Finally! I got a REAL tamper.

[HooHaw]

I didn't realize how much I was torturing myself with the freebie-convex-one size too small-plastic tamper that came with the S1 until the rosewood handle-stainless base-53 mm tamper arrived by regular post.

Suddenly, tamping is way easier. No more Staub tamping. And it was not easy to get a level tamp with that small plastic convex tamper and I tamp with the basket out of the PF.

Next up, bottomless (crotchless, naked, whatever) PF!

HAR HAR HAR...

[sraike]

Congrats HooHaw. I know what you mean as I started in this biz with a Silvia that came with a cheapo cast aluminum tamper. I used it for years not knowing any better. Finally bought a real tamper for it before upgrading to the S1 and a Espro 53mm tamper. Much better tamps especially the polish.

I need to get a bottomless pf too but just haven't got too it.

Stu

[alsterling]

Hoohaw..... I see that your post was quite awhile ago, but maybe you'll revisit and see this reply?

After 5 months at espresso and upgrades in each area, I'm beginning to believe that only by starting with the "wrong" tools, do we learn and appreciate the "right" tools. At least that's what I've experienced.

BTW, just set up my new S1 and Macap M4 today, Saturday.

Example of what I've gone through so far.....

Espresso Machines:
Gaggia Compact Synchrony Super Auto: 2 wks.
Expobar Pulsar Office: 5 months
S1: First week

Grinder:
Cuisinart Supreme Grind: 2 wks.
Gaggia MDF: 5 months
Macap M4: First Week

TAMPER........(THIS IS YOU AND ME)
Plastic crap: 1 month (boy did I waste time)
All Stainless 58mm: 4 months
RB SS w/Rosewood: First Week

I've put myself on as fast a learning curve as possible, but as for the TAMPER........ it's the best example, IMO, of the least amount of money for the greatest amount of improvement.

Best, Al (BTW, don't you love the weight of the tamper? I've said that using a stainless tamper is like getting "Power Assist Steering" on a car.)

[HooHaw]

Thanks Al. I live in Southern Philippines and getting espresso equipment and accessories is next to impossible. Even the local dealer where I got the S1 from can't tell me how long it'll take to get more double-baskets. I had to buy my tamper, basket and extra PF online. And my shipping costs as much as the things I buy! So it takes me a while to get the right stuff.

I think I'll cut about 1/4" off my tamper handle so it'll fit my hand better. The extra PF was turned into a bottomless one.

[alsterling]

Dear HooHaw:

We can relate to your situation on getting your espresso parts and such. Our family is from Brasil, and although it's a huge country and the 5th largest democracy in the world, it is a strange mix of 3rd world and the cutting edge of high tech.

Consequently, when we visited family just a couple months ago, I took numerous computer accessories for my neices and nephews. Specifically, a GForce video card that there was $250 US, but I got it from Tiger Direct on-line for $75. You can bring up to $500 US in gifts per person when entering Brasil.

Living in Southern California all my life, and after traveling quite a bit, I've learned to appreciate the abundance of suppliers for just about anything I want or need.

I'm ordering another double basket and another double spout for the extra PF that came with my S1. I'll be ordering from Chriscoffee.com for delivery next week. Although you could order on-line from a US supplier at a good price, many of them, as you may know, will not ship overseas or accept non-US billing addresses. If they do, then you get hit, like my relatives, at customs, where they either open the box and steal something, or charge more in taxes than the value of the item! It's hard to win.

As I was saying in my post, it's great to have the best, but it's sweeter and more appreciated if you've had the more basic stuff to begin with, as you can appreciate the good stuff that much more.

Best for now, Al in SoCal