Hopper grinder suggestions
-
DoubleR
- Supporter ♡
I had an interesting discussion with my wife this morning. She is frustrated with single dosing. She uses the same beans every day and doesn't enjoy the workflow. She just wants to grind, pull a shot, and make her latte. For me I require a single dose grinder because I go through multiple beans a day/week, and I drink straight espresso. Therefore I think I have her sold on a compromise, that I will set up a hopper grinder for her next to our LMLu, and I will have my little setup with my Kafatek next to a CT2 Strietman.... It's been an ongoing negotiation to get this CT2, and if I can give her a win, then I think I'm that much closer to agreement on the CT2. Therefore I need help in nailing a hopper grinder for her. The requirement would be grind by weight, quiet, looks good, easy workflow and a traditional espresso burr. She likes medium roasted beans and only does espresso with milk drinks.
Any suggestions? This is a category that I have not looked into in the past, and I'm thinking that y'all can point me in the right direction, limiting the amount of research I need to make her happy... and in the end get agreement for that Strietman
Any suggestions? This is a category that I have not looked into in the past, and I'm thinking that y'all can point me in the right direction, limiting the amount of research I need to make her happy... and in the end get agreement for that Strietman
-
Jeff
- Team HB
GbW at a moderate price is a challenge. Maybe a Baratza Vario W+? If timed grinding were acceptable, I'd consider a Eureka Atom 75 as well.
There's the La Marzocco Pico and whatever Mazzer announces, but I haven't heard many comments about the cup quality yet.
There's the La Marzocco Pico and whatever Mazzer announces, but I haven't heard many comments about the cup quality yet.
-
BaristaBoy E61
That, for me, rings only 1-bell - Mahlkonig E65S GBW!
"You didn't buy an Espresso Machine - You bought a Chemistry Set!"
-
StoicDude
- Supporter ♡
Eureka Libra all day for that. Especially with the medium roast and milk.
If you don't mind spending 3-4 times more and have the money, sure, go for the 65 GBW!
In my opinion the Eureka still looks better, is quiet and takes way less space. I'm sure the 65GBW is a better grinder overall, but for milk drinks and medium roast, I don't think you need the best of the best.
If you don't mind spending 3-4 times more and have the money, sure, go for the 65 GBW!
In my opinion the Eureka still looks better, is quiet and takes way less space. I'm sure the 65GBW is a better grinder overall, but for milk drinks and medium roast, I don't think you need the best of the best.
-
baldheadracing
- Team HB
I'd say grind-by-weight is not necessary in this application; an on-demand (timed) grinder would work fine, and open up many more possibilities.
-"Good quality brings happiness as you use it" - Nobuho Miya, Kamasada
-
Jimmy_The_Saint
Nothing to add on GBW as it's something I'd love on an accessible home grinder. I also don't single dose for espresso. (Although I do for brew methods).
We drink mainly med roast and 99% of the time with milk and I'm super happy with the Mahlkönig x54. Also looks good paired with a LM (if you have a white/black one). It replaced a very trusty Super Jolly and although slightly slower I don't think the difference is noticeable in the cup.
The short hopper also reduces the height.
The timer is pretty accurate if you keep the hopper similarly levelled. I tend to drop a day's worth (~120g) in the hopper each morning.
Not sure why my image isn't showing inline but here's a photo:
[img]userpix/105183_img_9255_hb3857QY.jpeg[/img]
We drink mainly med roast and 99% of the time with milk and I'm super happy with the Mahlkönig x54. Also looks good paired with a LM (if you have a white/black one). It replaced a very trusty Super Jolly and although slightly slower I don't think the difference is noticeable in the cup.
The short hopper also reduces the height.
The timer is pretty accurate if you keep the hopper similarly levelled. I tend to drop a day's worth (~120g) in the hopper each morning.
Not sure why my image isn't showing inline but here's a photo:
[img]userpix/105183_img_9255_hb3857QY.jpeg[/img]
-
DoubleR (original poster)
- Supporter ♡
Do you have to dial in an on-demand (timed) grinder each morning to set the time required, or is it pretty consistent day to day? I want to make it as easy as possible for her with the plan to refill the hopper every couple days.baldheadracing wrote:I'd say grind-by-weight is not necessary in this application; an on-demand (timed) grinder would work fine, and open up many more possibilities.
-
StoicDude
- Supporter ♡
I have my Eureka specialita set at 7.6 seconds for a grind of 14.5 grams and that thing is always within .2 grams. 90% of the time it's dead on.
I out in about 50g of beans which is 1-2 days worth of coffee and it's always dead on
I mentioned the Libra, but if grind by weight is not required, a timed doser works really great these days.
I assume you'd be the one adjusting the grinder for the first dose, which I do for my wife as well. She likes just to press a button and not to tinker as well.
I out in about 50g of beans which is 1-2 days worth of coffee and it's always dead on
I mentioned the Libra, but if grind by weight is not required, a timed doser works really great these days.
I assume you'd be the one adjusting the grinder for the first dose, which I do for my wife as well. She likes just to press a button and not to tinker as well.
-
baldheadracing
- Team HB
If the level in the hopper is the same then the timed dose will be the same (with the same coffee).DoubleR wrote:Do you have to dial in an on-demand (timed) grinder each morning to set the time required, or is it pretty consistent day to day? I want to make it as easy as possible for her with the plan to refill the hopper every couple days.
Are you going to be the one refilling the hopper? If so, then top up (or fill to midway or whatever) regularly. You might want to check the dose/make adjustments with each new bag.
Every on-demand grinder that I've used has some minimum level of beans needed in the hopper for consistent dosing. A general rule of thumb is half-full, but it does vary and I think that rule came from commercial grinders and their large hoppers. For example, when I ran the Baratza Vario in on-demand mode I ran the hopper between 1/3rds full to 2/3rds full.
-"Good quality brings happiness as you use it" - Nobuho Miya, Kamasada
-
spyderx
- Supporter
OP you and I seem to have a similar dilemma. I have a LM Micra. It's been fantastic.
I had used a Salvatore for many years, very much like driving an old manual 911, but made great coffee. The LM makes it so much easier to be consistent.
Like you, i want push button go and with my wife she has zero tolerance for when I'm traveling and wants a coffee for measuring doses, etc. I don't mind a little bit of retention, I'm going to purge a bit and I only make coffees in the morning 3 or 4 in quick succession. I don't make throughout the day. I also don't change coffee often, using a light espresso roast from a local roaster that is fantastic.
I had a Mazzer Mini E for many years, when they first released, it was rock solid, but somewhat inconsistent in grind. I tried SSP burrs, it was better, but still not what I wanted.
So I got a Ceado E37S. Big burrs, fantastic build quality, hopper, easy adjustment, easy clean, and I just cleaned it 30 mins ago and the thing is spotless inside every time I do. I have about 9 months on that grinder...
But, i have a few issues with it. The grind quality seems consistent, very fluffy, no clumping. I have to WDT, as it has well documented issues with a 'Mohawk' extraction if you don't. It's not a big deal. But the biggest issue is it can stall when grinding fine enough with a light roast espresso, and then this throws off the dose/time, and then i'm back to weighing shots. I like it, but that motor stall issue in fine light roasts, also well documented, is a bummer. 2 weeks ago I'm in Egypt for work and my wife is calling me as she can't make coffee and i have to face time with her to get it unstuck.
A good buddy of mine, who i got into espresso, he just went straight for the Monolith Max and now has a Max2, and offered to sell me the Max at a good price. But I just cant get to that workflow... so I told him, hold it for a couple weeks...
And today I buy an e65S GBW and the mini hopper. Hopefully will show up this week and can give that a whirl.
Who knows, maybe my buddy is right and I land on the Max. All grinders have compromises in one way or another so hopefully this GBW gets me close enough to what i want.
I had used a Salvatore for many years, very much like driving an old manual 911, but made great coffee. The LM makes it so much easier to be consistent.
Like you, i want push button go and with my wife she has zero tolerance for when I'm traveling and wants a coffee for measuring doses, etc. I don't mind a little bit of retention, I'm going to purge a bit and I only make coffees in the morning 3 or 4 in quick succession. I don't make throughout the day. I also don't change coffee often, using a light espresso roast from a local roaster that is fantastic.
I had a Mazzer Mini E for many years, when they first released, it was rock solid, but somewhat inconsistent in grind. I tried SSP burrs, it was better, but still not what I wanted.
So I got a Ceado E37S. Big burrs, fantastic build quality, hopper, easy adjustment, easy clean, and I just cleaned it 30 mins ago and the thing is spotless inside every time I do. I have about 9 months on that grinder...
But, i have a few issues with it. The grind quality seems consistent, very fluffy, no clumping. I have to WDT, as it has well documented issues with a 'Mohawk' extraction if you don't. It's not a big deal. But the biggest issue is it can stall when grinding fine enough with a light roast espresso, and then this throws off the dose/time, and then i'm back to weighing shots. I like it, but that motor stall issue in fine light roasts, also well documented, is a bummer. 2 weeks ago I'm in Egypt for work and my wife is calling me as she can't make coffee and i have to face time with her to get it unstuck.
A good buddy of mine, who i got into espresso, he just went straight for the Monolith Max and now has a Max2, and offered to sell me the Max at a good price. But I just cant get to that workflow... so I told him, hold it for a couple weeks...
And today I buy an e65S GBW and the mini hopper. Hopefully will show up this week and can give that a whirl.
Who knows, maybe my buddy is right and I land on the Max. All grinders have compromises in one way or another so hopefully this GBW gets me close enough to what i want.
Sponsored by Baratza
