Why do bulk grinders produce a superior grind for non espresso preparation? - Page 12

#111: Post by **Bob_McBob** » July 13th, 2011, 10:37 pm

JohnB. wrote:Who quoted you $450 for the Ditting burrs? Did you contact Ditting directly for pricing?

Whoops, I was looking at the wrong item on EP's site. That's for 120mm burrs for the KR1203. How much did you pay for the 804 burrs, and how much work was it to install them in the G3? I gather you had to have a part machined to mount them.

#112: Post by **JohnB.** » July 14th, 2011, 8:08 am

I'd check pricing with Nasi if you decide to go with the Dittings. List price was $270 last fall. This post details the work required:

Why do bulk grinders produce a superior grind for non espresso preparation?

#113: Post by **Bob_McBob** » July 15th, 2011, 12:30 am

I am guessing it's probably closer to what you mentioned, though I did hear from Ditting last month they were raising prices across the board.

Thanks for linking your Bunn modification post. How much did it cost to have the adapter ring made? You also had to drill holes and install springs to convert it to stepless grind adjustment, right? I don't suppose you have any photos showing the modifications, do you?

I think if I were to buy something other than a Bunn, the KR805/Tanzania is a probably better choice than the KF804, if only for size considerations. Unfortunately the Tanzania seems to be a lot easier to find cheaper than the Ditting, but it comes with an enormous hopper. I am unclear on how well these grinders perform in terms of retention. Going by an old post on here, it is pretty good (0.5g clean, 0-0.2g dirty), but it has a little discharge chute that could hold grinds. I gather the Bunn is superb in this respect because of the vertically mounted burrs.

#114: Post by **JohnB.** » July 15th, 2011, 2:20 pm

I was charged for 1 hour of shop time ($60) to machine & install the stainless adapter ring on the inner burr. Stepless conversion requires removing the factory selector assy pieces, drilling 3 holes; 2 for the springs & 1 for the new stop (roll pin), installing the new springs/pin & adjusting the assy for a new zero point.

With a clean burr chamber you will lose approx. .5g-.7g from what ever dose you run through.

#115: Post by **danetrainer** » July 15th, 2011, 5:07 pm

Bob_McBob wrote:Unfortunately the Tanzania seems to be a lot easier to find cheaper than the Ditting, but it comes with an enormous hopper. I am unclear on how well these grinders perform in terms of retention.

They do offer a very nice smaller hopper, and this one was ordered from a dealer in Canada with the request to provide the smaller hopper with it. It is different looking being an opaque gray/blue color but matches nicely with the Tanzania, I really liked the features of the lid that hinges open, and also the gate at the bottom hinges rather than slides out. The only picture I had handy was this one sandwiched between the two massive Bunns!

#116: Post by **Bob_McBob** » July 15th, 2011, 9:58 pm

danetrainer wrote:They do offer a very nice smaller hopper, and this one was ordered from a dealer in Canada with the request to provide the smaller hopper with it. It is different looking being an opaque gray/blue color but matches nicely with the Tanzania, I really liked the features of the lid that hinges open, and also the gate at the bottom hinges rather than slides out. The only picture I had handy was this one sandwiched between the two massive Bunns!<image>

That is the mini hopper Ditting provides with their version of the grinder. It costs $123.75 from Ditting, and has been the subject of many complaints from Mahlkonig K30 owners looking for a small hopper and being shocked by the price. I didn't consider the possibility of asking a dealer to swap it out for the stock one on the Tanzania, though. Very good idea. I have absolutely no use for a huge hopper.

Can I ask which Canadian dealer your Tanzania came from? It seems to be available in the $1500-1600 range in the States, while the Ditting is rarely listed below $2000. I asked a couple of dealers for pricing on the Ditting, and it's C$2200 up here. Haven't asked anyone about the Tanzania yet, though I doubt it will be similarly cheaper than the Ditting up here. I suppose this grinder is actually "small" and light enough I could deal with someone in the States like Nasi from Coffee Shop Solutions, since shipping by USPS Priority would be reasonable.

How you are getting on with your Tanzania? I basically want the best grinder I can get for single dosing regular brewed coffee. Popcorning and retention are important. I don't mind the size at all.

#117: Post by **danetrainer** » July 16th, 2011, 10:23 am

It's not small or light, and there is a degree of popcorning and retention, although I would say less than 5g...

#118: Post by **JohnB.** » July 16th, 2011, 11:22 am

Bob_McBob wrote: I basically want the best grinder I can get for single dosing regular brewed coffee. Popcorning and retention are important. I don't mind the size at all.

Based on my own experience the G series Bunn with the auger feed is ideal for single dosing as the auger controls/eliminates popcorning so there is no need to keep beans in the hopper. Combined with the Ditting burrs the Bunn is hard to beat if you don't mind the size & looks.

July 16th, 2011, 10:23 pm

My LPG popcorns badly. I keep about 1/4 of a pound in the hopper. I drink mostly espresso in the fall/winter/spring but the dog days of summer I tend to turn off the A3 and drink a lot of press pot. So far, I am enjoying my grinder. Still produces a very good pot of coffee.