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No, I can't vouch for the existence of a Top-Hat in an M4D...
My reference was the hopper of an M4 Standard grinder I owned, way back when....
Sorry for any confusion. I don't have any photos of it that I can find but it's a moot point if they are no longer made like this.
Every M4D I've seen in the flesh doesn't have a little distributor in it, but I've only been in this scene for 12 months. Maybe in previous versions Mal?
I can't see one in any photos or in the manual either.
Every M4D I've seen in the flesh doesn't have a little distributor in it, but I've only been in this scene for 12 months. Maybe in previous versions Mal?
There is usually a small "Top-Hat" structure in the bean hopper, fixed above the throat of the grinding chamber, to control the height of the bean mass feeding into the grind chamber. This is intended to ensure that the weight of the beans above the grinding burrs remains essentially constant and therefore provides a consistent output. If you remove this Top-Hat, the consistency of grind will be effected...
There is usually a small "Top-Hat" structure in the bean hopper, fixed above the throat of the grinding chamber, to control the height of the bean mass feeding into the grind chamber. This is intended to ensure that the weight of the beans above the grinding burrs remains essentially constant and therefore provides a consistent output. If you remove this Top-Hat, the consistency of grind will be effected...
I find that varying the level in the hopper will result in a higher dose. It seems the weight of beans pushes more through in the same time. I imagine that this would affect grind too. I read that the Mazzer Robur which is a commercial conical grinder will change the grind and flavour profile with the level in the hopper. I think it is just physics at work. I haven't really noticed a difference in grind though but it may be there.
As far as mess, it isn't messier than any other grinder. It shoots straight into the basket.
I'm still getting used to the grinder. The fine adjustment takes time to get used to as it is just so fine. I put in a new bean of Yirgecheffe and found I had to make it two turns coarser. In fact I need to adjust it more coarse today so I just put in half a turn more for the next brew.
It really is fine in more ways than one!
The timer I love and I'm back to 10.00 seconds for a double. A timer, for me, is great.
Is it better than the Rocky? It obviously is a much more expensive machine, much faster and with a great timer, dosing system which I love.
The grind difference is hard to tell. One difference, and I may be wrong, is it seems to produce a grind which compacts more in the basket indicating maybe a different grind. The other, possibly quite subjective difference, is that the pour seems to progress from slow to fast towards the end. I gather this is what is expected but my recollection with the Rocky is that the pour is more even from start to finish. Flavour wise it would be impossible to compare, without a detailed side by side comparison.
It is lovely to use. Yup, not sorry about the money I spent on it. It looks great on the bench too.
Edit: some of these differences could be head gasket seals wearing in on the new Wega too.
The equipment will probably out last me. I'm up with the latest iPhone, Surface Pro 4 and all that but the World of Espresso is nicely low technology stuff that is made to last, a huge contrast. I need that.
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