PALM TAMPER VS REGULAR TAMPER: WHICH ESPRESSO TAMPER IS BEST?
I’ve been pulling espresso shots at home for years, and here’s my opinion on tamper styles.
Tamping seems like a simple concept. So why are there so many different espresso tampers? Palm tamper, calibrated tamper, traditional tamper – no wonder you’re confused!
Does one type of espresso tamper reign supreme? Or do different situations call for different devices? Read this palm tamper vs regular tamper showdown to find out.
What Is A Palm Tamper?
Palm tampers, also sometimes called puck tampers due to their appearance, have a simple look that belies their clever design. They are calibrated to tamp to a certain depth below the rim of the basket, which you can set to match your dose using an adjustment mechanism.
Pros:
- Perfectly consistent
- Guarantees a level tamp
- Ergonomically healthy for the wrist
Cons:
- Inconvenient if you regularly change your dose
- No way of knowing the pressure
What Is A Regular Tamper?
Regular tampers come in two forms, classic and calibrated (1). Both versions can have a flat or convex tamper base.
A classic tamper is a heavy metal disk topped with a handle. I’ve seen some called precision tampers, but that’s just branding, not an indication of quality.
A calibrated tamper looks similar but has a piston or spring mechanism to guarantee a specific pressure. Some come with interchangeable springs to adjust the tamp pressure.
Pros:
- Many are inexpensive
- Calibrated tampers improve consistency
- Huge selection of sizes and designs
Cons:
- Can be hard on the wrist with repeated use
- Doesn’t guarantee a level tamp
Palm Tamper Vs Regular Tamper: Face-to-Face
With those basics covered, let’s get to the head-to-head showdown. I’ll compare the two styles of espresso tampers across three crucial categories.
Consistency
Tamping consistency is so vital that it’s one of my top espresso tips for beginners. The goal of any tamp is to create a level bed of compressed ground coffee in the filter basket. This allows water to flow evenly through the coffee puck during brewing, ensuring an even extraction.
There is no debate that the original style of the espresso tamper is the least consistent. It relies solely on practice and muscle memory to reproduce results. But between palm and calibrated tampers, the winner is less clear.
A palm tamper is set to tamp to a specific depth each time rather than a certain pressure. So as long as your dose is consistent, your tamp is consistent. It also guarantees a level tamp.
A calibrated tamper is set to tamp a specific pressure to maintain consistency even when the dose changes. However, it is usually still possible to tamp with a higher pressure if you keep pushing past the spring’s set point, so it takes some practice. And most designs don’t guarantee your tamp will be level.
Winner: The palm tamper takes this round because it’s impossible to over-tamp, and it ensures a level puck.
Ergonomics
Ergonomics may not be as important for the average coffee drinker using an espresso machine at home. Yet, for commercial baristas tamping hundreds of espressos a day, injury due to poor ergonomics is a real possibility (2). Indeed, many cafes invest in automatic tampers like the Puqpress to avoid this outcome.
With a palm tamper, you push straight down using your palm. With a regular tamper, you hold the tamper handle and push down.
Winner: The palm tamper is a clear winner because it keeps your wrist in a more natural position. However, you’re unlikely to notice the difference unless you make a lot of espresso.
Value for Money
Original tampers are the cheapest option, and if you’re a practiced barista confident in your skills, they provide excellent value for money.
Calibrated tampers were once a luxury item available from only a few brands, but lucky for espresso lovers, that is no longer the case. They’re now widely available in different sizes and prices. The fanciest run to $200, but mid-level brands like Normcore make fantastic options for under $50.
Palm tampers are still a relatively novel product, so only a few brands offer them. So far, they’ve mostly been premium brands, which means they’re relatively pricey, though that is likely to change.
Winner: The calibrated espresso tamper comes out on top with the best combination of consistency and low price.
The Verdict
Choosing the right tamper depends on your budget, tamping style, how you make espresso, and how often.
Use a palm tamper if…
- You’re a barista preparing the same espresso all day long
- You never change your dose
- You are prone to wrist injuries
Use a regular tamper if…
- You are looking to save money
- You change your dose frequently
FAQs
The correct pressure for tamping has long been considered 30 pounds, but recently it has been shown that a level tamp and even grounds distribution is more important. A good rule of thumb is to tamp hard enough that the puck won’t fall out of the portafilter if inverted (3).
A self-leveling tamper ensures the coffee grounds have a level surface, whereas a calibrated tamper ensures they are compressed with a specific pressure. However, this need not be an either-or situation. Some tampers can do both.
Tamping force matters but not as much as once believed. We know now that it’s only important to tamp hard enough. Over-tamping doesn’t have much of an impact on your espresso shot, though it does put you more at risk for wrist strain.
A pressurized portafilter forces the espresso through a small opening under high pressure. Even with poorly ground coffee or a weak tamp, it yields an impressive-looking crema but lacks full flavor. Choosing a pressurized or non-pressurized portafilter comes down to the quality of your grinder.
Channeling occurs when the coffee puck is unevenly compacted, so the pressurized water finds the easiest path through. You end up with an uneven extraction and weak or sour-tasting espresso.
References
- Johnson, M. (2019, 16 May). Tamp That! Retrieved from https://www.coffeemagazine.co.za/blog/9/5637/tamp-that
- Cadwalader, Z. (2019, January 23). Barista Wrist Leads All Restaurant-Related Injuries in Time Lost. Retrieved from https://sprudge.com/barista-wrist-leads-all-restaurant-related-injuries-in-time-lost-139783.html
- Chicoteau, D. (2017, October 3). Tamping Technique Demystified. Retrieved from https://www.sevenmiles.com.au/blogs/editorial/tamping-technique-demystified/
