RATTLEWARE TAMPER REVIEW: KEEPING ESPRESSO TAMPING SIMPLE

In this review, I’ll tell you why I was charmed by the simple Rattleware Espresso Tamper, and why I think you will be, too.

Professional baristas and serious home brewers like you know the importance of a good-quality tamper when brewing espresso. A uniform compact coffee puck is the key to an even extraction and that richly flavorful shot you crave.

Today, I’m reviewing the simple and classic Rattleware Espresso Tamper. While it lacks the calibrated mechanism of many of the fancier tampers I’ve tested, its hefty weight, straightforward design, and durable build make it a winner in my books. Keep reading to find out if it’s the tool for you.

A Full Review Of The Rattleware Espresso Tamper

The Rattleware Espresso Tamper is a high-quality, old-school tamper that will make a classy addition to your espresso routine. This non-calibrated tamper is made from premium stainless steel and beautifully crafted to fit comfortably in your palm. If you had your heart set on a calibrated tamper, this review might just change your mind!

How We Rated It

• Build Quality
• Tamping
• Style And Ergonomics
• Value For Money

4.1

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The Pros And Cons Of A Non-Calibrated Tamper

For many years, I recommended calibrated tampers, especially for espresso beginners. After all, consistency is so important when dialing in espresso. However, recent research has forced me to reconsider the merits of a non-calibrated option like the Rattleware (1).

Most calibrated tampers are calibrated to 30 pounds of pressure – quite a high force. But we’re now learning that a much lower tamp pressure yields the same result. The 30-pound number isn’t wrong, but it isn’t magic either (2).

Using a non-calibrated tamper and pushing with only 15 pounds of force, for example, can produce an equally tasty espresso while sparing your arms and wrists. This is an important consideration to minimize the risk of a repetitive strain injury.

Additionally, all other things being equal, a non-calibrated tamper is easier to manufacture and thus less expensive.

The downside, of course, is that you’ll need some practice with the Rattleware to gain confidence that you’re pressing with the same pressure every time. Personally, I was feeling pretty comfortable after the first week.

Ultimately, the choice is yours, and I’m happy to recommend either style of tamper. But let’s talk about what else the Rattleware has going for it.

Tamping With The Rattleware Tamper

Water always takes the path of least resistance. So if your coffee grounds aren’t properly tamped, it will flow rapidly through the less compact areas, resulting in a sour and under-extracted shot. The solution? A good-quality tamper and a practiced hand.

Thanks to its considerable weight (nearly a pound) and the flat shape of its stainless steel base, the Rattleware tamper doesn’t disappoint. 

Because this tamper isn’t calibrated, I suggest stacking the deck in favor of consistency by setting up to tamp in the same way every time. Always put the portafilter on the same surface at the same height. I highly recommend investing in a tamping mat. They’re inexpensive and can help with set-up consistency – not to mention, they spare you a messy counter.

Premium Materials And Design

This one-piece tamper is sturdy and durable, with an impact-resistant ABS handle and a flat stainless steel base. It weighs almost a pound, which is still comfortable to hold but heavy enough to help when applying pressure.

The Ratteware Tamper is sleek and attractive. It has simple modern styling with a black knob handle and shiny silver base. It doesn’t stand out from the crowd with bright colors or fun designs, but it fits nicely with the matte black aesthetic currently popular in specialty coffee gear.

Ample Size Options

The Rattleware Tamper is available in four different sizes: 53 mm, 55 mm, 57 mm, and 58 mm. Make sure you buy the one with the correct base diameter to match the portafilter of your espresso machine.

Most commercial, prosumer, and other high-end espresso machines use a 58 mm basket. Domestic and appliance-style espresso machines often use smaller sizes, so be sure to check your user’s manual for details. For example, most Breville machines will work with the 53 mm option.

Note that most Delonghi espresso machines use 51 mm portafilters, which means that they aren’t compatible with any of the Rattleware Tampers.

A Comfortable Grip

The importance of ergonomics scales exponentially with the amount of espresso you make (3). If you brew dozens of shots a day, it’s crucial to buy a tamper that fits your hand to avoid the dreaded “barista wrist.” 

This is something that each person needs to test for themselves, but I personally found the Rattelware Tamper very comfortable. By centering the rounded knob in my hand, I could avoid engaging my wrist when tamping. Rattleware makes a series of cheaper aluminum tampers with flat handles that I found considerably more awkward.

The Price Is (Not Quite) Right

The Rattleware Tamper is surprisingly pricey for a one-piece non-calibrated tamper, generally running around $40 – though often on sale. You can find cheaper alternatives, and even some calibrated models approach this price point.

That said, this tamper’s build quality is such that it could easily be the last tamper you ever buy, in which case a few dollars extra is probably money well spent.

Don’t Buy The Rattleware Tamper If…

• You want a calibrated tamper: If you’d prefer not to rely on muscle memory to achieve the same tamp pressure each day, a calibrated tamper is an easy solution. My favorite is the Normcore Tamper, which features interchangeable springs so you can adjust the tamp pressure. Alternatively, the Espro Calibrated Tamper is an excellent option that is available with a flat or convex base.

• You need a smaller-diameter tamper: If you have an espresso machine with a group diameter below 53 mm, the Rattleware Tamper won’t fit. Instead, consider the Luxhaus Tamper, which comes in four sizes, including 49 mm and 51 mm. Even though it’s a calibrated tamper, its price is on par with the Rattleware.

• You run a coffee business: An ergonomic tamper design goes a long way in preventing tamp-related wrist injuries, but in a commercial environment where you might pull hundreds of shots a day, an automatic tamper is a better solution. The PuqPress Automatic Tamper has a high upfront cost, but it pays dividends by keeping you (or your staff) healthy and happy.

The Verdict

The Rattleware Espresso Tamper could easily be your new lifetime espresso buddy! Made from a single piece of stainless steel, this sturdy and durable tool is in it for the long haul. Its heavy body and ergonomic handle will help you consistently apply the correct pressure to your coffee grounds, ensuring an even extraction and delicious espresso.

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