IMAWriter wrote:Marshall(and our OP)
I'm just about to pull the trigger on the CMH, but I'm just wondering about something---
My style, due to the fact I'm dosing into a 49mm basket is to thwack thwack AFTER the grinding process is complete (on my SJ) The reason is obviously that it's a bit harder to hit the target while holding the PF steady and thwacking.

That's why my grinder is plugged into a timer. Pros in the best shops thwack-thwack while grinding to break up clumps and distribute the grind evenly around the portafilter in small doses.

I realize that clumping is partly a product of humidity, roast levels, age of the beans, etc. So far I've tried Barefoot Sweetness and Ecco Northern Italian blend, and both have been showing similar clumping. The weather here is warm and breezy but not particularly dry. Weatherunderground.com says it's 72 degrees and 28% humidity, which is cool for Fresno in June. I'm not sure whether the weather or coffee might be the culprit. Perhaps I need to try grinding with the Macap and comparing.

The experiment with taping wires across the chute and doser exits appears to be a failure, by the way. No noticeable change in clumping, and the pour was still uneven. When I tried WDT on my second shot, the pour was much better. Hmmm.

I'm beginning to wonder if this particular production run of CMH's is just more prone to clumping. There's at least one other person on Coffeegeek who recently got their CMH and is reporting similar problems. Or maybe it's just a combination of weather and beans. I'll keep working with it, but it's a bit discouraging.

I'd need 3 hands to get the dosing lever, hold the PF then shut the grinder off without wasting a lot of coffee (though I know coffee waste is a part of the process!)
Will I be looking at clumpy grounds if I were to proceed in my fashion?

The switch on the CMH is cleverly located right where your thumb can reach it while thwacking the doser lever. So it's not hard to thwack and then hit the switch to turn off the grinder before you waste much coffee. It is a fast grinder, though, so it's not hard to let it run too long and waste some coffee if you're not quick about hitting the switch.

Marshall wrote:That's why my grinder is plugged into a timer.

Ditto. 7.5s for ~15.5g / 4.5s for ~10g for this SO.

Beezer wrote:I'm beginning to wonder if this particular production run of CMH's is just more prone to clumping. There's at least one other person on Coffeegeek who recently got their CMH and is reporting similar problems. Or maybe it's just a combination of weather and beans. I'll keep working with it, but it's a bit discouraging.

Clumping comes and goes, just as it does with the MC4. Depends on the coffee, grind and Caillech.
When it's a bit clumpy, just distro a bit with crooked pinky.

When it's a bit clumpy, just distro a bit with crooked pinky.

Is this the PDT (Pinkie Distribution Technique)?

So how are you distributing? I'm using a modified Stockfleth's move, but not getting good results unless I also do the WDT.

I use a cutdown yoghurt funnel and rarely dose above the rim. A gentle side to side shake is usually all that's necessary. If the distribution looks off, I even it out a little. A while back, at the end of a roast, shots were off, so I used the WDT for a couple of days. Current coffee doesn't need it.

When I first saw the photo of the basket, I thought, "Gee, I'd make a double and a single from that much coffee." It's hard to tell precisely, but the grind looks much coarser. Have you weighed your dose?

Well, that picture was taken before I did any kind of leveling or distribution. When I sweep off the top of the mound the dose comes out to around 18 grams. However, I don't bother to weigh my doses very often. Maybe I'll try dosing less and grinding finer.

Eli...I noticed you also have an Anita. After a few years(!!) I discovered that, at least with my Synesso double basket a slightly down-dosed fill gave me more consistent, complex shots, with no channeling. (I have a nekked PF)
Just to scope out a 15 gram dose, try weighing your dose first (tare your scale with the empty basket)
Start with 15 grams, or maybe 16 tops. Some folks go as low as 14 grams as well.
I also recommend tapping the PF down before leveling. Typically, there should barely be any coffee over the rim.
Check for spaces around the rim of your basket before tamping. Tapping down will also break up a stubborn clump.

OK....I think I have a buyer for my Mazzer SJ...I have the works, stainless grinds tray, 2 hoppers, etc.
Anyway, before I call Chris and pull the trigger on the CMH I'll ask all here:
Aside from looks, speed of grind and a bit more intensive work to keep clean, can ANYONE tell me why I SHOULDN'T make the switch?
It's not that I'm unhappy with the SJ. I just find that some of the CMH features might make it easier for me to dose my 49mm Cremina baskets, the height makes it work in my kitchen, and the "fluffier grind" possibility would also be welcome.
Also, can anyone tell me if the Clack clack on the CMH is louder or softer than the SJ?
Geesh, I'm like an old woman on this.
TIA for any responses.

IMAWriter wrote:Also, can anyone tell me if the Clack clack on the CMH is louder or softer than the SJ?

It's louder than either my Mini or Major.

Bob