OCD - ONA Coffee Distributor (tool for coffee in the portafilter basket) - Page 4

#31: Post by **lcats** » April 8th, 2016, 8:35 am

I just received my OCD-ONA yesterday and want to ask a technical question. I usually up-dose a VST 18gm basket to 18.5 - 19.0 grams, depending on the roast and its age. When I do this and try to use the OCD, there is not enough headroom to smooth out the coffee, even with the OCD in its lowest setting (without the inserts). I will try it today with an even 18gm (and also with a lighter, denser roast) and see how that looks.

I really like the concept of the OCD. I know I can try other baskets or further lower the dose, but I am pretty attached to my VST 18 and with the flavors I get with my usual dose.

Any thoughts?

#32: Post by **bwstahnke** » April 8th, 2016, 9:38 am

These guys have their own...

This has infinite height adjustability instead of spacers. Same design as their palm tamper with the OCD style base. Pretty clear they weren't the first to come up with these design ideas for either the distribution or palm style tampers. There is getting to be more companies out there that are adopting the 'self-leveling' tamper.

https://clockworkespresso.com/ (These guys may have been the first?)
http://mahlgut.eu/shop/allgemeines-zube ... mper-palm/
http://www.saintanthonyindustries.com/tamps/the-levy

http://pullman.coffee/en/shop/product/2 ... e-tampsure

I'm sure I am missing a few, but you get the idea...

#33: Post by **lcats** » April 8th, 2016, 12:32 pm

This AM I ground the lighter of the two roasts I usually use, and at 18.5gm in a VST 18gm basket it worked flawlessly with the OCD (without spacers). This afternoon I will try again with a darker roast and try to find what weight limit (at around 18gm) works with this set-up.

#34: Post by **Headala** » April 8th, 2016, 1:47 pm

This is really interesting; seems they are onto something if Mahlgut has their own version?

I'm still confused about one thing....are you guys tamping after you use the tool or not tamping at all? I'm always on the lookout for ways to allow my wife to pull her own shots without my OCD quality-control hovering over her shoulder. This may be an option. Wow they are expensive though!

#35: Post by **lcats** » April 8th, 2016, 2:08 pm

For me the issues are to attempt to get both a uniform distribution and a level surface at the same time. I have used a leveling tamper for some time, but always my surface prior to tamping was not even, despite WDT and nutation. Not that bad, but not even. From my very limited experience now with the OCD, I think this could be the improvement that I wished.

#36: Post by **lcats** » April 8th, 2016, 2:10 pm

Forgot to add, yes, I still tamp after using the OCD.

#37: Post by **RyanJE** » April 18th, 2016, 9:04 pm

Is WDT still required with this? Or is this meant to replace as well as grooming?

Meaning could you grind shake level and use OCD in place of WDT?

#38: Post by **tohenk2** » April 19th, 2016, 4:34 am

lcats wrote:I just received my OCD-ONA yesterday and want to ask a technical question. I usually up-dose a VST 18gm basket to 18.5 - 19.0 grams, depending on the roast and its age. When I do this and try to use the OCD, there is not enough headroom to smooth out the coffee, even with the OCD in its lowest setting (without the inserts). I will try it today with an even 18gm (and also with a lighter, denser roast) and see how that looks.

I really like the concept of the OCD. I know I can try other baskets or further lower the dose, but I am pretty attached to my VST 18 and with the flavors I get with my usual dose.

Any thoughts?

Rings around the leveling part? Since you can not get the inner leveling part (metal) any more "up" you can try to get the outer part (black plastic?) more "down".

#39: Post by **RyanJE** » April 19th, 2016, 10:33 am

baldheadracing wrote:PID's are a permanent crutch impeding the development of temperature surfing and flushing skills

Honestly, the more tools the better, I say. For example, I have Tidaka funnels. Besides reducing the mess, they ensure that the tamper goes in square to the basket. My muscle memory to quickly tamp level has faded ... if I ever need to tamp without aids, then I'll do it the slow and sure way - with thumbs on the piston, and bringing the basket up to eye level.

With the OCD - I don't know how well it will work - but if it "does what it says on the tin," then I'll be thrilled, as I find 'putting green' distribution tedious. I want to drink good coffee, so I need to know the hows and whys of making good coffee, but beyond that ...

baldhead, did you get one of these? If so, thoughts?

#40: Post by **TomC** » April 19th, 2016, 8:07 pm

RyanJE wrote:Is WDT still required with this? Or is this meant to replace as well as grooming?

Meaning could you grind shake level and use OCD in place of WDT?

I'm curious about this too, but I highly doubt I'd buy one. I think the only thing the developers of this device could cling to, would be that it may help single dosing, consistent basket prep without the need of WDT. But I wouldn't shell out the funds (or bother with the added time) to "groom" just the top 1/4-1/3rd of the basket, if the rest underneath was still channel prone.