I've currently got a Mazzer Mini E, and I want to upgrade once and for all to a conical. I've narrowed it down to the Compak K10 Fresh or the Elektra Nino. The Robur looks great, but the grind retention is just too much for home use. I've also considered the K10 Pro Barista, but I really don't want that whole ritual with sweeping and such.

So, as I see it now the K10 Fresh has a few advantages over the Nino:
+Easier adjustment of time
+Easier adjustment of grind
+Manual push button

The Nino is arguably prettier, in my opinion, and would look better next to the espresso machine Also, the Nino has a very low grind retention, whereas I still haven't seen any data on the K10 Fresh.

Both of the grinders cost about the same. I should also mention that I live in Europe, so the voltage isn't an issue with the Nino.

I guess my decision comes down to the grind retention and and the build quality of the Compak.

Are there really NOBODY who has measured how much grind retention the Fresh has? I've seen people ask all over the place, me included. I've even talked to Compak themselves, but they didn't seem to have any clue at all.

Lastly, are there any quality concerns on the Compak grinders? I've gotten the impression that they're quite well made, but I do seem to remember someone complaining about breakage.

Get the Compak K10 Fresh. I've had one for almost a year and I love it. With the small hopper it is only about an inch taller than a Mazzer Mini E, so easily fits under cupboards. It also grinds 21 grams in 6 seconds. It sounds fantastic too - like a 6 second growl from an angry rottweiler. Very powerful!. In person, the black one looks fantastic with thick industrial strength stainless steel in the front and an incredibly deep, glossy black finish for the body. Adjustment is incredibly easy. Just remember that there is about 20 grams of retention between adjustments ie once you make an adjustment you will have to skip a fill to see the result (of the adjustment). In the morning, just purge the first basket if you're having a short black. If you're having it with milk just give the first coffee to the wife - she'll never tell the difference. Neither will you, truth be told. Stale coffee (with milk) from this grinder tastes better than fresh coffee from a Mazzer mini E. Don't scoff all you coffee tossers. This grinder is that good. If you want a grinder with less retention get the Niño. Also, get the Niño if you want a divorce. She will take everything you own - except the Nino. Because it is effing massive. It'll be the first and only thing that visitors to your house remember (and talk about with rolling eyes). Anyway, I bet if you buy the Fresh and replace your Mini E that your wife won't even be able to tell. She may throw a few suspicious glances at it but won't say anything in case she looks stupid. With the Fresh, every shot is exactly the same size, Exactly. And you will taste amazing things in your espresso. You will also find that that you will get far longer extractions out of your coffee (than a mini E) ie better crema. Lastly, in the year I have had it, I have not had to clean out the chute once. This machine is great and for home use you will never wear it out. In the future, you may upgrade your coffee machine but you will never upgrade the Fresh. Cheers, Darcy

darcyb wrote:Get the Compak K10 Fresh. I've had one for almost a year and I love it. With the small hopper it is only about an inch taller than a Mazzer Mini E, so easily fits under cupboards. It also grinds 21 grams in 6 seconds. It sounds fantastic too - like a 6 second growl from an angry rottweiler. Very powerful!. In person, the black one looks fantastic with thick industrial strength stainless steel in the front and an incredibly deep, glossy black finish for the body. Adjustment is incredibly easy. Just remember that there is about 20 grams of retention between adjustments ie once you make an adjustment you will have to skip a fill to see the result (of the adjustment). In the morning, just purge the first basket if you're having a short black. If you're having it with milk just give the first coffee to the wife - she'll never tell the difference. Neither will you, truth be told. Stale coffee (with milk) from this grinder tastes better than fresh coffee from a Mazzer mini E. Don't scoff all you coffee tossers. This grinder is that good. If you want a grinder with less retention get the Niño. Also, get the Niño if you want a divorce. She will take everything you own - except the Nino. Because it is effing massive. It'll be the first and only thing that visitors to your house remember (and talk about with rolling eyes). Anyway, I bet if you buy the Fresh and replace your Mini E that your wife won't even be able to tell. She may throw a few suspicious glances at it but won't say anything in case she looks stupid. With the Fresh, every shot is exactly the same size, Exactly. And you will taste amazing things in your espresso. You will also find that that you will get far longer extractions out of your coffee (than a mini E) ie better crema. Lastly, in the year I have had it, I have not had to clean out the chute once. This machine is great and for home use you will never wear it out. In the future, you may upgrade your coffee machine but you will never upgrade the Fresh. Cheers, Darcy

What's with all the sexism against wives in this forum, anyway?

You have to appreciate Darcy's sense for humor. I thought that his description about potential pitfalls with Nino was very much to the point. At least I had good laugh.

All the joking and sexism aside, the thing that surprised me was a claim of 20 grams of retention! That's a lot, me thinks, for a grinder that have been in development for three to four years prior to launch... Then again, when I spoke to Compak a year ago they didn't seem to have given retention much thought at all. I was hoping they had made some modifications, particularly with all the posts online requestion numbers.

I was actually going to get the Fresh, due to it being more practical, but it sounds like i'll be throwing away at least 1.2kg of coffee every month, which is quite a sum of money. That works out to 1/3 of the price of the grinder in a year, using the coffee prices where I live.

I wonder if anyone has actually measured the grind retention. Darcyb, could you do us all a huge favor and unscrew the top burr and take pictures of the inside of the grinding chamber? Think of it as grinder porn, albeit of the degenerate and dirty kind. I bet it'll draw attention, though So, would you do us this tremendous favor? Pretty please?

Did you read this post? Compak K10 Fresh

I used Franks grinder at a get-together and agree it appears to be under 4 grams, it's an excellent choice in my opinion.

Hi again,
As I said, I've had this grinder for a year and it is fantastic. I look forward every morning to making my wife and I a coffee. Seriously when you push that portafilter (naked of course) into the button and it makes that delicious 6 second growl I feel a stirring in the front of my pants.

As far as retention goes, I have not measured or weighed it, because I don't care. All I know is that if I were to purge only 4 grams in the morning I would not get any crema in the next shot. For me to get a perfectly thick, luscious mouthfeel and nutty texture I need to purge between 15 and 20 grams ie the first shot in the morning. I have my coffee with a 21 gram shot mixed half and half with textured milk in a small cup, sort of like a macchiato latte.

Anyway, maybe there is only 4 grams of retention in the burrs, but there would also be 16 grams of retention in the chute, if my experience is any guide. If you are worried about retention - don't get a large conical grinder. As far as I'm concerned, if you want the perfect coffee experience at home you will not get it without one.

As to the question of mess. There is none. Not if you use a funnel. I use a small sawn-off yoghurt container.

Clumping - zero

Ease of use - amazing. I buy a kilo of different beans every week. I like change. And I pride myself in being able to adjust the perfect digital adjustments, for grind and time, within 2 shots. Seriously mad. It helps if you have an Espro tamper and a naked portafilter.

As I mentioned in my previous post this grinder fits under cupboards. As such, it doesn't dominate the coffee machine. - it compliments it. The coffee machine should be the point of reference in the kitchen not the grinder.

For instance, have you ever seen one of those home reno shows on the Lifestyle channel where the gay designer is openly admiring his beautiful new minimalist kitchen and he says "mmmmmm" You know what we need to finish this off?" Yes, that's right! "A remote control bomb disposal unit in the corner. "What! Haven't we got one! Well what about an Elektra Niño then?"

Anyway, that's just what I reckon. Beauty's in the eye etc....

I too have been looking to upgrade from a Mazzer although it's only a Mini. I love Elektra stuff but romanticsm and brand loyalty aside, in my opinion the K10 is a better option. Much as I want to I can't see the Nino being a $1500 better grinder.

Based on a listed retail price of AUD2000 for the K10 and AUD3500 for the Nina. If it's not as dramatic a price difference where you are then you are allowed to consider the Nino

No more wife jokes. They have suffered enough.

And I still think the Nino is much better looking than the k10. The k10 is a nondescript black blob. The Nino is a gorgeous piece of polished metal, similar to shiny espresso machines. And the Nino doesnt need as large a pile of wasted coffee underneath it, or funnels made from repurposed litter.

They're not jokes. They're true. I'm trying to save your wives the heartache of putting up with a massive boat anchor in their beloved kitchens. I'm also attempting to tell you blokes that saving .20c in grind retention each day is not worth the extra $1500 for the Niño, your marriage and your house. Also, when you have to go and sleep at you mates house, his wife won't let you in the door with the Niño either. Actually, it's beginning to dawn on me that some of the other posters in this thread may not be men. Whoops.

Don't get a Robur or a Niño. Get the the FRESH! It is the best large conical doserless out there. I want to save you all the heartache that happened to me. My ex-wife left me for my best mate. Crikey, I still miss him.