Tamping with basket in hand?

by **farmroast** on Thu Dec 29, 2011 1:58 am

I routinely fill and weigh the basket out of the pf., level, drop in pf and tamp.
I just received a Strega using 58mm baskets. My tampers are 49mm.
I happened to try tamping with the included with machine classic thin light plastic (slight curve) tamper and the basket cupped in my other hand and then dropping in pf and think I really liked this method.

Actually seemed more natural feel for even packing of the basket. Could see better what i was doing and adjust pressure from both hands instead of just hard on the tamper. I'm finding it fast with less fuss and good results. The 58mm SS tamper base arrived today and I tried using it with basket in hand and it was very awkward. Works best the normal way.

by **boar_d_laze** on Thu Dec 29, 2011 11:34 am

Ed,

For the twenty years I was used my old Pasquini grinder I used the disc on the front of the doser to "up-tamp" -- and it worked swell. Moral of the story: Whatever works.

As to your current method, I appreciate the insight and tactile awareness it gives you into the final step in distribution. It's easy to see why you like it.

It's almost embarrassing but currently I most often use the "Technic" handle for my Concept Art base. Not so much for the pressure loaded "click," but because I like its weight and the brushed stainless looks good between my machine and grinder. Go figure.

BDL

by **yakster** on Sat Dec 31, 2011 7:21 pm

I would think that you'd have problems with a level tamp when tamping with the basket in hand... but I tried it with my 52 mm Gaggia Factory Millennium basket and now you've got me doing it too.

It feels like I tamp with less pressure when using two opposing hands rather then pressing downward with one arm against the counter. I've been holding the basket under the Vario (with a dosing funnel to catch all the grinds which keeps the counter much cleaner) distribute the grounds in the basket by shaking, tapping, or using my finger, then lightly applying pressure with the tamper and spinning it to do a final distribution before tamping.

I'll probably keep doing this until I find a reason not too. It seems to simplify the process slightly with more tactile feedback.


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