John emphasizes that the most critical aspect of WDT is using a tool that does not compact the coffee grounds. He cautions that many tutorials found online—specifically those where the user creates a mess with coffee grounds flying everywhere—are "absolutely horrifying" and do not represent the correct technique.
John refers to his own method as "puck raking," which involves raking only the top layer of the grounds. Referring to an analysis by Stefan Reeves, John notes that WDT and puck raking yield very similar results. While WDT might produce a slightly higher extraction yield (by about 0.2%), puck raking tends to achieve a higher peak pressure. Ultimately, John views both methods as highly effective when performed correctly.
John suggests that users look for Scott Rao's Instagram, where he demonstrates a proper puck preparation technique that includes raking the top of the coffee. He also expresses a desire for the community to curate better, more accurate examples of WDT on platforms like YouTube to help enthusiasts avoid incorrect and ineffective practices.