Best suited grinder for a VBM Jnr???

[ldm720]

Looking to buy a new VBM Jnr and considering the Rocky doserless, would this be a good match or should I be looking for something like the Macap M4?

[Dimal]

There's nothing especially wrong with a Rocky that a few minor (and reversible) mod's won't hurt, to help raise it's initial performance level to that of something better.

However, if you can afford to go for a Macap M4, then that would be a much better long term decision. A step up to an MD4 even better... It's always a very good idea to buy the best grinder that you can afford, as a higher echelon grinder will always outlast several espresso machine upgrades. And even if you don't intend upgrading the VBM Jnr, the consistency of performance from a great grinder will always be appreciated in the cup, every time...

Mal.

[TC]

Welcome idm,

I too like the M4D. In fact, I think it's the best prosumer grinder on the market- but I suspect your budget may be a little lower than that.

At rough Rocky price point are the Compak K3P and Macap M2D. Both are excellent. Next step up in spend in my opinion are the doser variants from Mazzer/Macap/Compak. Note that you are purchasing only features, not grind quality. I avoid grinders with plakky internal grind modules.

Our buyers guide may be of assistance: Buying guide- coffee grinders | Talk Coffee

Happy shopping!

Chris

[redzone121]

I had the VBM with Macap combo, it was a solid set up.

[Yelta]

Sound advice, if you can afford it go for something a little more sophisticated than the Rocky, have not used one however the Macap sounds like an excellent alternative.

[ldm720]

Thanks for the feedback guys! I have been doing more research and I think for my budget my best bet is the Compak K3 touch (one with the timer dial on front), I see Wega also sell the same re-badged unit? The Macap M2M is around the same $$$, is one better than the other or are they equally great??

[barri]

About equal Idm, but the dial on the front of the K3 makes it a winner in my eyes. I paired the K3 touch and the VBM Jnr over 4 years ago. A great combination. My old K3 had the timer dial underneath like the macap which made adjusting very difficult. If you want doserless and think you'd like to use timed doses then the K3T is the way to go.

[TC]

I find analogue timers iffy at best. They invariably assume that a single = 1/2 a double (wrong) and the doses vary. We sell them for offices which can't afford an M4D. The assumption is that some sort of time control will assist those who don't know what they're doing and in all likelihood, don't know/care what they're drinking either!

[stephen28]

I own both a Rocky (paired to my old Gaggia at work) & a K3touch paired to a Giotto. They are both very good grinders but the K3 does produce a better result. However I very rarely use the timer function on the K3. It just seems to be too fiddly and cumbersome to get just the right dose. With that in mind it may benefit you budget wise to purchase the K3 push - same grinder without the timer function at a cheaper price.

[stephen28]

So much for that theory. Just checked and Chris at Talk Coffee has the K3 Touch on sale cheaper than the K3 Push! Don't buy a used car off me.....

[ldm720]

I actually went with a K3 push after all the comments I read, seems like the timer function is not all its cracked up to be, I love everything about coffee, so I think I will enjoy having control to tweak as required. Compak gets plenty of great reviews ��

[TC]

So much for that theory. Just checked and Chris at Talk Coffee has the K3 Touch on sale cheaper than the K3 Push! Don't buy a used car off me.....

Hello stephen,

If you have a look, you will notice that's because there is no remaining stock of K3P so you cannot purchase one. You will see our usual pricing return when we receive stock next week.

Chris