Working with my new La Cimbali Max Hybrid - Page 3

[zin1953]

I think it's probably "bowl" rather than "bowel," but perhaps . . .

[zin1953]

Writers on this thread have touched upon the popcorning issue a couple of times. On other posts, pictures show people using a variety of items in the tops of their Mazzers and Macaps like tampers, plumbing parts, etc. I've also read from Ken that he keeps a certain amount of beans in the hopper, I think it was something like at least 3 shots worth?

The question is what are the rest of you Cimbali owners doing?

I take after Ken in this regard, and keep maybe 5-6 shots' worth of beans in the hopper. That said, there is a "trap door" at the bottom of the hopper (like with a Mazzer) that you can close to prevent beans from descending into the burrs. On the rare instances when it runs out, I just slide that closed. No problem.

Cheers,
Jason

[edwa]

I don't think it is as big of a deal as I once perceived it to be. For me, the key is consistency. If you grid per shot, then always grind per shot and your grind will be consistent. If you put 30 grams of coffee in the hopper, than always put 30 grams of coffee in the hopper and the grind will be consistent.

Now if you put a half pound in there and set the grind, the last two shots will run noticeable fast as the grind shifts. I keep my grinder hopper full to just above the burr throat. That is around 3 shots worth of coffee. I grind make my shot and add a little back to keep the level the same.

Do you mean the popcorning isn't that big of a deal as you once perceived? That sounds like a good methodology, if I know I'm going to pull 4 shots in the morning keep 4 shots in the hopper and add 4 new shots worth before starting so that shots 1-4 are the same adjustment. Am I understanding correctly? Leaving the remaining 4 shots worth in the hopper for 24 hours won't be noticeably affected by oxidation? I think I've read that on another thread.

[Bex]

ken fox has commented in another thread that he is skeptical that beans suffer noticeably from being in the hopper for a couple of days. I think his comment was that if the un-ground beans go stale in that period of time, then "we are talking about something that stales faster than milk or bread." Maybe run a search for ken fox as the poster, with milk, bread and stale as the required terms.

[jmcphail]

I just dump a fresh pound in the hopper when it is empty. I finish a pound in 2-3 days, haven't had any go stale yet.

[edwa]

So, I did read that. Sometimes I just don't trust my memory.
I'm slower than you jmcphall, it usually takes me a full week to go through a pound but still, all this further warms me to replacing the Mini with a Hybrid if they come back in stock.

[Bex]

They are back in stock. Mine shipped today.

Tony at Chris' Coffee mentioned in an email last week that this shipment was small, with a larger shipment coming later in the month. So you might want to grab one now.

[jmcphail]

What can I say, I'm a coffee pig.

I think the Max/Hybrid works best with beans in the hopper, I think it's just designed that way, and it fits my usage pattern. Switching blends a lot would get old though, I don't think the hopper and throat design are as amenable to switching as other grinders are.

[zin1953]

I think the Max/Hybrid works best with beans in the hopper, I think it's just designed that way, and it fits my usage pattern. Switching blends a lot would get old though, I don't think the hopper and throat design are as amenable to switching as other grinders are.

I agree, John. It works fine for me with beans in hopper, but -- FWIW -- now that I think about it, my previously described methodolgy is off. I put about 0.66-.075 lbs.' worth of beans in an airtight container, and pour the rest in the hopper. When that goes, I just empty the container, refilling the hopper with the remainder of the pound. I haven't noticed anything getting stale, and I'm going through approximately a pound a week.

This isn't a "cupping" grinder. I think it would be difficult to switch blends frequently, but it's not impossible. That said, I've explored different blends and settled (pretty much) on the one blend I buy most often (Espresoo Vivace's Dolce). I have a second grinder that I use for decaf and for trying different blends -- I can grind a shot-at-a-time with little waste. If I really like something new, I'll be happy to "re-dial" the Max Hybrid with a new blend . . . but I haven't had to yet.

Cheers,
Jason

[Marshall]

Writers on this thread have touched upon the popcorning issue a couple of times. On other posts, pictures show people using a variety of items in the tops of their Mazzers and Macaps like tampers, plumbing parts, etc. I've also read from Ken that he keeps a certain amount of beans in the hopper, I think it was something like at least 3 shots worth?

The question is what are the rest of you Cimbali owners doing?

At the risk of offending some, I have to point out once again that the online coffee forums are a great breeding ground of obsessive compulsive coffee behavior.

Beans will not go bad sitting in the hopper for two or three days. Besides, repeatedly opening and closing sealed containers introduces plenty of oxygen into the container anyway. Popcorning is real. The last grind or two, if you let the hopper empty out, will nearly always be inferior (though drinkable) to grinds with a column of beans on top. Plus the grind takes much, much longer, if you are doing one shot at a time.

There is no, repeat NO reason to put one shot at a time into an espresso grinder, unless you are a professional cupper, sampling several different coffees in a row (in which case you should be using a different grinder). [EDITED]

[orwa]

I think it's probably "bowl" rather than "bowel," but perhaps . . .

... Perhaps I should double check.

[cannonfodder]

I have no problem leaving beans in my hopper for a couple of days, I also think I get a better cup if I have some beans in the hopper which is why I keep a few shots worth of beans in my hopper verses dosing per shot. There are a lot of things that will affect your shot quality much more dramatically that having beans in your hopper for a couple of days IMHO.

As Marshall states, popcorning is not mythical, it does happen on the Max, Kony, Robur, (insert conical grinder here) and even to some extent on flat burr grinders. The grind does shift as the bean column reaches its end. However, if you insist on dosing per shot, then always dose per shot and the grind will not drift as much. Consistency is the key, be consistent in your method.

[kahvedelisi]

At the risk of offending some, I have to point out once again that the online coffee forums are a great breeding ground of obsessive compulsive coffee behavior.

Beans will not go bad sitting in the hopper for two or three days. Besides, repeatedly opening and closing sealed containers introduces plenty of oxygen into the container anyway. Popcorning is real. The last grind or two, if you let the hopper empty out, will nearly always be inferior (though drinkable) to grinds with a column of beans on top. Plus the grind takes much, much longer, if you are doing one shot at a time.

There is no, repeat NO reason to put one shot at a time into an espresso grinder, unless you are a professional cupper, sampling several different coffees in a row (in which case you should be using a different grinder). [EDITED]

Couldn't say any better

PS. not to get off topic, I posted my response to cannonfodder and orwa's turkish coffee related questions under "How to prepare Turkish coffee" thread

[Cafesp]

As being mentioned, there are 2 issues for CMH:
- Popcorning if we don't put "enough" bean in the hopper ( your choices either to have hopper modified or fill it !
- Coffee residual left in the chute mouth, behind the small plastic safeguard inside the doser! ( your choice to use a short brush to get it out or to cut the safeguard plastic off .

Any other issues or better choices ?

If I had no $$$ and had to start over 4 my Cafe pleasure the only gear I grab is a good CONICAL grinder,
Cimbali Max Hybrid

Cafesp

[zin1953]

Presented in the FWIW Dept. . . . I remain extremely pleased with my Cimbali Max Hybrid grinder, and would recommend it without hesitation.

And that, bottom line, is what it's all about.

Cheers,
Jason

[Cafesp]

- Coffee residual left in the chute mouth, behind the small plastic safeguard inside the doser! ( your choice to use a short brush to get it out or to cut the safeguard plastic off ..

The small plastic inside CMH doser is just a finger safeguard or has any function in de-clumping or even distribution?

I'm extremely happy with it as well and just wonder could we make it more extremel..ier.

Cafesp

[Marshall]

The small plastic inside CMH doser is just a finger safeguard or has any function in de-clumping or even distribution?

It has the additional, possibly unintentional, function of deflecting grounds away from the axle and top of the rotating "carousel." This was a welcome change from the Mazzer, where I was brushing grounds off the mechanism all the time.

[Bex]

Presented in the FWIW Dept. . . . I remain extremely pleased with my Cimbali Max Hybrid grinder, and would recommend it without hesitation.

And that, bottom line, is what it's all about.

Cheers,
Jason

Also in the FWIW department: my wife pulled her first ever espresso shot this weekend, and it was good. The grinder is a superstar - even a first time user can pull good shots.

[IMAWriter]

It has the additional, possibly unintentional, function of deflecting grounds away from the axle and top of the rotating "carousel." This was a welcome change from the Mazzer, where I was brushing grounds off the mechanism all the time.

Amen to that..Marshall (and Jason&all)..I've had my Mazzer SJ for 5 years now...usual mods. Up until recently, I was doing the 15 gram double with a tamper to restrict the popcorning...good results...
For grins, I put that monster hopper on, poured in a 1/2 pound of my blend....though I wasted a bit more coffee, I've noticed a significant improvement...why?..not sure..maybe because that's how this thing was designed to be used?...I've ordered the Mini Mazzer cut down hopper just to make it appear less intimidating...lol....However..
I too am contemplating the CMH....based upon comments here...haven't spoken to Chris, other than to ask if the CMH can grind 15 grams as fast as the SJ...for me, about 7.5 seconds. He answered with figures concerning rpm. NEVER DISTURB A GUY ON A GOLF VACATION!
Has any owner of an SJ now owning the CMH had a chance to tell which grinder is faster...the SJ is WAY faster than the Mini. Again, a few seconds are immaterial. Just curious.... I'm assuming grind retained in the chute is about the same as my SJ....as long as the access isn't too bad, I'd have no problem there.
So (sorry for the verbosity).. acknowledging that the consensus is that the CMH is a significant improvement over the Mini, would the same hold true (to a lesser extent) in regards to the SJ?
TIA

[Bex]

Hi rob - I turn my CMH on and count to 11 seconds, turn it off. That tends to fill the PF with grinds (but not overfill it too much, so little waste). Level, tamp, pull.

7.5 seconds would grind enough for a single, but not a double.

I'm coming from an MDF, that took 25-30 seconds to grind enough for a double, so this is like driving on the autobahn for me.