The best method to identify correct tamper size is to measure the exact inside diameter of your filter basket using machinist calipers, then select a tamper slightly smaller than this measurement.
Tamper Size Standards
A 58mm tamper is often used with commercial and high-end espresso machines (espresso coffee makers), while smaller size options include 57 mm, 53mm, and 49mm tampers.
It is best to use a set of vernier calipers or measuring tape to measure distance inside the filter basket directly across the center (the diameter). We have listed the most popular coffee machine brands below with the tamper base size required for your reference.
The right size for your espresso machine
Precisely machined, our 53.3mm tamper is a perfect fit for all 54mm portafilters.
Espresso tamper sizes vary in millimeters from 48 mm to 58 mm with most brands utilizing a 58 mm size tamper. Many tampers will include the size of the basket right in their name (i.e. The Motta Professional Coffee Tamper, 58mm).
Tamper Coffee Assembly 54mm for selected Breville Espresso Machines.
Apply 20-30 pounds of pressure, and polish
Baristas often recommend 30 pounds of pressure, but some do as little as 20 pounds. More and more are finding that tamping pressure is overrated—it's hard on the wrist and cause an over-extracted, bitter brew. Use a twisting motion as you pull up to “polish” the puck.
Size Matters, so choose your tamp head wisely!
In order to get the best possible tamp for your coffee basket, you will need to ensure that the gap between the walls of your filter basket and the tamp head are kept to a minimum.
This 54mm single wall (unpressurized) basket holds 18 grams of coffee and fits smaller Breville machines, including: Duo-Temp Pro.
This is made possible by the 4 keys formula. Delivering barista quality performance using a 54mm portafilter with 18 grams of coffee for full flavor and a powerful steam wand to create microfoam required for latte art. With a proprietary ThermoJet heating system the machine is ready to start in 3 seconds.
If you use low-quality coffee, you can over-tamp espresso. The risk is minimal when you use top-quality grinds. If you tamp low-quality coffee grounds too hard, your espresso becomes over-extracted and thus extremely bitter. Besides pressing too hard or too light, a lot of beginning baristas tamp unevenly.
Tamp twice. For the first tamp, apply a light amount of pressure to form a puck shape and for the second use give it a bit more force and press heavily down to remove any obvious spaces between the grinds.
The 58mm commercial portafilter is one of the most traditional and unchanged elements in the world of espresso.
If you don't own a tamper, you can still improvise but it'll be more tricky to get it right. Use a pestle or a beer bottle to press down on your coffee but make sure you keep it straight throughout the entire process.
A good tamper means lightweight metal and the size of Portafilter is correct for your tamping. By the way, you have more baskets to handle if you are busy for barista job, better you can get more tampers or you can use a convex tamper.
A tamper is used when brewing espresso, either in a machine or a stovetop espresso maker. This small tool is essential for packing the coffee grounds so you get the best shot of espresso possible.
We recommend measuring the exact inside diameter of the portafilter basket and then selecting a tamper at least . 75 mm smaller. Step 1: Use machine calipers or a steel measuring tape with 1/32 inch divisions to carefully measure the distance inside the filter basket directly across the centerline (the diameter).
The best grind size for espresso is fine. A fine 1/32 size coffee grind will help avoid a sour taste or bitter flavor, over-extraction, or under-extraction. The wrong size can make it hard for the hot water to force through the coffee bed or lead to channeling. This all affects the taste and strength of espresso.
The Nonpressurized (Bottomless) Portafilter Basket fits most standard 51mm espresso portafilters. The basket accommodates 15-19 grams of coffee.
Failing to Keep the Tamper Level
If the tamper isn't level during an espresso tamp, it can make the espresso uneven inside the portafilter. And the water will flow toward the side of the espresso that is less compressed. This will cause an imbalance of flavor, adding an over-brewed hint of bitterness.
Some say, you need to tamp very hard, others say pressure really is not important. According to experts, tamp pressure is not that important, what is important is ensuring that the tamp pressure is consistent each time and that your tamping is flat and as level as possible. This ensures you have the best results.
For a double shot, grind between 18–21 grams of coffee into your basket. The proper grind is crucial to a balanced, delicious shot of espresso. It might be necessary to adjust its fineness a bit.
The brew ratio we'll follow today is 20g of ground coffee to 30g of liquid espresso. Time ties everything together - the total number of seconds a shot takes. Aim for your shot to pull between 25 and 30 seconds.