IKAPE Mantis WDT Distribution Tool, V3-54MM Espresso Stirrer Distribution Tool for Barista - 8 Needle Espresso Stirrer with Dosing Funnel & Stand, Adjustable Needle Height, Walnut Handle

Great for espresso lovers

For espresso enthusiasts seeking precision and consistency in their brewing process, the IKAPE Mantis WDT Distribution Tool offers a promising solution. As a dedicated coffee lover, I decided to put this tool through its paces and see if it lives up to the hype.At first glance, the IKAPE Mantis impresses with its sleek and ergonomic design. Crafted from high-quality stainless steel, it feels sturdy and well-built, suggesting durability that will withstand the rigors of daily use. The handle is comfortable to grip, allowing for precise control during the distribution process.The key feature of the Mantis is its WDT (Weiss Distribution Technique) functionality. This technique involves evenly distributing coffee grounds within the portafilter basket to ensure uniform extraction and prevent channeling. The Mantis simplifies this process with its precisely spaced tines, which create a consistent and level coffee bed with minimal effort.In terms of performance, the Mantis delivers on its promises. By effectively distributing the coffee grounds, it helps achieve a more even extraction, resulting in a richer and more balanced shot of espresso. Whether you're using a manual espresso machine or a semi-automatic model, the Mantis can elevate the quality of your shots with its precision distribution.One of the advantages of the Mantis is its versatility. With adjustable depth settings, it accommodates different portafilter sizes and coffee doses, allowing for customization to suit your preferences. Whether you're brewing a single shot or a double shot, the Mantis ensures consistent results with every use.Another noteworthy aspect of the Mantis is its ease of use. The process of distributing coffee grounds is streamlined and intuitive, making it suitable for both novice and experienced baristas alike. Plus, its compact size makes it easy to store when not in use, reducing clutter on the countertop.While the Mantis excels in many areas, one potential downside is its price point. Compared to other distribution tools on the market, it may be slightly more expensive. However, when you consider the quality of construction and the benefits it provides in terms of espresso quality, the investment seems justified.In conclusion, the IKAPE Mantis WDT Distribution Tool is a valuable addition to any espresso enthusiast's arsenal. With its sturdy construction, precise distribution, and ease of use, it helps achieve consistent and flavorful shots of espresso with every brew. Whether you're a home barista or a professional, the Mantis is sure to impress with its performance and reliability.Overall Rating: 4.5/5Pros:Sturdy stainless steel constructionPrecise distribution with WDT functionalityAdjustable depth settings for versatilityEasy to use and ergonomic designCons:Slightly higher price point compared to other options

This is an over engineered way to distribute coffee in a portafilter. Do I need an over engineered gadget to move coffee around in a portafilter?...No, is the answer to that question; but do I enjoy using it, and does it do what it's supposed to do??...Absolutely!I've used several different WDT tools over the years, and this one is about as easy and fast as it gets. I'm also well aware that at WDT is NOT necessary, but so what...it looks cool ;). The quality is there with this one, and it just really looks good sitting on my coffee bar. There has been some discussion in the reviews that it's difficult or doesn't adjust. It does adjust...just google it and there are many videos showing the process of adjusting. Some said it doesn't come with replacement needles...mine did.Bottom line: It looks good, it's well made, easily does what it should, and it's at a good price point compared to others. If you want a WDT (you certainly don't need one), this one fits the bill for me.

To get the obvious out of the way, this coffee gadget is for people who really love coffee gadgets. It's fairly large for a coffee bar and somewhat finicky. The mantis-like legs are also a bit kitschy. But it works.I've always used one of those generic WDT tools, which worked well enough, but after trying the Mantis, I saw a difference in the distribution of my coffee grounds in the portafilter. They looked more fluffy and evenly distributed, ready for my distribution and tamping tools. In terms of functionality, I believe it's worth it.So, what do you get with this? You get the Mantis with needles pre-attached as well as some extra needles. You also get a magnetic portafilter dosing funnel, which goes between the Mantis and your filter basket. The version I ordered also comes with a base that has a brush inside for easy cleaning.The only reason I took off a star from this review is that the Mantis documentation is pretty much useless and it was finicky to adjust. I had to find a video illustrating the steps, but afterwards, it seemed intuitive to me.I know Lance Hedrick recently offered research indicating the best distribution for coffee was a dosing cup. If his research is true, then we don't need products like the Mantis. However, I found that it did noticeably improve the distribution of my coffee, so my workflow now involves dosing coffee into a dosing cup, shaking it out into the portafilter, and then running the Mantis on that. It's an extra step, but I get the best of both worlds.

…if you’re already used to buying expensive espresso tools.The magnetic ring, wood handle, and smooth action really shows how well thought out this is. Ikape makes great stuff. However, I’ve noticed a weird kink in my workflow. Because my Breville Barista Express has a little tab to start the dispensing of grounds, AND the Ikape tamper doesn’t fit inside the dosing ring, you have to do a bit of switching around.1. Attach dosing funnel2. Grind beans3. Caaaaarefully swap the dosing ring for this WDT ring and tool4. Distribute5. Use a narrow tamper to push the grounds down a bit6. Remove WDT ring7. Tamp with weighted tamper8. BrewThe short of this is that the weighted tamper just isn’t really compatible with dosing rings. So you have to pre-tamp so you don’t make a mess when you remove the ring.Ways to improve:1. Make a breville dispenser dosing ring that also works with this WDT tool2. Make a calibrated tamper that fits into the dosing ring.But overall still great. And not worth removing a star.

It seems to just spin the coffee grinds around my portafilter instead of breaking it apart. I also see the top of the clumps just moving around instead of breaking. Fun to use though