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Which Grinder to Choose - Entry Level

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  • MrMcSteam
    replied
    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.

    Leave a comment:


  • madaxle
    replied
    Hi all - left work early and went down to jetblackespresso. Ended up getting a compak m3 push.

    Apparently it a new version where it's not a gloss style but matte.

    Has taken around 250g coffee to get to the right consistency.

    Thanks all. Appreciate all the advice and tips.

    One happy camper :-)

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  • bodyboardingbum
    replied
    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!

    Leave a comment:


  • mmmcoffee
    replied
    +++++1 for Compak. Easy choise

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  • Lukemc
    replied
    Compak for sure time and time again

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  • Bames
    replied
    Agree with Casa and Talk - the Compak is the go-er

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  • Casa Espresso
    replied
    Madaxle,

    Compak and Rocky?

    Compak hands down

    Leave a comment:


  • TC
    replied
    I think you have made a good choice madaxle.

    In my opinion, the Compak wins this bang for buck shootout by a country mile.

    Leave a comment:


  • madaxle
    replied
    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

    Leave a comment:


  • Bames
    replied
    Originally posted by barri View Post
    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.
    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.

    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

    Leave a comment:


  • mmmcoffee
    replied
    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!!

    Leave a comment:


  • TOK
    replied
    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.

    Leave a comment:


  • barri
    replied
    Originally posted by Bames View Post
    They are about the same in terms of grind quality as the sunbeam conicals
    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.

    Leave a comment:


  • Bames
    replied
    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.

    Leave a comment:


  • barri
    replied
    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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