Large flat burrs (64mm) Vs small cheap hand mills (e.g. Kyocera & Porlex)

[mjk]

Hi All,

I'm interested in first hand experience of comparing these grinders for espresso.

I own a Gino Rossi 45RR (64mm flat burr grinder) and a Kyocera hand grinder. My brewing equipment is a Profitec 500 and an Aeropress for office/travel.
In my experience, the espresso (and the milk drinks based on it) made with grinds from the kyocera tastes (and looks!) significantly better than coffee made with grinds form the Gino Rossi.
I got the Gino Rossi second hand about 6 years ago, but replaced the burrs at the time (coffee parts). I really don't think there are any problems with it. I also have an over the top grind brushing process to get all stray grinds out of the shoot into the doser, so the difference is not that I'm using stale grinds...

The thing is that in all my reading about hand grinders, people disparage the cheap ceramic ones, as they have bad stability etc... and I have no argument with the basic facts. There is lots of burr wobble, it takes at least 3 mins to grind enough for my double basket, the burrs even rub!
And yet, I am absolutely positive that it tastes better from the Kyocera. I wish it didn't, because it's a lot more work... but it does.

Any other experience or explanations!?

[burr]

wow, I really wouldn't expect that. You metion burr wobble and burr rub with the Kyocera, are you sure you don't have any with the Rossi either? It seems some people found it necessary to apply the teflon tape mod (here).

Some misalignment in the burrs could account for the poor grind quality, I take it your grinder doesn't 'chirp' like the RR45 in this thread? How much difference is there between 'soft zero' where the burrs just touch, and 'hard zero' where they are tightened as close as possible?

[LeroyC]

Yeah I'd be looking for problems with the RR45. Or possibly pulling it apart as much as possible and giving it a good clean. I did that recently with my Compak K8 and I was amazed how much coffee was hidden in there.

[mjk]

wow, I really wouldn't expect that. You metion burr wobble and burr rub with the Kyocera, are you sure you don't have any with the Rossi either? It seems some people found it necessary to apply the teflon tape mod (here).

Some misalignment in the burrs could account for the poor grind quality, I take it your grinder doesn't 'chirp' like the RR45 in this thread? How much difference is there between 'soft zero' where the burrs just touch, and 'hard zero' where they are tightened as close as possible?

Thanks for the tips : )

i have actually had plumer's tape around the top burr carrier thread for a long time... Possibly even since I've owned it.
i should check to make sure it's still doing its job. The carrier doesn't have much wriggle room through. I tried pressing down one side this morning while it was on and it didn't seem to move or change the 'whispering' noise at all...
i will check the difference between soft and hard touch tonight...