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best value for $$ Gaggia MDF or Mazzer Mini?

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  • best value for $$ Gaggia MDF or Mazzer Mini?

    Hi All

    Whats the best value for $$ between the Mazzer mini & Gaggia MDF.

    I know they really arent in the same class but is it worth the extra $$ for the Mazzer?

    Also where the cheapest place to buy the Mazzer mini?
    What do they typically go for?

  • #2
    Re: best value for $$ Gaggia MDF or Mazzer Mini?

    Choosing a grinder is about consistency of grind, aesthetics and service life of the burrs.

    If you want the best grinder and can afford the MM, go for it. A common woe for many of the people on this board is upgraditis. If you buy the MDF you get a competent grinder but possibly a feeling you could have done better if you dont get the results you are targetting. Buy the MM and you will have to look somewhere else for solutions. You could also consider the Rancilio Rocky in this comparison. A very good grinder but the AB comparos place the MM as the better machine.

    Cheers,

    Graeme

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    • #3
      Re: best value for $$ Gaggia MDF or Mazzer Mini?

      I justified my mazzer purchase after reading numerous reviews which all indicated it woud be the last grinder I would ever need to buy. The Mazzer is a professional product designed  and engineered to be used in a commercial environment for many hours each week. The Gaggia whilst by all accounts a fine product is not in the same league, it will for most people need upgrading/replacing at some stage.

      Is it overkill? For some people sure, for me I think not, it is a top quality product which I can rely on to do exactly what it was designed to,  and leave me free to worry about blends, roasts and other more interesting aspects of the coffee process.

      I was in the market for an MDF for my weekend place to save carting the mazzer around and would have bought one of the ebay ones for around $170 but for $250 or so I cant really justify it.  

      Any Saeco distributor can get Mazzer grinders, you should be able to get one for under $650, although Merlos in Brisbane were asking $750.


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      • #4
        Re: best value for $$ Gaggia MDF or Mazzer Mini?

        Wow! I paid $1000 for my Mazzer Mini Electronic last year. Are we talking the same grinder? Mine has 64mm burrs and no doser.

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        • #5
          Re: best value for $$ Gaggia MDF or Mazzer Mini?

          Wired the MINI E sells for about $960,  Mini Doser is $640... I find it really hard to justify the cost of the Mini E because the motor is exactly the same, as to are the Burrs and case, the only difference is the Doser Cone and the dual timer switches, the Doser would be much dearer to manufacture than the Doser cone and thus I cant justify paying and extra $320 for a set of dual switches... One of the best things I like about the Mazzers there is minimal Static.......
          I agree with Greaeme that if you can afford to buy the best upfront do so, if not you will forever regret the fact that "Maybe I should have gotten that other grinder... Gee I wished I had!!!"

          Buy Quality, Buy Peace of Mind...... A grinder I think is possible the most important machine you will ever need to produce good coffee, the Espresso machine I think then comes second, why?, without a good consistant grind your coffee will not be satusfactory.


          Thats my opinion at least, I may however be wrong, but I dont think I am

          FB       ;D

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          • #6
            Re: best value for $$ Gaggia MDF or Mazzer Mini?

            Originally posted by FrenchBean link=1100074400/0#4 date=1100091328
            Wired the MINI E sells for about $960, Mini Doser is $640... I find it really hard to justify the cost of the Mini E because the motor is exactly the same, as to are the Burrs and case, the only difference is the Doser Cone and the dual timer switches, the Doser would be much dearer to manufacture than the Doser cone and thus I cant justify paying and extra $320 for a set of dual switches... ;D
            According to the specs (http://tinyurl.com/3t73g) the mini-E has 64mm burrs where the standard mini has 58mm (http://tinyurl.com/4ushb). Not sure if that justifies the price difference though.....(Id still love one).

            Ed

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            • #7
              Re: best value for $$ Gaggia MDF or Mazzer Mini?

              THanks guys,
              Ill try and track down a MM..
              This is sure to upset the Missus.
              I had a MDF on loan some time back for a few months it was ok but was before I got serious about coffee(didnt really know what I was doing).(Still dont...)

              Being a commerical grinder do many of these appear on the 2nd market?

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              • #8
                Re: best value for $$ Gaggia MDF or Mazzer Mini?

                Off topic replies have been moved to [link=http://www.coffeesnobs.com.au/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.cgi?board=grinders;action=display;num=1101346 266]This Thread[/link] by gwdcoffee.

                All, this thread has drifted off the original topic to become a discussion on Mazzer Minis and the value of high end grinders. With the original question answered this one deserves a life of its own.

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                • #9
                  Re: best value for $$ Gaggia MDF or Mazzer Mini?

                  Well Ive purchased a used Mazzer Mini from a fellow coffee snob, picked it up on the weekend.
                  The unit is 6 months old and is in excellent condition. ;D
                  Got back into Bris just in time to buy some freshly roasted beans to make a mess with, Im now playing with grind adjustment etc.

                  I now consider I have a quality grinder for life. 8)

                  I agree the doser is a pain when grinding per shot but it does look impressive.
                  Im investigating removing the doser and installing a funnel arrangement simular to the Mini E. Has anyone done this?


                  Comment


                  • #10
                    Re: best value for $$ Gaggia MDF or Mazzer Mini?

                    HV, It might be worth while to contact a Mazzer importer and see if you can buy the funnel that fits the Mini E

                    Just a thought

                    FB

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                    • #11
                      Re: best value for $$ Gaggia MDF or Mazzer Mini?

                      I pulled the doser chamber off mine for a look. Not having seen an E model I cant comment on what the funnel would do, but I can tell you the body of the standard mini has a hole in it that means you can see the motor. I promptly put the doser back on, and made some of the mods that are talked about on coffeegeek, like cutting a disposable plastic cup to sit over the centre of the doser to keep most of the grounds in the dispenser area - in fact thats the biggest benefit I could find, and pretty much the only thing Ive bothered with so far.

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                      • #12
                        Re: best value for $$ Gaggia MDF or Mazzer Mini?

                        Ill contact Mazzer and ask if the funnel is available...I can only ask. (email sent).

                        Failing that Ill probably have one fabricated out of SS that looks like the Es and would utilise the plastic cover from the doser.
                        If I get enough interest I might get a buch made etc.

                        Wired,
                        Do you know anyone with a standard mini? if so would you mind investigating if the funnel arrangment will fit?

                        Comment


                        • #13
                          Re: best value for $$ Gaggia MDF or Mazzer Mini?

                          I spoke to Saeco Recently and mentioned the model B and they didnt know anything about it. I also looked up Mazzers site and there they both were, However, after I tried to blow up the pics the resolution was fairly bad and thus I couldne get a clear picture of the touchpad and really the description is even worse from mazzer.....

                          Does any one definately know what the actual difference is between the A & B?

                          Happy Hunting

                          FB

                          Comment


                          • #14
                            Re: best value for $$ Gaggia MDF or Mazzer Mini?

                            I have used the Mazzer Model A. It has the on/off and controlls on the lid of the doser chamber. Push the button and it grinds for a preset time. RRP $990. Available from time to time in Australia. Black or silver.

                            Mazzer Model B has a on/ff switch above the group handle rest. Put the group handle on the rest and push towards the grinder body and it will grind as long as the group handle is pushing the switch in. ??Not currently available in Australia through Saeco. Why? I do not know.

                            John

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                            • #15
                              Re: best value for $$ Gaggia MDF or Mazzer Mini?

                              Fine we can order it from OS... France for example or any of the EU countries that have 230-240V then its just a matter of changing the plug, and as the plug would be obviousll be done by an electrician (lol) the warranty shouldnt be voided... heheheh

                              FB

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