Getting rid of the hopper on your grinder to more easily use fresh beans might result in a some ugly iteration sure to stress the wife or your own aesthetic sensibilities. My solution was to combine a stainless canning funnel, a Bodum storage jar top, and a thick rubber band . . .



. . . to create a makeshift hopper:



The funnel base at 2 1/4 inches in diameter is slightly loose, so I put the rubber band around the base as a washer and got a perfectly snug fit. The funnel sells for $7.99 at Amazon http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00004UE88

The 5 inch black top from the Bodum storage jar matches the Macap's black trim, and the plastic insulation on the underside of the lid (for making the jar airtight) helps secure the top over beans while they are grinding.


I've attached a favorite cleaner here at the end of this tip, which has probably been discovered by lots of you, but it works too well to overlook. The concentrated form of Citra-Solv will soak through and clean the most gunked up screen in a minute or less. The concentrate is so strong, make sure to wash your hands thoroughly after using it or it will burn skin.

That funnel is cool! The lid should be improved; maybe something see-through since the hopper is steel. I bet that removing the handle from the funnel would give it a OEM look

Good stuff, Les. My contribution (submitted about 3 years ago, was a pvc funnel...$1.75. And looked it.
But the diameter was a spot on perfect fit for my Mazzer SJ. Several folks adopted it, and of course, the improvements started, which is as it should be. still, I like the handle on the funnel, makes me want to rub it and make a wish!

Nicely done. I love looking at the innovations some people come up with.

tribe3 wrote:That funnel is cool! The lid should be improved; maybe something see-through since the hopper is steel. I bet that removing the handle from the funnel would give it a OEM look

I've been looking around for a lid that's stainless and not too expensive. The thing is, the way that Bodum lid cups the beans beneath it helps feed them into the burrs. I found a stainless Bodum top that's part of a set . . .



but it costs $60 and doesn't state the diameter (it needs to be 4.5 - 5 inches), plus I don't need a set. Here's a lid I found for a mere $17 that's the right size and looks promising:



at http://www.chefsresource.com/rosle-bowl-lid.html.