I'd like to write a little in regards to
a concern that some customers brought up with the Macap Digital causing coffee clumping.

In my opinion, this IS NOT an issue whatsoever,
with the blend of coffee we use in our facility and I use in my home. If we see any "clumps," they are so small and soft, they are not to be consider an issue.
While at the coffee show in Milano I had a conversation with the owner of Macap which he ALSO agreed that the clumping is not an issue with the grinder but a consequence of particular coffee beans.
However in respect of the people who are concerned with this, Macap has developed a different chute flange and has provided me with a Kit to test the difference. (I will document my experience with pictures as soon as I have the time to deal with it).

I already took some pictures this morning of grinding with out the "new" flange however since the clumping is barely visible or present it will be hard for me to show the difference.
More to come on this --

When would one expect the new version to be made available to purchase?

stefano65 wrote: ... he ALSO agreed that the clumping is not an issue with the grinder but a consequence of particular coffee beans.

I'm glad they are fixing it. But from a PR and common sense standpoint, my advice for grinder manufacturers: the coffee is always right.

all the one in productions are already with it
including the new digital one full size grinder introduced at the show
is still hard for me to see a clumping when I don't see it but I will let the picture decide for me

stefano65 wrote:In my opinion, this IS NOT an issue whatsoever... the owner of Macap which he ALSO agreed that the clumping is not an issue with the grinder...

With all due respect, I would be more interested in hearing the findings of someone who originally reported the problem than those who are convinced there isn't one, but changed the design anyway.

another_jim wrote:I'm glad they are fixing it. But from a PR and common sense standpoint, my advice for grinder manufacturers: the coffee is always right.

True, when you use the grinder as designed.

All my grinders are useless in the shower and Zero Gravity

Dan
please understand that
I don't have any particular interest in telling that there is no problem with this grinder since as you know is not the only Brand or model we sell,

except the fact that I believe is a very good grinder and people are putting it down for no real reason

I insist that the problem is related to the type of roast that gets use
if you use medium roast coffee there is no problem

stefano65 wrote:if you use medium roast coffee there is no problem

To make certain we're on the same page, what types of coffee do give this grinder problems, if any?

So I'm the person with about the worst problem ever with this grinder and I'd love nothing more than for it to actually be usable. I've not used it for quite a while because it's so darned annoying, I've tried to return it but no luck with that even though the original dealer admits it doesn't work. So if there is any way I can get that part, I'll be happy to tell you if it works. I just put 1/2 a lb of 7 day rested Black Cat through it and what comes out of my M4D out looks like pea gravel, not ground coffee. Even stirring with a needle won't get all the lumps out.

Ira

I sold my Mini (doser, purchased brand new) in order to replace it with the M4D after using it at a friend's house. I was debating between the Mini-E and the M4D and decided on the M4D for a few reasons: much better autodosing interface, wonderful worm-drive adjustment (yes, I only use this for espresso), hardly any grounds retention (compared what I could brush out of the spout of the M4D against what I brushed out of the Mini's chute), and uber cleanliness (more of a reason I got rid of the Mini, not a comparison of cleanliness to the Mini-E).

Upon delivery I was very disappointed in the clumps coming out of the Macap, especially since I had not noticed it on my friend's grinder. Perhaps the clumpiness was partially due to the burrs not being broken in because the clumps that were so prevalent early on pretty much disappeared within the first few months of use. Now over a year later I rarely see clumps but do notice them more if it is humid or if I am using darker roasts that have some oil present (rare as I generally prefer medium roast).

I've come to really love this grinder and can only see replacing it with a bigger conical, perhaps an MXK, but only if I can get it in doserless digital form.

stefano65 wrote:While at the coffee show in Milano I had a conversation with the owner of Macap which he ALSO agreed that the clumping is not an issue with the grinder but a consequence of particular coffee beans.

all the one in productions are already with it including the new digital one full size grinder introduced at the show is still hard for me to see a clumping when I don't see it but I will let the picture decide for me

Stefano, can we get a few details on the full size grinder you mentioned? Curious if full size means primarily designed for heavy commercial use or serious home/shop use. Is Macap considering developing a doserless digital conical? Hell, make one with a small enough hopper to allow it to fit under kitchen cabinets and you'd have a pretty hot selling grinder, I think. For sure I'd pre-order.

Would love to hear the thoughts of others...