Ascaso I-Mini, Rocky or something else for a La Pavoni Europiccola

[Stuggi]

I was, until two weeks ago content with my Severin Espresso steam cookers performance. Now, after hanging around HB and CG, I suddenly have an urge to spend my hard-earned money on a La Pavoni and a expensive grinder. (Please note that my Severin is a fabulous performer, after you throw out all your knowledge about espressomaking out the window and start experimenting)

Now, what grinder should I get?

The options are as follows:

Ascaso i-mini for 179 €
Doserless Rocky for 285 €
Rocky with doser for 295 €
Other?

Note that I intend to get a Europiccola...

And, is it also possible to use preground coffee (like Illy or Cellini) to get the hang of the brewing process before I buy a grinder?

[luca]

I think that the i-mini produces better espresso than the rocky does. Stepless adjustment means that you are never sitting there wishing that you could adjust the grind slightly differently to how you have. I also think that the i-mini looks better and has a higher quality fit and finish. The rocky is better in pretty much every other respect; it is easier to change grinds for different brewing methods, it might grind faster (I haven't had them side by side, so I can't be sure on that one) and I suspect that it will last longer.

My $0.02; get the i-mini.

You can use preground coffee to get something brown coming out of your machine, but that's about the highest praise that I can give it. Frankly, I wouldn't bother.

Cheers,

Luca

[Stuggi]

Hmm, I think I'll use up my stock of cellini preground (wonderful coffee, wonder if it's possible to get it as preroasted beans :/ ) and then get the i-Mini. I'm on a pretty tight budget..

[mogogear]

Hmm, I think I'll use up my stock of cellini preground (wonderful coffee, wonder if it's possible to get it as preroasted beans :/ ) and then get the i-Mini. I'm on a pretty tight budget..

As an avowed lever user ( A La Pavoni Pro in the house) don't bother with the pre-ground. If your budget is too tight for a good grinder then just wait till you can include a grinder. The LP is not forgiving and will yield you poor results. Most espresso machines perform poorly when not matched with a good grinder.

Visualize this word picture" Runny thin black water" in about 5 seconds. Repeat.

Visit the lever forum and do some searches on hand grinders- one was even included in the TITAN Grinder project. It's shot quality was in the neighborhood of the Mazzer Mini- with a cost of about $50 USD... it could be a option that your budget could afford. Good luck

[Teme]

and then get the i-Mini. I'm on a pretty tight budget..

You should note that the € 179 price you mention for the i-Mini is for the matt black plastic version. The polished aluminium version is a bit more, but looks and feels a lot nicer.

Another alternative is the Demoka M203 (available for €229 via Kaffecentralen in Helsinki or a bit less from mainland Europe).

By the way, where do you intend to buy the Pavoni? They are generally overpriced in Finland and you can save almost €200 (even after shipping) by ordering from e.g. Italy or Germany.

Br,
Teme

[Stuggi]

I'm getting the Pavoni for italy-outlet.co.uk for 470 € shipping included.

The M203 looks nice! Any opinions on that one?

[Teme]

I'm getting the Pavoni for italy-outlet.co.uk for 470 € shipping included.

Will that be with a UK plug or one suitable for Finland? You can also consider http://www.espressocoffeeshop.com - they sell it for €429, shipping included.

The M203 looks nice! Any opinions on that one?

It has a 250W motor and stepless adjustment - a very good grinder for the price. It has some static issues and is fairly noisy, but that also applies to the i-Mini. This grinder is not sold in the US, but it is very popular for example in Germany, Sweden and Finland. There are a few Demoka owners in the Finnish ristretto.fi forums.

Br,
Teme

[Stuggi]

Nice, that lowers my costs with 50 €. Now I just have to decide on the grinder.

It's down to the M203, the i-mini and a Maestro Plus. The M203 is 229€, the i-mini 179€ and the Maestro Plus is around 150 € - 180€.

[Stuggi]

I've decided on the I-mini. It seems as the best alternative and I can buy it within Finland from one of the few online coffee retailers, which is a huge plus since it helps them keep their shop open in the future (I don't want to have to order my beans from the states)

[Teme]

Good luck with your new gear (when you receive it)!

Br,
Teme

[Stuggi]

Yeah, I get my paycheck on Wednesday next week, so...