Hi I just bought a cimbali jr grinder and it's missing a few parts and I was wondering if
There was someplace online I could order some parts I'm missing (tamper and bottom tray)
Also i'm wondering what settings people are using for espresso and drip coffee. I'm using 3.75 and around 12 for drip.
Thanks I'm new to the forum and all

Welcome to HB. You have a good espresso grinder, which will give you a high quality grind. However, Cimbali is not known for low cost spare parts. You should consider replacing the grinding burrs unless you are certain of the grinder's history. Aftermarket burrs run about $40.

One source for the bottom tray is here. And the tamper. Until recently, this dealer advertised a bottom tray for $20. I don't see it on their web site anymore, but you might want to try contacting them. A lot of people don't use the grinder mounted tampers and remove them. If you can't find a reasonably priced one, I'd sell you one for $10 + shipping.

Comparing grind settings isn't very useful as grinder scales are not standardized and may or may not be referenced to zero. And in any case vary for different coffees, humidity, etc.

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As stated above, Cimbali parts are not cheap. Since you are in Canada, I'd encourage you to call Bravo Coffee in Vancouver and speak with James or Wayne (they are half brothers and own the business together). Bravo is the Cimbali dealer for BC. I think it is quite likely that they would have a used bottom tray from an old grinder that they would sell you for very little. It would be even better if you were in the area and could go in in person.

I'd be reasonably certain that they would have a new bottom tray also, but if it was anything like the $50 quoted on the linked page in this thread, I would not buy it. Instead, I'd go to a Walmart or Home Depot or Lowes and have a look around in the Walmart housewares dept. or HD/Lowes plumbing and related departments. If you have the necessary dimensions written down, I think it is fairly likely that you could find a piece of plastic or metal that will either fit or can be modified to fit the space you want to fill. The plastic bottom tray is 90% cosmetic in function and the other 10% is for catching stray coffee grinds. Even a bread plate resting on the metal feet would work, if need be.

I second the suggestion to change the grinder burrs. I would also not replace the tamper; it is useless.

ken

thanks guys! Yeah I don't really need the tamper but it was missing so I figure i'd buy one if it was cheap if I ever decide to sell it. I've been using a glass container to catch grounds but it would be nice to get something a bit more permanent.

So far the burrs seem quite strong but I will likely replace them sooner than later.

I've been fiddling around with the settings and I think I have the best drip coffee setting for my machine but I'm making some coffee for some other people's machines and was curious what others use.

Now all I need is to upgrade my espresso machine, currently I'm using a breville Ikon that isen't really cutting it. Any suggestions to compliment my new cimbali grinder?

Ericg13 wrote:So far the burrs seem quite strong but I will likely replace them sooner than later.

I've been fiddling around with the settings and I think I have the best drip coffee setting for my machine but I'm making some coffee for some other people's machines and was curious what others use.

Now all I need is to upgrade my espresso machine, currently I'm using a breville Ikon that isen't really cutting it. Any suggestions to compliment my new cimbali grinder?

When buying an used grinder, it's good practice to replace the burrs anyway. If your grind doesn't change, then you simply have a spare set of burrs. But if the old burrs were worn/damaged, then you'll really be happy with the improvement that the new burrs bring.

You're probably in the right neighbourhood for a fine drip grind. As I recall, I used to grind somewhere around "20" on a Cimbali Jr. for French Press (coarse grind). If you're uncertain, you could buy a small bag or can of a major brand name pre-ground coffee. Not to drink (because it's stale). But they do use high quality industrial grinders so you can compare it visually and run it through your fingers to compare against how coarse your grinder is set. Or even better, cup/brew 3 or more cups with fresh beans (your current grind, a bit finer and a bit coarser). The optimal grind setting is the one that tastes best.

Asking what espresso machine is best is like asking what car is best? It's too broad a question. It depends on a variety of things such as your budget /preferences /expectations and whether you drink straight shots only or steam a lot. There have been a lot of threads asking the same question. So you have a lot of reading material available if you'd like to learn about the merits of different machines.

A great grinder + minimal machine will get you a lot better shots than the reverse situation. Provided your burrs are good shape, you have a very good grinder. Lower cost machines that can still make great shots include Gaggia, Le'Lit PL041 or even Mypressi. Larger budgets get you machines that are more consistent, so that you enjoy great shots more often. Upscale machines usually add better fit & finish/durability/steaming power/temperature control/consistency.

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Hey Eric, I've got a Cimbali Junior that I use mostly for espresso and I've got it set at 5. But on rare occasions when I do grind for my drip coffee maker I have it set at around 20, but it's too much trouble going from espresso to drip to much cranking on that small knob and wears out my wrist. Living in North Carolina I got my machine from Chris Coffee out of NY and get my beans from CCC which is about a three hour drive from my house.

The grind index setting is relative. It is a general reference point that varies from grinder to grinder. I have a couple Max's, one runs around 4-5 depending on the beans and dose, the other 0.9 to 1.5. The important thing is find what works for your machine/bean/dose then use that as a return to setting when going from drip to espresso. Then fine tune by taste.

thanks guys!
Yeah thats my only complaint about the Cimbali is changing the grind settings, there are so many that it takes forever to change.

As for a new espresso machine, I'm eventually looking to spend around $1000-$2000 dollars for something nice. I would actually like something that could be used in the home as well as for light commercial use in the future. I may have to spend a bit more than $1000 for something like that