Breville BCG800 Smart Grinder

[dr.a.j.pickering]

Re: Breville BCG800 Smart Grinder

b

I found that I had to set it to the finest end of espresso to get pours of over 10 seconds.  So, I figure I need a shim set too.  My coffee tastes pretty good at the finest setting, but I would like to be able to dial in for an optimum.  I recently got a used Gaggia Classic

could also be the classic as their OPV is often set to 12 bars

[micktojomillard]

Re: Breville BCG800 Smart Grinder

Just new to this site.   Recently teamed up the Breville Smart Grinder with a stove top moka pot (stop laughing).   Amazing grinder!   Next step to upgrade to a decent coffee machine...   

[cjthamm]

Re: Breville BCG800 Smart Grinder

Im new too, and am after a good grinder.Am I right to think that this one seems to be popular choice for entry level coffee snobs?

[richard_m_h]

Re: Breville BCG800 Smart Grinder

Im new too, and am after a good grinder.Am I right to think that this one seems to be popular choice for entry level coffee snobs?

Ive had mine for two weeks and can reassure you this is a very good grinder for entry level coffee snobs. Breville is good about sending the shims if you need them and they are easy to fit. It took a bit of fiddling around to get the dose setting right but now it is its a doddle to use.

[cookychan]

Re: Breville BCG800 Smart Grinder

From all the recommendations and posts Ive seen on the CS forums it seems to be best bang for buck grinder at the entry level.

[Rusty]

Re: Breville BCG800 Smart Grinder

Dont be fooled into believing that this grinder is JUST an entry level grinder 

It will hold its own against many that are two to three times dearer 

I find it produces better coffee than my K3T.

[TC]

Re: Breville BCG800 Smart Grinder

Dont be fooled into believing that this grinder is JUST an entry level grinder 

It will hold its own against many that are two to three times dearer 

I find it prodces better coffee than my K3T.

Wow, thats a big statement Rusty.

Id still recommend a K3T over the Smart grinder. Id recommend it over the mini-e as well

I have a smart grinder as my #2 at home and its perfect for that. Id recommend a smart grinder as the best grinder under the price of the K3T.

As always though, the important thing is the grinder is right for you

Chris

[Rusty]

Re: Breville BCG800 Smart Grinder

Wow, thats a big statement Rusty.

I can only call it as I see it Chris

It also beats Rocky

[TC]

Re: Breville BCG800 Smart Grinder

Wow, thats a big statement Rusty.

I can only call it as I see it Chris 

It also beats Rocky 

Got it in one Rocky. i reckon it beats Rocky too.  [smiley=thumbsup.gif]

[iggs]

Re: Breville BCG800 Smart Grinder

I find it produces better coffee than my K3T.

so Rusty...does that mean you wont be needing that K3T anymore?

[Roz]

Re: Breville BCG800 Smart Grinder

Having settled on the K3T as my espresso grinder I personally think the K3T works better for me over a BCG800, taste wise and consistency, Im happy with the K3T but the BCG800 is an amazing grinder for the price.

[Rusty]

Re: Breville BCG800 Smart Grinder

so Rusty...does that mean you wont be needing that K3T anymore?

Ill hold off on that one until the Breville gets a few more kilos under its belt

[Identity]

Re: Breville BCG800 Smart Grinder

FWIW, we are 4 notches from the finest setting for a normal dose on Dens Linea (and hes not a particularly high doser).

Which baskets are you using? If youre on the standard synesso ones, you might not want to use the VST ones, or youll probably be @ finest with nowhere to move!

[cuppacoffee]

Re: Breville BCG800 Smart Grinder

FWIW, we are 4 notches from the finest setting for a normal dose on Dens Linea (and hes not a particularly high doser).

Which baskets are you using? If youre on the standard synesso ones, you might not want to use the VST ones, or youll probably be @ finest with nowhere to move!

I was using the 21gm synesso baskets at the time of that post. Interesting, its the first time Ive heard them referred to as standard.

Now using the 22gm VSTs. The setting remains the same on the grinder, which we use for decaf (ie. much finer setting) but am updosing to about 25gm.

As usual, I prefer and recommend to first change and experiment with dose, before considering changing settings.

[Identity]

Re: Breville BCG800 Smart Grinder

Interesting, missed that - on the E61s the average dose change with some coffees seems to be 4 notices on the BNZ - while some lighter roasts on younger coffee is about the same - this is with the 18g baskets. The 22g baskets take a bit of a coarser grind setting