Dry Puck Falls Out - Page 2

[cafeIKE]

Tests have shown ZERO difference water dispersion on a polished vs. an unpolished puck.
There is a slight difference in the tamper appearance, but a cloth can be used to better effect.

Polishers please elucidate the taste improvements that result from polishing?

[Psyd]

I'm with cafeIke on this one. The only difference in polishing is the look of the puck (which is somewhat satisfying right before you lock in, but not much else) and the look of the tamper. I find that the tamp is cleaned easier with a simple no-pressure twist before removing it, and it removes a step from using a towel. Helps keep my dry towel clean, as well, and there's less sweeping up afterwards. As for the difference in the cup, I've not noticed any.
The only possible difference I could imagine, and there is absolutely no research or evidence of this, is that loose ground may have a tendency to stray onto the dispersion screen edges and not be swept away by a flush or a backflush, and possibly make their way onto the next puck or the seal or something. Probably a minor nuisance, if that, at most.

[malachi]

Tests have shown ZERO difference water dispersion on a polished vs. an unpolished puck.

Would love to see these test results as have always been curious about this issue.

[cafeIKE]

After learning a cupla or so years back about polishing, trying and finding no change other than a slight sheen on the puck and slightly less residue on the tamper, this series of tests was repeated 3x. Only one stalish coffee used, 16±0.3g ground for each basket on MC4. Mediumish tamp pressure. Tamper wiped clean for each basket.

1. Drop 1ml of hot water from a dropper into the dead center of the puck, invert and split vertically down the center.

2. Same w 5ml.

3. Spread 5ml w shower screen supported 2mm above puck.

4. Short timed pump run to deliver ~5ml to puck.

In all cases, the water just runs into the puck. I expected the polished pucks to bead and I'd be able time a difference. Nada.
Wet / dry areas appear visually too similar to matter.

The tests could be run at a much higher level of precision with calibrated dose and tamp, high speed cameras, diverse controlled delivery rates, coffees, etc. in search of a difference, but since twirling has never been demonstrated to change, let alone improve, the cup it's filed under WOFTAE!

A level tamp to whatever feels good is all that's necessary.