mragon Senior Member Joined: 5 May 2008 Posts: 1 Location: Tennessee Expertise: Just starting
Posted Mon May 5, 2008, 1:12pm Subject: Newbie needs tamper advice - flat or convex?
I've read so much about tampers I've got analysis paralysis and I'm scared to order one. I think I've decided on the Espro since I'm learning to make espresso and I think the learning "click" with that tamper would be very helpful. I have a Kitchen Aid Proline Espresso machine which I believe is made by Gaggia. So far I've only used the plastic tamper that came with it. The question that has me kept me from ordering this is whether I should get the flat or the convex bottom on the 58mm Espro tamper. Can anyone advise? The basket for the coffee has a flat bottom but the sides slant. I have nothing for comparison since this is my first espresso machine. Any words of wisdom on flat vs convex would be greatly appreciated.
Posted Mon May 5, 2008, 3:54pm Subject: Re: Newbie needs tamper advice - flat or convex?
I think concensus is out on which one is the best, they both do a good job. I know a custom tamper maker and he makes predominantly flat bases but also makes convex for people who order them. They key is to get a quality tamper that is a perfect fit for your basket and I think either flat/convex will do a good job. I use a flat tamper.
Posted Mon May 5, 2008, 4:46pm Subject: Re: Newbie needs tamper advice - flat or convex?
You won't ever get a definitive answer, cause there isn't one. You can get a whole lot of opinions, and decide from there. If you have a friend who owns a convex you could ask to try it and see if it suits you better, or a local cafe. In any case the shape of the espro's bottom won't affect your learning at all, and you'll want to get a regular tamper eventually anyway once you're weened off the espro, imo. By that logic, get whatever you don't have currently on your plastic, so you have a frame of reference.
I personally prefer convex because I believe it packs the perimeter grounds better since my basket isn't a 0.1mm fit. Convex applies more horizontal pressure
Symbols: = New Posts since your last visit = No New Posts since last visit = Newest post
Forum Rules: No profanity, illegal acts or personal attacks will be tolerated in these discussion boards. No commercial posting of any nature will be tolerated; only private sales by private individuals, in the "Buy and Sell" forum. No cross posting allowed - do not post your topic to more than one forum, nor repost a topic to the same forum. Who Can Read The Forum? Anyone can read posts in these discussion boards. Who Can Post New Topics? Any registered CoffeeGeek member can post new topics. Who Can Post Replies? Any registered CoffeeGeek member can post replies. Can Photos be posted? Anyone can post photos in their new topics or replies. Who can change or delete posts? Any CoffeeGeek member can edit their own posts. Only moderators can delete posts. Probationary Period: If you are a new signup for CoffeeGeek, you cannot promote, endorse, criticise or otherwise post an unsolicited endorsement for any company, product or service in your first five postings.
= No New Posts since last visit 