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Dosing grinders that can be set to "free-flow"

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  • Dosing grinders that can be set to "free-flow"

    Sorry about the lack of correct terminology!

    We run a weekly market stall and are about to upgrade from a Sunbeam EM0480, which has served well but isnt up to the job of our increased volumes.

    We serve mostly coffee (in beverage from), but sometimes have people buying grinds.  From my understanding, most dosing grinders cant be set to let the grinds flow out into a container (i.e. for someone buying 200g).

    I am wondering if anyone knows of any dosing grinders that can be set to "free flow".

    We are in remote Northern Territory, so its almost impossible to check out machines in person and most of the specs and reviews arent clear on this point.

    Any advice much appreciated.

  • #2
    Re: Dosing grinders that can be set to "free-flow"

    Hi,

    what you are looking for is really a shop or deli grinder. The pic below is of a Climax branded (Oz made) that I got recently from evilbay for under $100. They come up regurly from $1-400 depending on age. If you want anything else new in this style or speed you will be looking at $800+

    Grind speed on this on is 1.40 for 500g

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    • #3
      Re: Dosing grinders that can be set to "free-flow"

      Whats the grind quality on that deli grinder like BF? My biggest concern with these is the difficulty in getting new burrs for it.

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      • #4
        Re: Dosing grinders that can be set to "free-flow"

        I talked to Victor a couple of weeks ago and even my old one can be modded to take new burrs for $4-500 which while expensive still makes a good deli grinder for 1/2 new price, the rest of the internals will go for another 30 years. For the more recent versions Burrs are under $100 and take some simple tools and 10-15 minutes to fit. The Ministry Grounds Blog is of one of the newer (10-20 year old?) versions that only needs minor mods to fit.

        Grind quality in its current un refurbished form at Plunger settings (only grind I have run) looks good minimal sludge in the bottom of the cup. I will throw in on the kitchen bench tomorrow morning and try a few shots with the Pavoni. It certainly does have a static issue compared to any other grinder I have owned but for doing bags this most likely isnt a problem.

        Like most here I am reluctant to pregrind for Espresso for resale but I have been doing that on one of my DRMs when I have to  :-/

        In an ideal world I would have a Guatemala Lab Grinder but I need another $2k+ grinder first 8-)

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        • #5
          Re: Dosing grinders that can be set to "free-flow"

          Originally posted by 4047434C444E5B4B4C45220 link=1272841091/3#3 date=1272846116
          Like most here I am reluctant to pregrind for Espresso for resale but I have been doing that on one of my DRMs when I have to  :-/
          Hey Ebay sniper, I mean beanflying  ;D , do you pull off the doser on the La Cimbali or dose out into the bag?

          If you have pulled off the doser do you have any pics? I was thinking of converting mine as the rocky DL is a bit slow for my cold brew purposes.
          Thanks.

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          • #6
            Re: Dosing grinders that can be set to "free-flow"

            The DRM runout wes a good time for those of us that got them

            No is the answer to taking the doser off. I did have the PF bridge out when I was using one with my Pavoni as the PF wouldnt fit under the doser. Larger batches were easier as I had a tin that just slid in on top of the frame to collect the ground beans. Pain to do thats why I grabbed the Climax Nice Grindmaster up at the minute for $1200 opening bids

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            • #7
              Re: Dosing grinders that can be set to "free-flow"

              Thank you all for your replies.

              I dont want a second grinder, as that would just add more humbug when we have enough already (we are aiming for zero packaging, so we have only porcelain cups and a wash station onsite). I also would prefer not to sell grinds but for many people the realistic alternative would be buying from Woolies, so Im happy to oblige, especially as people really like the coffee we have (Duyus Afghan Blend from Alice).

              So, I was just hoping that for the one or two customers who want 200g of coffee for their weekly needs (and arent going to buy their own grinder) there was a way I could hold open the doser, or there was a good doserless grinder that didnt spill everywhere for the 99.5% of grinding that is going into the basket.

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              • #8
                Re: Dosing grinders that can be set to "free-flow"

                Apart from some of the newer electronic doserless ones then no is the answer to constant running, and then there is a few problems. You will need to look at the Mazzer, Compak, Boema ranges and anyone else that does one to get some ideas.

                There is some problems with doing this, bag grinders are designed to grind bags at a time and stay cool, be easily adjustable and quick. Espresso grinders are not in a lot of cases designed for this duty.

                A good espresso grinder will be slow to adjust in most cases and there is NO way during a day of making coffee I would ever change my primary grinder from espresso to say plunger.

                If you want to sell bags then get a second grinder is the only real answer.

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                • #9
                  Re: Dosing grinders that can be set to "free-flow"

                  We only do maybe 2 * 200g a day and then only at espresso grind and only during quiet periods (we ask people to come back in an hour or so...), so were not adjusting our grind and not interrupting coffee production.

                  Ive looked online at the Compak K3 Touch but it seems pretty fiddly (timed dosing always dodgy and using a switch for every dose a humbug) - like a lot of people have commented the Sunbeam EM0480 is a great system. Ultimately Id like something like that but better build quality or at least a dosing system where the doser could be held open occasionally so the grinds fell straight out to a container/bag.

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                  • #10
                    Re: Dosing grinders that can be set to "free-flow"

                    I tend to agree with beanflying. It is horses for courses when it comes to bag grinding.  A standard grinder is rated at a duty cycle, maybe 20 seconds on and 20 seconds off or 30 seconds on and off for example (My mazzer is 50 seconds on / 50 off) This to allow the motor to cool and the burrs as well otherwise after a while you are burning your way through the beans rather than grinding.

                    Although you may get away with it for a while, a normal grinder will overheat and have a shortened life span if used as a bag grinder.

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                    • #11
                      Re: Dosing grinders that can be set to "free-flow"

                      Thanks Barrel, that I did not know!

                      Well, we might have to stop providing grinds.

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                      • #12
                        Re: Dosing grinders that can be set to "free-flow"

                        Youd be doing them a favour by suggesting they get their own grinder.

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                        • #13
                          Re: Dosing grinders that can be set to "free-flow"

                          @ Thundergod.
                          I agree, but realistically, most people are using supermarket grinds through a stovetop machine at best and are unlikely to buy a dedicated grinder. Just getting coffee roasted that week and ground on the spot is a big step up in quality; it takes a special type of person to go that extra step and get a grinder.
                          There are so many little pleasures in life that could benefit from better quality (off the top of my head Id say cold-pressed olive oil, rain water, decent bread, a good bike, home-brewed beer, homemade preserves) but only limited time for them all. And, there are also serious things in life (and no, I dont think any of the things listed above or coffee truly rate as serious) that take priority.
                          So, while I agree that a grinder is far superior, I know most people wont spend a few hundred dollars minimum on one for an only slightly better (given their equipment and skill) coffee.

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                          • #14
                            Re: Dosing grinders that can be set to "free-flow"

                            I know all that but you can make the suggestion.

                            A friend of my son used to grind weekly at home.
                            He didnt know any better.

                            Now he grinds when he needs a coffee.

                            The change was because after stopping by and tasting one of my coffees we got to talking and I explained that his coffee at home could be better by grinding on demand.

                            My son didnt even know they owned a grinder as hed only ever seen the pre-ground.

                            He was over again a few days ago and remarking on how much better his coffee was now.
                            He uses a stovetop and I dont even know what the grinder is but the improvement was remarkable (pun intended).

                            Even a blade grinder with fresh beans is better than supermarket pre-ground.

                            Your customers surely have noticed the difference your fresh coffee makes compared to supermarket stuff.

                            They should also have noticed that the last of the bag will not be as good as the first of it.

                            All Im saying is that you can build on that and encourage them to always have that freshly ground experience.
                            Then its up to them.

                            Originally posted by 23080D0D184C0E610 link=1272841091/12#12 date=1272938818
                            I know most people wont spend a few hundred dollars minimum on one for an only slightly better (given their equipment and skill) coffee.
                            Agreed but I dont think you should hold back the advice; let them make the decision for themselves.

                            I went straight to my HX and Macap after drinking instant or the occasional Turkish all my life.

                            Ive had many people ask me "what was that?" and the answer was "fresh coffee".

                            Its a good feeling getting them on board.






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                            • #15
                              Re: Dosing grinders that can be set to "free-flow"

                              I do recommend it to people. I got one chap off the blade "grinder" (he couldnt work out why it didnt give the same quality as in a cafe!) - but offered to grind his coffee for free. Ive also convinced people not to grind in bulk, but to do only enough for a week (again, usually through me).

                              We dont put much mark-up on our beans, so its really a community service Id like to continue, knowing that most people are not going to buy their own grinder.

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