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Which Grinder to Choose - Entry Level
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Good choice on the Compak, it's definitely good value. Hope you enjoy it. I've had mine for 3 years now and it's been great.
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Compak for brand new, however i wouldn't overlook 2nd hand
My main grinder is a Macap which was 2nd hand, at around ~$300-400 you'll get a workhorse that'll last a long time!
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I think you have made a good choice madaxle.
In my opinion, the Compak wins this bang for buck shootout by a country mile.
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thanks all....some great points to consider. I have upped my budget and narrowed myself down to the Rancilio Rocky (doserless) and the Compak K3 Push.
Will buy one of these tomorrow....just need to decide now.
Cheers,
Madaxle
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Yes we will have to disagree. I've owned the sunbeam 450, the Nemox Lux (same as lelit pl043), breville smart grinder, 2 super jollys, NS MDX and Ditting KR804 - so yes have had the chance to compare these grinders against eachother. While I believe you that making grind changes on the iberital will be more precise and repeatable in terms of returning to previous settings than the sunbeam, the iberital wont provide significantly different enough consistency, shape and distribution of the grinds produced than the sunbeam. The advantages are usability advantages, not grind quality, and therefore not in the cup.Originally posted by barri View PostWe'll agree to disagree on that one. I've also owned a sunbeam grinder and the iberital challenge is a much more consistent grinder than the sunbeam. When I changed the grind on a sunbeam and returned to the same point it hardly ever delivered the exact same dosage.
If you want a cheap grinder that can do espresso, buy the white sunbeam one
If you want a relatively inexpensive grinder with better grind quality than the sunbeam and nice usability, buy the breville smart
If you want a big jump in grind quality, and don't want to waste money by needing to upgrade after a year of the above grinders, get a macap, compak, mazzer etc.
I agree with TOK and mmmcoffee - either buy a second hand mazzer, macap, compak etc, or save a bit more and get a new compak or macap. As you can see from my list of grinders, you will no doubt want to upgrade. Sonner than you think.
If size is not an issue, buy this http://coffeesnobs.com.au/coffee-har...llio-md50.html
If size is an issue, buy this http://coffeesnobs.com.au/coffee-har...inder-vic.html
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I'm with you TOK, spend a little extra madaxle and get a much better grinder! Look at these in person and you will understand. I looked at some of the grinders you suggested and was less than impressed with their build quality, certainly when compared to Compak, Macap or Mazzer. Spend the extra!!
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Im interested in the original list and pricing, and perhaps the Iberital challenge mentioned a little later.
While some of the models share the same internal motor and grinding assembly, they differ in the total execution especially in the adjuster mechanisms.
Frankly, some of them not worth the money being asked, for the level of "coffee" being sought here, when you look at some other pieces of equipment that cost less for something better OR better for not much more.
If you are looking at whats on that list at the top, look SPECIFICALLY at the grinder adjustment mechanisms to start with.
The Challenge (not on the list), and the i Mini (i steel whatever) have the best adjusters in that group for the entry level of griders listed. Some of the others are appalling and shouldnt be priced at more than $150.00 if I had to make a guess...
If it were me, given what you dont get despite the relatively high prices shown, I would add not all that much more in the scheme of things and buy a "real" grinder (eg M2M, K3P)...OR spend about the same or less when they're on special and get a good entry evel "appliance" grinder (smart).
Note the advantage in buying a "real" grinder, is it will outlast the rest by decades (maybe even outlast you) and give virtually zippo trouble.
Hope that helps.
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We'll agree to disagree on that one. I've also owned a sunbeam grinder and the iberital challenge is a much more consistent grinder than the sunbeam. When I changed the grind on a sunbeam and returned to the same point it hardly ever delivered the exact same dosage.Originally posted by Bames View PostThey are about the same in terms of grind quality as the sunbeam conicals
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Inertial challenge is again the same burrs and motor as the lelit, isomac etc in your list. They are about the same in terms of grind quality as the sunbeam conicals, just fancier looking and more expensive.
The breville smart is a big step up from there.
The Grinta and rocky use flat burrs, like a smaller more plasticy version of a k3. Some who know more than me and have particle analysers have said the breville produces better grinds.
K3 is another step up.
Don't let price tag or shiny stainless fool you.
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Have you considered the Iberital Challenge (around $300). Stepless and timed dosing (some models). I had one for about 5 years and it never missed a beat. Sorry to confuse you madaxle but it is worth considering. Sponsors here do sell them.Last edited by barri; 10 September 2014, 09:05 PM.
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