Hi guys,

12 months after sitting down with these two grinders, a camera, some coffee and a laptop computer; an interstate house shift, a job change and a baby later, I've finally finished the write-up on the comparison between them! It's not quite in the same format as the Silvia 6910 review and I suspect not quite as easy to read (component-based rather than workflow-based) but hopefully this is of some use for any CSers considering either of these units, both of which are excellent products.

http://www.coffeetamper.com.au/kb/reviews/mini-k3/

Greg

P.S. If you notice anything that needs to change don't hesitate to let me know!

Thanks Chris, but reviews are kinda a loooong exercise (well they take me a while anyway) and I think my family might have other ideas if I suggested that! Thanks for the K3 in the first place too, 'twas a difficult decision to move it on.

Probably a set of Laboratory Screens Jason.....

They can be acquired via various laboratory supplies outfits, especially those that supply equipment to Industrial Labs. Doubt they would be cheap though and at their likely cost, I think you would need to have good justification for outlaying the funds.

An easier (and cheaper) proposition might be to provide samples to a such a Lab and request a Size Fraction Distribution Test. Wouldn't imagine that this would be too expensive, given that they would probably use a hapless trainee or cadet too....

Cheers,
Mal.

Hi Greg,
'Tis indeed a great review, and well worth the long effort you put into it for all of us Snobs. I agree that the weighting is an excellent component of the review to keep things in perspective. Final scores will always be contentious, but at least everyone can see how things were considered and conclusions arrived at.

I would only say that you might want to update it a little, as certainly the Mazzer, and probably the Compak, has changed since your test model was built. The switch, as you are no doubt aware, is now a timer, which is significant if comparing to an automatic like your test K-3 (don't know about current K-3s).

On my MM, at least, there is definitely a different sound if the doser does not complete the sweep. But I doubt anyone would judge dose by clicks, anyway. It might also be worth noting that doser levers are designed to be used with two fingers and with much greater speed and force than shown in the video. They are, after all, commercial units. Incidentally, the power cord placement is also a commercial consideration. The screw in the middle of the doser adjustment star is to enable you to remove the whole mechanism (great for the sweep mod). Not sure how you do this in the Compak. The lugs on my grinds tray are intact after a year - but users should always make sure the tray is flat on the counter before sliding it into place.

Aesthetics are very hard to assess, being entirely subjective, and I think you always made it very clear when you were making that kind of judgement. Some things have overlapping form/function considerations. For example, the screws you didn't like on the front of the MM doser allow you to move or remove the silly tamper, whereas the integrated design of the K-3 means you can't move it, and I found that the 'nose' combined with the high pf fork made it very difficult to see the dose and impossible to really heap up the coffee. Important for me, not for some.

Altogether, a very worthwhile exercise, and one of the best of its kind. Thanks Greg!

matt

Metreo wrote on Mar 21^st, 2008, 12:13am:


Too true that the mini is made with a variety of switches and in colours as well- including polished aluminium.

Alas (in Melbourne at least), our choices with new importer are Silver or Black, mini-manual only....

Chris

Dolcimelo wrote on Mar 20^th, 2008, 2:31pm:


Yep I was aware of this potential issue and commented on this at the end of the Introduction. Unfortunately I don't have access to current models so until a nice distributor decides to send me one of each with which to pick up these updates I won't actually know what's changed apart from hearsay.

Dolcimelo wrote on Mar 20^th, 2008, 2:31pm:

Agreed, though the videos were to show the smoothness / noise of the mechanism not typical usage.

Dolcimelo wrote on Mar 20^th, 2008, 2:31pm:

This item was already weighted as more important commercially than domestically (5/10 commercially, 2/10 domestically)   Unless I misunderstood your comment?

Dolcimelo wrote on Mar 20^th, 2008, 2:31pm:

Thanks re doser screw, never removed it so far on mine. The Compak's doser adjustment mechanism just keeps unscrewing until it comes off. Well done re the grinds tray lugs; I took pretty good care of mine after hearing about this, hardly ever removed it and they still broke within about 3 months.  

Dolcimelo wrote on Mar 20^th, 2008, 2:31pm:


Sure thing, it's a bit hard to entirely segregate components that affect more than one area and I agree re the 'nose' on the Compak grinder; which is why the final decision depends on how you use the unit. Hopefully there's enough objective information in there to help people make the decision that's right for them. Thanks for the feedback!

Greg

Hi Matt,

Re the lugs, not too sure really. I read they were prone to breaking and mine were still intact but when I checked I noticed a hairline crack running through one; it broke off completely within a month, and from what I've read it's quite a common thing. I guess if you constantly remove it to clean it (as most would) then it's likely to happen as they have to bend inwards quite a way before they lock in. Perhaps some of the resellers of these units will have a better perspective on what causes the breakage?

Point taken about cord placement; I guess 'irrelevant' may be a bit distorted since it got more weighting than domestic. I was mainly looking at it from the perspective that where the cord comes out is overall probably of no consequence since it largely depends on your setup, however the clean back of the Mazzer facing the customer was a plus. But I guess if its back is to the wall then a side exit is another plus for the Mazzer, which is in front commercially on this score anyway.

Greg

2mcm wrote on Mar 31^st, 2008, 9:44am:

Maybe a visit to a local sheet-metal shop guru could sort this out once and for all by knocking up a replica(coffee grinds tray) made from stainless steel

Mal.

Have a really close look at where the lugs are attached. The crack on mine started off just looking like a plastic molding seam but was in fact the beginning of the end.

I just read the review because I am considering either the mazzer mini or the K3 touch (doserless version). the difference price at the moment, for me in canada, is $200CAD. the one area of concern based on the review is the grind adjustment. i am wondering if compak upgraded the grind adjustment - the reason is because if you take a look at the current manual, it looks like they have a much wider adjustment - i dont see those circles on the top. can anyone confirm?

here is a link to the compak k3 manual

http://www.compak.es/docs/en/K3_K3Elite_K3Touch_en.pdf

A judicious and very carefully filed groove using a jeweller's file, later filled in with white paint (or colour of your choice) would look very spic I'd reckon

Mal.

ally ikon wrote on Apr 14^th, 2009, 5:18pm:


I think the closest compak selling site sponsor to you will be Veneziano coffee- in West End...

Many site sponsors sell Comapk and I'm sure that all will be able to freight to you.

Happy shopping...

2mcm

ally ikon wrote on Apr 14^th, 2009, 5:18pm:


Ally Ikon

We sell the Compak grinder and are based in between Brisbane and the Gold Coast at Yatala. If you are able to pick up we are happy to include a training session on best use and maintenance. We can also ship Compak and a variety of other grinders if pickup isn't an option.

FULL Kudos to Greg for doing such a comprehensive review! It's become a bit of an institution for those looking at upgrading their grinders!