Being a real coffee virgin so to speak, I have always been looking at ways to improve my technique with the reasoning that it will give me more tasty consistant extractions. So, in that quest I have sometimes been dragged down the gadget rabbit hole. But, after seeing videos like that and then their one they did on distribution techniques and tools, I do wonder if a lot of the stuff out there is really necessary or worth the money, when maybe practice and muscle memory will do just as good.
I looked at a sprung tamper thinking about even pressure etc but after seeing that, it seems I’d be better spending the money on coffee beans. Same for the distribution tool…not really necessary. I don’t think it is beyond the whit of man or woman to tamp level after a few practice runs surely.
I liken it to a cook and using a knife. There are tons of gadgets out there which claim to help you slice an onion or cut your veg into julienne or potato chipper or whatever, all of which are usually more trouble than they are worth and just means more washing up, whereas once the knife skills are attained, it is quicker, less fussy and a quick rinse and a wipe and the washing up is done. I’m no chef I just like cooking and because of that, I can chop, julienne and chip quicker and safer with a knife than any gadget…and believe me, I’ve tried a few.
I know for people with certain physical difficulties some of these gadgets are very useful, but as for most coffee officionados here, for the years and the amount of times you have pulled a shot?
Of course, as they say ‘you pays your money, you takes your choice’ but like anything (Hi-Fi being a good example too) when people see there is a growing market for something, out come what they call those ‘snake oil’ specialists.
