Grinder choice: Rancilio Rocky vs. Cunill Brasil 2008

Recommendations for buyers and upgraders from the site's members.
Sue
Posts: 8
Joined: 15 years ago

#1: Post by Sue »

Hello coffee fans,
I've never posted to a forum and I just registered today. I hope someone can give me input so I can get beyond this indecision! I've been shopping online for a new grinder for several days and read tons. I want this to be the last one I buy for a LONG time. We go through about 10# of fresh beans a month here at home. There is a lot of conflicting advice and I need to sift through it to decide. I have a 4-year old worn out Starbucks conical burr grinder and am ready to step up to a semi-commercial one but can't afford a top of the line. I have a Starbucks Barista Espresso machine, drip maker and I like French Press for variety, so I need a grinder that can do the whole range of grinding. I think I want a stepless from what I've read. Does anyone have convincing information regarding these two models? I hope the picture works! :idea: I tried to insert a picture of the Cunill, but I can't, you can see it from the link I posted below http://sovrana.stores.yahoo.net/cunbrasgrin.html

Cunill Brasil 2008 Espresso Grinder/Dispenser, doser - stepless, even has built-in tamper
vs. Rancilio Rocky - stepped, dozerless price for each one: about $350!

Thanks for any help you can offer!
Sue

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sweaner
Posts: 3013
Joined: 16 years ago

#2: Post by sweaner »

I would suggest looking for a used Mazzer Super Jolly, which you may be able to get for around the same price.

You may also consider the new Baratza Vario, though the jury is still out on it. It looks to be a very good all-purpose grinder.
Scott
LMWDP #248

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roastaroma
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#3: Post by roastaroma »

Ciao Sue,

Though it appears the Cunill has a lot going for it, with your needs (wide range of settings) I would be concerned about its worm-gear adjuster. That could require LOTS of turning to get from espresso to French press grind levels. With something like a Mazzer you could get from fine to coarse much more quickly.

Buona Fortuna,
Wayne
"Non è la macchina, è la mano."
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Beezer
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Joined: 17 years ago

#4: Post by Beezer »

It looks like Cunill has made a bunch of nice improvements to their grinder, including worm gear adjustment instead of stepped and a nicer doser. The styling is still a bit strange though. I would prefer the Cunill to the Rancilio for making espresso, mostly due to the stepless adjustment, but if you want to use the grinder for French press or drip as well, go with the Rocky since you can change grind adjustments much faster. A used Super Jolly or new Vario would probably be even better, although the jury's still out on whether the Vario is as good as some of the other grinders in the same class.
Lock and load!

greatphotos
Posts: 11
Joined: 15 years ago

#5: Post by greatphotos »

I would agree that a used Super Jolly or new Vario might work out best for you. I own the Vario and it was designed for a wide range of grinds and not just espresso. I don't own a coffee pot any more so haven't tested it for drip or french press. I have only had the grinder less than a week but so far really like it.

You definitely want to stay away from a stepless adjustment grinder (or buy 2 of them) as it is a real pain changing from one grind type to a radically different grind. The Vario does this in a fraction of a second and is very repeatable about getting the same setting.

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sweaner
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#6: Post by sweaner »

greatphotos wrote:You definitely want to stay away from a stepless adjustment grinder (or buy 2 of them) as it is a real pain changing from one grind type to a radically different grind. The Vario does this in a fraction of a second and is very repeatable about getting the same setting.
It is not "stepless" that would make switching harder, it is the worm-gear type of adjustment. The Mazzer is stepless and takes 3 seconds to switch.
Scott
LMWDP #248

Sue (original poster)
Posts: 8
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#7: Post by Sue (original poster) »

Hello to all who replied with such great advice. Money is the big issue here. I really need to stay below $350, which to me is a ton of money, but in the coffee world is near the bottom! I'll have to keep my eyes peeled for used Mazzer Super Jolly or Cunill. I may email the Cunill site and ask how convenient it is to switch grinds between coarse and fine...I'm hesitant to buy used because trust is an issue. How do I know if it will perform long term if it's used from a private party? Yikes, risky isn't it?
I really do appreciate all the effort and time you have taken to help me on this. You guys amaze me at how much you continually update your expertise on this world of coffee thrill of yours. :D
Yours truly,
Sue

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another_jim
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#8: Post by another_jim »

The Cunill Brazil is an excellent grinder, far better than the Rocky. It's in the same class, though not quite the same quality, as the Super Jolly. The Vario is a brand new grinder, and built to domestic, not commercial standards, buy it if you enjoy being the test rabbit.
Jim Schulman

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sweaner
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#9: Post by sweaner »

A real nice SJ sold for $350 on eBay yesterday. It looked like a 2004 model, real clean. My top bid was $335. :cry: I will keep working on my SJ refurb project.
Scott
LMWDP #248

Sue (original poster)
Posts: 8
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#10: Post by Sue (original poster) »

I contacted the Cunill Brazil company about how it is to change grind settings for my needs, here's what they said.
To be perfectly honest, if you will be changing your grind coarseness regularly you may find the stepless adjustment of the Brasil 2008 to be more of an annoyance than a desirable feature, although it's definitely possible to figure out the number of turns of the adjustment knob between grinds with a little practice. A stepped grinder would likely be easier as you could just mark the position of the different grinds on the collar of the grinder, though.
Isn't that something! They lost a sale, but I appreciate their honesty! I wonder how many turns it would take to get from one to the other :?: Anyone out there own one?
~Sue

The SJ is so ugly! and I know I have to operate it without the hopper, this is why I really don't like it yet. We'll see, thanks everyone for your help. ~s

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