Opinions of Macap M4 doser vs. Mazzer Mini

[cajun_brew]

I've narrowed my grinder search down to a Macap doser (too much clumping with doserless) or a MM. I know many people do mods to the MM to get the doser to sweep cleaner I assume the same can be done with the Macap?...or does it sweep so clean it's not needed. Also on the Macap is the path between the grinder short like the MM and just as easy to sweep out with a brush?

My Rocky doserless is the only grinder I've ever owned and I just can't make the price jump to the Mazzer doserless. I think I'll be fine with a doser but want it to sweep as clean as possible.

Oh yeah.. I use the WDT a good bit.

Thanks

[HB]

The Mazzer Mini sweep modification:


Increase sweep efficiency by adding tape to the trailing edge of the Mazzer's doser vanes

This modification is unnecessary for the Macap, which sweeps nearly as efficiently out of the box. The grinder pathway of the Macap is slightly deeper than the Mazzer Mini's. Sorry, I don't have it any longer... anyone care to measure? With the longer throw, the Macap's grinds do stack up ever-so-slightly on their way out to the doser. However given you're a WDT devotee, that's entirely a moot point.

[nicfortin]

I've narrowed my grinder search down to a Macap doser (too much clumping with doserless)
...
Thanks

So what did you buy and what do you think so far?

Can you explain that a little more. I'm on the verge of buying the M4C stepless doserless. I don't see the advantage in home use for a doser beside having to clean it every other day...
And tell me how can clumping can be a problem if you use WDT?

Thanks
nic

[CyclingCraig]

Hey cajun_brew

I was JUST, this morning placing my order for a new set up and was going thru the SAME Choice!

I went with the M4 Stepless, my reasons are:
1) I really didn't like the idea of a timer on the Mini Mazzer, I liked the ON/OFF much better.
2) Like you I liked the Clean Sweep of the M4 as compared to the Mini Mazzer
3) after reading this Grinder Review like 5 times i liked the fine adjustability of the M4 Stepless and other merits they had to say about it. It seems to me from the article being able to fine adjust the Mini is a *little* harder, but not that big of deal

But overall, I am pretty sure on this level of grinder you CAN'T go wrong with either choice.

Hope this helps
-Craig

[jesawdy]

Can you explain that a little more. I'm on the verge of buying the M4C stepless doserless. I don't see the advantage in home use for a doser beside having to clean it every other day...
And tell me how can clumping can be a problem if you use WDT?

nicfortin- see this thread for some discussion of doser versus doserless.

I'll insert my comments here:

I went doserless the first time, thought I had done enough research on that issue, and wish I had gone with a doser. As Dan said, and I maintain is not very clearly stated all that often, doserless machines make clumpy grinds that fall right into your portafilter. With a doser, those clumps get broken up by the doser vanes as you operate the doser with a rapid thwack, thwack.
...
With a doser, those clumps get broken up by the doser vanes as you operate the doser with a rapid thwack, thwack; This is a "feature" of a grinder with a doser... and it doesn't matter if you have 1 double a day or 12, I think it is an improvement over a doserless.

WDT is used to overcome a doser's clumpiness.... I do not use the WDT (have played with it), but find it wholly unnecessary with a my doser grinder. I can see the WDT's advantage, and probably should use it with my Rocky doserless, but I just spend a little more time on distribution with Stockfleth's, etc.

[Fullsack]

I have both and like each for different reasons. The M4 is quieter. The Mazzer has a steel adjustment ring as compared to the plastic one on the M4, which I already cracked. The pathway between the grinder and doser is steeper on the Mini, so there is less clogging. The Mazzer is heavier, more like a commercial machine with more metal parts and heavier gauge plastic ones. The M4 has more plastic with a lighter feel, especially the hopper. The M4 just doesn't seems as heavy duty. The finger guard in the hopper seems unnecessary and makes it hard to clean.

[edwa]

Recently, I got together with another member who lived near me who also owned the Bricc Volante. I own the MM and he the Macap. One of the best results of our get together was trying out his grinder. One of the first reactions I had was the tactile feeling of plastic. It felt lighter and a little less solid- only in comparison. A result of this plastic was how much quieter the doser was when you flicked it. I liked that. I don't think I could quantify the difference in grind between the two as both are great in my book. I think you could easily get minute differences of grind with the Macap's worm gear (especially with a guitar tuner tool), compared to muscling the ring of the MM a hair or two in either direction. In MY purchasing process I thought that larger swings in grind would be facilitated (espresso/french press) and didn't want to spend so much effort at the worm gear of the Macap. In reality I only use the grinder for espresso and my setting swings are smaller. Although the grinders weren't side by side and his didn't have the hopper on I thought the Macap looked a little bigger.

The biggest surprise for me was his doser left more grinds behind then my MM which straight out of the box (9/06 purchase) leaves few grinds behind. I believe he purchased his back in May 06.

The one aspect of the MM that I think is worth its weight in gold is the plastic catch tray. The MM's design is great, two protruding tabs tuck in between the grinders legs which allows the tray to be easily pulled out for your distribution work or dumping, and then slid back in for future grinding.

Happy hunting