another_jim wrote:I'm not sold. ...
So if your tamper is overweighting the beans, the grind would be coarser than that of a filled hopper.

I'm not following on this one.

I've been watching as this thread became a discussion on single dose grinding vs. bean column in hopper. I, however, am guilty of using a tamper on top of a small bean column that holds maybe 5 double shots of beans not counting what's at the bottom of the throat. I liked the consistency that the weight added to the grounds thru most of the morning's pulls. However, Ian's original post made me wonder about what I maybe missing out on in terms of taste.

So. I pulled out the tamper and to get the same ristretto pull I had to tighten the grind by no less than 3 revolutions on the MXK and increase the photo enlarger timer from 9.6 to 10 seconds. So... my grind was finer with a tamper overweighing the beans.

In terms of taste I found, in my unscientific - no blind shot - way, the result to be mellower with a clearer definition of the chocolate tones. The tamper shots were sharper, sometimes with a bit of bite.

My lack of methodology will no doubt cause many a groan from the audience BUT the thread was successful enough for me to change my evil ways ... for now ... as I continue to monitor the results. In making the adjustments I've burned through my supply of Klatch Belle, so it shall be interesting to see how other beans are affected by the tamper vs. no tamper on bean column. Maybe that's what Ian should have titled the thread now that I've re-read his original post.

edwa wrote:So. I pulled out the tamper and to get the same ristretto pull I had to tighten the grind by no less than 3 revolutions on the MXK and increase the photo enlarger timer from 9.6 to 10 seconds. So... my grind was finer with a tamper overweighing the beans.

This is in line with my observations. Unless you adjust the grind setting finer, unweighted single shot bean dosing produces blond gushers. It's not a subtle effect.

I haven't tested "overweighting" the beans (as compared to the weight of a bean column in the hopper). Forcing beans into the burr chamber with greater than normal force might produce a coarser grind, although (in light of unweighted bean results) that now seems counter-intuitive.

A related question: what is the effect of augers on grind? Kyle Glanville on the Robur E:

Grind quality is superior to even other roburs, as there is an auger driving the beans through the burr chamber at an even rate...
The Mazzer Robur-E is fast as hell. Tired of spending all your time working the doser lever or standing with the portafilter in your hand? This thing will grind 20g in less than 3 seconds!

That is more than twice as fast as my Robur (or the TGP Robur). Seems reasonable to assume there will be differences in grind as well. It would be interesting to know what is meant by "superior" grind quality...

Interesting, John. I reckon they mean superior in terms of more consistent/even. There is no auger on my Nino. So it relies on the beans edging their way and down in to the throat and of course they trap each other a little on the edge (I'm surmising this, they haven't told me). I reckon the difference between timed shots in the Nino is at least partially due to this, which makes the auger even more important on the E models and other GOD models.

I may not be able to resist seeing what happens if I run the Nino for single shots.....

another_jim wrote:(Do I really need to put in the ?)

It ain't video. We can't see you grin.

Don't get me started on ceramic spice grinders

I read "ceramic space grinders" and thought "Wow, I need one of those!"

If you ever find one, Darren, please let me know.

I want my space finer!

Space the final fronter... These are the voyages of the grinder Enterprise.



-C

I have so far managed to resist running the Nino for single dose, but have instead received a very tempting offer for a dosered Robur to keep the Nino company.

Can anyone tell me if it is any way feasible to think of running the dosered Robur for single dose operation, emptying the chute each time for minimal grind retention?

The (naive?) idea is to do this without the hoper, blocking the top of the grinder mouth with a 58mm tamper as I do on the SJ. This doesn't so much stop popcorning (very little on the SJ anyway) as to stop any popcorned beans from escaping if they feel that way inclined.