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Newbie - Confused on Upgrade Path from Via Venezia to Silvia or Beyond?!?

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  • #16
    Re: Newbie - Confused on Upgrade Path from Via Venezia to Silvia or Beyond?!?

    Originally posted by 6554434B47796A4742260 link=1253805964/14#14 date=1254018557
    Is the Madcap 4M/D grinder good. The /D stands for digital yes - do you find this addition useful in domestic use?
    I have the M4D
    I believe it stands for both Digital & Doserless

    Originally posted by 6554434B47796A4742260 link=1253805964/14#14 date=1254018557
    Also do you ever grind coffee for filter/plunger?Do the grinders. Madcap, Rocky, K3T etclend themselves easy to grinding the higher volume needed to make 8-10 cups worth of coffee ..
    Speaking for the M4D
    It wouldnt raise a sweat and will do it in under 40 seconds

    KK

    Comment


    • #17
      Re: Newbie - Confused on Upgrade Path from Via Venezia to Silvia or Beyond?!?

      Originally posted by 6352454D417F6C4144200 link=1253805964/14#14 date=1254018557
      Is the Madcap 4M/D grinder good. The /D stands for digital yes - do you find this addition useful in domestic use?

      Also do you ever grind coffee for filter/plunger?Do the grinders. Madcap, Rocky, K3T etclend themselves easy to grinding the higher volume needed to make 8-10 cups worth of coffee ..
      I suppose thats a silly question but they all seem setup to dose coffee straight into espresso machine handle...
      I have a stepped Macap M5.

      The Macaps are good grinders.
      As far as your domestic use question goes, a lot of non snobs would consider even my grinder overkill for home use.
      Dont worry about such things, get what you like.

      8 - 10 cups is nothing to my Macap and I have a doser which helps even more in that regard.

      Ill say it again, "a dosered grinder can be used like a doserless but not the other way around".

      Comment


      • #18
        Re: Newbie - Confused on Upgrade Path from Via Venezia to Silvia or Beyond?!?

        Originally posted by 6352454D417F6C4144200 link=1253805964/14#14 date=1254018557
        P.S. Greg, nice kit in your signature, you must be making some fine coffees  

        Is the Madcap 4M/D grinder good. The /D stands for digital yes - do you find this addition useful in domestic use?

        Also do you ever grind coffee for filter/plunger?  Do the grinders. Madcap, Rocky, K3T etc  lend themselves easy to grinding the higher volume needed to make 8-10 cups worth of coffee ..
        I suppose thats a silly question but they all seem setup to dose coffee straight into espresso machine handle...

        Thanks again....
        I like to think its my skill that makes the coffee. 8-) The nice equipment sure makes it easier! ;D

        I love the Macap, it is quiet and fast and has an adequate bling factor. For me the Macap was a worthwhile upgrade from a Rocky. I only grind for espresso on it--I use a Kyocera at work for the coarser grinds.

        Both Rocky and Macap have had no problem at all grinding enough for 8-10 cups.

        I wanted the micrometric chrome Macap, so at the time the D was the only model. Mine is set on continuous dose ("dose continua" actually :-[) and I just measure the correct amount of beans into the grinder, insert the handle (which starts the grinding), and grind until the machine is empty.

        As far as the handle is concerned, Id be removing as much of the extra stuff as I could. My taste tests tell me that the simpler and shorter the path the coffee takes from the machine, the better I like it.

        Greg

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        • #19
          Re: Newbie - Confused on Upgrade Path from Via Venezia to Silvia or Beyond?!?

          Originally posted by 360A170C060710050D06620 link=1253805964/16#16 date=1254018971
          As far as your domestic use question goes, a lot of non snobs would consider even my grinder overkill for home use.
          Dont worry about such things, get what you like.
          More good advice! I am trying to be wary of the snob factor - at end of day I want a good machine that does the job. It can look good, but not critical, and whilst happy to spend a few extra $$ for the right machine...It needs to be for features Ill use and benifit from.. not just cause its shinier or is built with 5 screws instead of 4...(exageration  :!!)


          Originally posted by 360A170C060710050D06620 link=1253805964/16#16 date=1254018971
          Ill say it again, "a dosered grinder can be used like a doserless but not the other way around".
          Im hearing ya! I have read that doser versions arent too good for home use as you wont want to be grinding any more coffee than what you intend to use ...but for filter grinding etc it could be useful.  Sounds a plan to have best of both worlds in this regard...

          Originally posted by 182D3A3808302D323E333B5F0 link=1253805964/17#17 date=1254020759

          I like to think its my skill that makes the coffee. 8-) The nice equipment sure makes it easier! ;D
          Oh but of course  
          And thats what I will need to keep in  mind - not to get to caught up spending big $$ to get the best of everything - it will amount to nothing if Im not up to the par also (I need to work on my own upgrade  ;D)

          Thanks all, your feedback has all been really helpful....

          Comment


          • #20
            Re: Newbie - Confused on Upgrade Path from Via Venezia to Silvia or Beyond?!?

            Originally posted by 7F4E59515D63705D583C0 link=1253805964/18#18 date=1254023302
            I have read that doser versions arent too good for home use as you wont want to be grinding any more coffee than what you intend to use
            I only grind for one coffee most of the time.
            My doser doesnt make this any harder than with a doserless.
            In fact it may even be considered better because I can start the grinder, go get the milk from the fridge and fill the jug and then turn off the grinder ready for dosing.
            Try do that with a doserless unless your fridge is right next to the grinder and you are ambidextrous or a juggler.

            The doser therefore is a time saver.

            Comment


            • #21
              Re: Newbie - Confused on Upgrade Path from Via Venezia to Silvia or Beyond?!?

              Originally posted by 6458455E545542575F54300 link=1253805964/19#19 date=1254025250
              I only grind for one coffee most of the time.
              My doser doesnt make this any harder than with a doserless.
              In fact it may even be considered better because I can start the grinder, go get the milk from the fridge and fill the jug and then turn off the grinder ready for dosing.
              Try do that with a doserless unless your fridge is right next to the grinder and you are ambidextrous or a juggler.

              The doser therefore is a time saver.  
              Totally agree with TG as I have 2 grinders the M4D and a Mazzer Major

              When I first got the Mazzer I was considering a doser-less mod
              I have exactly the same experience of what TG has said about the fridge

              So I have decided to keep it as a doser with a few small mods that makes it better   I am a coffee snob after all
              You can see my set up here machine with both grinders and the Mazzer Major mods
              http://coffeesnobs.com.au/YaBB.pl?num=1250736066

              KK

              Comment


              • #22
                Re: Newbie - Confused on Upgrade Path from Via Venezia to Silvia or Beyond?!?

                HELP!

                Ive started trials with my newly modified unpressurised handle which whilst brought on noticable changes, most are not at all favourable  

                SETUP
                • I have ground some fresh beans on the finest setting (prepared to tweak this as required). NB: Beans are not S/bucks and whilst not from a CS sponsor are from a local MEL roaster...
                • filled double basket, tapped to even dose.
                • to fill, tapped then levelled off with finger.
                • firmly (not sure how firm this shld be but I didnt apply excessive force).  
                • and poured shot.


                RESULT:
                Shot started to pour within 5 secs and finished within 10-12.
                Nice crema but had to spit out upon tasting - bitter!

                I tried a few extra shots - ground some beans slightly less fine (but think I prob need to go other way?)
                Shots took slightly slonger to pour but still all finished by 15 secs....nothing like the 20-21 secs I hear is the standard.

                The crema was quite good, but none of the shots were drinkable.

                Could this mean my grinder cant grind beans fine enough, or is there another variable affecting my results  that Im missing?

                Comment


                • #23
                  Re: Newbie - Confused on Upgrade Path from Via Venezia to Silvia or Beyond?!?

                  Yes CL- 99% chance your grinder is not up to task...

                  Sorry

                  2mcm

                  Comment


                  • #24
                    Re: Newbie - Confused on Upgrade Path from Via Venezia to Silvia or Beyond?!?

                    Hope this helps
                    1) Grind to the consistency of table salt as a starting point, and adjust fine or course as required
                    2) Tamp pressure is about 15 to 20 kg

                    3) Tamp to the correct depth in the basket.

                    The depth of the tamped puck should be just touching or a hairs whisker from the shower screen in the group head when the Porta Filter is locked on

                    You can judge with a 5 cent piece by trial and error
                    Use that depth level for future reference when tamping

                    Yes CL- 99% chance your grinder is not up to task...

                    Sorry Sad

                    2mcm
                    However I tend to agree with 2mcm

                    KK

                    Comment


                    • #25
                      Re: Newbie - Confused on Upgrade Path from Via Venezia to Silvia or Beyond?!?

                      Originally posted by 42666F6F6C6C5642667A6466090 link=1253805964/20#20 date=1254026306
                      Totally agree with TG as I have 2 grinders the M4D and a Mazzer Major

                      When I first got the Mazzer I was considering a doser-less mod
                      I have exactly the same experience of what TG has said about the fridge

                      So I have decided to keep it as a doser with a few small mods that makes it better   I am a coffee snob after all
                      You can see my set up here machine with both grinders and the Mazzer Major mods
                      http://coffeesnobs.com.au/YaBB.pl?num=1250736066

                      KK
                      Hey KK,
                      Thanks. Great setup... 8-)

                      My that Mazzer looks huge compared to the M4D... think would be overkill for my initial step up ..the wife would I think find a use for it and it would involve my head ;D ;D

                      Regarding the fridge  - wouldnt you just have your milk jug ready prior to grinding (as they grind so quick)..or is this in the interest of keeping milk icy cold until ready to froth?

                      I def like the idea of a doser grinder so as per Chriss initial recommendation will continue research in this vein.  Now just need to get my shots happening :P

                      Comment


                      • #26
                        Re: Newbie - Confused on Upgrade Path from Via Venezia to Silvia or Beyond?!?

                        Originally posted by 7F5B525251516B7F5B47595B340 link=1253805964/23#23 date=1254027412
                        Hope this helps
                        1) Grind to the consistency of table salt as a starting point, and adjust fine or course as required
                        2) Tamp pressure is about 15 to 20 kg

                        3) Tamp to the correct depth in the basket.

                        The depth of the tamped puck should be just touching or a hairs whisker from the shower screen in the group head when the Porta Filter is locked on

                        You can judge with a 5 cent piece by trial and error
                        Use that depth level for future reference when tamping

                        Yes CL- 99% chance your grinder is not up to task...

                        Sorry  Sad

                        2mcm
                        However I tend to agree with 2mcm

                        KK
                        Cheers KK - sorry I shouldve mentioned it in my orig post but I found your recommendation and the 5c test in another thread (I do believe in self help, but appreciate all the direct responses here also!!)

                        I have done this and 5c left imprint.   I also found after pulling the shot the grounds at the top were a little mushy but in most cases the rest came out as a brick as described elsewhere. I at least got a little excited with that as progress  ;D  even if a little inconsistent...and certainly not codusive to a great shot overall.

                        Ill tinker some more on texture...but seems my earlier question or thought that my current grinder would hold up has been answered well and truly.

                        Oh wifey..darling.... I need to talk to you about something..... ;D :

                        Comment


                        • #27
                          Re: Newbie - Confused on Upgrade Path from Via Venezia to Silvia or Beyond?!?

                          Dont forget what millions of mothers have said to there children
                          "Practise makes perfect"

                          KK

                          Comment


                          • #28
                            Re: Newbie - Confused on Upgrade Path from Via Venezia to Silvia or Beyond?!?

                            Originally posted by 7D5950505353697D59455B59360 link=1253805964/26#26 date=1254029681
                            Dont forget what millions of mothers have said to there children
                            "Practise makes perfect"  

                            KK
                            No, the first shot should simply be brilliant >

                            Joking!  But I admit defeat for today...  worked out 20kg of pressure on the scales - was more than I had been doing.

                            ALso tried grinding beans to salt texture as starting point - but this worked out almost at the point where i grind coarse for drip...so def think my grinder aint going to cut it.

                            Combined both in a shot that was the worst one yet!

                            So a grinder purchase has out of trial and error become my No 1 priority.  I consider that progress made and am prepared for some more trial and error once I get it!  

                            Until then I will have to suffer my wifes Nespresso machine   or at least stay on the drip filter for now.. :-/

                            Thanks again all.

                            Comment


                            • #29
                              Re: Newbie - Confused on Upgrade Path from Via Venezia to Silvia or Beyond?!?

                              The main problem with inadequate grinders is the inconsistency of the grind, i.e. both coarse and very fine grinds in the same batch. This means that some coffee is under-extracted and some is over-extracted.

                              Grind so youre getting your extractions in 20-30 seconds and then spread some grinds on a piece of paper and check that the grinds do not vary much in particle size. If they do vary a lot, the grinder wont do.

                              Greg

                              Comment


                              • #30
                                Re: Newbie - Confused on Upgrade Path from Via Venezia to Silvia or Beyond?!?

                                Thanks Greg, but that is my main issue - cant get beyond 15sec extractions - grinder is on finest setting and tamping firmly (FIRMLY!)...

                                I am quite happy to take this as validation of everyones feedback and grab a new Grinder as my initial investment. I started looking at the Rocky but over the w/end and alot of reading the MACAP M4 is looking good..

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