Figured out I was tamping way too hard for 6 months

I was pressing down like I was trying to crush a rock until a barista at a shop in Austin told me my shots were choking the machine... anyone else realize they were overcomplicating something basic in their routine?

2 comments

2 Comments

parkerrodriguez2d ago

Oh man, I've been there. I was tamping so hard my whole forearm would shake and my shots would take like 45 seconds to pull. What helped me was actually switching to a leveling tool first and then just a light tap with the tamper. Now I aim for firm but gentle, like shaking someone's hand not trying to crush their bones. The real game changer was timing myself - if the tamp takes more than 3 seconds, you're going too hard. Your puck should look smooth and even, not like you're trying to press vinyl records.

ramirez.daniel2d ago

Rookie numbers, I spent a whole year compacting my pucks like I was packing a storage unit (turns out 15 lbs of force is plenty).