Puck rake

A small hand tool with fingers, prongs, or thin tines that reach into the basket to break up grind clumps before tamping. Some are fixed depth; others are adjustable.

Why it matters — Clumps create uneven puck density, which leads to channelling. A rake is a fast alternative to WDT — fewer movements, similar result, no fine needles to bend or replace.

Good to know

• Rakes work best on coarser-spaced fingers (3–6 prongs); WDT needles work better on bimodal espresso grinds.
• Choose rake depth carefully — too shallow and you only stir the top, too deep and you disturb the basket walls.