Hi all,
Sorry if this has been answered elsewhere but I can't find it. I have a pre Millenium europiccola and want to order a Reg Barber tamper for it as my 49mm tamper is slightly too small. I note that the basket sides slope inwards but a vernier gauge seems to say it's around 49.8mm half to 2 thirds of the way down. Does that sound right? What size tamper do people usually use with these? Also, I know there are 2 schools of thought on the bases but I'd be interested in any comments on the convex vs flat option for this machine? Any comments would be most welcome.
Sam.

I can't comment about the tamper size. But, if you can, one can mail their PF basket to Reg Barber and he will custom fit a tamper to it.

I was told by the folks at EspressoParts.com that a convex tamper really only has an impact on the larger (58 mm) tampers and that it isn't worth it for a 49 mm tamper. I was told this when i had placed an order with them for a convex tamper. I followed their advice and rescinded the order.

When I was using the Pavoni on a regular basis of that year, I used a 49...is a bit smaller but worked fine....I am overly spoiled by the custom fit one that I use today. I would highly recommend that you send a basket in and have them make you one....a little more expense that will pay you back every morning.

srobinson wrote:snip... I would highly recommend that you send a basket in and have them make you one....a little more expense that will pay you back every morning.

Me too!
rp

Thanks all. Trouble is I only have one basket and don't want to be without the machine for even a day. Perhaps I should order a second basket first.
Best,
Sam.

Hi,

I use a 49mm tamper and it works fine. After you put the coffee in the basket you just put the tamper on top of the coffee and you apply very little pressure. Then you tap the portafilter on the worktop once, that will make the coffee grinds that have not been tamped fall over. Then you tamp and twist. Done.

I do think a slightly rounded tamper works better though. Less problems with channeling. The original plastic La Pavoni tamper is convex for that very reason. It is also slightly bigger than 49mm.



It does lack the weight though. So, If you're going to have one made, I'd go for a 49,5mm convex tamper. Otherwise use the tapping technique as described above.

Good luck!

I don't agree with that logic. If the Pavoni tamper was the optimum design then I would ensure that all my tampers had rounded edges and never reached my palm.

A tamper is a tool and is highly dependent on the skills of the barista. Working with Dan we get every shape and size that they make. For folks new to levers I suggest a flat base since it help get an even consistent tamp. For those working on their skills, I find the convex tends to rock which leads to more issues than simply side channeling. I have pulled many shots on the Pavoni with both and I would suggest the flat bottom.

The second reason is that I like to get a bit more coffee in the filter. These are tiny baskets that we are dealing with and the Pavoni is extremely sensitive to overfilling...the portafilter will simply not lock in. I can always tell a Pavoni user from their black fingernails from scratching out the edges not to waste a shot. So you have to get the edge height just right and with a convex, and that dip in the middle = less coffee.

If you want to play around with both then get a good handle and two bases...see for yourself what you like best.

Oh, and get a couple more baskets....you can never have enough...on that machine I would highly suggest getting a Microcasa basket for the drawer...a bit deeper.

Thanks again everyone. So Steve, are you saying that the Microcasa lever machine basket fits the Europiccola? It would be good to try that. I might order one of those and another Pavoni one. Then I can send one off to Reg Barber. Do you have any recommendations for a place to buy the baskets that ships internationally?
Thanks,
Sam.

For a pre-Millinium it should work fine. If you go to the FAQ and Favorites in this forum, you will see that I wrote a thread on Elektra/Pavoni side by side....Give you a good view of the basket and the size difference. It worked fine for me. With regards to getting a basket, I would check Elektra Australia...may be a bit closer to you. http://www.elektraaustralia.com/. The other option would be to buy from a dealer like 1st Line, see if they would send it to Reg and then see if he would mail the whole thing to you. I am sure that Les over at Thor Tampers would work with you on this.

Good luck...report back.

Hi Steve,
Well I ordered a couple of Elektra baskets. I had them shipped here first so I could be sure they're OK and then I'll send one off to Reg Barber. They arrived today and they sure hold a lot more coffee. Did you have any trouble with the depth in the portafilter though? They're deep enough that I can only just clip the PF into the group and I can't push it all the way around. It works but it worries me that I might damage the group or the gasket doing that. Any comments would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Sam.