What Is The Main Purpose Of A Gravity Distributor In Making Coffee?

Are you a commercial or home barista? Would you like to make the best and most consistent cups of coffee every time using the right coffee tools? Have you heard of a gravity distributor, but are not sure of what it is and how it is used to make coffee? If so, you have come to the right place. 

The process of evening out coffee grounds in a portafilter – by removing any pits, trenches or cavities created when your grinder or dosing tool deposits grounds into the portafilter – before tamping is referred to as distribution. This makes it easier for water to pass through the grounds at the same pressure and within the same amount of time – resulting in a more even extraction process. In fact, with the right distribution method, it is possible to enhance the consistency of espresso brews among different baristas.  

There are many ways of distributing coffee grinds, including the use of a gravity distributor. In this article, you will find out more about the main purpose of a gravity distributor in making coffee. 

What Is A Gravity Distributor?

To distribute coffee grounds perfectly in an espresso machine’s filter basket, most of the distributor tools on the market require the user to adjust the height of the tool depending on the type of coffee grounds they are using as well as their preferred level of compaction. 

On the other hand, a gravity distributor works in a very unique way. A gravity distributor normally allows the ground coffee to determine the distribution height, leaving an even and level surface for tamping. As such, you don’t have to adjust the distributor tool’s height setting – even though it does come with a height adjustment feature – when dealing with different types of coffee. 

Simply put, a gravity distributor tool relies on its own weight and the coffee grounds to determine the distribution height and level of compression for even distribution of coffee grinds.  

What Is The Role Of A Gravity Distributor In Making Coffee?

From the above, it is clear to see that a gravity distributor, just like other distribution tools, is used to even out coffee grounds in a filter basket, before tamping. However, this unique distribution tool uses its weight, and the pull of gravity, to distribute and compress coffee grounds perfectly into place. 

With this tool in hand, you don’t have to keep adjusting the distribution height manually – which is a trial-and-error process when using fixed-height distributors – as the coffee grounds dictate the perfect height for each type of coffee. This makes it easier for users to achieve consistent results each and every time. 

How To Use A Gravity Distributor  

Thanks to its unique design, using a gravity distributor is simple and effortless. After depositing coffee grinds into a portafilter, from a grinder or dosing tool, simply place the distributor over the grounds and spin it around a few times. The tool slowly adjusts to the best height as dictated by its weight and the coffee grounds; thus, achieving consistent and level distribution.

After achieving the necessary distribution results, you can then move on to the tamping process.   

Final Thoughts 

Over the years, a variety of tools have been developed with the aim of helping baristas make the perfect cup of coffee. The gravity distributor is one of these tools – considered to be an improvement on traditional fixed-height distributors. Instead of having to use a trial and error method to set the right distribution height, a gravity distributor uses its weight and coffee grounds as the main determinants of the perfect distribution height. 

Are you shopping for high-quality precision coffee tools, including gravity distributors? Check out the wide selection here at Pesado.