What is your grinder of choice and why? - Page 4

[Grant]

My OLD favorite was my Macap M4....until yesterday when I finished my doserless Major conversion.....

God I love this thing.....wicked fast to grind for a double, nothing left in the funnel, and a quick brush to get the channel clean. Simply incredible grind quality and the mazzer funnel dumps it perfectly in the PF.

Refinished with hammered paint, and covered up the old doser opening with some aluminum sheeting. Worked out not too bad for $5 worth of aluminum and a pair of tin snips. If only Mazzer funnels weren't so expensive. Cost me almost as much as the grinder!

[alsterlingcafe]

I have a matched set pair of Majors, but the grinder that is my favorite hasn't been made yet. The M3 from Versalab was a shot over the bow, but soon some manufacturer will design a per shot (or per doppio) grinder that'll actually use a rather large, slow, conical burrset to grind 7 to 21 grams of beans into a PF basket with a nice, even, clump-less distribution, without needing to be brushed and cleaned like a stallion just back from a days ride, on a straight-thru grinding path, that doesn't spit grounds all over the counter. Oh, and he'll do it for four or five hundred bucks, and the thing'll be built like a brick.
It's possible, all that has to happen is that someone with the skills realizes that the market is there, and make the plunge.

Chris, I so agree with you. You'd think that a manufacturer could engineer "out" all the clumping, distribution and tamping issues without needing a suggested retail of $1200 to $3000 to recoup R&D and mkt'ing expenses, (the LM Swift as a loose example). Whether they do it conically or flat, as long as it performs, won't be an issue. My understanding is that Mark, owner of Synesso, was part of the development team on the Swift? Everyone I chat with says it is a great grinder, including Mark. But I don't see the Swift in many espresso venues. In a high volume location I think it makes total sense.

I'm a firm believer that more money buys mo'-betta' everything, including grinders. Conicals are hot, but as with any manufactured item, until that technology becomes a mass merchandised item, with a tight QC program to keep the Asian market from making lookalikes that don't perform, home hobbyists will continue to compare their flat burr machines and talk about "the clumps."

You may have seen Mark P's short article on the new and yet to be released Elektra doserless that was shown at the SCAA? I missed the machine and probably walked right past the booth without thinking there was anything of note; my loss.

Al in SoCal

[RAS]

One word about Ascaso:

Check out the I-Mini. It has no pf fork and no power switch, but the funnel is made of steel -> less clumping and statics

As Marcus mentioned, it looks like Ascaso is back at it. Check out the following link to 1st-Line's website:
http://www.1st-line.com/machines/home_mod/ascaso/ascaso_i-mini.htm#imini

Looks like a nice, budget, solution.

[alsterlingcafe]

As Marcus mentioned, it looks like Ascaso is back at it. Check out the following link to 1st-Line's website:
http://www.1st-line.com/machines/home_mod/ascaso/ascaso_i-mini.htm#imini

Looks like a nice, budget, solution.

Thanks for allowing me an excuse to take a break from my Monday paperwork!

I went to the site page, and was a bit confused....... they use the term SALE PRICE in three locations, but the first location at top is over $600, and then when you look below at the options of "black" or "aluminum", we're down to a little over $200?

Where does this "38mm conical burr" machine fit, as compared to the MDF, Cunill, Rocky?

Best, Al (...leaving in a moment to check my PO Box in Lag.Niguel)

[alsterlingcafe]

Grant, you said that the conversion you shared....."Worked out not too bad for $5 worth of aluminum and a pair of tin snips. If only Mazzer funnels weren't so expensive. Cost me almost as much as the grinder!"

Grant, had you considered looking around for a similar shaped "anything" of ferros alloy, and then getting it polished and plated......all this to reduce what sounds like a very expensive repair part?

Best, Al

[RAS]

Al,

I was a bit confused by this too. I'm pretty sure the Ascaso in black is $209, and the polished aluminum is $239.

As far as how the i-Mini compares with other "low-priced" grinders, the only two of those you ask about that I've played with are the Cunill and the MDF. I have a Cunill and love its grind quality and speed. Hate the static though. And then there are its looks... Actually, I'm in the middle of trying to figure a way to modify my Cunill, which has been sitting dormant for quite some time, to get rid of the dosing funnel. I've got a 1 1/2"-diameter copper elbow that I picked up from hardware store that I'm playing with as a possible replacement.

My brother has an MDF, and likes it just fine. The doser could be better, and I know getting to the exit chute for cleaning isn't too easy. I modified his for him to make it easier.

Al, you mention Laguna Niguel... And I see you live in DP. I'm about 10 miles from you in Las Flores (near Ladera Ranch and Rancho Santa Margarita). You'd be welcome to come by and check out the Cunill, as well as the rest of my coffee rig if you'd like. Just don't listen to my wife and how I'm trying to take over her kitchen!

[alsterlingcafe]

Bob........truth is, our residential is Mission Viejo, in Pacific Hills. We're neighbors. I'd love to have "you" come over and give me an opinion on some coffees I've roasted. I was actually thinking of trying to put together a small.....or larger......group of coffeenuts in the OC. Our family is a bit international, my wife being from Brasil, and most of our friends being European or Latin European. (Argentinians don't like to be called Latins! ) They're best described as "Italian Transplants."

Anyway, email your phone: alsterling (at) earthlink (dot) net

My setup is in the garage.....which is an interesting story in itself, considering I love to cook, and even I realized that there would be no way to build a "test espresso area" in our smallish kitchen. After about $500 of building materials, I ended up with a fully plumbed and electrified area that you see below.........

[RAS]

Al,

Looks like we're in a similar situation. First, my wife is British... And, second, part of my rig is in the garage. I too love to cook, and counter space is at a premium. Plus, my wife hates clutter. So, I feel lucky to have my Andreja an La Pavoni (latter being a wedding present 10 years ago) in the kitchen.

I'll be in touch shortly with my number. In the meantime, if you can believe it, I need to get some work done!

One quick question, looks like that could be either an MDF or a Rocky on top of the fridge, correct?

[alsterlingcafe]

Well......from your response, I feel like we're looking into a mirror?

My prime grinder is a Macap M4 stepless doser. The MDF, as you noted, is now on the counter. I'm about to order another grinder for a second blend; be it decaf or whatever. I don't like mixing blends in the grinder, even at home, as the adjustments are just too critical on my Malabar Gold.

I've got a few more expense reports and emails to clients. I just got back from the SFran and SJose area last week. What a great trip as regards trying some excellent cafes. Call me.

My phone is 949-305-0488.........what the heck!

Best, Al

[Grant]

Grant, you said that the conversion you shared....."Worked out not too bad for $5 worth of aluminum and a pair of tin snips. If only Mazzer funnels weren't so expensive. Cost me almost as much as the grinder!"

Grant, had you considered looking around for a similar shaped "anything" of ferros alloy, and then getting it polished and plated......all this to reduce what sounds like a very expensive repair part?

Best, Al

I have been looking for any possible funnel substitute for some time. Had a couple that came close, but they all looked pretty stupid due to materials etc. If the grinder was out of sight, they might have been OK, but the grinder sits right in the middle of the family room on the bar, so I needed something that looked "professional" to some degree...at least presentable. I used the 2litre pop bottle mod for a while, but my wife would have none of that in the main room.

Bit the bullet, and glad I did, but I will keep looking for a suitable funnel as the Majors seems pretty easy to get for cheap.

[alsterlingcafe]

.........I have been looking for any possible funnel substitute for some time.....

Well Grant, in an analogous, but probably utterly confusing way, I currently want to put "boat trailer guides" on my boat trailer. These are simply vertical plastic or foam coated pipes that bolt onto the trailer at one or more points, thus guiding the boat, in windy conditions, into the "center lane" of the trailer, where the deep v configuration of the hull seats itself.

I share all of that not for you, but for anyone who has never tried to "park a boat back on its trailer during windy conditions." .......................Lord I'm long winded!

Anyway, I found that "official clamps and pipes" from West Marine or any other boat supplies, can run from $60us to $120us per set. So trying to revisit the engineering problem, and trying to look outside that box thing........I realized that the super cheap trailer jacks from Harbor Freight Tools, based out of Camarillo, CA and with stores nationwide, had all the hardware and even retractable pole mechanisms that I needed. I can get two jacks for under $20, and may end up with a better product than what the industry offers. OR...........I'll scratch the hell out of the hull when something goes wrong and I'll regret ever trying to save a few bucks...............

.......never mind Grant. I think. overall, you probably did the right thing!

Can't blame me for trying, right? Al

[CTurner]

I've just made the transition to the MACAP M4 stepless; it is jaw-droppingly good. I had a Rocky for four years and had no problems with it, but I didn't realize going from a mid-range grinder to a high end one would reveal so many more subtleties. Selling my Expobar Leva prompted me to look at grinder upgrading and I'm so delighted I did. The base line of consistency (accuracy of grind, dosage, machine noise, extraction rate, color/crema density) went up unbelievably when I recently made this change. I got the doser model since I was used to that form and the difference between a doser on the MACAP and the Rocky is wide: the sweep of the MACAP picks up so much more and the rotation is clearly heavier/better gear quality. It makes a simple flick of the fingers a physical pleasure in pulling out the grind. The stepless, once I understood how fine the adjustments could be, has been lots of fun to play with. And my new Anita responds to each one. : )

[alsterlingcafe]

Craig, I would have to say that for espresso, the Macap stepless doser, is in my opinion, the best value on the market. But as is evidenced by many I've met, and especially myself, working up to that point isn't always quick. The issue of employing a proper grinder never seems to sink in at the onset of this hobby. But then, I suppose that applies to anything in life.

Al

[peacecup]

Made sometime around the time and place my dad was during his little European vacation (1943-44). Still grinding fine and even - not a speck of clumping. Conical burrs, and check out the color!




PC

[alsterlingcafe]

Made sometime around the time and place my dad was during his little European vacation (1943-44). Still grinding fine and even - not a speck of clumping. Conical burrs, and check out the color! <image>
PC

Jack, there are a few out there that really enjoy using their hand grinder. If I can find one, I'd like to try it out for myself. Like everything in the "new world", we forget that some of the finest creations in the arts and science were accomplished using the most basic, but methodically accurate, tools!

Best, Al (........fish-y-cologist......I like that.)

[DarrenAddy]

My choice is a Zassenhaus hand grinder (mine's a beech model 151). Was particularly glad to have it during a New Year's Eve ice storm that knocked out our power for 4 DAYS. Thanks to our big gas U.S. Range, Zassenhaus grinder and Aeropress we had all the necessities!

PS.. word is that the factory burned down some time ago. They are supposed to be back in business but dealers like Sweet Maria's still haven't heard anything. Consequently you will pay a premium on eBay. Even with the increased shipping, you might come out a lot cheaper buying from eBay in Germany: http://search.ebay.de/zassenhaus (not all ship to the U.S.) Babelfish is your friend.

[Wombat]

I have a Zassenhaus handmill, it's only about 4 years old. But for some reason, I don't think the grind is that even at all! Everyone raves about how even and good it is, but honestly I'm thinking about getting a macap m4 just for french press!

I've cleaned it out recently, hoping to get better results, but it still gives me an uneven grind. Maybe it's better at finer grinds? I'm grinding a little coarser than drip size. I had a Solis Maestro Plus but it broke so I got the Zassenhaus to tide me over. Well, I never got around to fixing the Maestro Plus. I guess I could take the plunge and buy a high-end espresso machine with nothing but my Haus and see if I really need a macap... then again, I heard it takes forever to grind a shot with a Zass.

[Fr. John]

Another vote for the MACAP M4 Stepless Doser.

I've had a Solis Maestro & a Rocky. The MACAP is heads above.

My only caveats are: tends to produce blocks of grinds that don't break up so I do a modified WDM by using a mini wisk in the doser to loosen things up (I pull too many shots in the morning to mess with a bonifide WDM). Also, I'd love it if the doser was adjustable.

[Trisha]

Innova I1 has been in use here for just over a year. Yes, I've read many of the dire stories of its habit of clumping, but that's a minor isue to me when I taste the cupped shot. The infinite adjustment is still as solid as the first day (nothing's loose).

Both of my hand grinders equal the resultant shot from using the I1, btw.

Life is good!

It looks like I'll be using the spare hand grinder at Rescue until I manage a good grinder (if nothing on the used market shows, I'll ask if I can just buy a new Tranquilo).



Trisha

[the_deal_maker]

Hi there,

I am currently using the Eureka Mythos (without tamper) and its handling is quiet comfortable.
Grind quality? Not comparable to the slow rotating conical grinders, but it is good as the Mazzer SJ.

The display allows setup of all relevant parameter incl. the programable dosing button (single, double, triple) -
it's precise.

Prior to the Mythos I had the following grinder (and sold them):

* Rossi RR45
* Cimbali / DRM
* Mahlkoenig K60
* Casadio
* Mazzer SJ doserless
* Eureka MCI (still in use at our office)

The Mythos might be oversized for home use, but's it's rock solid.

Hopefully the new conical LM grinder will be avaiable beginning 2008.

Best,
- Malte