Hey,

I just scored a La Pavoni Zip-Base on eBay for (what I think is) a fabulous price. And now I'm looking at my future ownership/use. I have not (yet) received the grinder.

(1) Should I replace the burrs immediately, or wait to see what their condition is?
(2) Can I run this grinder without the hopper installed (dramatically changes my installation options)?
(3) Is there a detailed description somewhere about altering the dosing settings?

There are more, but that's enough for now.

(1) It's a used grinder, and I have to assume it's been "rode hard and put up wet" (a Texas expression). Should I pre-emptively buy new burrs for it? Cheap enough, but necessary? Sight-unseen??

(2) It's 21-22" tall. I can find exactly one space on my countertop for such a behemoth (requiring me to move my espresso machine away from the sink). I presume the mandatory hopper in-place is a safety thing (no fingers in the grinding burrs). Will it spit beans across the room if the hopper is absent (I won't put my fingers in there, promise!).

(3) I've got the manual, but I'd really like the *service* manual -- how to adjust the dosage setting, and anything else internal to the grinder.

Who's got one, who's worked on one, and who's the expert on the La Pavoni Zip (base).

t++

I would suggest buying new burrs. It is not easy looking at old burrs to determine the condition, and it is doubtful they are sharp.

I suspect that you can run it without the hopper, which will help considerably in the kitchen. I use a small stainless funnel in my Mazzer.
http://www.amazon.com/Norpro-Stai...=1243039628&sr=8-1