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Grinding a single dose Vs using a full hopper

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  • #16
    My method is pretty much the same as Yelta's method; When I converted my Mazzer SJ to doserless, I didnt install the anti-static mesh on the inside of the funnel, but used some small magnets to hold the mesh on the outside of the chute opening into the funnel, so when I finish grinding, I can just move it to the side and use a small paint brush to brush out all the remaining grinds.

    One thing I have noted is I will need to set the grind to a finer setting when I single dose compare to if I fill the hopper up...

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    • #17
      As far as I'm concerned a spread in particle size is an important part of achieving a well compacted and even tamp.
      Imagine a dose of evenly sized coffee particles without smaller particles to fill the spaces.

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      • #18
        Thanks all for the explanations. Makes a lot more sense now

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        • #19
          Originally posted by Yelta View Post
          As far as I'm concerned a spread in particle size is an important part of achieving a well compacted and even tamp.
          Imagine a dose of evenly sized coffee particles without smaller particles to fill the spaces.
          Summed up nicely Yelta, pardon my shortened post #15 but a guest arrived for coffee........... ;-D

          The better grinders are ones that give a good distribution of particle size, not too much 'flour' (fines) and not too many 'bigs'
          and like Yelta says; good even tamp= good pour=great coffee :-D

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          • #20
            Another obvious alternative for home grinding is to go ala' Manual

            Pharos or HG1... Quick, easy, no mess, no fuss, no retained grinds, "Simples"

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            • #21
              I've noticed that my k6 send to produce coarser particles when I don't have the throat full.

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              • #22
                Originally posted by Ol_Grumpy View Post
                Another obvious alternative for home grinding is to go ala' Manual

                Pharos or HG1... Quick, easy, no mess, no fuss, no retained grinds, "Simples"
                Hi Ol_Grumpy

                +1 from me. Or if you want the same level of particle size spread in a domestically friendly electric without compromising on quality get a Mahlkonig Vario gen2. Some CS sponsors are finally doing them now.

                The earlier posts have described with excruciating detail why I no longer use my big beast commercial conical + doser in the home environment. A CS'r posted "Like taking a Mack truck to run the kids to school" (different subject I think). Sounds apt here.

                Easy choice at home:
                1) Big beast: Add enough weight to the beans in the hopper to feed the beast's maw properly. Flush out a double worth of stale, run a single or two (in my case) clean everything in sight (ten minutes) including the bench and the doser. Repeat next day. Waste at least half your coffee and never let the grinder perform at its best (takes 4 or 5 shots).

                HG / Vario: No need to add extra weight to the beans in the hopper, just use it. No popcorning (yet) with either. Wastage for either: less than 0.5g per use. Mess on bench: NIL.
                HG one: Perhaps one drop of water to settle the grinds at the start. Afterwards wipe or brush clean in seconds.
                Vario: Either one swipe with a small brush, or one "blip" into waste (0.1 to 0.5g retained in the very short chute). Every new 250g batch of coffee: take it apart and give it one squirt of compressed air. Done in seconds.

                Then you can look at the other issues: Noise, bench space, bench mess, power consumption.

                IMO, no contest at home.

                TampIt

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                • #23
                  Got my Vario today. I can attest to the zero mess and consistent grind thing. Today I had the best coffee of my life, as did the wife. And now I've dialled in the dose timer, I should be able to replicate it day after day. Can't wait

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                  • #24
                    Originally posted by Arcade View Post
                    Got my Vario today. I can attest to the zero mess and consistent grind thing. Today I had the best coffee of my life, as did the wife. And now I've dialled in the dose timer, I should be able to replicate it day after day. Can't wait
                    Hi Arcade

                    Just in case you do not know this: the dose timer varies the actual amount of coffee with the grind setting (finer is slower). Bit of a gotcha. My "perfect grinder" will actually measure the weight into the p/f plus have a p/f switch to start / stop it at the set dose or manual. Not holding the breath on that!

                    Enjoy your Vario, I do mine.

                    TampIt

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                    • #25
                      I was thinking of making some kind of flexible but heavy bag of liquid to put in the hopper. Think a plastic bag full of water (but obviously stronger). So you add your dose then put this on top. It should stop the beans jumping around at least until the last few. Of course, if it burst inside your hopper - you'd probably ruin the burrs and/or motor. But the idea is sound - could also work with something like a bag of rice but it'd have to be very fluid-like in movement.

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                      • #26
                        Just experimented with a plastic bag, rice and the sealer on my vacuum sealer. Made a sort of a \_/ shaped sealed bag of rice (with left over at the top so it's easy to take in and out). Plop it in on top of the beans and push down gently. Seemed to do its job, no beans jumping around, grind seemed fairly consistent. I doubt it went down further much as the beans "drained" but it at least kept some pressure down on them or from popping around.

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                        • #27
                          You're kidding, right? ;-D

                          A bag of water or any other liquid is going to cause a problem or two if it, just once, gets caught in the burrs. (understatement)

                          Similarly, a soft bag, plastic, paper or material may jam the burrs, snap the shaft, or at least require a dismantle ....
                          just when you were lining up for a coffee.

                          An object that cannot physically get into the burrs is you're best bet, that's why tampers are used.

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                          • #28
                            +1 Tampit on the Vario

                            I have a couple of Lever Heads mates who have the Vario and they are very happy with it.

                            Also, as I've mentioned previously I like to use the OE Slap-Shot technique for my dosing and tamping.

                            For quite a few years now I can't help but notice that whilst somewhat against the flow of popular opinion, Doug and Barb use the US version of the Vario, and openly use it and talk about it in their videos, for their own personal coffee grinder.

                            Not only do the manufacture the Pharos, the (new) Lido, at some time or another, they have had just about every grinder in the known universe go through their workshop, business, including the Versalab.

                            Yet, they still choose and use the Vario.
                            That has to be the most glowing endorsement I know of, for that grinder.

                            I've never used one personally, and because of that I'm not inclined to say I think it's a good grinder- apart from these observations.

                            But it is good to see someone who has personal experience with the Vario, express their opinion. By all accounts it is an excellent home grinder.

                            And also good that the site sponsors are supporting this grinder. Personally, I've never been a big fan of trying to adapt a large commercial grinder to home use. I actually believe this puts a lot of people off getting better coffee gear, all round. (How many people do you actually see using a Mack truck to pick up the kids from school)

                            In terms of budget, this grinder delivers outstanding 'bang for the buck' value and once owned would satisfy all but the most extreme coffee heads. The very few I have seen come up for sale secondhand appear to have kept their value well. So, yes, there are some very compelling reasons for considering this grinder.

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                            • #29
                              Originally posted by chokkidog View Post
                              You're kidding, right? ;-D
                              An object that cannot physically get into the burrs is you're best bet, that's why tampers are used.
                              I'm talking something that works in the existing hopper with no mods. Obviously as I said, you need a strong plastic bag with no chance of leaking or of being pulled into the burrs. The burr protector part stops my test bag from any risk of going in.

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                              • #30
                                Balloon partially filled with sand?

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