Must-Have Tools (Start here)
1. Tamper
What it does: Compresses the coffee bed evenly in the portafilter.
Why it matters: Creates the resistance needed to build pressure for espresso. without it, you’ll get uneven, under-extracted shots.
My recommendation: Normcore Spring Loaded Tamper
2. WDT Tool
What it does: Breaks up clumps and evenly distributes coffee grounds using fine needles.
Why it matters: Prevents channeling and leads to a smoother, more consistent extraction. This is important.
My recommendation: Subminimal Flick WDT
3. Scale (with Timer)
What it does: Measures your coffee dose and espresso yield with precision.
Why it matters: Consistency is key in coffee. A digital scale with 0.1g accuracy and a built-in timer ensures you can repeat the good shots—and troubleshoot the bad ones.
My recommendation: WACACO Exagram Pro
Nice-to-Have Tools (Once you’ve got the basics down)
4. Puck Screens
What it does: Sits on top of your grounds to help evenly disperse water and keep your machine clean.
Why it matters: Can improve consistency and protect your shower screen and espresso machine.
My recommendation: Happy Puck Puck Screens (3 Pack)
5. Wedge Distributor
What it does: Levels out the grounds before tamping.
Why it matters: Slightly flattens the bed, though WDT usually does a better job.
My recommendation: Normcore Wedge Distributor
6. Bottomless Portafilter
What it does: Lets you see how your shot is extracting in real time.
Why it matters: Great for diagnosing channeling or uneven tamping
My recommendation: Normcore Bottomless Portafilter
7. Glassware
Okay—yes, this is a shameless plug. But real talk: glassware matters. The size of your cup actually affects the way you experience the drink. A tiny espresso in a huge glass just feels… wrong. And the right cup makes your at-home setup feel way more intentional.
Why it matters:
It’s not just about aesthetics (though that helps). Using the right size and style of glass helps with portioning, heat retention, and just makes the whole routine feel more dialed-in.
My recommendation: All FLUR, baby. It’s what I use every day, and we made them for exactly this reason. Shop our glasses here!
Can Probably Skip (for now)
8. Dosing Funnel
What it does: Prevents grounds from spilling over the portafilter when dosing.
Why it matters: Helpful if you're messy, but not necessary if you're careful.
My recommendation: Normcore Magnetic Dosing Funnel
9. Espresso Brush Set
What it does: Includes small brushes for cleaning your grinder, group head, and more.
Why it matters: A microfiber towel and backflushing will get the job done just fine when starting out.
My recommendation: This Set here
10. Knock Box
What it does: Lets you knock used espresso pucks into a dedicated container.
Why it matters: Convenient, but your trash can or compost bin will do the trick at first.
My recommendation: The Arc Knock Box
