The one espresso making tool that doesn't get much love is the humble tamping mat. It's one of those tools that you need to buy separately and you only realize you need one after you've unpacked your machine and go to make your first coffee. No one wants their portafilter to scratch their kitchen counter top after all!
My tamping mat that I use at home - simple and cheap.
In this post I'll be discussing my experiences as a barista with espresso tamping mats, their benefits, and list the best tamping mat for espresso making at home, including tamping stands and stations. But if you want a quick recommendation, below is the coffee mat I use at home.
Best for bottomless portafilter
This is the tamping mat I use at home from Rhino. It's cheap, simple, and does the job. It also comes in a range of sizes and types so you can get one that fits your kitchen bench. It's ideal for bottomless portafilters.
If you use a normal portafilter, or like to push your portafilter against your benchtop to get a 90 degree tamp, then you should get a mat that covers the sides of your bench top like the Normcore below.
Best for edge tamping & normal portafilters
This Normcore tamping mat is perfect if your tamping technique involves pushing your portafilter against the edge of your bench top to get an even tamp. The extra rubber protects the edge of your counter.
If you find yourself not being able to get a level tamp with your basic tamping mat, or have a bunch of coffee accessories that you want to keep neatly in one place, then a coffee tamping station is a good option to consider. I like the one below.
Upgrade pick
I like the Ikape as it has spots for everything you need to prep a shot of espresso. It has a tamping station, place for your tamper, WDT tool, and knock box. It also looks nice in wood.
Why do you need a tamping mat ?
There are three main reasons you need to grab a tamping mat or stand as part of your espresso set up: avoid scratches, level tamps, and organization.
1. Avoid scratches
The main reason you need a tamping mat or stand is to not scratch up your kitchen bench. Portafilters are made of metal, so if you tamp down on your bench you're bound to leave marks.
2. Level tamps
The next benefit of tamping mat, and in particular stands or stations, is that they help you make a level tamp. Being able to rest your portafilter on a level surface you can make sure you have level tamps that you can replicate. This will help you make better espresso, as a level tamp helps prevent channelling during the extraction process.
3. Keep organized
The final benefit is that you will have a place to store all your coffee accessories - especially if you grab a tamping station like the Ikape. You'll have a place to place your coffee tamper, WDT tool, and other accessories depending which one you buy. They also look great next to your grinder or espresso machine
Even a simple mat like my one is a great place to store your tools.
Best tamping mat and stands for espresso
Below are my picks for the best espresso tamping mats. I have selected a range so you can pick the one that suites your needs, including basic mats to stations.
Best for most
This is the tamping mat I use at home from Rhino. It's cheap, simple, and does the job. It also comes in a range of sizes and types so you can get one that fits your kitchen bench.
Upgrade pick
I like the Ikape as it has spots for everything you need to prep a shot of espresso. It has a tamping station, place for your tamper, WDT tool, and knock box. It also looks nice in wood.
Espresso tamping stand
If you have no need for a knock box in your tamping stand, then grab one without it. I like this stand as it's slender, made of wood, and has a spot for your tamper and WDT tool.
Larger tamping mat
This normcore mat is good as it's flat and has a spot for all your coffee making tools. It's a good option for the person that wants to keep that tamping station minimal.
Frequently asked questions
Below are some common questions people have about tamping stations, mats, and espresso prepreation.
Is a tamping mat necessary?
If you want to avoid scratches on your kitchen bench and produce a better tamp, then yes, tamping mats are necessary. They are an essential coffee accessory for the home barista.
What does a tamping mat do?
A tamping mat protects your kitchen bench from scratches, helps you produce a level tamp, and is a handy way to keep all your coffee tools in one place so they are organized.
Can you use a tamping stand for a bottomless portafilter?
Yes, depending on the model of your tamping stand, you can use a bottomless portafilter with a tamping stand. You want to look out for tamping stands that have an adjustable bottom or are shaped to allow you to use a bottomless portafilter.
How do you clean a tamping matt or stand?
It's very easy, if you have a silicon mat, then all you need to do is give it a quick rinse under water and then dry it off before using it to avoid grinds sticking to it. If your tamping matt is made of wood, then use a brush to get rid of grinds, and then wipe it off with a damp cloth.
Conclusion
And that concludes my guide on espresso mats, stands, and stations. There's not much to these mats, so there is no need for a super long review. But I hope you found a mat or stand that will be ideal for your home coffee set up. If you have any questions about these or coffee in general, feel free to reach out to me.
