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My Rocky died! Which grinder to go with ECM Synchronika?

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  • AlMac
    replied
    Originally posted by WACoffee View Post
    Are Mazzers a thing of the past??
    I have a 16 year old Mazzer Mini.
    It has outlived three coffee machines, had one new set of burrs and works like the day I bought it.

    I can't offer any advice on a new grinder though as my experience is limited to my Mini.

    The Niche Zero looks great, especially if it has the capacity for around 80g of beans.
    Angular look of the Eureka is very chic.

    Leave a comment:


  • pr1nce
    replied
    Originally posted by WACoffee View Post
    I actually don't mind the look of the Mahlkonig Vario. How would this machine compare to the Eureka offerings?

    By the way I only need to grind for my Synchronika, I don't use anything else for coffee.

    Ideally just want to press a button for 2 shots and it will dispense the correct amount, relatively quietly and without leaving mess all over my bench!

    I feel like the Niche Zero doesn't have the luxury of time behind it and I don't want to be repairing/replacing my grinder untimely. I also think I will regret it the second I need to make more than 1 coffee.

    Thanks.
    I have the same machine as you and I have paired it with a Eureka Atom, consistent grinds, extremely quick at grinding a double dose (~15 seconds) and quiet! Highly recommended but I am also tempted by the Niche Zero for single dosing and less wastage.

    Leave a comment:


  • TampIt
    replied
    Originally posted by WACoffee View Post
    I actually don't mind the look of the Mahlkonig Vario. How would this machine compare to the Eureka offerings?

    By the way I only need to grind for my Synchronika, I don't use anything else for coffee.

    Ideally just want to press a button for 2 shots and it will dispense the correct amount, relatively quietly and without leaving mess all over my bench!

    I feel like the Niche Zero doesn't have the luxury of time behind it and I don't want to be repairing/replacing my grinder untimely. I also think I will regret it the second I need to make more than 1 coffee.

    Thanks.
    G'day WACoffee

    Firstly, ask 5 CS'r's about grinders and get a dozen opinions... so here's mine.

    Presumably you are in West Oz (or Washington State US?). If so, I have three Mahlkoenig Varios (not for sale!) - you are welcome to come and play with one in my micro kitchen and see what you think if that suits (PM me). Works well with either a 6910 or a Decent DE1. BYO roast for testing.

    BTW, I have 2 * gen2's (2013 / 2014) and 1 * gen3 (2016?). For some reason the gen2's are slightly quieter than the gen3, although none are noisy. BTW, all are Swiss made - and it shows.

    IMO for the Turkish to espresso range of grinds (i.e. your espresso need is within their sweet spot) the Vario (with the standard ceramic burrs) has thrashed every other grinder anywhere near their price for flavour in the cuppa. The reason is pretty simple. Unlike conicals (i.e. Niche) which have a twin peak particle spread (i.e. complete with too many unwanted fines), the flat burrs of a Vario have been tuned to give a very narrow, precise particle spread in the Turkish to espresso range only. Outside that range, they are pretty poor. Most flat burr grinders - even monsters with huge diameter burrs like my Bo-ema RR45 - are tuned to give a wide range of acceptable grinds, whereas the Vario gen2 onward simply doesn't. Jack of all trades, master of none vs precision.

    FYI, the original Vario does have a wide grinding range and is only a mediocre grinder for espresso. The gen2 and gen3 are totally different performers from the first model - hence some early reviews actually describe an entirely different mechanism / beastie.

    The Vario also has truly minimal grind retention down to the last dose. Unlike those grinders when people measure a dose and only place those beans in the hopper the Vario does not rely on the weight of the beans in the hopper to give an even feed / particle spread. A friend summarized it neatly: "What else would you expect from Swiss engineers?".

    That flavour in the cuppa is why I bought a second one a few weeks after my first one. Then I was sent a set of Mahlkoenig Vario "optional steel burrs" for coarser grinds when a near new gen3 was also up for grabs cheap...

    The worst feature of the Vario is a trade off - place a Ditting commercial grinding module in such a compact package and the adjusters are delicate. Never let a "brute force idiot" anywhere near a Vario. My oldest Vario has done a number of stints in a cafe and survived over 300Kgs of use (and a dozen or so different baristas) without a problem (or, impressively any noticeable wear - those burrs are tough). Yet I keep seeing Varios where the adjusters have popped out (or even been bent out of shape - shudder) - a sure sign of abuse. The manual states the motor should be running when adjusting the grind finer (doh: been doing that to all grinders since 1970...) and presumably the same "brute force idiots" cannot read... BTW, unless the adjusters are actually severely bent, resetting them is an (unnecessary) 5 minute fix (requiring a PH#2 to remove one screw).

    I hope this helps,


    TampIt
    PS: The bean feeding issue: L3ninja's https://coffeesnobs.com.au/grinders/...tml#post668759 says it all. The Niche may well be another one of the few grinders immune to that issue.

    Leave a comment:


  • level3ninja
    replied
    The Vario is amazing bang for the buck, but if it's quiet you want get an Atom or Mignon Silenzio. Varios aren't the noisiest grinders around, but they're in the top league.

    Leave a comment:


  • WACoffee
    replied
    I actually don't mind the look of the Mahlkonig Vario. How would this machine compare to the Eureka offerings?

    By the way I only need to grind for my Synchronika, I don't use anything else for coffee.

    Ideally just want to press a button for 2 shots and it will dispense the correct amount, relatively quietly and without leaving mess all over my bench!

    I feel like the Niche Zero doesn't have the luxury of time behind it and I don't want to be repairing/replacing my grinder untimely. I also think I will regret it the second I need to make more than 1 coffee.

    Thanks.

    Leave a comment:


  • WACoffee
    replied
    Thanks for the clarification Cats. Yes, I thought it was single dosing but a picture I saw showed it as having a large looking section that held more than 1 dose. Hence the confusion.

    Good feedback about the aesthetics also. Appreciate the input.

    Leave a comment:


  • Cats
    replied
    WA the point of the niche is single dosing. If you want to use it like a regular hopper buy the Eurekas.

    Possibly a shallow reason but for me the specialita looks 100x better than the Atom on the bench and definitly was enough grinder for me.
    I guess asthetics does come into it, its a domestic thing not just completely for function

    Leave a comment:


  • WACoffee
    replied
    Thanks everyone for your suggestions.

    Seems like a Eureka is the way to go. Are Mazzers a thing of the past??

    Will I find much difference between the Eureka offerings? Is upgrading to the Atom going to give me a noticeable experience or would I be just as good getting the Specialtia or similar?

    Now this Niche Zero. Looks good but can you put enough beans in it for more than one cup at a time? Say I am making 3-4 coffees, will I have to refill the grinder for each coffee or can I set it to grind say 18gm but the hopper holds more?

    Hope that makes sense.

    Thanks again all. Appreciate the input.

    Leave a comment:


  • Casa Espresso
    replied
    The Rocket Fausto has Eureka Atom internals, the Faustino is essentially a Eureka Silenzio.

    Styling may not suit everyone but both are very solid units

    Cheers

    Antony
    www.casaespresso.com.au

    Leave a comment:


  • LeroyC
    replied
    Originally posted by herzog View Post
    The Rocket is not the same as the ECM/Profitec. It’s a modified Eureka design.
    Ah right. I knew it was a reskinned something. Probably a pretty good grinder functionally if it’s got Eureka internals, but it’s got a disappointing exterior in my opinion.

    Leave a comment:


  • herzog
    replied
    Originally posted by LeroyC View Post
    The
    The offerings from Rocket, ECM and Profitec (all the same grinder in a different skin)
    The Rocket is not the same as the ECM/Profitec. It’s a modified Eureka design.

    Leave a comment:


  • LeroyC
    replied
    My Rocky died! Which grinder to go with ECM Synchronika?

    I’d have to agree that something from Eureka would fit the bill. The new Specialita is a higher specced and quiter version of the Mignon and the Atom is another step up. I have a Mahlkonig Vario and am super happy with it. I’ve owned lots of grinders and it’s my favourite so far. It’s not the quietest, but it’s not the noisiest either. If I’m ever making coffee while the family are asleep I put my hand on top of the hopper (which acts as a big amplifier on grinders) and that muffles it noticeably. It’s fast enough that it’s not annoying to do occasionally. There’s also the Macap M4D and something from Compak could be in your price range, but I believe Eureka offers better value for money.
    The offerings from Rocket, ECM and Profitec (all the same grinder in a different skin) are satisfactory, but all over priced for what they are in my opinion.

    Leave a comment:


  • level3ninja
    replied
    Eureka Atom or Mahlkoenig Vario, both extremely accurate timers. The Atom is quiet, the Vario not so much. The Atom retains a bit, the Vario not so much.

    Leave a comment:


  • herzog
    replied
    I’d go with the ECM S64 or the T64 (Profitec equivalent). Both are fast, accurate and rock solid reliable.

    Leave a comment:


  • Casa Espresso
    replied
    G'day WA coffee,

    Three that come to mind from me, all with slightly different features and benefits.

    1/ The Sette 270wi - Porter filter holder, will grind to weight ( so fits your wish there) Down side - it is noisy! Well within your budget https://www.casaespresso.com.au/bara...tte-270wi.html
    2/ The Eureka Specialita - porter filter holder, timed doses ( so easy to get consistent doses) , very quiet! - down side , it does have a bit of retention https://www.casaespresso.com.au/eure...-perfetto.html
    3/ Niche Zero - super fast, near zero retention , quiet - down side - manual dose control, doesn't have a porta filter holder https://www.casaespresso.com.au/niche-zero.html

    i would lean towards the Niche if you can adapt to the manual dose control

    Cheers

    Antony
    www.casaespresso.com.au

    Leave a comment:

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