Presented in the FWIW mode . . .

Now, I admit, Andy, that the Mazzer Mini-E with its 64mm flat burr set is a very different grinder than the Mazzer Mini "normale" (if you will) with its 58mm flat burr set. And I used to own the "normale" Mazzer Mini, not the Mini-E, so take what I'm saying with a grain of salt . . .

I noticed a significant increase in quality when I sold my Mazzer Mini, and replaced it with a Cimbali Max Hybrid, which utilizes a 64mm conical-flat "hybrid" burr set. I mean, it was amazing, eye-opening, a dramatic improvement!

My next upgrade to my grinder was to shift my Cimbali to my office, and get a true commercial grinder, the Mahlkönig K30 Vario, which utilizes a 65mm flat burr set. It was a noticeable improvement over the Cimbali, though not as dramatic as the Mini-to-Cimbali upgrade.

Then I added another grinder for use as a secondary grinder, for decaf and/or small lots of single origin (SO) espresso. It's generally recognized that grinders designed for espresso do their best grinding for espresso; and grinders which are designed for a wide variety of coffee preparation typically fail at grinding for espresso. But my Baratza Vario -- sold as the Mahlkönig VARIO Home outside North America (and, I think, Asia, but I'm not sure) -- is remarkable! It features 54mm ceramic burrs, and is often mentioned, both here and elsewhere by those who have owned both, that it is comparable in grind quality to a Mazzer Super Jolly with its 64mm flat burr set, the minimum standard found in coffee houses all over the world. I have paired the Baratza Vario/Maklkönig VARIO Home with my Elektra T1, and it's a joy to use . . .

Now, as I said above, I cannot comment on the Mazzer Mini-E, with its 64mm flat burr set. But it sells in the UK for £509.95 at Bella Barista. The Mazzer Super Jolly, with its 64mm flat burr set, sells for £457-£574, depending upon model at online retailer GoCoffee. The Mahlkönig VARIO Home, on the other hand, sells for £309.95.

I'm not sure it's rocket science, but I'd save the £200!

Cheers,
Jason

I'm not sure it's rocket science, but I'd save the £200!


REPLY......... Yes have been looking at this well reviewed grinder with great interest. Due to limited funds I dont usually do upgrades on items but tend to fork out once and for all on the best and only pay once, but in such an unknown territory and such a wide choice of types,and skys the limit prices of Grinders i have never even seen let alone used, i think i might be wise for me to make an exception especially at this price
I did read that some of these grinders did not grind fine enough for espresso but have since found out that they can easily be tweaked and work just fine many happy users

Regards Londonplug

Londonplug wrote:The Visual thought of the Elektra is a work of art, Better than sex, even better than the thought of the Cigarette afterwards,

It's not that good.

Londonplug wrote:... one and a quarter hours warm up time for maybe only a couple of drinks, But if that is what is necessary to produce the real thing then i would live with that

As Jason has said, 30 minutes and you can pull your first shot without a problem.

Londonplug wrote:And\can these machines be within reason DIY repaired

I rebuilt a used Elektra T1 from the ground up after years of neglect in a restaurant without having ever done something like this before. So I'd have to say yes, if you can work on your car and/or house (wiring and plumbing) you can service virtually any espresso machine. However on this side of the pond we have Stefano's Espresso Care, Chris's Coffee and Orphan Espresso. All of which have helped me along with HB on restoring my Elektra machines.

Mark

Londonplug wrote:I did read that some of these grinders did not grind fine enough for espresso but have since found out that they can easily be tweaked and work just fine many happy users

Andrew, which grinders do you think/have you read about that do "not grind fine enough for espresso"?

In my previous post above, I mentioned several grinders. In alphabetical order, they are:

zin1953 wrote:Cimbali Max Hybrid
Mahlkönig K30 Vario
Mahlkönig VARIO Home
Mazzer Mini
Mazzer Mini-E
Mazzer Super Jolly

Each of these grinder is designed for espresso -- without being tweaked -- so I am quite puzzled by your comment.

Londonplug wrote:The Visual thought of the Elektra is a work of art, Better than sex, even better than the thought of the Cigarette afterwards.

As far as the Elektra Sixties T1 . . . . . . it is (IMHO) a work of art.

Cheers,
Jason

zin1953 wrote:Each of these grinder is designed for espresso -- without being tweaked -- so I am quite puzzled by your comment.

Hi, It was the Mahlkonig Vario i had read some people have found not grinding fine enough but have found out that these can easily be tweaked so i did purchase one of these from Bella barista and this can Grind more than fine enough i am up one notch on the main settings and three quarters of the way up on the fine tuning setting so more than enough headroom
as i said before i know nothing about Grinders But would say this one is producing excellent results, Very pleased indeed
After many sleepless nights Decided to go for the Duetto II {also from Bellla Barista} Excellent people to deal with so helpful and friendly Had i not been married i think i would have gone for the Elektra T1 but having said that this Duetto is something else looks far better in the flesh than in any photos or videos and the first shot i tried was with the Costa pre packed and Pre ground it went through in about 5 seconds but still had Crema and tasted OK very smooth. i presume that would be the result of the temperature control as opposed to the La pavoni all further varied shots produced whist experimenting with Grind dose and Tamp were all very drinkable, i am about there now, i would say this Machine can produce Stunning espresso very pleased
Once again thanks for every bodys Advice

Regards Londonplug

Duetto - nice choice...

You might be interested in the warming tray handles that I've recently added to mine - makes removing the warming tray to fill the reservoir a bit easier, and it looks nice!

The idea came from the thread on here about modding the Alex to include handles - I used the same handle, just longer and mounted them differently (in the far outside holes punched in the Alex II warming trays).

Check out my post here and let me know if you're interested, as I've only got one spare set:

http://coffeeforums.co.uk/showthread.ph...ay-handles

Shades

MrShades wrote:Duetto - nice choice...

You might be interested in the warming tray handles that I've recently added to mine - makes removing the warming tray to fill the reservoir a bit easier, and it looks nice!

Hi.. will probably be interested in the handles if you have still got them
I noticed you have an Espro tamper how do you find that working
And have you steamed any milk with it i only steam 3 to 4 ounces at a time and found i needed to block one of the holes in the tip other wise i only got hot milk and no micro foam I purchased a small 12 ounce Espro toroid jug seems to work wonders for microfoam on small amounts

I'm using the smaller 2-hole tip and have no problem doing 3-4 oz of milk. What I do is turn the steam arm out to the left of the machine and angled up. Then holding the jug in my left hand I put the tip just under the surface of the milk near the left side of the pitcher, around 10 or 11 o'clock. You can tilt the pitcher left a bit. Keep the tip there the entire time and you should have a good whirlpool. If you get lots of bubbles then the tip is too high. If you only get steamed milk then it was in too deep.

At first I wasn't sure how to use the tips and started this thread, in case you'd like other ideas. I have no problem getting foam now and am getting better and making art.

hth