I have decided that I want to try to a grinder with a doser to break up more of the clumps I have been getting with my current grinder that is a mazzer mini E type b. I am not so much concerned about waste because I will be leveling off the grinds back into the doser, but I would like a grinder that is an improvement in grind quality. Basically, is the Compak k10 wbc worth twice the money as the Super Jolly? I want to make sure my money is well spent. I have considered other grinders but these two grinders seem to be the only ones that work well when say 5 shots of beans are in the hopper.

Coincidentally, I was pondering the same question this weekend. I want a low waste grinder that won't need it's own address. I would love to hear some expert comparisons if they exist. I currently have a MACAP M4. I'd like to consider the CMH, but I get the impression it is LOUD. The Compak is, IIRC, quiet, neat and low waste. But the SJ is such a bargain comparatively speaking. These were the 2 grinders on my short list after researching. I also considered the MACAP conical MXK, but this seems to be a fairly rare bird.
Any other thoughts are appreciated.

BTW, I have read the Titan and almost all other threads. I'm leaning towards the SJ a little.


Jeff

I can only speak for the K10WBC since I've never own a SJ. I made a huge leap from the ascaso mini which I still own. Some personal observations of the K10WBC are:

High quality of grounds which help prevent flavor defects. Very low RPMs which gives better flavor. Also much better static results specially in winter or low room temps and low humidity. With the K10WBC I don't remember having any static problems.

Can handle any job with a very powerful motor. The ascaso imini sometimes got stuck with light blends (harder to chew beans).

Easy to clean inside without taking it apart. It takes ~3 mins with a cute tip and a vacuum cleaner. Requires a fast minor mod to remove a piece of plastic in the chute.

Can do one shot jobs preventing beans getting stale in hopper. This requires a pusher object (toothpick container to put some weight) and a homemade 'spoon' (small spatula to get out the grounds in the chute and not waste grounds). I've never used the bean hopper. This is important for me because I don't know before hand how many shots I'll do. I keep my beans under vacuum with a vacuvin coffee container. This setup also helps me control the dose weight.

Fast grind setting. The ascaso imini is a nightmare compared with the K10WBC. With the K10WBC you just turn the top till a desired number. Can go from espresso to drip in a split second.

Very quiet. I did measured the sound level one time and it was like 62 dB with no beans at 2.5 ft distance. Once you put beans then it'll make the unavoidable louder crushing noise.

Low height with no hopper. This is how my current setup and it is sitting bellow my countertops. I use a small toothpick container to push the beans down.

Hope that helped

Cheers

PS: a video of the K10WBC in action (with sound amplified by camera):



Other video

That is wayyy too much work to make a double shot. I want to see the super jolly and the wbc k10 side by side in grinding 20 grams, twacking the doser to fill the basket, tamping and pulling a shot. I have a hard time at 6:30 in the morning worrying that much about breaking up clumps lol..

And what is preventing you from not doing it at 6:30? It is only an option

No, I meant what I said as more of a joke, so sorry if you took any offense... I am sure that the shot made from your process is more consistent than anything I can do from the doser. Does the WBC still produce clumps? I did notice that you didnt use the doser at all to break up clumps.

I only do that because I weight the dose. That's all. If you load the portafilter straight from the doser you get a good shot but you cannot weight the dose. If you weight the dose then you have to reproduce the same quality. So if you don't weight you are OK

Cheers

you can tare the scale with the PF on the scale.

then you use that grinder to grind beans and the doser to dose them in the PF. you can then put the loaded PF on the scale and the scale will weigh the coffee. if you want more grind more. less, scrape some off.

tamp.

lock n load.

brew.

sip.

repeat.

jon

Hi Jon,

Some practical thoughts to consider.

My portafilter is heavy and don't know if there is a scale that can handle that type of difference with accurate measurements.

The doser is not a precise way to add anything. And as soon as you try to 'scrape' anything from the portafilter, you destroy the puck.

Cheers

I have no SJ experience. I've had the K-10 WBC for about three months. By thawacking the doser as I grind, I get very little clumping and simply level, tamp and brew. I use a naked PF and usually get a really nice, even-starting cone.

I've done the weighing thing and have found that by thawacking, then leveling, I can get my dose within about .5 grams every time (usually only .2 or .3). This was measured by dosing into a removed basket (ridgeless, of course) and weighing just the basket and the coffee.

I also agree that I would not be able to go through that sifting/funnel/measuring scoop process at 6:30 in the morning.

Hope this helps,