Grinding to a halt

[kingo102]

All,

I've just given away my sunbeam em480 to the little brother, so am looking at getting a new grinder.

There is quite a bit of info on here re grinders, would love to grab some opinions.

I own a PID nodded rancilio Silvia, however find that the last couple of years have been making predominantly chemex. Of course this may change so I suppose I need to consider use with both methods. Doserless is preferred as I usually grind (and roast with my Quest) as I need.

As I use pretty much daily I don't mind spending a bit of money on it, anything under 800aud I would think would be ample without entering diminishing returns.

Any recommendations?

I've seen thus far:
Mahlkonig Various
Compak k3
Rancilio Rocky

Something solid that performs consistently well is what I'm after.

Thanks in advance, all your opinions positive or negative are equally appreciated

[>JetBlack_Espresso]

It's important to consider all of your options carefully as there are many grinders for under $800 that will do a great job.

And then buy the Compak,

charlie

[Mouldy]

Check the for sale forums as there is a BNZ MD74 being offered for around your budget. These retail for $2300 to $2800 from memory.

[Lovey]

If you're looking for a grinder that will easily move between different grind sizes regularly, ie espresso, plunger, chemex, you would probably be better served by a 'stepped' grinder, as opposed to a 'stepless'.
Taking nothing away from any of the grinders you have listed above, but you might find it a bit tedious to use a 'stepless' grinder for a variety of different grind sizes, depending on the mechanism used to change the grind size.
The Mazzer mini uses a spring loaded adjustment collar, so it is easy to move from one end of the grind size spectrum to the the other, whereas a Macap M4 uses a worm type adjustment which would require many, many turns to get from espresso to plunger grind.
You might also like to check out the Macap range M2/4/5 as they are a superb grinder and available in 'stepped' as well as 'stepless'.
With the budget you have, you're talking about small variations in ergonomics as opposed to grind quality, so find one that you will like to use, as opposed to one that looks pretty. Above all, make sure you check the grinders that you're interested in 'in the metal' and go and see one of the site sponsors for some great advice and service.
All the best and good luck with your decision,
Steve.

**Edited to reflect TOK's advice re stepped Macap grinder availability**

[mmmcoffee]

Try Maccap M2M but my vote is for Compak K3 touch. As Steve suggested if you are regularly swapping between espresso and Cheney would be worth looking into Stepped grinders for ease.
As suggested go check out a site sponsor but u with that $$ have a bunch of options. Check out forsake threed too.

[TOK]

Just to correct a statement from somewhere above, all macap models are available in the stepped version. Just that some retailers dont carry all thats available. If thats what you want and you look around, you shall find.

[Lovey]

My apologies TOK, I've edited my post to reflect this oversight.

[TampIt]

All,

I've just given away my sunbeam em480 to the little brother, so am looking at getting a new grinder.

There is quite a bit of info on here re grinders, would love to grab some opinions.

I own a PID nodded rancilio Silvia, however find that the last couple of years have been making predominantly chemex. Of course this may change so I suppose I need to consider use with both methods. Doserless is preferred as I usually grind (and roast with my Quest) as I need.

As I use pretty much daily I don't mind spending a bit of money on it, anything under 800aud I would think would be ample without entering diminishing returns.

Any recommendations?

I've seen thus far:
Mahlkonig Various
Compak k3
Rancilio Rocky

Something solid that performs consistently well is what I'm after.

Thanks in advance, all your opinions positive or negative are equally appreciated

Hi kingo102

FWIW, my personal opinion only after 40+ years of working with mostly commercial stuff.

For domestic espresso: Mahlkonig Vario wins hands down. None of the faults most of the other grinders run into (static, clumping, grind retention etc) and a far better "fine grind" particle spread than any of the usual contenders. It is also quiet, compact, easy to clean and Swiss engineered with burrs that will last for years in a domestic environment. Literally a commercial Ditting in domestic drapes. One of mine has done over 100Kgs and it looks and works like new (including unmarked burrs). Such a pleasant, non-cantankerous bit of kitchen kit.

For the coarser grinds: what you just got rid of (EM480), or any other other reasonable grinder. Chemex does not like too wide a particle spread and the best two grinders at that settings I have ever used are the EM480 and the Mahlkonig Preciso. If you want to get a better result again, use any grinder and sieve the grinds to remove both fine and coarse outliers (all grinders have plenty of them when set that coarse). IMO my old Bo-ema and various Mazzer / Compaks (i.e. most "commercial espresso grinders") are the next level down for Chemex / plunger / Aeropress / whatever / coarse grinds. Fair enough, they are optimised for espresso... no critisism for their performance outside their designed range. BTW, the Vario is not even as good as the "traditional espresso grinders" at coarse grinds, as it is set to be outstanding from Turkish (i.e. very fine) to espresso (fine) grinds.

Just my 2 cents.


TampIt

[TOK]

...FWIW, my personal opinion only after 40+ years of working with mostly commercial stuff.

For domestic espresso: Mahlkonig Vario wins hands down. None of the faults most of the other grinders run into (static, clumping, grind retention etc) and a far better "fine grind" particle spread than any of the usual contenders. It is also quiet, compact, easy to clean and Swiss engineered with burrs that will last for years in a domestic environment. Literally a commercial Ditting in domestic drapes. One of mine has done over 100Kgs and it looks and works like new (including unmarked burrs). Such a pleasant, non-cantankerous bit of kitchen kit......Just my 2 cents.mTampIt

I guess there is going to have to be the usual agreement to disagree then....

Of the grinders mentioned in the thread so far, my own experience dictates there is no significant static, grind retention or clumping to be concerned about.

In these grinders in home volume use:
a) what static?
b) clumping usually from grinding too fine for the application or not replacing worn burrs in older grinders (usually through buying second hand commercial offerings)
c) grind retention? Only a worry for those individuals that believe it is a worry. Dependent therefore on individual client and which part of their reading on the www they believe.

Sure noise level varies, but who says burrs fitted to swiss grinders will last longer than those fitted to Italian grinders or, who cares, when the life expectancy in a home use volume situation is already measured in decades...

And finally any of the grinders mentioned will also, after 100Kgs, look and work like new, and be a pleasant, non-cantankerous bit of kitchen kit.

To say that one particular grinder is *better* than the others on the basis that it doesnt suffer from the *apparent* faults that the others do is deceptive. There will be tens of thousands of examples worldwide of people using those grinders without a worry.

My own experience dictates that all the grinders mentioned so far in this thread are *good* bits of kit, where some will suit some individuals better than others, depending on the individuals set of circumstances and expectations. Horses for courses.

My advice would be to visit a specialist showroom, consider all the options on offer in consultation with the pro, then buy the one that suits you best.

[kingo102]

Hi all,

Firstly, thanks to all of you for posting in such details of your experiences with the gear. I've just pulled the trigger on a Baratza Forte AP (will also get some steel burrs to compare for brew). Key decision points: compact, quality grind, weight dosing and grinds well directly into pf. Not a massive jump in price from the vario-w; the build and aesthetics certainly appear to be much improved.

Hopefully will be here next week, will report back with results. No doubt the Silvia may be the next thing to go... Time and wallet will tell.