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Zassenhaus grinder woes

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  • #16
    Re: Zassenhaus grinder woes

    ok, you have got me curious... i will Zass-grind a shot for espresso tomorrow and count my lucky stars...no, turns!! ;D

    L


    137??? wow...

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    • #17
      Re: Zassenhaus grinder woes

      Originally posted by Lizzi link=1190843000/15#15 date=1193313518
      ok, you have got me curious... i will Zass-grind a shot for espresso tomorrow and count my lucky stars...no, turns!!  ;D

      L


      137??? wow...
      I am having second thoughts about the reliability of the reviews posted at the "coffee geek" URL; the grinder - if the image of the reviews is relevant - has only a passing resemblance to my ginder of the same model number.

      However, my real discovery is elsewhere.

      As mentioned, I think Zassenhaus (Germany) has undergone a major overhaul.  Their web-page now displays only _one_ coffee grinder - made of stainless steel and looking like the coffee grinders that itinerant Arab traders have loaded onto their camels for the past 1200 years or so.

      So my new coffee grinder may turn into a priceless antique - even if its coffee-grinding ability leaves something to be desired.

      Felix

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      • #18
        Re: Zassenhaus grinder woes

        Felix, out of curiosity I tried to compare the construction of the burrs
        on your 169g with our largest one, which would be the closest
        reasonable comparison. Below is a picture showing both the burrs and the grinder.
        The burrs are locked up i.e. as fine as possible. I measured
        the gap shown to be 0.83cm at the narrowest point. Should be adequate for most
        beans I think.

        Now if you look at a (not very good) pic of the 169dg burrs here

         http://www.sweetmarias.com/zassenhaus/zas169dg.burrs.jpg

        they seem to be more deeply recessed. This may be just adjustment, but its
        hard to tell what that same gap would be. Maybe it is a trickier design to get
        right, and yours has a manufacturing defect?




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        • #19
          Re: Zassenhaus grinder woes

          Originally posted by hazbean link=1190843000/15#17 date=1193483225

          Now if you look at a (not very good) pic of the 169dg burrs here

           http://www.sweetmarias.com/zassenhaus/zas169dg.burrs.jpg

          they seem to be more deeply recessed. This may be just adjustment, but its
          hard to tell what that same gap would be. **Maybe it is a trickier design to get
          right, and yours has a manufacturing defect?**

          A manufacturing defect is possible - especially in view of the upheavals at Zassenhaus.

          At least the "sweetmarias" photo is the correct model - unlike the "coffeegeek" photo.

          One last observation - which may give a further clue.

          My old Zassenhaus grinder is designed to be held between the knees and works very well.  The 169dg model is designed to rest (flat?) on the table and be held down.  This works badly.  But if - when the drawer faces me - I tilt the grinder by resting the left edge on a book (about 1 inch thick) the beans fall into the hopper and are ground at a reasonable speed.

          Felix

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          • #20
            Re: Zassenhaus grinder woes

            Originally posted by 6E677C64636768060 link=1190843000/7#7 date=1192952711
            "Please advise outcome. "

            Well I did the test with most of our grinders, two Italian BG grinders
            and three Zassenhaus of various sizes (including one quite small
            that I use for travelling). I omitted the Spong no 2 because that will
            grind anything. All at finest possible grind.

            No problems at all with any of them. I also used some Nicaraguan
            Maragogype, which are monster beans. No problems again.

            Im very surprised at the problems youre having.
            Im interested in the "quite small" one you have as I do a lot of travelling. Would be used with a plunger.

            Comment


            • #21
              Re: Zassenhaus grinder woes

              Hi Pete,

              just in case you hadnt twigged it is a 2 year old thread as well There is currently no consistant supply of Zass grinders in Australia.

              A few members here have purchased via Sweetmarias in the US and there is a few turn up on Ferralbay. Ones to avoid are the plastic bodied and also most of the so called antiques from china :

              Genuine Zass or there is a few Dutch or Italian brands that are similar that work fine for plunger/syphon or Drip.

              Comment


              • #22
                Re: Zassenhaus grinder woes

                Saw its an old thread but seems like the same characters in this episode.

                With the internet these days the "tyranny of distance" has been reduced somewhat. Indeed I get a bit POed with local "distributors" who think that theyre going to make their living selling bugger all of [insert niche product here] by marking them up all heck and justifying it on the basis of [insert BS excuse here] only to come up with some creative reason why the "local warranty" they said youd get shouldnt be honoured when your widget, for which you paid a 50% premium to support the local retailer who sells through the internet anyway, goes up the snuff!!

                Anyway, ask me what I really think about the excessively long supply chains weve tolerated for far too long here in Australia ;D

                Comment


                • #23
                  Re: Zassenhaus grinder woes

                  "Im interested in the "quite small" one you have as I do a lot of travelling."

                  Yes this is an old thread ...

                  Our small Zass is not exactly tiny, but smaller than the others.
                  Its a model 105, W 7.8cm x H 11cm x L 11cm (16.5 inc handle).
                  Not new ("made in Western Germany"). Grinds very nicely.

                  Mostly for travelling we use an Italian BG round knee-grip grinder.
                  This doesnt have quite the adjustment finesse of the Z but is fine
                  for non-espresso grinds. The waisted knee-grip design makes it
                  easier to handle. Similar dimensions.

                  The smallest grinder we have is a Czech item called "Tramp".
                  Mid 50s, bakelite, in a cardboard box 12.5 x 9 x4cm. Never
                  dared use it, but recently my wife found a slightly damaged one
                  on e$ay, a bit rusty, she is currently restoring it for use,
                  indications are that it grinds quite nicely, burrs are certainly good
                  quality.

                  Comment


                  • #24
                    Re: Zassenhaus grinder woes

                    Ok, cheers. Not wanting to lug around a 25kg espresso machine I think Ill stick to plunger style while away. Its probably the one time when Ill be prepared to sacrifice a little on the quality if it means being very compact and easy to haul around. The "traditional" box style would be an absolute non-starter for where I need to use it unfortunately.

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