What do y'all use for a tamping pad?

[jonbauer]

Hi There,

So I've been resting my portafilter on a towel on top of my countertop when I do my tamp. It works, but there's gotta be some better choices. Especially since I ordered a nekkid portafilter, and I don't think that one won't work well on a towel...

I've looked at the Bumper, but not sure that one's for me...

What other choices are out there? What do y'all use? Pictures are, of course, much appreciated along with advice!

- Jon

[DaveC]

Hi There,

So I've been resting my portafilter on a towel on top of my countertop when I do my tamp. It works, but there's gotta be some better choices. Especially since I ordered a nekkid portafilter, and I don't think that one won't work well on a towel...

I've looked at the Bumper, but not sure that one's for me...

What other choices are out there? What do y'all use? Pictures are, of course, much appreciated along with advice!

- Jon

I used to use a block of wood with a cutout and when I showed it to a firm I did some coffee related consultancy for, they made something in Steel. Interestingly mazzer also make something similar (no I didn't copy them)! I now use this all the time and it does mean I can leave a single in there without it tipping over whilst I foam milk or whatever. I hang my tamper in it when it's not being used (I hate to get scratches on my tamper face). Which reminds me I need to polish the face of my RB tamper.

http://www.bellabarista.co.uk/Acc...lder-withporta.jpg

Here is a picture, you should easily be able to make something similar.

[jonbauer]

Ah. Yeah, I found the Mazzer one on their web site here: http://www.mazzer.com/catalogo/accessori.asp

That one looks kinda cool - won't work for a naked pf though...

- Jon

[bobcraige]

I have been very happy with the simple black rubber (or rubberlike) pad from Espresso Parts. It protects both the countertop and the portafilter and is inexpensive as well. I have taken to putting a paper napkin under as without it, it sticks to the Formica contertop.

[keno]

What other choices are out there? What do y'all use?

I use a heavy duty drawer liner for a tool chest. They are made out of a tough black rubber and can be purchased (cheaply) at any Home Depot or Lowes. You can cut it to the exact size you want. Mine is sized to hold my grinder, knockbox, and have plenty of room for tamping.

Best regards,
Ken

[randomperson]

I use the same rubber mat from espressoparts that Bob referred to -- it works really well. I've also used one of those nubby silicone mats/potholders that seem to be everywhere these days -- they come in many colors, are dishwashable, and work very well.

[cannonfodder]

The easy fix is to order yourself one of Paul_Pratt tamper stands/rest from EPWNW.

Cutout for single or double spout portafilters, hard rubber top on a stainless steel frame, works wonderful and looks much better than a piece of PVC pipe. You can use a bottomless tamper on it as well.

[jesawdy]

At the moment, I just use a folded dish towel... but I have that snazzy Bumper tamp station on order.

I am surprised no one is just using a computer mouse pad.... seems like a cheap solution.

[mogogear]

Not original but it works great for spouts or naked PF-

I use a hockey puck. It sits on top of the doser of my grinder with the tamper on top of it when not in use.

[randomperson]

The easy fix is to order yourself one of Paul_Pratt tamper stands/rest from EPWNW.

Cutout for single or double spout portafilters, hard rubber top on a stainless steel frame, works wonderful and looks much better than a piece of PVC pipe. You can use a bottomless tamper on it as well.

Ooooo I'm LOVING this thing! I just ordered one for no good reason 'cept that it's Christmas -- for ME!

Thanks for the heads up on this way cool device!

[Reasnor]

I use the back side of a mouse pad. Been using it for three years...and it holds up well!

[cannonfodder]

You should try out Paul's bumper box. Massive knock box. It can swallow up a pound of pucks and not flinch.

[krus]

I use the same rubber mat from espressoparts that Bob referred to -- it works really well. I've also used one of those nubby silicone mats/potholders that seem to be everywhere these days -- they come in many colors, are dishwashable, and work very well.

I second that. I'm totally impressed with the bumper tamper device, and am very glad I ordered one. I used to use a silicone mat to protect my tampers from getting scratched, but quit doing that because a little bit of silicone will rub off onto the tamper base and cause grounds to stick to it. Now I just use plain rubber to store my tampers on, and haven't had any problems.

[Beezer]

I'm using the 2005 Fresno County Legal Directory for my office tamping station. Not too thick, but thick enough to keep from damaging my espresso bar table. And it was free, so that's a plus. But it's getting a bit thrashed, so I may eventually order up a rubber mat from Espresso Parts Northwest.

[OlywaDave]

Jon,

Paul's Bumper Tamper Rest mentioned above is a great item for sure we use it here at Espresso Parts daily. But... The Rubber Packing Mats work well too and may be worth a try.

[cannonfodder]

For a bottomless or double spout the flat mat would work well, but if you use a single spout portafilter Paul's tamper station is the way to go. If it were not for the single spout (and yes I prefer the single spout over the bottomless) I would have kept with my little rubber pad.

[prof_stack]

This looks a handy device from EspressoParts:

This espresso hobby (habit) sure is wearing out my credit card!