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Needing a new grinder - Breville or its Italian cousins?

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  • mrsixties
    replied
    Re: Needing a new grinder - Breville or its Italian cousins?

    Well, heres the update to this thread.

    I spent my $250, but not on a new Breville or similar. I picked up a Wega Max 6.4 (a re-badged Compak K6) on Ebay, expecting to have to spend further cash on new burrs or some other spare parts to get it back up to scratch. As it turned out, everything works perfectly (even the doser) and all it needed was a thorough strip down and clean out, as it was pretty filthy inside and out.

    That done, I couldnt be happier. The Wega is a superb commercial-grade grinder and built like a Mack truck. I wont have to upgrade it again, regardless of which espresso machine eventually replaces my little Miss Silvia. Getting some GREAT shots now and enjoying my coffee experience. Now to start experimenting with different beans!

    Leave a comment:


  • MrK
    replied
    Re: Needing a new grinder - Breville or its Italian cousins?

    Having sold the Breville in Coffee Craft for the last 4 - 5 months I cant recommend it more highly (excluding Mazzer of Course). The Smart Grinder is so easy to use and lets you see where your adjustment is so when moving the grind around, say for syphon, it makes it really easy to reset to espresso and keep going. It is also one of the cleanest grinders on the market, essentially meaning you need to clean up the mess around it on a more infrequent basis.

    If I didnt have my cunil at the moment I would get a Breville Samrt Grinder in a Heart Beat (unless I could affort the Mazzer, but we all have to dream).

    Liam

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  • Ryjoda
    replied
    Re: Needing a new grinder - Breville or its Italian cousins?

    I was considering getting the Lelit or wait and save for K3T, but then stumbled across the Breville at a great price. 3 shims later and the grinder is going awesome.

    I had a Breville BCG450 which is not really an espresso grinder. Then had a em0480 which did the job, and at around $150, I still think they are reasonable value for money. Then had $400+ worth of Rocky, but I think the Smart Grinder is better then that lot. I dont know about the others you mentioned, but it is hard to go past the cheaper Smart Grinder, great grind quality, easy to use.

    Leave a comment:


  • richard_m_h
    replied
    Re: Needing a new grinder - Breville or its Italian cousins?

    Originally posted by 5B44455F4E425F5345360 link=1309351021/2#2 date=1309389652
    Thanks Richard - what swung you towards the Breville? Was it price? Feature? Feedback on CS?
    a few things. mainly that its being sold by speciality coffee places. the  ascaso was tempting but it has problems. price was importantish. the youtube stuff helped
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8piBChRggPM
    and knowing the shims were available to adjust the fineness. I needed them.

    Leave a comment:


  • mrsixties
    replied
    Re: Needing a new grinder - Breville or its Italian cousins?

    Thanks Richard - what swung you towards the Breville? Was it price? Feature? Feedback on CS?

    Leave a comment:


  • richard_m_h
    replied
    Re: Needing a new grinder - Breville or its Italian cousins?

    I just got the Breville last week and quite like it. Needed the shim kit but Breville sent it out quickly. I went throught the same process your doing and also looked at an Ascaso i mini (approx $270 from grinders in carlton).

    Leave a comment:


  • Needing a new grinder - Breville or its Italian cousins?

    Hi CSers, this is my first post but I have been reading from the sidelines for weeks and have learnt so much. Thank you for all the excellent information and experience which goes into your threads. For newbies like me, it is a unique and valuable resource.

    Anyway, my question. I have recently upgraded from my old cheapie espresso machine to an old (2001) but excellent Silvia . My original Breville Cafe Roma grinder might have done OK for the previous machine but cannot grind fine enough for the Rancilio so I have had to get my local roaster to grind in small quantities while I research what to buy. I am limited to a budget of $350 and like the  BCG800 Breville because of all the positive CS feedback, the LeLit PL53 Doserless ($275), the Isomac Grand ($350) or Iberital Challange ($320). What is the pick of these? My other key criteria behind grind quality are durability, ease of use and cleaning.

    Thanks in advance for your suggestions,

    Peter
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