The Artpresso Solo Tamper
For Consistent Espresso Shots
The Solo Tamper serves as both an adjustable distribution tool and coffee tamper all in one. Quality, consistent, and delicious extractions are what you can expect with the Solo.
The Artpresso Solo Tamper Distribution Tool for the Perfect Espresso Shot
Created by Steven Monti, the founder of Artpresso Design, the new Solo Tamper is an essential tool for both professional and novice baristas. Inspired by the Stockfleths Method of coffee distribution, the Artpresso Solo Tamper serves as both an adjustable distribution tool and coffee tamper in one, delivering consistent, high-quality espresso extractions every time.
Learn why the Stockfleths Method is one of the most popular ways of distributing espresso in the world, and how designer Steven Monti used the common technique as his inspiration, in our blog: Simulating the Stockfleths Method with the Artpresso Solo Tamper.
Monti developed the Solo Tamper to solve the main challenges baristas face when using the most common coffee distribution tools and tampers available on the market today. His goal was to improve the barista’s distribution workflow while combining two separate tools into one. The solution – the Artpresso Solo Tamper – does just that, while also helping to improve re-distribution consistency, while maximizing coffee distribution.
The Artpresso Solo Tamper’s unique design allows the user to deploy the least amount of downward pressure, while also ensuring quality, consistent tamped extractions. With an ergonomic design, the tool provides infinite adjustability and simplicity of use, while also helping reduce the possibility channeling and micro channeling.
The coffee connection and Artpresso Design Process
To create this innovative new tool, Steven Monti partnered with La Marzocco USA’s Scott Callender to create and test various design prototypes. With the help of Scott’s knowledge and experience with espresso, Monti collected and compiled data on each iteration, before finalizing the Artpresso Solo Tamper’s design to create peak function and accuracy.
To create the perfect tool combination, the design team depended on Scott’s hands-on experience in the specialty coffee industry and knowledge of and La Marzocco coffee machines, combined with Steve’s production design work and problem-solving skills. Each new consideration was methodically executed, tested and improved to create the best combination coffee distributor and tamper available today.
The result is the all-in-one Solo Tamper, with distribution and tamper sides that are connected by an adjustable collar. The tool’s distribution and tamper diameters are 58.3mm/2.29in. Each side can be adjusted individually, or the sides can be adjusted together at the same time. With a simple rotation of one or both sections of the Artpresso Solo Tamper, the barista has infinite options, within a minimum adjustment height of 53mm/2.08 and a maximum adjustment height of 71mm/2.79in. This includes infinite distribution and tamper depth adjustment from 4.0mm to 13.0mm/0.15in-0.51in. Once the desired height and depth is achieved, you simply turn and rotate the collar to lock it in place.
DESIGN
Many prototype variations of distribution shapes and configurations of both the distribution side of the Solo Tamper and the Tamping side of the Solo Tamper were created and tested.
The unique Distributor side of the Artpresso Solo Tamper
The distribution side of the Artpresso Solo Tamper is unique compared to the other coffee distribution tools you can find on the market. That’s because the Artpresso Solo Tamper is designed with a faceted surface, giving it the smallest footprint area of compression. When the tool is adjusted to its proper depth, only a single line of stainless steel as thin as a piece of thread and as long as 29.1mm/1.15in touches the surface of the coffee as you redistribute the grounds.
The Solo Tamper’s facets emulate the Stockfleth’s Method of a barista’s finger swipe, allowing for rotation in any direction when the tool is resting on the rim of a 58mm portafilter. The facets’ unique angles ensure that the density of the coffee is not localized, and eliminates friction so the coffee grounds don’t stick to the surface. Rotating the distributor in either direction as it rests on the portafilter creates a more uniform, even distribution of the coffee grounds, with the least amount of compression and air pockets.
The Solo Tamper Side is Ergonomically Designed to Improve Function
When using the tool’s ergonomically designed tamper side, the barista’s workflow is not compromised. Simply rotate it to the tamp side, evenly resting the collar rim on the portafilter while compressing the coffee grounds. The Solo Tamper is ergonomically designed for comfort and ease of use, whether you use it to push on the faceted side with the palm of your hand to increase pressure as you tamp; or use your fingers to hold on to the collar to use pressure as you tamp.
The Solo Tamper, which weighs only 17.4 oz., is crafted and manufactured in the USA with a manufacturing tolerance of +-.012mm/.0005in. Thus, it is a precision tool that combines surgical grade metal, with electro polished stainless steel and hard coat anodized aluminum. The tool’s threads are made from Teflon coating, allowing for effortless and smooth adjustment.
Recommendations for using the Solo Tamper and Distributor
