While I'm waiting for my control board to be repaired, I need to look for a tamper and knockbox for my M31. I definitely want something durable. There are a lot of choices out there. Any recommendations?

Search and be amazed

Knockbox favorites

Hard to believe it's been more than three years since the HB Tamper Roadshow. It covered some mighty fine tampers, but of course more have been introduced since then. A new one among my favorites is the Cafelat tampers (*). They're similar in some respects to the Coffeelab Design tampers with the influence of another favorite of mine sold by Artazza, TORR tampers (*).

In the end, tamper choice is a lot about ergonomics and workmanship. An el-cheapo tamper will flatten coffee as well as a finely-crafted handmade one, but if you admire quality tools, the nicer ones are worth considering. If it's a six-of-one/half-a-dozen affair to you, shop on price alone.

PS: Paul Pratt, owner of Cafelat, recently mentioned that he's coming out with a new knockbox design. I'm sure he won't mind me sharing this photo as a teaser:



(*) Full Disclosure: Cafelat and Artazza are HB sponsors.

I cannot suggest Cafelat products enough. They are awesome, awesome products.

Ive got three of the tampers.. Royal(black) Drop(wood) and Pillar. They are all very nice tampers.. During a session, Ill randomly switch between using them.. they all fit my hand naturally, and honestly.. I don't have a favorite.. I really like all of them. The Royal is a TAD heavier.. but I don't notice it when using it.

The cafelat knockbox, is perfect for me. Its big, so Im not emptying it daily.. It holds about 4 days worth of pucks.. but, if you're making 2-3 drinks a day, it will hold a weeks worth without contest.

IDK who sells this product, so you'd have to see if you can buy it direct from Paul.. but I highly suggest you inquire about it. The Cleaning Brush. That one area has always been the biggest PITA for me.. Ive never been able to clean it 100%, or very easily. This brush, is a godsend. My group now looks like a brand new machine every couple of days. I LOVE this brush. Seems to be designed around a 58mm group, but it works fine in my Vivaldi.

Dan,

Can you give more details on the new smaller cafelat knock box.

Size, Colors, does the bar just sit on top or is it secured into the knockbox base ?

Thanks, WS

In the FWIW Dept., I, too, am a BIG fan of the Bumper products that Paul previously produced. Now that he has re-named his company Cafelat, and re-designed his pieces, I'm still a fan . . .

Let me point out that I have mostly Bumper products -- two tampers, two knockboxes, and one tamping stand -- and, so far, only one Cafelat product -- a tamping stand -- but even so, the redesigned Cafelat stand is a definite improvement over the Bumper one, and that was the best I found (until the Cafelat).

Part of my problem is that the Bumper products are/were so well-designed that I have no "need" to replace them. "Want," maybe; "need," no. That said, I really like the looks of that Cafelat knockbox, but a) it looks smaller than the Bumper, and b) I'm not sure mine needs replacing. The same is true for the tampers -- they look beautiful, but do I need another tamper? -- although I'm planning on ordering a corner tamping mat, a couple of milk pitchers, and the espresso machine brush (certainly looks better than the one I now use) . . .

IMHO, and in my experience, it's difficult to find better than Paul's stuff!

Cheers,
Jason

HB wrote:PS: Paul Pratt, owner of Cafelat, recently mentioned that he's coming out with a new knockbox design. I'm sure he won't mind me sharing this photo as a teaser:

OK - I am officially teased
(Gotta get me one O' these)

I dont know but from the picture the knock box bar across the top doesnt appear to be secured to the round knockbox, could it bounce off during the puck whacking ?

Thanks, WS

Not being secured would make cleaning easier. The rod seems deep enough that it shouldn't dislodge when knocked. The brush looks nice, probably expensive and not yet listed on Chris's Coffee site.

Marvin

I just got a Cafelat tamping stand and it was one of the more satisfying upgrades to my coffee making setup in a while.