Hello all, my name is Ian and I have chosen to try my hand entering the world of better coffee making. This is my first post though I have been reading advice and info for a while. I have returned to university as a mature age student, so funds are VERY tight. I managed to find a second hand Gaggia Classic and Rancilio Rocky combo very cheap, and now need to purchase a tamper.

Have been looking at these:

http://www.amazon.com/Rattleware-58-Mil ... 0016CBO74/

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/200909603023

http://www.baristabasics.com.au/details.asp?ItemID=35

I am located in Melbourne, Australia. Was wondering if anyone could help me with recommendations between the three, or point me in the direction of a cheap, and good quality (well, for the price anyways) tamper.

Thankyou All

Ian

Any of those will work fine with proper technique.

I have a similar to the Ebay one you linked (ie from China). It was 24US$ for a wood handle. It works fine, the base is precise but the wood is bland looking, but then again, it was cheap so it was to be expected.

This is the one I have been using for several years:

http://www.amazon.com/Clear-Espresso-Ta ... 000BUDDRQ/

I have drawer full of high-end, big money, prestige tampers, including a Reg Barber and a couple of Concept Arts; a Coffee-Complements "Tamper for Billiards Lovers" (very comfortable); and a Rattleware. The tampers have a variety of bases, some of which (the Concept Arts) are interchangeable.

I switch between the expensive tampers and the eight-ball out of whimsy; but hardly use the Rattleware because it's not as good looking. The Billiards tamper probably gets the most use because (a) it's so comfortable; (b) the serrated base gives the top of the puck an interesting pattern (but does not make a discernible difference in the cup); and an eight-ball looks cool to an immature sixty-three year old.

The secret -- which isn't all that secret -- is that as long as your tamper fits your hand well enough to be comfortable, has geometry which allows you to keep it dead vertical, and is adequately heavy, it's perfect.

When it comes to tamping and not to looks, the Rattleware is as good as anything on the market.

BDL

Tampers are pretty personal, but there are functional choices no matter how you use yours. I like my orphan espresso tampers, but there on the smallish side for some, especially those that tamp hard. Vanelis sells cheapish rosewood tampers on amazon that are of decent aesthetics and excellent function.

I can endorse the Rattleware tamper, which I used for over a year serving at a small commercial espresso bar.

While the handle is lightweight (made from ABS plastic), the stainless steel base is high quality and nicely weighted. It's not as beautiful as my Reg Barber but I found it to be ergonomic and satisfying to use.

Additionally, my Rattleware tamper has two unadvertised features that I really appreciate:
- Fractionally larger than 58mm for a good fit in most commercial baskets (In my case a ridgeless double basket from Espresso Parts)
- Slightly convex base

I often recommend the Rattleware to people who are serious about espresso but don't intend to fetishize the act of tamping.

Try here:

http://www.madebyknock.com/buy.html

The simple tamper quality is great for its price and you can probably get it in a more darker wood.
Very fair shipping prices, Peter is very pleasant and the service is good.

Kfir.

Thankyou everyone, went to look at the plain stainless one today from barista basics, but they had sold out, so might look at getting a rattleware one. Postage to Australia makes things quite a bit more expensive unfortunately. Aside from the aforementioned barista basics tamper, most of the ones I can find made in Australia are luxury items that border on ludicrously expensive, and while I can see them for the pieces of art they can be (which I completely appreciate, I use straight razors to shave, and feel the same way about a good razor and a nice badger brush), I just cant afford it at the moment. So think that until the funds become a little more prolific it is going to have to be functionality first.

Local pickup for you. Would do the trick fine.

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/BARGAIN-NEW- ... 211wt_1414

A tamper is somewhat personal with what is comfortable to your "hand fit". If you have access to various tampers, hold them and see which size and shape is comfortable to you, then try to find a similar one that is cheap. I'd also get a flat bottom, not curved.

Marvin