Lurking for quite some time around this great forum, it was time I show myself with what else but a question.

I'm looking for a grinder for home use. 3-4 shots a day.
Would like to buy sth to keep for a long time. I'm pretty immune to upgrade urges.
Price, availability locally, and reviews from users have been my compass in narrowing it down to the above mentioned grinders.
The price difference between these 3 is small and is Compak K3 > Anfim Best > Cunill Tauro(2009 onwards).
I may opt for the Cunill Brasil if I find it available and at a lower price.

I would really appreciate your input, especially on the ergonomics and reliability field.

Hi Nasos,

If you posted a little information on what you like in those grinders and what you are looking for people may be able to give you more tips - but since you write you are buying for the long term, local parts availability is also important.

So, I'd ask around your local cafes to see what they use and what they say about parts and back-up. They're all good grinders. I have no experience of the Cunils and perhaps a slight preference for the Anfim. I'm assuming that you don't want a Mazzer for some reason, which is what I'd prefer....

Cheers

Mike

reason for Mazzer absence is cost. won't buy used one.

judging from previous experience in other areas of not so pop interests, I'd say parts availability would be a problem for all. either price, promised delivery time or correct part would probably be a reason for disappointment so not really counting on that. We are a small not so mature market I guess
for that matter internet popularity, ebay presence or other well established e-shop support would be a plus.

anfim does seem to have a big footprint on the networked world. their local representative also seems genuinely enthusiastic about espresso, but don't know how big they are is terms of business to really count on that for years to come.anfim best seems a little 70's on the outside and has the smallest diameter burrs of the three. there is report for excellent dosing and no clamping as well.

cunill has 60mm burrs, appealing design especially the brasil, and the lower price. cons list the height for tauro, not so much internet presence and I think the bean hopper doesn't have an isolation door(sorry don't know what the term is)

compak k3 is the most expensive but is really nice aesthetically, solid 58 burrs, most popular on the web of the three and from what I know they are being represented by a big market player (for our market standards)

How about the Baratza Vario? I had the K3 doserless for 3 weeks, it was a bit clumpy, though otherwise seemed well made.

The Vario is probably the best home grinder on the market right now, price/size/ease of use considered. It consistently challenges my K10 in quality and trumps it in ease of use. Also, the Vario is VERY simple to clean.

baratza products are not suitable for the 220v rated electrical system of Greece. I might have hold on for a virtuoso preciso if they were.
there is a mahlkoenig branded version of the vario but is even more expensive than the compak and definitely not available locally.

For what it's worth I think all EU countries should now be providing 230V (e.g. it used to be 240 in the UK but is now nominally 230; Italy used to be 220 but is now supposed to be 230 etc).

I've just had a check in Wikipedia for you and they say the same thing: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mains_power_around_the_world

From what you write, I'd go for the Anfim. Their build quality is almost up to Mazzer standards and it has a very good reputation for grind quality, service life and doser performance. I should confess that I'm not a big Compak fan, though, and that this is probably an entirely irrational prejudice.

Cheers

Mike

Mike thanks for your help.
by the 220-230 argument you mean that baratza makes 230 compliant products(other than the vario)? I was under the impression they are only providing to the 110v market.

Hi there. Sorry for the delay getting back to you.

The Baratza Vario is built and distributed under the Mahlkonig label in Europe with all the changes needed for a 230V power supply.

See for example: http://www.coffeehit.co.uk/PRD_ProductDetail.aspx?cid=82&prodid=580&Product=Mahlkonig-Vario-Coffee-and-Espresso-Grinder

Cheers

Mike

NaGR wrote:by the 220-230 argument you mean that baratza makes 230 compliant products(other than the vario)? I was under the impression they are only providing to the 110v market.

The Baratza Vario is the name under which this grinder is sold in North America. The exact same grinder is sold in Europe under the name Mahlkönig VARIO Home (so as to distinguish it from the Mahlkönig K30 Vario).

The Baratza Vario runs on 110v current. The Mahlkönig VARIO Home runs of 230v.

Of all the grinders out there, the ONE brand I would not hesitate to buy USED would be Mazzer. Be that as it may, if you are absolutely dead set against buying used, I too would go for the Anfim Best.

Cheers,
Jason