Espresso Knock box

We all (well some of us do) like to have a good knock box at the side of our beauty (in my case Rancilio Silvia) but before going ahead and blowing 30 punds on a fancy looking Gaggia knock out box just hold on to your money a bit! What you could do (and I did) is this:

1. Buy a simple plastic container like the ones you use for keeping food in the fridge

2. Buy a wooden mop handle (you can get this in any hardware store)

3. Buy a Victorinox Hunter (no household should be without) or just use your old wood saw

4. Measure the width of the plastic box and add 4 centimeters (2 centimeters on each side)

5. Always mark what you will be cutting: it will not help you while cutting but at least you will see where you should have cut the darn thing

5. Cut the wooden handle according to the measurements

6. Mark the width of the box on the wooden handle (leaving the 2 centimeters on each side)

7. Make two half way cuts in the wooden handle

8. Put the pieces together and you have your knock box

Observations:

When buying the plastic box keep in mind what you’re gonna use it for. Make sure the plastic is sturdy enaugh and that it can take a hit. Plastic boxes these days have fency edges to make them airtight when you put the lid on. Look for one that has the edges as regular and simple as possible. If you can, buy a lidless plastic container.

When buying the mop handle make sure you buy a wooden one. Pretty convincing aluminum made wood imitations exist.

Make sure your half cuts will fit tightly on the box

You can also measure the space you have available and buy a box that fits:

That’s it, I hope you’ll enjoy doing it yourself!