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Grinder to Buy?? <$700

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  • Grinder to Buy?? <$700

    Hi all,

    Ive been lurking for a while and have picked up much help and knowledge from everyone out here and am greatly appreciative.

    Now I need some help from fellow coffee snobs (which i now count myself as one)

    I have a SB 6910 machine (good for now) and a SB 0480 grinder with added shim that I need to upgrade (more like want over need   )

    I have a budget of around $700 but not a huge amount of space (height and depth). Im not overly fussed whether I get brand new or 2nd hand.

    I make 1/2 doubles per work day and 2/3 on days off. (espressos mainly)

    Ive been looking at the Mahlkonig Vario Grinder,( but havent been able to find too much on them) I did read a while back that Anger Management was looking at getting one (?? did you get it),  Mazzer Mini and K3 touch. so many to choose so little time.

    The better half likes the Vario, but I end up making her coffees, so realistically its up to me ( I hope she doesnt read this )

    Ive read reviews on the K3 and Mazzer but not much on the Vario, maybe some Snobs who have one could recommend it???

    Also I"ll be needing ( wanting ) to upgrade my machine in the next 6-12 mths ( Mmmm Giotto ), so I want to make sure the grinder will be good enough for that  as well

    Thanks for any help

    wonder



  • #2
    Re: Grinder to Buy?? &lt;$700

    It would be good if you could go try some (side by side if possible).

    So where are you so we can recommend a nearby sponsor?

    Comment


    • #3
      Re: Grinder to Buy?? &lt;$700

      Sorry about that, Im in Adelaide

      Comment


      • #4
        Re: Grinder to Buy?? &lt;$700

        Macap gets my money. Similar to Mazzer, but at your price point you will be looking at the doser model rather than the digital which adds $$.
        Before you consider the machine.....research the idea of a twin boiler. Expobar probably best value for money in this segment. ;D

        Comment


        • #5
          Re: Grinder to Buy?? &lt;$700

          I love my Mazzer mini-E. I suggest that you contact the sponsors - theres a way of sending a group email. Maybe somebody can sell you one at around that price-point.

          Good luck

          Comment


          • #6
            Re: Grinder to Buy?? &lt;$700

            Originally posted by 41444B54250 link=1294723275/4#4 date=1294747496
            I love my Mazzer mini-E. I suggest that you contact the sponsors - theres a way of sending a group email. Maybe somebody can sell you one at around that price-point.

            Good luck
            A mini-e at circa $500 discount on RRP? Not likely. Id be happy to buy some at $700 as well  

            I think the K3T, Macap M4 and Mazzer mini manual are the picks around this price point.

            Comment


            • #7
              Re: Grinder to Buy?? &lt;$700

              Talk_coffee I was thinking about those machines but have no experience or hands on knowledge with any of them.

              I was hoping some css could persuade me one way or the other ;D

              Oh, and Im not sure where in Adelaide I could see these units side by side to compare

              Comment


              • #8
                Re: Grinder to Buy?? &lt;$700

                I have a SB 6910 and a Vario. I think they make a good pair, although Ive only been making coffee for 3 months I believe Im just about getting the best out of the 6910. Im also planning on upgrading my machine one day, but only when I deserve it - need to stretch the 6910 as far as it can go and learn before I make the jump. How else will I appreciate the difference??

                Impressions of Vario (bearing in mind its my first grinder so cant compare):

                Good Points:
                -Ample grind adjustments
                -Minimal static / clumping
                -Quiet
                -Small
                -Fast grinding
                -Very little mess (especially if you use a sleeve)
                -Virtually ZERO wastage, retains very little amount of grinds

                Bad Points:
                -Lever grind adjustment an absolute PAIN IN THE ASS. They are flimsey, the markings dont line up properly and they even move off position sometimes during the grind. I only ever us it for espresso so the macro adjustments are of little benefit.
                -Dosing control via timed grind is not as accurate as Id hoped. Ive had up to 1 gram descrepancies for a 22 gram grind. This is probably mainly due to differing weights of beans in the hopper, but still. I havent done proper tests with the same amount of beans in hopper.
                -Doesnt look as professional as some of the other $700ish grinders (looks a bit too much like an appliance - like the 6910 :&#124; )

                Overall, Im happy with my choice. I love the low mess and wastage. However since one of the main reasons I bought it was the timed-dose feature, and I no longer use this (I now use the weight beans before grinding technique), in retrospect I may have gone for a more traditional grinder like the much loved Mazzer Mini or more likely the cheaper Eureka Mignon.  As long as it was doserless.

                p.s. Im also not sure how the Vario fares with fines production. It may produce a few more then optimal, but thats just my hunch and I have no benchmark to compare against...

                Good luck.

                Comment


                • #9
                  Re: Grinder to Buy?? &lt;$700

                  I have a Macap.
                  Its been great and is a solid unit that should last a lifetime.


                  Good Points:
                  -More than ample grind adjustments
                  -Minimal static / clumping
                  -Quiet
                  -Fast enough grinding (for home)
                  -Little mess
                  -Minimal wastage (retains a little amount of grinds in the chute but I quickly brush that into the doser)

                  Bad Points:
                  -Not small


                  P.S. Have a look at the Grinder Reviews thread.
                  http://coffeesnobs.com.au/YaBB.pl?num=1163235531

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    Re: Grinder to Buy?? &lt;$700

                    Maybe Im missing something, but I honestly cant see how the Vario at 2.5x the price on a BCG800 offers anything that the Breville doesnt?  :-?

                    Neither grinder competes with the small commercial grinders.

                    Chris

                    Comment


                    • #11
                      Re: Grinder to Buy?? &lt;$700

                      I suppose the most important thing is the quality of the ground coffee. And the German engineered Vario apparently produces quality grinds (many reviews say comparable with much more expensive grinders). The ceramic burrs and low vibration may have something to do with this??
                      I believe the Breville doesnt have that many grind adjustments and produces grind quality similar to the Sunbeam 0480 level grinders...I could be wrong?

                      Comment


                      • #12
                        Re: Grinder to Buy?? &lt;$700

                        Originally posted by 2B33213A3B3C3E33263B34520 link=1294723275/10#10 date=1294786871
                        I believe the Breville doesnt have that many grind adjustments and produces grind quality similar to the Sunbeam 0480 level grinders...I could be wrong?
                        I think you may well be wrong

                        See http://coffeesnobs.com.au/YaBB.pl?num=1288871951/80#80

                        Comment


                        • #13
                          Re: Grinder to Buy?? &lt;$700

                          ill put a vote in for the mazzer mini

                          have had mine for 6 years with no issues apart from replacing one little spring.

                          the only think i dont like is the fork where the portafilter sits is a litle low from the shute, so you do get some stray grinds about theplace

                          Comment


                          • #14
                            Re: Grinder to Buy?? &lt;$700

                            Originally posted by 153037311E5F0 link=1294723275/12#12 date=1294795609
                            ill put a vote in for the mazzer mini

                            ..the only think i dont like is the fork where the portafilter sits is a litle low from the shute
                            The Mini retails for much more than $700 these days - closer to $800 or more.

                            To overcome the spillage problem, I now hold the group handle close to the doser chute. Others use the nozzle mod to help direct the grounds.

                            Comment


                            • #15
                              Re: Grinder to Buy?? &lt;$700

                              Thanks for the tips. I do have the spillage under control just letting the op know of the small issue which is easily fixed.
                              As for price, I have seen them advertised for around 750 so may be able to squeeze it into budget

                              Comment

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