Nuova Simonelli MCF vs. LeLit PL53

[josh]

mcf is one year old very lite use and the LeLit is used i can get them for the same price.
to be used on a lusso. any thoughts

thanks,
josh

[zin1953]

I have no direct experience with the Le'Lit.

I've had my Nuova Simonelli MCF for only a month, so my experience here is limited to say the least. I like the grinder very much (it's paired with an Olympia Cafferex). The doser handle itself seems rather "cheesy" -- lightweight, not as "solid" feeling as a Mazzer or Cimbali MaxHybrid -- but it works well and sweeps pretty cleanly.

That's all I can tell you, and it's not much. Sorry I can't be of more help.

[aindfan]

If you're going for doserless, I'll put in a good word for the Le'Lit. I don't know much (anything) about the MCF, but with the Le'Let you're stuck with your espresso grind unless you want to turn the adjustment knob about 100 times (from what I've read) to get to french press. I am very happy with how stepless it is: one turn of the knob still makes a fairly small change in extraction time (couldn't tell you exactly how much, maybe others can?). Another note: when I grind into my PF I use a bottomless yogurt cup in the basket and surrounding the grinder spout to prevent the grounds from spraying outwards, because, as the pile gets higher in the basket, things start to get a bit messier. I also knock on the spout after grinding to get every last bit out of there, but that's just me.

Good luck with the decision!

[ntwkgestapo]

Can't say about the MCF, but I've had a Le'Lit since the middle of January of this year. The ONLY "issue" I've had with it is the tiny, tiny, tiny variations you get for a full turn of the knob... Works GREAT and makes for WONDERFUL espresso (there's NO WAY I'd go thru the 10's of turns it'd take to move it to drip or the possibly 100 or so turns it'd take to go to press). It DOES have a tendency to spray a bit (but not THAT bad) when you grind... Not really clumpless, but pretty darn close!

[zin1953]

I would add the same is true vis-a-vis the MCF. You would need to turn the knob a lot to go back-and-forth between drip and espresso. Both grinders are best for espresso, I should think. Therefore it may just boil down to whether you want to have a doser, or go doserless . . .

[jariten22]

I've also had the LeLit since January, and wanted to note that in my experience it does not take 100s of turns to go from espresso to drip. 18 turns takes me to drip territory, and 22-25 for FP; I find this very reasonable for the occasional (e.g., once a week) change of pace. The knob is snug and requires a firm grasp but this adjustment takes less than 30 secs. The hopper turns with the adjustment so you can mark it if you are worried about losing count. It does waste a teaspoon of beans to clear out the grinder - definitely necessary after returning to espresso mode - but I think that would be the case for both the MCF or the PL53.

[bugg]

I've had my MCF for at least two years now and I really like it. The only things that ever bother me are the beans that stay in the corners of the hopper (since it's square) and the filter fork seems a little cheap. When I first got it I thought the doser was a little cheap as well, but it still works as new and I use it at least 2x a day.

On the up side it's very adjustable (a worm screw moves the motor up and down inside the housing) and you can clean it without having to readjust since you remove the top (stationary) burr to clean out the grinding chamber. I've used the MCF, a Solis (sbux barista like), some other cheap burr grinders and my neighbor has a Super Jolly I've seen in use. For home use I'd take the MCF even having room for something like a Mazzer.

~michael.

ps: The MCF makes me think of getting a NS Oscar. Could be another case where you forget about the plastic because it just works so well.