[jonnycomputer]

Should try that. You definitely don't want to tap it (denting it will lead to a bad seal).

Every morning I walk out and fling the grounds into the front yard.

[tedmiston]

I've tapped to eject the spent puck for many years and it is not a problem. Maybe if you were aggressively whacking it against something much harder than the metal funnel it might become an issue, but against a hand or some soft plastic it's not an issue at all; there's been no change to the seal or shape.