WTF is WDT: History, Evolution, and Current Trends of the Weiss Distribution Technique

[@LanceHedrick]

Doing these long intros is incredibly fun for me, but they also absolutely murder my video performance (most click away in first 30 sec). If you enjoy my shenanigans, please let me know on this comment! I greatly enjoy doing things like this, and honestly care little about video performance if I'm doing something I love, as long as my faithful subs enjoy the effort! Cheers

[@Jahloveipraise]

Loved the intro it was hilarious. I feel like the main deep dive coffee people stay passed 30 seconds for sure lol

[@SustainableDreams]

Best intro EVER! Fort Nine lvl quality yo!

[@LanceHedrick]

haha good! Thanks, Jesse.

[@LanceHedrick]

Haha heck yes! Thanks, Forly!

[@TheSupernitro6]

Love it!

[@breadbowls1897]

Came here for the intro, stayed for the history lesson. Loved it Lance!

[@LanceHedrick]

haha thank you!

[@eddiebattikha1160]

As demonstrated, an artist suffers for their art! This is, by far, the best intro to a coffee video every produced. Bravo Lance, bravo!

[@BasicPsychology101]

I'm grateful he pull the needle out instead of using his face as the handle... can you imagine that 911 call?

[@CharlieLui]

I've done acupuncture often and never once have I wanted to make facial expressions while needles are in my face. Kudos to you!

[@ecky23q]

You're quickly becoming one of my favourite channels, love the content Lance. Very informative and hilarious at times. I ditched the spinny boi levelling tool for the WDT over a year ago and use the same technique you use. I had an observation after watching this video. I normally dose into a stainless steel dosing cup and give the grounds an initial stir before moving to the portafilter. I always have some grounds sticking to the walls of the dosing cup, so I must be introducing some static. I noticed you dose into a measuring glass, so I thought I'd try the same. The result was less clumps and an extremely uniform extraction. Keep up the great work.

[@aljoschapahl5147]

Great intro! I really like your humor and the way you explain things without getting boring. All in all I really don’t regret having spent almost 18 minutes to realize, that I’m probably WDTing correctly 😂

[@LanceHedrick]

haha! That's great, though! Hopefully you were entertained along the way and learned some history

[@BrettMissen]

Love your intro's !! Just don't like needles unless they are stirring coffee grinds.

[@dkreventon]

Doing WDT to my hand grounded coffee has made MASSIVE consistency improvements to my extractions. I had a distrubing amount of dry spots on my bottomless portafilter which are now GONE! The shot quality is also way better on my taste buds. I can't stress it enough how important WDT is for any home barista that doesn't have a several thousand dollar grinder.

[@BBB_025]

I do not make espresso at home (yet?) but this video was fascinating. The intro was next level and the content and presentation was really on point. It was an impressive balance of being comprehensive and being concise with your topic. This really is a stand out video Lance!

[@devenpatel3044]

Love how you gave a inexpensive diy option and your thoughts on the optimal needle thickness!

[@allen.t]

I personally love the long intros since it really shows some personality and creativity! But if it does harm your video performance too much I wouldn’t be mad at them being gone.

[@BruceWalkerPhotography]

I had heard about using a WDT tool but until an espresso making friend 3D printed one and mailed it to me I hadn't used one. Now that I have tried it and am using it for every single shot, I am 100% sold on the utility of it. Immediately made a huge difference to my espresso. Well worth the effort, for me. I appreciated this video as it confirmed that my technique is good, and the history behind it was interesting.

[@chrismeyer3086]

Made mine with a wine cork and .011 or .012 guitar string. Works great!

[@hodgesmt]

Ok, first.... AMAZING INTRO. You go above and beyond for content :) I use the 3d printed tool and between using it, a good grinder, and a puck screen my espresso consistency has been... well.... consistent! Don't ever stop being you.

[@xboxnissan]

It's incredible that I wanted to refine my WDT technique hours ago and saw your video from years ago (again, hours ago), and now this... I guess it was meant to be! :)

[@glleon80517]

I do the “Lance Hendrick WDT” like my life depends on it. My Barazza (sp?) Sette does not clump but I dose into the cup and shake it as I pour the grounds into the portafilter/funnel. Very fluffy. One tap, one tamp, one lovely espresso. Thanks, Lance!

[@tummy_fritters]

Next level intro, Lance! Please keep bringing this energy

[@Gk2003m]

I use WDT and tapping. My tool is printer needles in a cork, seven of ‘em. I have a 53mm portafilter setup. I use WDT to break up,clumps, and then to push the grinds “into the corners” of the basket. Then I tap, then tamp. Works great

[@chrisyancey2219]

I have been to Revelator in Chattanooga several times before. I am thrilled to hear we are from the same town! I look forward to learning from your videos, keep up the great work!

[@ThePlayahans]

Intro was pure gold.. made me wanna watch the video even more! Cheers Lance

[@sippysippywakewake]

I’ve been using Jkim’s and it’s fantastic. Instantly improved my shots. I use a Baratza Vario and Rocket Appartamento and before the wdt I could never use a naked pf because channeling was so bad. Since using Jkim’s wdt I’ve had zero channels! It’s amazing. I purchased the version he has with the little stand it sits on and I’d highly recommend that as well. Makes it very easy to set aside after use so you don’t stab yourself. I’ve also found that my dosing funnel fits around the wdt stand as well. It’s a beautiful thing 👌

[@MCCole]

Great content as usual. The Revelator in Nashville was the first place I saw someone “agitating the bloom” with a toothpick many moons ago. Many thanks from TN

[@Eazoon]

I had this playing in the background, and when I looked up it took a moment for my eyes to focus, and his shirt matches his skin so well

[@keurosen]

I loooved the intro. You make coffee geeking so much fun and very entertaining to watch with all the random shenanigans. I very much remember the coffee geek forum from 12-15 years back. Although interesting, the threads usually got very serious and not so much backed up by good science. Love how stuff has been thoroughly tested out more now, and that you make it so easily accessible through your seriously well-composed and hilarious videos. Thanks. Alot 🙏❤️

[@picerhk9646]

Hey, love the intro! It's a breath of fresh air from many other coffee related videos which just dive straight into the main content. I have also found using a leveller to be somewhat excessive. If I want to level the puck, why not just use a tamper, lightly spin it and then tamp, and I never really got the result I desired. After doing WDT (and using finer needles, tried thicker ones too) and using a normal tamper, things are doing much better.

[@LanceHedrick]

Nice! Yeah- I think you ended up intuitively in the right place. Levelers are not necessary!

[@calebdemeter2809]

I just bought a WDT today so great timing!!!

[@ozespresso]

I like the way you put it, very nice video and generally, your videos are getting better, fun to watch and educational at the same time!

[@wizzpet6562]

Hi Lance, started WDT following your 1$ WDT tool video and my shots improved a lot so thank you! Quick question: what is the automatic tamper you are using in this video? Thanks!

[@sola9649]

bose tamper

[@kennethkernen7031]

Lance, I LOVE the shenanigans!! Keep up the fun, and the great information!

[@davidmarsh1158]

Thanks for fine tuning this technique. I've been using the WDT for about three months.

[@zuoliangliu8737]

Love it!

[@LanceHedrick]

heck yeah! Thanks for watching and commenting!

[@kennethguerrero6802]

I just have to let you know. Around the same time you posted your dialing in video where you used the gaggia pro and the sd40 to dial in coffee, i bought the gaggia pro and the sd40. Since then, your videos have been essential in my coffee journey. I dont think i had ever tasted what actual coffee tastes like until now. Thank you. I just hit your amazon store link and bought some gaggia upgrades. You da man!

[@221b-l3t]

You got a good basket yet? After that a dimmer mod might let you unlock another class of coffee. I know what you mean by never having tasted coffee. Just drinking a Ethiopia/South America blend medium lightly roasted, chocolaty, fruity, fantastic. I got all the parts for a dimmer mod but waiting on the warranty to run out.

[@kennethguerrero6802]

@@221b-l3t yes. I got an 18 gram ims basket. Just got me a nice bottomless portafilter, a wdt tool, and a normcore self leveling tamp. I keep having issues with my extraction though. Big holes on the wall of my puck. I just got an upgraded seal ring, brass shower screen holder and an ims shower screen. I think im going for the 9 bar opv next

[@erikngomez]

There are a few 3d printed spinning wdt and I own both a 54 and 58 version from one person. 58 is "v2" and 54 is "v1". I've actually found them more consistent than my hand. I slowly spin 20 times and then I take a normal wdt and just even out the top, then do what you suggested. It's been a game changer for me in both efficiency, time and consistency.

[@LanceHedrick]

nice! I am holding off on spinning ones until the Autocomb comes out from BH!

[@ashkanpower]

There is one more thing I do after I declump, I slowly move the wdt around the basket to feel where there is more or less resistance. So I repeat this step so much that I feel the same resistance all over the basket. I move the wdt in small steps, I pick the needles up to middle and put them a little further very slowly like I am an artist drawing. With this technique, I could decrease my dose and tamp pressure( so water has more room to explore in basket) but still very good extraction without channeling.

[@gerit14]

I came across coffee videos through James Hoffmann (ofc), but your videos have just a different style and I love it!

[@LanceHedrick]

thank you! I appreciate it!

[@ballietoflexheim]

Good video... I have jkim's credit card WDT tool. My grinder is a Ceado 37S with SSP burrs and bellows for single dosing. Clump free grinding. I grind into a dosing cup then put into the basket with funnel. The basket is not in the portafilter, just in my hand. I then WDT as you do, deep then to the top. Remove the funnel and tap the basket on the table to settle the Coffee. Then I use a Pullman Wedge to just level off the top of the coffee and then tamp using a Decent tamper set at 25 pounds. Pucks are perfect when I check them and the Coffee is great if the beans that I roasted were great, which is not always the case. Using a Londinium R lever for great coffee. I do Drink Coffee Any Time of The Day.

[@ianaguiarsouza]

Your intros and video production are AMAZING, Lance

[@TheRa89]

WDT massively helped with consistency. Without it, even using a niche zero, I didn't know if the next pull would take 15 seconds or 50 seconds. Maybe I never got good at things like tapping, but I find WDT way easier. Just have to deal with occasionally poking myself with needles.

[@LanceHedrick]

haha! use some sandpaper or something to round off the tips!

[@acecarolino101]

Dang i got to get eyeglasses done. I read fapping instead of tapping

[@FatNorthernBigot]

KZbin just suggested a Hedrick video I haven't seen. Bonus! All hail the algorithm!

[@bruceharlick3322]

Fantastic history and explanation, Lance. Thanks!

[@LanceHedrick]

thank you so much for watching, Bruce!

[@DesertKnight99]

Love the intro!!!! Great video, thank you again! The new style you have is working for me and I quite enjoy them. Previously I think there just was too much talking. I recall the 1st video you ever made and I just loved the beat boxing you did. Gotta keep bringing that aspect into your videos cuz you are a very funny and interesting person. Love it!

[@xipalips]

Perfect timing!! Just got my (first?) espresso machine this week

[@Cenot4ph]

pretty much doing it the way you described, thanks for the history lesson!

[@PPGMatt]

Thank you for all the great information! Always enjoy your videos.

[@LanceHedrick]

thank you! so glad you find them helpful.

[@Covenant-R]

Love these little skits together with the history content!

[@TheJamesMReid]

The intros are brilliant! I’m here for it all day

[@LanceHedrick]

haha thank you!

[@svkarvi5895]

I bought a cheap wdt on amazon for $5. Most of the acupuncture needle packs were $8 or more. I figured, if it's junk...I can just take the needles out and wine cork it. After I saw your video I realized the main issue with it is that the needles are too long. Snipped them off an it works great! thanks!

[@Farpun]

I'm new to this channel and I absolutely loved that intro!

[@marlowagner1507]

I love watching your videos. You are like Jack Black meets Alton Brown! I've learned so much about espresso and how to dial in my shots. Salute! Keep pumping out the fun!

[@jeffvincent4878]

Classic intro Lance, shows commitment to bringing joy of coffee as much as it brings you! ☕😁

[@johnnyyacoub8772]

I think I'm trash at WDT, I used to get bad uneven extraction with deep WDT. I switched to shallow WDT and my shots have been great ever since! I have a P100 and the grounds are pretty fluffy from the start! Thanks for the video / refresher.

[@thomprd]

I've been using the Umikot pretty much my whole home Espresso life and I think it wins for ease and consistency. I don't know about comparing directly with your method. I do have an inexpensive Amazon tool which I wind up using for pour overs.

[@sunnycharacter]

I’ve side tapped my grounds like, forever! In all coffee and espresso prep, even pour overs. I just ordered the JKim wdt preassembled because, why not! 😌😎

[@SustainableDreams]

Love the intro!!! Just saw one of these at my buddies coffee shop here in Taiwan when I went to go okay with his 1Zpresso X-Plus after your nice video on the JG. Keep up tbe great vids!

[@LanceHedrick]

haha thank you! So happy you enjoyed it. hope you enjoyed the grinder!

[@scanspeak00]

Love your work Lance, the perfect combination of nerdiness, creativity and entertainment. I have a good grinder and find that simply pushing down into the bed with my WDT tool works for me, rather than doing the full circular motion. Also it creates lot less mess since I don't use a funnel. Also you inspired me to glue a small magnet to the side of my WDT tool so that I can hang it vertically, rather than horizontally (health and safety anyone?).

[@JPC326]

Also the Happy Tamper WDT is quite cool for my portable setup :)

[@LanceHedrick]

yes! I have one on the way

[@zionwright7]

I'm a bew subscriber honestly I love your videos it's helped me tremendously. Thank you

[@michaelcibula9552]

Best intro ever :). Found this so informative too!

[@myphoenix]

Love your intros, love your content.

[@niccoloaurelius1587]

I get great results using the “earth and sun” method, although have found that if I’m touching the bottom holes a bit too much the results are less good. Perhaps getting some fines plugging those holes a bit more. I find that staying above the very bottom helps. Also, I love WDT, as it spreads awareness about my profession; acupuncture is great.

[@-huckjai-]

Try putting 54mm paper filter on the bottom of the basket before putting the grinds in, if you are using a 58mm basket. I also use a 58mm paper filter on top of the bed after tamp. Basically making a paper sandwich. Helps keep fines from getting into the basket holes, and grinds from touching your shower screen. Makes cleanup easy, and I find my shots more consistent.

[@niccoloaurelius1587]

@@-huckjai- I look forward to adding paper into my puck prep routine, definitely.

[@mexicanhalloween]

incredible commitment to the bit

[@cookiesandstreams]

10:05 was not expecting a scrubs deep cut in a video about wdt but thanks for the laugh

[@justinbouchard]

dude. so while making my first latte of the day and using my wdt tool I was reminded, and am most times while using it, of you saying you keep yours in rice to keep it clean. So, while looking at my little holder/stand for my wdt tool I decided I'm going to fill mine with an appropriate amount of fine salt and see how that goes. I'm not perceiving any issues and also think it's a great way to help strip any remaining oils from my little wires :) massive love from north of lake superior as always xoxo

[@LanceHedrick]

That's brilliant! Good idea

[@justinbouchard]

also 15:12 how you just gonna not show us what that tool is 😂

[@justinbouchard]

oh thanks!

[@justinbouchard]

@@LanceHedrick also, if this takes off in some weird coffee way, I would like it to be known as JDT, justin dip 'n clean technique. I feel it rounds out the already amazing triumvirate of "dt's". RDT, WDT, and the long forgotten DDT.

[@justinbouchard]

update: one day in and i love the salt inside of my wdt tool stand. I'm a genius and very humble

[@mariosapostolidis7341]

EPIC INTRO!!!EVERY TIME SOMETHING NEW.IF THERE WAS KZbin INTRO OSCARS YOU WOULD BE DEFINITELY THE WINNER!!!HI HI HI GREAT VIDEO AND JUST ON TIME.YESTERDAY A BOUGHT MY FIRST WDT AND I CAN'T WAIT TO START EXTRACTING MY FIRST SHOTS!THANK YOU FOR THE INFORMATION.I'M LOOKING FORWARD FOR YOUR NEW INTRO

[@davidpinnington213]

Built my tool from the acupuncture needles into a cork which happens to be the champagne cork from our wedding back when - reuse and redistributed the love!

[@LanceHedrick]

I love that! Such a fun story for a tool

[@DonP_is_lostagain]

Well done on the intro and on the video. I made my own by using small paper clips in a whiskey cork. It works tolerably well, but I'll have to give a "real" tool a shot. May even get some needles in and make another. Yes. I have quite a few whisky corks. 😏

[@MattM-24]

Do give it a try! The needles are cheap online and it makes a big difference vs paper clips. The proper tools with the needles spread out make it faster. Regarding corks, I wish they'd stop using them. Screw caps are much better, it feels like Japanese whisky got the memo there

[@DonP_is_lostagain]

@@MattM-24 +1 on the corks though some distillers are switching to synthetic corks, which is what I used for my little WDF tool.

[@chamucodude]

The intro was classic... Keep up the good work!!

[@LanceHedrick]

hahaha thanks, Rafael!

[@lexx-low]

I've developed my very own technique. It's a combination of your "earth & sun" technique & several deep stirs. I stir the complete ground material several times (from bottom to top & vice versa), then I distribute the ground material with the "earth & sun" technique & after this i'm going to distribute just the top grounds for a even bed to tamp

[@LanceHedrick]

oh nice! I like that

[@donfitz69]

Hey Lance. Great video. Just curious what that tamper was.

[@mikerichards5610]

Excellent video! I'm buying a WDT!

[@garfieldclass10]

So true story: I made my own WDT tool and lost one of the acupuncture needle cutoffs. Didn't think about it, after three months of weird mystery bruising on my back (and crazy pain) I noticed a needle sticking out that the fine folks at my local urgent care removed. I got to take it home in a little baggy as a keepsake.

[@gkseyfu]

Great in-depth, a resource like this is super helpful! Was hoping you'd touch on the (fairly recent uptick of?) use of WDT / WWDT in filter coffee brewing but I suppose much of the same applies in terms of technique, needle size etc, just maybe opting for less angled spreads of needles when picking your tool so you can worry less about ripping filters haha PS: Your last general pour-over recipe video has me thinking about manual agitation (and flow rate out of the kettle) in general much more as a reaction to the flow there already is in my brew (ie: chill if the flow is slow, kick it up if the flow is fast), love that!

[@LanceHedrick]

yeah! I was mainly focusing here on espresso wdt. I don't want to push too hard wet wdt because the amount of potential ripped filters haha! I only really push it on the tricolate, as can be seen in my video from about a year ago on it. Much easier to do without fear of ripping!

[@BobStCyr]

OK Lance that intro was kind of weird, and kind of funny. I have been using the WDT method for a few weeks now and I must say the coffee is better and more consistent. Now that I have had some practice with it, it doesn't even take too long.. My son 3d printed a handle and it uses 9 needles (8 around the outside and one in the center) .35 acupuncture needles. Of course I have friends who think I have gone right off the edge - they thought the ECM synchronika and Ceado E37S, plumbed in with water filtering was pretty much out there already, but now they're convinced I'm in need of therapy - to which I say - coffee is my therapy🤗

[@LanceHedrick]

haha yes! What a great therapy. And that is a great tool. Re: intro- definitely weird. I like to have fun with them, though doing so is definitely risky on KZbin! Will likely make this video a flop, but I had to haha Thanks for pushing through and watching for the meat!

[@scottbailey4581]

Love your vids. Sorry for the quasi non sequitur, but I have two tangential questions for us bottom feeders: 1) do you use WDT for pour over, and 2) have you compared efficiency and taste of bypass (e.g., v60) vs non-bypass (e.g., Orea using 'negotiated' filters) pour over? [About the time I settled into Orea with 3-D printed Negotiator, they failed to respond to requests for replacement, non-pleated filters with which to negotiate.] Thx in advance for a thorough, dramatic, fully-scientific response.

[@limetapse5561]

14:00 this motion of a circle around a circle is called an epicycle.

[@myspace04]

What is the product shown at 15:13? Is it a distribution tool or tamper?

[@sunvalleydrivemusic]

If y’all like this video and want to be part of an amazing community, be sure to become a Patreon! Lance is super engaged on Discord and runs some pretty sweet giveaways. The latte art thread there is great with lots of tips from people who compete and will give you feedback on your pours. Def my favorite Patreon!

[@80Entreri]

You're a bloody legend, Lance 🥇

[@odl21]

since 2007 i have used a corn fork with my mazzer grinder. basically works fine.

[@mathanatos]

Still wasn’t able to get pass the intro just replaying and rofling😂😂😂 :) great stuff!! The spot of blood on the cheek priceless 😅

[@flimpjekijken]

Best intro ever, did anyone already say that you have a talent for it?

[@brookmartinez7723]

Love shinanigans, I vote to keep letting your creativity and humor shine, it seems authentically you so you do you! Also, I eagerly await your unifilter review, any hints of when you'll release?! Gotta know if I should drop the big $$$ to my Flair 58 setup....

[@davida7586]

thanks for the learnings Lance!

[@LanceHedrick]

thank you for the support!

[@KurokawaShiro]

Fantastic and informative video. In another timeline, Hance Ledrick would have a field day with it.

[@galschwimmer102]

@LanceHedrick, can you please provide your insight on whether one should grind directly into the portafilter or to dosing cup (Niche like workflow). Does it affect the WDT technique?Thanks!

[@scanspeak00]

Pro tip - use your WDT needles for acupuncture immediately after making stirring your grinds for that direct caffeine injection into your blood stream.

[@sabrinasmusic]

Getting acupuncture in the face for an intro, that is dedication

[@T1NBANE]

9:53 ...that's what she said.

[@ajh31696]

Thank you for these! I love watching the teaching! Do you ever do like a zoom lesson? I just need someone to tell me what I'm doing wrong haha.

[@travinmanues]

So this was playing while i was in the shower (couldn’t see the video). Started hearing the insane man hamming up wdt. Couldn’t help but think “this guys got problems”. Then the beat drops, and i was like “i’m here for it”. And at that point, when i thought i was going to subscribe to a new coffee nerd, it’sssssss…… lance lol. There’s a reason i’ve been subscribed for so long lol.

[@tom_nuyts]

YOUR VERY BEST ALL TIME VIDEO

[@3ede467]

Exactly the video I needed. ❤

[@Frownigan]

Hey Lance, you know how rarely I comment on YT? Well I don‘t think this is my 10th comment yet in the past couple years, but you need to keep this production quality up! Love your mini-intros so far 👏

[@Avatar711Wizard]

The Decent Puck rake is very good. Earth to sun method hands down can't beat it. I think commercial espresso has a lot to answer for. In Australia we now pay $4 to $5 for poorly extracted coffee. Yes there are some great places with care/detail in proper puck prep and extraction. But the bulk of places are just winging it. I hope these techniques and new devices make their way into mainstream cafes that serve specialty coffee.

[@LanceHedrick]

Check out Gagne's article i have linked. Puck Rake is objectively inferior

[@mattgogo2937]

I use the little loop version for pour overs, thought I might tear the paper filter especially with cone style although been using an orea v3 most recently.

[@simkool77]

Wow your videos are getting better & better! Loved the accupuncture opening. At 15:15 what is the tamp you used? I have the sworks design wdt. Agree it is excellent.

[@ianlacour9701]

We just started using the Barista Hustle Comb and Ring at the shop i manage. Funny thing is I was doing the « Earth and Sun » technique without realizing. It’s a great technique because as I’m moving back towards the top of the pick it essentially evens the grounds as you exit. For shop use we generally use it to dial in and to pull shots for Espressos and for Americanos. Really any drink where the shot is the star of the show.

[@LanceHedrick]

oh nice! I really think that is the way to go- using WDT on espresso focused beverages. That is, until the autocomb comes out!

[@LukeLendrum]

Appreciated your beefboxing.

[@gerritvisser]

went back and watched the intro again. If ppl click away that soon they aren't here for the knowledge transfer that is lurking just after.

[@didac7884]

Hey Lance Didac here. Amazing job, as usual. Can't express how thankful I am after watching all your videos, u just saved me on spending lots of $$$ in coffee Gadgets xD Quick Q, how long you cut this .3 niddles? Look just perfect!!! Thanks again for sharing your knowledge and your passion. Coffee community is much better and funnier w The Mustache dude 🤣

[@Fbeans604]

whats the tamping device shown at 15:13?

[@sunnycharacter]

That intro was epic. Lol I hope you were the only one to drink that particular cup. 😄