Ok- Now I see that I was the odd man out- I don't keep up with you Holmes readers

Well Greg, take a paperback of the Hound of the Baskervilles on one of your work trips:

Holmes to Watson:

"On the contrary, I have been to Devonshire."
"In spirit?"
"Exactly. My body has remained in this armchair and has, I
regret to observe, consumed in my absence two large pots of
coffee....



PC

mogogear wrote:Oh, darn, only comparable to a Mini Mazzer.... for a price equal to that of a replacement Mazzer bean hopper..... not bad All in all in the lower tier of those tested but in good company and a lot quieter than the LUX

I'm not ready to concede to the electrics just yet.

http://www.home-barista.com/forum...4499-40.html#50929

No offense to Jack's PeDe, but there is a big disparity in capabilities, even among hand grinders from the same manufacturer.

Preach it brother Fullsack!

My old Trosser is helping make the best espresso yet on the Sama Export. Sure cost less than a Mazzer Mini!

Seriously, if I had more money and drank more coffee those high-powered and high-priced grinders would already be here. But using 32 grams per day just doesn't warrant that kind of expense, right?

peacecup wrote:

Ok- Now I see that I was the odd man out- I don't keep up with you Holmes readers

Well Greg, take a paperback of the Hound of the Baskervilles on one of your work trips:

Holmes to Watson:

"On the contrary, I have been to Devonshire."
"In spirit?"
"Exactly. My body has remained in this armchair and has, I
regret to observe, consumed in my absence two large pots of
coffee....

<image>

PC

That kind of prose is why I also enjoy swapping lies with the Too Much Coffee bunch - it is so much fun to read their words. I can hear them come alive just as the verse you just quoted can.

I am not a voracious reader but confess that I have been catching up on old classics for the last 4 years or so. All of Hemmingway's short stories- Steinbeck's Pastures of Heaven is a great collection not to miss if you have not read this pearl.. Kerouac -Darhma Bums- yes, Moby Dick..... and Walden was a bit slowwwww, Whitman -Leaves of Grass-was a joy( original version)........ Holmes may show up in the reading list one day... thanks for the words

Fullsack wrote:

No offense to Jack's PeDe

Offense taken!

Not really, I agree that these grinders can vary considerably. That's what this thread is all about - I want to provide as much information as I can for people who want to try hand grinders. Doug, I hope you'll post a few details and photos of your hand grinders here when you can.

In my opinion Jim's test demonstrates that these grinders (even when 50 years old!) can hold their own against the best commercial grinders currently in production. This is astounding really. It solves that whole dilemma of "how can I get into brewing espresso for under $500?" "oh, you need to buy a $200-300 grinder, or its not worth it..."

With a little careful shopping, one get get a near-commercial grade grinder for $50, and have the rest to spend on a very nice espresso machine (preferably a lever!).

I've been planning to post a video on how I dose with the hand grinder, and would like to hear how others do so.

PC

mogo wrote:

I am not a voracious reader...

Well, me neither. I just keep reading the "Canon" over and over (there are only 56 stories total). And, of course, HB.

PC

BTW Jack- The digital camera should be back in action soon- so then the "Tight-Hand " Grinder stuff can commence..

I shall add some of the Canon to the library.. any of the 56 stand out as a "top 10 list to look out for?

Susan was kind enough to post a photo of here Kugenthal burrs on the "hand grinder" thread:



Compare these to the PeDe burrs from page one of this thread:



Not exactly the same are they? Not sure what this means, but the PeDe burrs appear to have a longer path and a different tooth pattern. Very interesting....

peacecup wrote:mogo wrote:

I am not a voracious reader...

Well, me neither. I just keep reading the "Canon" over and over (there are only 56 stories total). And, of course, HB.

PC

Jack,
You don't need to limit yourself to the original Canon. Every year someone discovers a rusty old dispatch box in a cellar or attic containing an unpublished manuscript by John Watson, MD. Besides, as we all know Sherlock is still alive and well. Who knows what crime he'll be investigating next? (O.J., watch out!).
I've been collecting Holmes stories for years and have several hundred. The title of one, Sherlock in Dallas, may even appeal to our mutual friend in Portland.
Bill

Thanks Bill. I've been watching Agatha Christie videos lately, Marple and Poirot. These have been fun, but I have yet to read any - can't afford to get hooked right now, what with all the home improvements, work deadlines, and a little sister or brother for my daughter on the way. HB is about the only reading I get to do these days!

PC

BTW, I have done a little snooping re: Sherlock Holmes societies, etc., after reading Barring-Gould's annotated Holmes. He provides a lot of background on the Baker Street Irregulars, etc. and their Journal, which I have yet to subscribe to:

http://www.bakerstreetjournal.com/

Well, have to run - the game is afoot...

PC

The current line-up:



Stage left:


Stage right:




Cheers,

PC

Beautiful collection Jack!

peacecup wrote:Doug, I hope you'll post a few details and photos of your hand grinders here when you can.
PC

When I get home, I'll post some pictures. I'll still living in company housing with only their PV Lusso and a Macap to keep me caffeinated.

Where are you Doug?

And Jack,
I may have been asleep - but Congratulations on the new coming family member! Your daughter will make a fine "big sister" to somebody..! I am glad someone else in the world decided to have a really good surprise at birth time by not knowing exactly who was scheduled.. We did the same and it sure made the moment extra special.

later

If I could only convince the University of Alaska to purchase a Lussso....

Actually, if I ever get some lab space of my own I hope to install a small single group commerical machine - I like that Conti group that has a direct linkage for increasing the pressure on the shot if needed. I watched a one group brass Conti "espresso " maker go for ~$500, but now is not the time.

Yes, we're looking forward to another barista in the family come November,

PC

I dropped by my construction torn house, grabbed a Zass 154 and brought it to the company condo, to see how its performance would stack up against the Macap paired with the PV Lusso. The first thing I noticed, was that the 6 grams from the Zass took up about 30% more room in the single basket, (more fluff). I've been using the Macap, Lusso combination for a few weeks and thought I had it pretty well dialed in. The first Zass, Lusso shot was a dead bang winner, almost a godshot. The Macap shots from the previous 3 weeks, paled by comparison.

There is not much margin for error in a 6 gram single shot from a lever machine. Jim's tests are all wonderful, but they are not telling the entire story.

another_jim wrote:Detailed Scores[code]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Grinder Dose Shot ExtG ExtR CPer CApp Flav Body Swee Acid Bitr Total
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pede 16.5 1.1 21.4 20.2 0 1 -0.5 -0.5 -1 1 0 -3
Pede 16.5 1.1 19.0 21.4 0 0 -0.5 0 0 0 0 -2
Pede 13.5 1.1 21.3 21.3 0 1 -1.5 0 -1.5 0.5 1 -5
Pede 13.5 1.1 21.3 20.6 0 -1 -0.5 0 -0.5 -0.5 -0.5 -3
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

To quote Jack, "Hand-ground, hand-pulled: "hands down..""

Ahh... But have you been to 221b Baker St.?

Don't be too impressed- it's a big office building now.
Have read the complete Holmes collection twice, and it's about time to go for a third..
Remember "The Adventure of the Final Problem"? I have hiked from the bottom to the top of Reichenbach Falls. I do mean hiked as it was off-season and the funicular was closed (wouldn't have taken it anyway). When we motorcycle-toured Europe it was one of the places on our list that was a must stop.

And just to stay on the subject:

I find the top too flimsy which allows the shaft to rock a bit causing difficulty for espresso use, but for other methods it works OK.

peacecup wrote:Susan was kind enough to post a photo of here Kugenthal burrs on the "hand grinder" thread:

<image>

Compare these to the PeDe burrs from page one of this thread:

<image>

Not exactly the same are they? Not sure what this means, but the PeDe burrs appear to have a longer path and a different tooth pattern. Very interesting....

I am curious what the difference in those two burr sets DOES mean? If I were to mail the Kugenthal to you would you be interested in checking it out next to that PeDe? (I'd pay postage both ways if you wanna do the comparison checking). It would be fun to know how it compares to your beauties.

I remember a post from Jim S recently explaining (and please excuse me if I have understood this improperly) that the burrs don't actually rely on the sharpness of their edges, but that rather more on the precision with which the grounds are passed from the rougher to the finer cuts and finally to where the flat surfaces come together. (And that brings to mind the huge old stone mill wheels that you still see next to rivers along the East Coast where they ground flour....stone ground...)

Susan

The good wife spotted a hand grinder at a yard sale today. $10 for this:


It appears to be an Asian knockoff of an Italian roller mill. The burrs look to be cast rather than machined. The step adjuster at top is maxed out but the grind is suitable for a French press or filter drip. No way espresso. The hopper holds maybe 25 grams.

Still, it grinds very quickly with nice new sharp blades.

Here is this grinder with my current two espresso grinders:

The Trosser on the right is my newest and perhaps oldest. Nice consistent grinds.

Prof-- you are like the Energizer Bunny you just keep going and going...

I grabbed a couple of new grinders this week too!

A De Ve that I will add a comparison shot after I have restored her...the nice copper top cleaned up beautifully!



and a Dienes Mokka - same - I will clean her up and add a new coat of varnish



Jack and Norm - I am getting ready for the Tight Hand Grinder comparison... these with my Lenhartz and Turkish mill VS/ the Nuova Simonelli and the Mazzer Super Jolly modded doserless....it could get bloody........


Hey Norman!- I am scheduled to be in Seattle near you this week and staying by the Seattle Center on Wed night..... drop me a line with your phone again and maybe we can grab a beer or "just" an espresso where we all met last time down the hill from your house. Hal Perry if you are around the same invite goes out to you and Dr. Jim.....