Why buy a Pullman Tamper?
Every element in the assembly and design of Pullman Deluxe and Barista Tampers has been chosen to make it the best tool for its intended purpose.
Why buy a Pullman tamper instead of:
- a solid stainless tamper?
- The handle on Pullman Deluxe tampers is made from resilient hardwoods such as Jarrah and Red Gum, rather than stainless steel. Wood is lighter than steel, so this means the centre of gravity of the tamper is very low which gives it a sense of stability that is often enjoyed in domestic environments. Wood is full of warmth and character, and is a better insulator of heat than stainless steel, meaning it won't get as cold as stainless, and therefore won't freeze your hand off while making your first coffee on a winter's morning! Stainless steel tends to show every mark or fingerprint, whereas hardwood handles don't - in fact oils from your hand are actually good for the wood! If you're concerned about the strength, remember they use the term 'hardwood' for a good reason - garden stakes are often made from Jarrah so it can clearly handle plenty of punishment, and Red Gum is found in almost every council area serving time as railway sleepers! The materials in the Barista range are well suited to commercial environments.
- a tamper with a brass or copper base?
- Brass and copper are starting to become fashionable for the tamper base. But while they can both look fancy in photographs, they are also much softer than stainless steel, meaning that over time they will scratch and dent far more readily than a stainless steel base. In extreme cases, this could even lead to the tamper not fitting the filter basket. The other trouble with these metals is that are not 'stainless', meaning they oxidise and tarnish with time in the same way brass trinkets or silverware does, particularly in areas where they've been touched. This will leave you with a dull splotchy tamper base which can only be restored by the regular application of metal polish. This is why Pullman tampers only use stainless steel for the tamper bases - the 'stainless' qualities mean it will always stay bright and fresh, and the toughness of the metal means it's far less likely to dent and scratch.
- a solid wood tamper?
- Wood feels beautiful, which is why wood is used for the handle. But the unique qualities of stainless steel are best for the base. Some of its key benefits are not only its inherent weight, natural resistance to scratches and dents, and corrosion-proof surface, but also the fact that it doesn't absorb moisture and germs. No matter how often you tamp, or how you treat it, a tamper with a stainless base will be as good and as healthy as new with a quick wipe. The same can't be said for wooden tampers which can not only dent and scratch, but also have the potential to absorb bacteria - the very reason we're often advised by health professionals to regularly bleach our wooden chopping boards.
- a plastic or aluminium tamper?
- Pullman tamper bases are made from top quality 304/316 grade stainless steel, not from cheap aluminium or even cheaper plastic as supplied by a number of other retailers. Plastic is cheap and light, while aluminium is soft and easily corrodes. Acetal, as available in the Barista range, is a high-quality high-impact plastic that has a soft-touch feel and is only used in the handle, not in the base. The FAQ page lists a number of reasons why stainless steel is superior to both these materials for the tamper base.
- a shiny polished or chrome-plated tamper?
- Pullman tamper bases have a brushed satin finish rather than a mirror finish. While highly polished surfaces look great in photos, anyone who has owned one will tell you they're hopeless in a kitchen or cafe environment - every mark, scratch and fingerprint is immediately obvious. Pullman tampers are specifically designed for people who need them to work tirelessly in the field yet still keep their good looks with only an occasional wipe. If you pay good money for a tamper, you don't want it to look second-hand within a month; the satin finish on Pullman tampers has been chosen to ensure it stays looking good.
- a tamper from overseas?
- Every Pullman tamper component is made and quality-inspected in Australia. Don't forget that overseas suppliers quote prices in their local currency, which often works out to a higher price in Australian Dollars (because of exchange rates, plus financial institutions charge you a fee for purchases made in a foreign currency). Not only that, Australian postage costs and times are normally less than half that of overseas freight - most Pullman Tampers reach their new owner within 3 days of dispatch at a cost of around $20 Australian Dollars. Even if you live outside of Australia, postage rates are very competitive.
So whatever way you look at it, you're in front with a Pullman Tamper!
