A typical Weber Workshops Moonraker WDT software. All photographs courtesy of Weber Workshops.
Excessive-end specialty espresso grinder and accent maker Weber Workshops has simply launched a WDT (Weiss Distribution Approach) software known as the Moonraker.
The Moonraker is designed to redistribute and de-clump floor espresso inside 58-millimeter portafilter baskets previous to tamping for espresso.
As a mechanized different to the hand-held model of WDT software, in addition to those who relaxation atop a portafilter baskets with an array of fastened needles that journey in circles, the Moonraker is a basket-top software containing a system of gears that strikes its needles in non-circular, spirographic paths.
The Weber Moonraker Extremely, that includes brass gears.
“WDT has change into a staple within the ‘final puck prep’ repertoire of the world’s specialty espresso baristas,” Weber Workshops Founder and CEO Douglas Weber stated in an announcement shared with DCN. “We knew it may very well be carried out higher with a superb design and strong engineering, and we spent months growing our personal geared motion and product to take the guesswork out of excellent puck prep.”
Weber Workshops will current the Moonraker alongside quite a few different espresso-related merchandise at sales space 962 on the Specialty Espresso Expo this week in Portland, Oregon. Weber instructed DCN that reigning U.S. Barista Champion Morgan Eckroth plans to make use of the brand new distribution software on this yr’s U.S. Championship, which takes place alongside the Expo. (See DCN’s full 2023 Expo protection right here.)
For the Moonraker, a complete of 10 needles in two totally different heights and thicknesses are suspended by magnets in particular positions on the underside of the Moonraker’s interlocking gears. An elastomer strip on the underside fringe of the Moonraker clings to the rim of the basket so the software stays put throughout one-handed operation.
Customers twist an outer ring of the software like a dial for the gears to show, driving the needles in non-repetitive paths that lead to a de-clumped and homogenized mattress of grounds for even compression by a tamper, in line with the Moonraker’s creator. The graceful, hypnotic movement of the gears stays seen to the consumer by way of the strengthened glass prime floor of the gadget.
Its stainless-steel needles are available in gauges of 300 and 200 microns. These are reduce to 2 totally different heights for stirring at varied depths into the basket. The gadget will ship with 20 spare needles that can be trimmed by the consumer to customized heights for non-standard baskets.
Additionally included is a machined and anodized aluminum stand to carry the Moonraker on the counter when not in use, and a cleansing brush for maintaining mud off the gears and glass.
Two different Weber Workshops merchandise — the Unibasket espresso filter basket and a brand new version of the Spring Clear automated espresso group head backflush gadget — have been entered within the Finest New Product awards at this week’s Expo.
Gross sales of the $275 Moonraker have instantly offered out, and the corporate is now accepting solely pre-orders. Gross sales of a $475 “extremely” model, that includes strong brass gears, are anticipated to launch later this yr.
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Howard Bryman
Howard Bryman is the affiliate editor of Each day Espresso Information by Roast Journal. He’s based mostly in Portland, Oregon.
