Breville BCG800 Smart Grinder

[bikpaintr]

Re: Breville BCG800 Smart Grinder

Thanks for the belly laugh.

Have you managed a good one on your speedster yet? 

  Obviously I was asking whether you had pulled any good tasting shots on your LM when using the Breville. In answer to your question I have not nor have I had anything decent from the MCaL when using the Breville. Its a very nice brew grinder, especially for the price, but at the very low end of (barely) acceptable espresso quality.

Even though I was only planning on using it as a travel grinder I had no interest in suffering through lousy espresso while on the road so I returned the Breville for credit. The new Pharos grinder from Orphan Espresso seems like a much better choice for my needs.

[Dennis]

Re: Breville BCG800 Smart Grinder

had pulled any good tasting shots on your LM when using the Breville.

John, I use an LM at our shop and the Smart Grinder for decaf duty. I and our customers are very happy with the outcome, and I know of a major Sydney Coffee Roaster who is also using them for the same purpose. He also happens to be an importer/distributor of the Speedster.

[ShotHead]

Re: Breville BCG800 Smart Grinder

Ive purchased one of these and am using it at the finest setting as I wait for a shim kit to arrive.  Im getting significant clumping and Im wondering is this normal?, and will things improve as I increase the fineness of the grind with the shim kit?

[Lovey]

Re: Breville BCG800 Smart Grinder

Gday Shothead,
I dont own one of these (yet), but from my reading of this thread this grinder doesnt seem to clump like some other grinders. The clumping may be an indication of too fine a grind size.
What sort of machine are you pairing it up with? What are your shots like (time/looks/taste)?
Steve.

[Dennis]

Re: Breville BCG800 Smart Grinder

Ive purchased one of these and am using it at the finest setting as I wait for a shim kit to arrive.  Im getting significant clumping and Im wondering is this normal?, and will things improve as I increase the fineness of the grind with the shim kit?

What coffee are you using and what roast date?

I find it difficult to imagine that you are getting clumping if the setting is coarse as you suggest, and/or if you are using a decent bean.

[ShotHead]

Re: Breville BCG800 Smart Grinder

Thanks for the reply. Im using Campos Superior beans purchased from their Brisbane "mothership" shop on Monday (i.e. pretty fresh). Also, Ive got the grinder set on the finest setting - its just not fine enough yet (hence waiting for the shims).

[Dennis]

Re: Breville BCG800 Smart Grinder

Hmm, their Superior Blend isnt particularly dark, or oily from recollection, so I remain puzzled.

[kyton]

Re: Breville BCG800 Smart Grinder

I installed the shim kit today. Three shims and I am on the second finest grind. Finest grind chokes my Musica but the third finest setting is too fast a pour.

The second notch and firm tamping thankfully works a treat.

I used beans from two of the sponsors - Toninos beans and some from CoffeeParts (Laras organic blend).

[Dimal]

Re: Breville BCG800 Smart Grinder

Three shims and I am on the second finest grind. Finest grind chokes my Musica but the third finest setting is too fast a pour.

What sort of dose and dosing method are you using "kyton".... :-?

Mal.

[kyton]

Re: Breville BCG800 Smart Grinder

Mal - I am such a newbie I dont even know what all that means :-[

I am grinding enough beans for a double basket in the Musica - is that what you mean? Sorry 2 coffees this morning as well as not much sleep thanks to Master 1yo means my brain is a little

[ShotHead]

Re: Breville BCG800 Smart Grinder

Well I installed the shim kit this morning (1.0 mm + 2 x 0.4 mm) and now with 3 bars remaining on the gauge I pulled a beautiful extraction.

There was still clumping. What causes it (static?), does it matter, and if it does what can I do about it?

[Dimal]

Re: Breville BCG800 Smart Grinder

Just to add to AMs list of very useful web resources. This one is a direct link to ECAs terrific "How-To Videos", an excellent Aussie resource... 8-)

http://www.espressocompany.com.au/how-to.htm

Mal.

[Lovey]

Re: Breville BCG800 Smart Grinder

I took delivery of my brand new toy today, thanks to Chris at Talk Coffee. Ill be able to do a comparo with the Macap M4 to see how it stacks up.
I might even do a quasi review, using my very limited talents  .
Steve

[fman1972]

Re: Breville BCG800 Smart Grinder

howdy all
i got a smart grinder a week or so ago and its a rather cool bit of kit ;D
its very clean, looks good(waf 99%) and above all its improved whats in the cup dramitcally even with my old saeco vv, with my newly moded naked pf its coffee goodness all round.

props to the brevile reps here and phil for sending out the shim kit, allthough i ended up with a latter batch(wont go into details ) unit that was all ready shimed.(i took out the thickest shim to add a little more room in the settings)
very impressed
cheers
nathan

[TC]

Re: Breville BCG800 Smart Grinder

[split] [link=http://coffeesnobs.com.au/YaBB.pl?num=1163235531/32#32][splithere][/link][splithere_end]

Loveys excellent review moved to the grinder review thread...