Announcement

Collapse
No announcement yet.

Grinder recommendations please

Collapse
X
 
  • Filter
  • Time
  • Show
Clear All
new posts

  • Grinder recommendations please

    Im looking for a grinder that does the job but doesnt take over the kitchen. Have just purchased a Nuova Simonelli Oscar and am fast running out of kitchen space. Can anyone recommend a good quality, not too large, not too exxy, grinder? Doser or doserless - what is your experience :-/?

    Cheers
    Twist of Lemon

  • #2
    Re: Grinder recommendations please

    I know that this most probably wont help right away, but could you give us a budget please.

    It will help us all point you in the right direction.

    Generally you would go for the best grinder that you could afford, but in your case space is of the issue.

    Comment


    • #3
      Re: Grinder recommendations please

      Well I really dont want to spend more than $400. From what Ive read that seems to be the ballpark...? Im willing to spend what I have to to get a grinder that will give me great results with the Oscar. I ended up choosing the Oscar over the Silvia because of HX/steam capacity which means, I guess, Ill pay the money if its what I think I need (within reason).

      Comment


      • #4
        Re: Grinder recommendations please

        twistoflemon....

        The minimum Id be looking at is either the Iberital Challenge or the rocky....

        And they will both do a good job (the Iberital is stepless whereas rocky has small steps - the Iberital is also pretty much a espresso only grinder as it takes forever to go from espresso to plunger settings.....

        However with a machine of your calibre, a Compak K3 or a mazzer would be a better match (and quite a few more dollars....) Remember the grinder is more important than the machine in the pursuit of quality espresso- you dont want to "hold your machine back"

        I personally like doser models because the doser breaks up any clumps... and I dose through the doser - basically grinding on demand and using the doser to distribute the coffee.

        The doser / doserless choice is really down to the individual - there are good arguments either way.

        Comment


        • #5
          Re: Grinder recommendations please

          If size is an issue I would probably run with a doserless. Because they have no doser chamber they are considerably smaller.

          Rocky doserless. These have stepped adjustments which might be an issue for you in dialling in the exact grind for your pours. I personally havent owned one but there will be a fair few people here that own them and can tell you all their pros and cons Im sure. The rocky would be around your budget.

          Compak K3 touch. Appears to be a very good grinder and good value for money. Stepless micrometrical adjustments which suits espresso grinds for sure and allows you to really dial that grind in for the perfect pour. A little more expensive than the rocky but alot cheaper than the mazzer mini e which it competes against.

          Best bet would be to speak with one of the site sponsors and Im sure that they will give you all the required information that you need including overall sizes and performance.

          Comment


          • #6
            Re: Grinder recommendations please

            I have heard that the Iberital can be a little noisy during the grind process, but I guess it is a small price to pay for a good espresso grind.

            I forgot to make mention before, if you do have the room and the money, I would seriously look at the Mazzer mini manual.

            Great grinder, good build, great grind & sexy as hell...

            Comment


            • #7
              Re: Grinder recommendations please

              Originally posted by twistoflemon link=1172623781/0#0 date=1172623781
              Im looking for a grinder that does the job but doesnt take over the kitchen.  Have just purchased a Nuova Simonelli Oscar and am fast running out of kitchen space.  Can anyone recommend a good quality, not too large, not too exxy, grinder?  Doser or doserless - what is your experience :-/?

              Cheers
              Twist of Lemon
              Hi tol,

              based on your brief, you have two options:

              Rocky doserless- stepped (relatively small ones..)
              Iberital Challenge doserless (worm adjustment- too slow to swap to plunger form espresso but otherwise good...)

              We can supply both...

              Chris

              Comment


              • #8
                Re: Grinder recommendations please

                Can you tell me if having or not having a doser changes the distribution of the coffee in the portafilter - does it add to the ability to get a better shot?

                TOL

                Comment


                • #9
                  Re: Grinder recommendations please

                  TOL,

                  I (and quite a few others) believe it does distribute the coffee better..... and there would be just as many who feel that it doesnt......

                  It does break up any clumps in the coffee..... but some grinders dont produce any - or very few..... Clumps do potentially cause channelling....

                  To be honest, Id call it more a matter of personal choice rather than there being a strong technical case either way.

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    Re: Grinder recommendations please

                    The Gaggia MDF is a bit smaller than the Iberital and has a doser. Very little mess and I have had no issues with mine at all.

                    I have very little bench space and it and the Gaggia classic fit well on the small area I have along with my other coffee paraphenalia

                    Comment


                    • #11
                      Re: Grinder recommendations please

                      You can manage the "clumping" with a good distribution/\/dosing technique.

                      Comment


                      • #12
                        Re: Grinder recommendations please

                        Why re-distribute the grinds when you can fix the root cause with perfect dosing?

                        Comment


                        • #13
                          Re: Grinder recommendations please

                          Are you suggesting you have a solution for perfect dosing? Id like to know.

                          Comment


                          • #14
                            Re: Grinder recommendations please

                            There are many re-distribution techniques out there.....for example WDT is just one where you get a needle like device and stirs it amongst the grounds to break up any clumping.

                            What you want to do is dose effectively so that the distribution of grounds is almost right...then all you really need to do is level and tamp. Dosing effectively will distribute the grounds effectively, eliminating the need to redistribute. Focus on the landing.

                            Comment


                            • #15
                              Re: Grinder recommendations please

                              So are particular grinders known for their ability to dose well or is it trial and error and operator skills?

                              Comment

                              Working...
                              X