Settling in with my new Cimbali Max Hybrid

[IMAWriter]

The grinder arrived in perfect condition, despite (I'm sure) UPS's best efforts otherwise.
Looks much better in person, though more robotic. I removed the attached tamper. Funny, but I almost think it looked better with the tamper attached, but it gets in the way if not being used.

I forgot to zero it in before loading in beans.(My bad ) It was set to "5" (all Italian things being relative).
So I turned it on, figuring to grind for a few seconds, get a "feel" of the grind, if only to see approximately where I was. First thing I noticed was this thing is appreciably louder than my SJ. Of course, the SJ is noted for being on the quiet side of the spectrum.
The doser is actually a bit quieter on the rebound than the SJ was. I also was happy to see that with a moderate pull on the dosing lever, the grind fell straight down. Only when I whacked the doser lever ultra fast/hard, did I see a bit of grind-lean to the right. I stress this was whacking the lever WAY harder than is necessary.
The resultant grind was basically clump free. The home-roasted was a 6 day old Yemen Sharisi.
This bean turned out to be odd, as I had to dial back the grinder to "2" to get a decent shot from the Olympia. next day I used a 4 day old blend of mine....choked the Cremina. Obviously this particular Yemen is WAY different than my normal blend. Dialing the blend in only took 2 practice runs. I will say that the worm adjustment is smooth, though I like no more than I did the SJ's version.
On the other hand, adjusting the doser star (increasing or decreasing the amount dosed) takes muscle. Obviously, as I am only grinding for a couple of shots at a time, this adjustment probably won't mean a hill of beans.
The doser only retains a gram or so of coffee after the sweeps. A few grinds on the bottom the sweeper vanes just can't seem to move, and a tiny amount on the plastic inside. Thankfully, none ends up on the silver part of the doser star at the front of the doser mechanism.
After a PM to "Cannonfodder", Mr. Dave, I decided to leave the finger guard in place for now, as it dose help direct the grind down to the bottom of the doser, so it's not spraying around. As previously mentioned on another thread, this does make it a bit difficult to gain access to the chute. No biggie. I just run the grinder for a second, and the old stuff is forced out.
I'll post some taste impressions as I get more familiar with the CMH. So far though, no squirts, and the clumping is minimal, if any.
Sorry for the long post.

[jthor]

I switched from a mini to the CMH recently as well. I echo you first impressions. Although my doser shoots a bit to the left...no real biggie....maybe I should adjust my thwacking technique......I bought a photo timer to put it on....not there yet....I really like the grind adjustment.....looks like keeper...just bought a roaster....that should be interesting....

[IMAWriter]

I can't wait till my latest roast (a slight change in my blend, Yemen Ismaeli for Harrar) is brew ready. Another day at least. I wanna give the CMH a fair shot (another bad pun)
So yours doses to the left? Did you remove your finger guard?
I'm getting used to it's looks...and it is so cool to be able to slide it under the kitchen cabinet.Room to spare. (a 1/4")
Chris Nachtrieb's posted measurement is right on the mark.
I actually like the fact that the hopper volume is a bit smaller. it makes switching every few days easier.
Not as easy as the Mazzer Though the CMH does have a bean stopper/lever, the hopper is removable only after removing some screws.


EDIT...be VERY aware that the Porta Filter fork (ABS plastic) has VERY sharp edges and points. While cleaning under the grinder, I was attacked by the sharp edge
A careful filing down is in order.

[cafeIKE]

Gee, Rob, many of us remove the PF fork so we can dose around the basket. No can do with the fork in place.

There are plenty of great tips in the Working with my new La Cimabali Max Hybrid thread.

[IMAWriter]

Ian.....for now, I kinda like just laying the Newd PF on the PF fork so I have a frame of reference. I'll probably remove it once I've got the hang of where the sweet spot is.
Got a dandy scratch, though.

[TimEggers]

Rob I hate to see a friend in danger so please mail the grinder to my house immediately, at least then I'll sleep better knowing you're safe. Yes its the least I can do.

[IMAWriter]

Tim....somehow I get this feeling that your motives ain't exactly altruistic

[cannonfodder]

I pulled the portafilter forks off both of my Max's and my Jr. they do have some sharp edges and will bite you if you rub you hand against them in the wrong spot.

[edwa]

Rob,
Any chance we can get an update on your usage and taste profiles of your new CMH?
Thanks in advance.

[IMAWriter]

Hi....I decided as I really DO like switching between different blends and SO's, both home roast and pro, that the Cimbali was not really meant to be that sort of grinder. Otherwise, a fine grinder, and of course, Chris Nachtrieb and Mary and are terrific to work with.
BTW, Chris did tell me that "per dose" was not the Hybrid's "preferred" functional operation mode.
Sometimes it's best to listen to the Pros.

[zin1953]

Rob,

I still very much love my MaxHybrid, but a) I don't "single dose"; b) it is a bit noisy; and c) I'll confess that -- while I haven't had the problem -- I'm a bit nervous about this.

Cheers,
Jason

[DigMe]

Hi....I decided as I really DO like switching between different blends and SO's, both home roast and pro, that the Cimbali was not really meant to be that sort of grinder. Otherwise, a fine grinder, and of course, Chris Nachtrieb and Mary and are terrific to work with.
BTW, Chris did tell me that "per dose" was not the Hybrid's "preferred" functional operation mode.
Sometimes it's best to listen to the Pros.

So are you saying that you ditched the CMH and went back to the SJ?

brad

[IMAWriter]

Well, not exactly. As an interim measure, till I can make up my mind, especially with the new timer Mazzers coming out, I bought a friend's Rio SJ with the OEM doserless mod. A bit clumpy with the grind, but WDT solves that pretty well, and the Olympia is pulling outstanding shots.
(OT)
I took advantage of the $2 shipping from Counter Culture, got some Toscano. Gd shot yesterday. Used my "Espressme" Richard Penny tamper for the Elektra basket. Outstanding.
Great to have Richard's along side my other prized tamper, a Reg. For my eyes, the thinner piston of the Penney is just a bit easier to level. Both tampers are beautifully made.
BTW, make sure y'all let Counter Culture know you saw their ad HERE on HB...check out MarketPlace.

[Ken Fox]

Rob,

I still very much love my MaxHybrid, but a) I don't "single dose"; b) it is a bit noisy; and c) I'll confess that -- while I haven't had the problem -- I'm a bit nervous about this.

Cheers,
Jason

I've got 3 Max Hybrids (2 of the original version, which I've hacked to eliminate the autogrind and remove the trap door that operates it) and one of Chris' modification. I've now accumulated a LOT of experience with these grinders which I use for almost all of my espresso production. I've had no experience at all like from the post you cite. Modifications of equipment need to take consideration of the design of the equipment they intend to modify so as not to create additional problems while solving none. The modification referred to, which I believe is based upon an earlier modification designed for a Junior grinder (not the same grinder) is and was ill conceived and a bad idea. Period.

These grinders are not designed for frequent changes of small amounts of coffee as would occur with someone who wants to have one grinder and cycle various coffees through it on a daily basis. These grinders are designed for low volume commercial use, and do not work properly with a very small load of beans on top of the burrs as they popcorn vociferously in that situation. If what one wants is a grinder that is suited to frequent changes of coffee type during the day, then buy another grinder as the Max is NOT a good choice.

The modification is in my view your typical solution in search of a problem. The idea is that you will get errant beans that pass over the shelf above the burrs and that these errant beans will cause some sort of problem, hence the development of a shield that supposedly blocks this migration of beans but also interferes with keeping the grinder clean and may interfere with proper grind adjustment.

If the idea is to prevent beans from spilling over the burrs and into the body of the machine, I have taken apart both a Junior and a Cadet grinder after years of service (10 years in the case of the Cadet) and found less than a half handful of beans that had migrated down into the grinder body over this time period. They were causing no problems.

Every time I switch beans or open a new bag of beans, I clean out the grinders by pulsing through any remaining beans and using a plastic (or wood) chopstick to go around the burrs to dislodge the several beans I'll find there each time, and grind them through. This takes about 15 seconds. The burrs are then clean and I pour in new beans from the new bag. I don't have any stale beans or beans from other batches mixing in with this very simple routine.

I continue to be impressed with the build quality, grind quality, and infrequency of needing to adjust the grind setting over time. I am tossing drinks down the sink so rarely that I think it has been about 2 or 3 weeks since the last one. In comparison to what I used to experience with my old Junior and Cadet grinders, the Max has been a godsend. I do not regret for a second having purchased them and know of no other grinder I'd prefer to have in my kitchen. Chris' version IS noisier than the original Max, but is within the range of other commercial grinders I have owned. Considering the very short period of time every day when one will have to listen to the grinding in a home setting, the noise factor is unimportant in my view, sort of like the complaints one reads about vibe pumps and all the noise that they make over maybe 3 minutes at most over the course of a day in your typical domestic setting. If a few seconds of noise bothers you that much, then I'd suggest that maybe your life is a bit too idyllic and you are seriously in need of more "real" aggravation

ken

[zin1953]

Ken,

Just to be clear (because you've replied to ME rather than to the person who posted the original "red flag"):

• I have not done the throat modification to my CMH, as Ian has;
• The noise is louder than expected, but not outrageous (i.e.: quieter would be nicer, but is not essential);
• I do not change coffees frequently -- indeed, rarely;
• Whenever a fresh shipment of coffee beans arrive, I clean out the grinder much as you describe;
• Ian's was the first criticism I have read about a CMH grinder, which gave me pause to think -- the result of which is that, rather than having the "throat mod" being something I will get around to doing, I've decided NOT to do, period;
• I remain quite pleased with my CMH grinder, and have said so on numerous occasions.

The above doesn't preclude me from fantasizing about some "ultimate" grinder -- a Mahlkönig Vario (K30 or K60 -- after all, every so often, someone wants decaf!) or a Versalab -- but then again, my Elektra doesn't stop me about fantasizing about owning one of Kees van der Westen's machines, either!

Cheers,
Jason

[Ken Fox]

Hi Jason,

I "quoted" you but did not reply directly to you. It was the reference to the earlier post that I was responding to. I tried to make this clear by using such language as "if ONE wants" as opposed to "if YOU want."

I've probably done as many machine modifications as anyone on this forum (2 commercial machines PID'd, delay timer/preinfusion mod on the rotary, lights on machines indicating when pump and element is actuated, Eric's GH adapter in both machines, defeating autogrind and removing trap door in 2 original Max's, hacked installation of drip tray in old Cimbali pourover not designed for it, insertion of rigid TC probes in sample roaster and Hottop, etc.). Some of them have had unintended consequences but on balance all have worked out reasonably well. In order to increase the probability of a good outcome with mods, it is important to define the problem that one wishes to solve and to be sure that it is a "real" problem. Even so, there are risks.

When ONE modifies equipment ONE is on his own, and the risk of making things worse and/or destroying the machine ONE bought in the process is REAL. Unless ONE has the skill(s) necessary to execute the modification ONE wants to do, and has enough money to replace the machine should ONE accidentally screw up, the mod is best avoided.


Cheers,

ken

[zin1953]

That's OK -- I still fantasize about a Mahlkönig Vario . . . . (And have no intention of parting with my CMH!)

[Marshall]

I've got 3 Max Hybrids (2 of the original version, which I've hacked to eliminate the autogrind and remove the trap door that operates it) and one of Chris' modification. I've now accumulated a LOT of experience with these grinders which I use for almost all of my espresso production. I've had no experience at all like from the post you cite....

What Ken Fox said several posts above, every word of it (well, except the having 3 Max's part). People who assume they will always improve their equipment by tinkering with it run the risk of having the opposite effect. Sometimes you win. Sometimes you lose.

I also think there is a counter-productive tendency to fetishize grinder cleanliness. There are many sad stories of people who thought they just had to disassemble and brush out their burrs every month or even every week and then cross-threaded them back together. An occasional cleaning with Grindz (or your preferred substitute) will do just fine until the burrs have to be replaced.

[IMAWriter]

Marshall...you must be single...ie LIVE ALONE

[Marshall]

Marshall...you must be single...ie LIVE ALONE

My wife is a chemist. If she wanted lab conditions in the house, believe me, we would have them. Fortunately, she understands the difference between a lab and a home. Why do you ask?