Ripple tampers

[Steve Willingham]

Hey, guys. I just saw this "Ripple" tamper on Reg Barber's site today. This is the first I've heard of it. Does anyone have any experience with it? And what's the logic on using a tamper like that?

[Matt Milletto]

I think that Mark Price has been experimenting with this tamper design, he may have some valuable info.

[James Doyle]

http://espressorun.blogspot.com/2008/09/reg-barber-ripple-tamper-ev...

I found this a while back when they first came out. It seems like they have no adverse effects on the coffee, but I'm still not sure what to think about them. I ultimately decided on a regular C-Flat base and have had no regrets.

[Mark Prince]

Reg sent these tampers out to a lot of people, including Nick Cho, Jim Hoffmann and others.

I have both the flat 58mm model and a "c-flat" design with the ripple in the middle. They are the original design - I think Reg has changed the ripples since then.

The main problem I had with the design is that it didn't work well with my chosen tamping method (NSEW, no knocking). I had to modify my tamp to a three press down mode - one to initialize things, one to sort of knock down the side coffee, and the last to really press things into shape.

I didn't see much improvement over using the c-flat or flat tampers, and the ripple design wasn't producing as good consistent results as my own tamper design was. However, I think Reg knows this too, hence his redesign of the ripple to give it more deep fissures.

It produces an aesthetically interesting tamp though.

Mark

[Steve Willingham]

Thanks for the info. But my other question is what's the logic? Why did someone think this up?

[elvin]

Hey Steve---

Bottom line with any tamper...

1). Does it fit in your hand comfortably?
2). Does it fit the basket of your porta-filter properly?
3). Is its surface evenly milled (free of pits, chips and warbles)?

Flat, C-flat, Convex, Chunk of Wood or Stone (provided it has an evenly milled piston surface), or R.B. Ripple Tamper will all work well with very little difference as long as you are consistent with your dose, with the distribution of coffee in the basket, and with flat-ness (levelness) of your tamping action with the tamping tool you choose to use.

It was my impression from Reg that he was trying to create more surface area on the top of the puck, to... was it quicken the saturation of the puck? (here is were you chime in Reg). He said that it might change the flow rate of water thru the puck... I have not noticed any difference.

That is me tho... give it a go an let us know what you find. It might be your next favorite tamper piston.

personal favorites: I bounce between the Convex and the Flat piston. Handles, the EP5 and the Compressore. The past few weeks I'd say Flat piston.

---michael

[Steve Willingham]

Thanks, elvin. It all makes sense (in a 'I only sort of get it cause I'm new at this' kind of way) now.

[Joseph Robertson]

Steve Willingham said:

Thanks for the info. But my other question is what's the logic? Why did someone think this up?

My thought is time on our hands. Another thought, it just might make a difference on the plus side. Let's see what else might be going through the mind of an inventor/ coffee geek?

[elvin]

Joseph Robertson said:

Steve Willingham said:

Thanks for the info. But my other question is what's the logic? Why did someone think this up?

My thought is time on our hands. Another thought, it just might make a difference on the plus side. Let's see what else might be going through the mind of an inventor/ coffee geek?

myself... I'm always looking to make the perfect more perfect.

give new ideas a go and then back off if it does not work out.

:)