Mazzer Mini E worth the extra money?

[ebprod]

I am seriously considering upgrading from a Rocky. Mainly I want to get a stepless grinder. But my other complaint about the Rocky is the mess it makes.

From what I have read, the Mini-E is about the cleanest grinder out there. But it is a hefty cost above the other higher quality grinders available.

Is it really worth the extra cost? Or is there other grinders I should be looking at.

Thanks

-Joe

[miKe mcKoffee]

Have you checked out the HB Feature Spotlight on Espresso Grinders?

[ebprod]

Yes, I read it. I would probably get one of the other grinders in the article, but it was the cleanliness of the Mini-E that attracted me.

One other question: My wife likes to do french presses, as well as espresso. How easy is it to switch between.

-Joe

Have you checked out the HB Feature Spotlight on Espresso Grinders?

[miKe mcKoffee]

One other question: My wife likes to do french presses, as well as espresso. How easy is it to switch between.-Joe

As far as I know all Mazzers adjust via the collar ring. IMO simple to adjust up then back down but IIRC some have complained it takes them using two hands. One hand works fine for me but is rather snug from the spring pressure that keeps it from drifting during grinding. Alternately get her hooked on Americanos instead of FP.

[JimG]

Yes, I read it. I would probably get one of the other grinders in the article, but it was the cleanliness of the Mini-E that attracted me.

One other question: My wife likes to do french presses, as well as espresso. How easy is it to switch between.

-Joe

My Mini E is a little cleaner than my doserless Rocky, but it is not a huge change. Having the removable grounds tray, though, is a big help in cleanup.

Making big changes in grind size on my Mini would be very inconvenient. It takes a fair amount of effort to rotate the adjustment ring on mine. Based on my experience I would think of the Mini as espresso-only.

Where the Mini really shines is in the cup!

Jim

[ebprod]

I think I have decided to go with the Mini-E. I have a couple of other questions though.

How does the portafilter holder work with a bottomless PF? Can it still be a hands-free operation?

How much faster does the Mini-E grind that a Rocky?

I am leaning towards the Model B, but would be interested in opinions either way.

Thanks.

-Joe

[SWR]

Good choice. I have a Mini-E model B and love it. I think B is better than A if you go with a Mini-E. Answers to your questions:

1. The naked PF works just fine and still is hands-free in that it stays in place. However, since a naked PF is lower than a normal one, I've found that using a funnel such as a yogurt cup used in the WDT method is necessary to keep the grounds flowing into the PF and not outside it and making a mess.

2. Not exactly sure how much faster it is than a Rocky since I haven't used one, but since the Rocky is probably comparable to a Gaggia MDF which I owned, the Mini-E is considerable faster, somewhere in the neighborhood of 8sec vs 30sec.

HTH

[JimG]

I wouldn't stress too much over the A vs B decision. I have never heard anyone complain about the one they picked.

I chose "A" and am very happy with it, too. I just like buttons - what can I say?

Jim

[ebprod]

I thought the buttons would be neat, and they make the use of the machine a little more obvious. My biggest worry is durability. What are the buttons made of? If they have a membrane, it seems that they would wear out eventually.

-Joe

I wouldn't stress too much over the A vs B decision. I have never heard anyone complain about the one they picked.

I chose "A" and am very happy with it, too. I just like buttons - what can I say?

Jim

[wildbwilson]

I have a model A (push button) and I love it. It's the only grinder I've had so I have nothing to compare it to.
regards, Ian

[JimG]

My biggest worry is durability. What are the buttons made of? If they have a membrane, it seems that they would wear out eventually.

They are membrane-style buttons. Look to be very good quality, but will probably crack someday. I'll keep you posted ;-}

Jim

[ebprod]

I let my wife choose which model to get, and she chose Model A.

I will be ordering soon. Everyone, thanks for the help.

-Joe

[gscace]

Yes, I read it. I would probably get one of the other grinders in the article, but it was the cleanliness of the Mini-E that attracted me.

One other question: My wife likes to do french presses, as well as espresso. How easy is it to switch between.

-Joe

The larger burrs on the mini e compared to the regular mini make grinding for drip or french press a real pain. The extra power required to do so can stall the motor. Better to buy a mini instead unless you are just jonesing for the doserless thing.

Send me a message if you really do want a mini-e. I have one that has seen very light use and is in flawless condition. I own a Robur and a Kony and don't need the mini-e.

-Greg

[ebprod]

Hi Greg,

We don't do French Press that often, and we are just as happy with Americano's. For the most part, I do straight shots and the rest of my family makes milk drinks.

I am interested in your grinder. I've sent a private message.

-Joe

The larger burrs on the mini e compared to the regular mini make grinding for drip or french press a real pain. The extra power required to do so can stall the motor. Better to buy a mini instead unless you are just jonesing for the doserless thing.

Send me a message if you really do want a mini-e. I have one that has seen very light use and is in flawless condition. I own a Robur and a Kony and don't need the mini-e.

-Greg

[DaveC]

I am seriously considering upgrading from a Rocky. Mainly I want to get a stepless grinder. But my other complaint about the Rocky is the mess it makes.

From what I have read, the Mini-E is about the cleanest grinder out there. But it is a hefty cost above the other higher quality grinders available.

Is it really worth the extra cost? Or is there other grinders I should be looking at.

Thanks

-Joe

I have used quite a few grinders and I am very happy with the Mazzer Mini E. It gives a fairly clump free grind thats nice and fluffy and is really almost mess free. I know people who have changed from other grinders, just for the convenience of direct dosing into the Portafilter and the lack of mess, clumping and ritual.

Even when comparing to grinders like the Macap MC4/MC5, I personally find the grind to be superior.

I am sure there are even more expensive and better grinders than the Mazzer Mini E out there...but I don't really look anymore (because I am completely satisfied with the grinder). I do prefer the Model A i think it is (the one with the buttons on the top of the dosing funnel) rather than the B with the button you press with the portafilter.

[espressoperson]

I have used quite a few grinders and I am very happy with the Mazzer Mini E. It gives a fairly clump free grind thats nice and fluffy and is really almost mess free. I know people who have changed from other grinders, just for the convenience of direct dosing into the Portafilter and the lack of mess, clumping and ritual.

IMO the answer to the OP question depends on your grinding style. So it may not be about which grinder model is better, but about which better fits your style. Here are a few examples based on the way I use the grinder.

For those of us who load the grinder with one dose at a time and empty completely between loads, the electronic minis are unsuitable. But the stainless housing used by the electronic models can be bought separately to replace the standard mini doser. (You will also need a plate to cover the opening left by removing the doser.) While relatively expensive, it's simple and effective in providing good grinds delivery to the portafilter with a good grinds distribution. And it is easy to clean the grinder throat and the inside of the funnel completely between loads. So it has the delivery effectiveness of the electronic models without the electronic timing and dosing features.

The collar requires a good amount of force to operate. It comes with a little handle that you can screw into the collar at whatever angle you deem best to get some leverage to make turning easier. I bought a second handle and with the two I can quickly and easily steer the collar to the desired setting. For me that's about 6 for espresso, about 7 for vacuum, and 8 for press. Quick and easy to move between types of brew and also between the slight point changes between regular and decaf shots.

Finally, it is easy to provide an external device for holding the portafilter at the correct position and height below the funnel. I removed the attached holder and use a platform made of two hockey pucks (Go Leafs!). I carved a notch in the top puck to allow for the portafilter spout to fit and for the entire portafilter to sit snugly and level under the funnel. This little tower sits on the grinds tray which can be pushed under to fill and then pulled away for leveling and tamping. Easy to adjust height with various coasters of different thicknesses, and also to allow for the use of small glass or stainless containers when grinding larger amounts for vacuum pot or large press.

[TomP10]

I bought a second handle and with the two I can quickly and easily steer the collar to the desired setting.

Finally, it is easy to provide an external device for holding the portafilter at the correct position and height below the funnel. I removed the attached holder and use a platform made of two hockey pucks.

Could you post pictures of both how you have the two handles installed and also your hockey puck holder? Does you hockey puck trick work with a bottomless portafilter?

Let me close by saying, GO DEVILS!

- Tom

[randomperson]

For those of us who load the grinder with one dose at a time and empty completely between loads, the electronic minis are unsuitable.

Actually I have a Mini E Type B and still load and grind one dose at a time -- I measure and load my beans per shot and just have it set so that it grinds until empty. I do this because I switch between caf and decaf ever few hours. It's probably a waste of electronics, but it works well for me as I find the overall ergonomics of the Mini E to be fantastic -- including the portafilter holder, which is just rock solid!

[espressoperson]

Could you post pictures of both how you have the two handles installed and also your hockey puck holder? Does you hockey puck trick work with a bottomless portafilter?

Let me close by saying, GO DEVILS!

- Tom

Tom,

The "handle" is properly called a Mazzer Collar Adjustment Pin http://www.espressoparts.com/product/MAZ_83. There are 5 holes evenly spaced around the collar where you can place one or more of these pins.

As for the modified puck, just imagine what it would look like if Martin Brodeur took a bite out of the edge. So most of the portafilter sits on top of the puck, balances the weight nicely, keeps it level, and at the edge, so it can be slid very close to the grinder.

I don't have a bottomless portafilter but I don't think my existing solution would allow the bottomless to balance and be level as is. However I see no problem rigging up something of your own to make it work in a similar way.


PS. Words instead of pictures for now. My wife borrowed the camera and left it at work. I won't get it back till tomorrow night.

[TomP10]

The "handle" is properly called a Mazzer Collar Adjustment Pin http://www.espressoparts.com/product/MAZ_83. There are 5 holes evenly spaced around the collar where you can place one or more of these pins.

Thanks for the response and link. Would still be interested in a picture if possible.

- Tom