be monolithic or with removable handles. These accessories are made from:

• plastics;
• aluminum;
• of stainless steel.

Plastic tamper is very light, so you have to make a lot of effort to tamp it down. In addition, plastic breaks easily and quickly becomes unusable, and plastic handles can injure the palm. It is difficult to achieve uniform compaction when using a plastic tamper. The only advantage of this material is the price. Plastic is the cheapest.

Heavier temperas are made from metals. Aluminum and stainless steel have proven themselves, but each has its own advantages and disadvantages.

Aluminum tampers are lightweight, but still better than plastic ones. They can form a coffee tablet well after some training. Aluminum is not fragile, besides, it has a pleasant appearance and a relatively inexpensive price. The disadvantage of these tampers is the peculiarity of the metal: aluminum is soft, quickly scratches and oxidizes in places of damage. It is almost impossible to get rid of oxides, but they affect the taste of coffee. Therefore, the aluminum tamper must be handled with care and cleaned regularly. If there is a lot of damage on it, then it will have to be thrown away.

If you use an aluminum tamper with oxidation on the surface of the base, it must be washed as oxides appear, and always before preparing coffee. The surface must be treated with a non-abrasive detergent, rinsed thoroughly and wiped dry.

Stainless steel tampers are the heaviest, so the effort required when tamping is minimal, and the quality of tablet formation is high. Stainless steel will last a long time and of high quality, without deteriorating in appearance. This is the best material for making tampers, according to professional baristas. But steel presses are also expensive.

What tamper do you use?

Steel

Aluminum

Tempera handles are made of metal or polished wood. When choosing a material, everyone is guided by their own tastes and personal convenience: for some, the heavy weight of a metal handle is more important, while for others, the texture of wood is pleasant.

By the way, a tamper cannot be completely wooden, since this material absorbs odors, which can affect the final taste and aroma of coffee.

How did tempera appear?

The history of modern tempera is quite interesting. One day a man named Rage Barber decided to open his own store to sell coffee. And he was surprised to see that expensive coffee machines costing more than 10 thousand dollars did not come with a good tamper, but just a piece of plastic.

When using such a tamper, it is not only impossible to compact the coffee well, but it is also quite easy to injure or scratch your palm. But still, it was necessary to use such inconvenient temperas, since there was no alternative.

Then Rage Barber decided to produce his own tampers, which would have a lot of weight to better seal the coffee, and also anatomically fit the barista’s palm.