Why does cheap grinder espresso taste better

#1: Post by **wearashirt** » November 8th, 2017, 1:19 am

Hi everyone, I was hoping to pick your brains on grinder effects. I have a cheap grinder that produced a better tasting but less viscuous espresso, and a high-end grinder that produced a viscuous but bitter espresso. In fact, the latter espresso fails to meet basic expectation for good espresso -- why?

I work in a cafe with 2 branches. Same machine, relatively the same water, same espresso blend, but different grinder. One shop has the chinese Heycafe grinder (54mm burrs), which I have continually and painstakingly aligned every so often (to date, about 4x over the past year and a half). The other shop has a Compak E8 OD (83.8mm burrs), which I got second hand.

Just a few more details. The Heycafe grinder has to be kept at a very close burr range, with a moderate level of "chirping", to keep the espresso on point. The Compak grinder, even when grinding empty, barely makes a sound; nevertheless, its espresso is absolutely on point and is perfect for espresso-"porn". However, since I don't have the hexagonal screw drivers to open up the Compak grinder, I've never taken a look at its alignment. But since the espresso is so nice and actually centers very well on the naked portafilter, I presumed it hardly needed alignment. Furthermore, I have used the Compak grinder in a several catering events, and the espresso is still substandard.

What I don't understand is why the Compak grinder can't produce at least a decent tasting espresso with its wider burrs and seemingly perfect pour. Any insights on these kinds of grinders?

#2: Post by **Stanic** » November 8th, 2017, 1:34 am

Bitter taste suggests overextraction, try to dial in the grinder or change dose or temperature

#3: Post by **samuellaw178** » November 8th, 2017, 5:31 am

Has the grinder been cleaned since purchase? Possibly the burrs are worn?

#4: Post by **erik82** » November 8th, 2017, 6:03 am

This seems like a bad grinder or barista error. The Compak should give you better results.

#5: Post by **another_jim** » November 8th, 2017, 8:29 am

Is the pour from the Heycafe faster? That would confirm Ratislav's idea that you are overextracting with the Compak, and should use a coarser grind and larger dose. On the other hand, if the Heycafe's pour is slower, then it's the other way around and you need need to dose lower, and grind finer. If the pours are the same; it probably is an issue with the grinder, perhaps misalignment.

#6: Post by **mike guy** » November 8th, 2017, 10:27 am

If you've painstakingly aligned the cheap grinder four times in the last year then you've done maintenance on it. Can the same be said of the compak?

You may not be comparing expensive to cheap here. You are comparing maintained to unmaintained.

#7: Post by **jwCrema** » November 8th, 2017, 10:50 am

Why not swap grinders and give the Compak the same loving attention?

November 8th, 2017, 10:59 am

mike guy wrote: You may not be comparing expensive to cheap here. You are comparing maintained to unmaintained.

Yes I understand that. I guess my question is -- can wide burr-set grinders fluctuate so drastically that -- maybe missing maintenance for a year -- its espresso will be bitter?

The extraction time is just perfect. If we adjust coarser, espresso would pour like a waterfall. We could go in-between, but I doubt that would improve the taste we're getting. So I'm trying to zero-in on something more inherent with this kind of grinder (wide burr set).

I'm theorizing that wide burr set grinders may be producing more micro fines that narrower burrs, which accounts for bitterness and lack of clarity?

#9: Post by **h3yn0w** » November 8th, 2017, 11:13 am

Before assuming the grinder, are you sure all other variables are the same. In particular brew ratio (grams in: grams out)

#10: Post by **robin416** » November 8th, 2017, 11:20 am

Still learning here. Wouldn't the lack of maintenance allow old coffee oils to build up in the grinder causing the poor tasting results?