Newbie Question - Flat or Convex tampers

[DC_CH]

I have had my Francis X1 for a few years and was never too impressed with it, until I started reading up on making better espresso on sites like this. Now I am getting a much better cup with less bitterness and am trying to get the right tools for the trade.

Recently I ordered flat Tamper that happens to be the wrong size (53mm and I need a 52mm, I have the first version of the X1). Now before I order the correct size, I wanted to get some feed back on which is better and why?

Thanks,

Carl B

PS - Yeah I did a search and got a Lot of stuff to sift through.

[DC_CH]

Nevermind I think I found some of the answers. Maybe one of the admins could make some of the more informative threads on this topic sticky for newbies like me.

Thanks,

Carl B

Found this one and a few others - http://www.home-barista.com/forum...or-convex-t24.html

[HB]

You're right Carl, an index to the forums is long overdue to prevent good discussions from being lost.

The Resources page is your first stop, and at your urging, I've created a FAQs and Favorites sticky for this forum. It's seeded with my quickly assembled categorization of popular topics for Barista Tips and Techniques. Nominations I may have overlooked are welcome. Over the next couple weeks, I'll create one for each forum.

Back to your original question, there's no general consensus on flat or convex, though it seems like convex is gaining popularity these days (even David Schomer's update to his tamping / distribution techniques article advocated slightly domed pistons). For most espresso machines, I don't have a strong preference for one shape or another, though if I had to choose only one, I'd probably go with a convex.

By the way, if you hurry, there's a sweet deal on the tamper below waiting for you in the Marketplace.