Kafatek Monolith

[simonsk8r]

Interesting... just read in the comments for that YouTube video that the Monolith came with a WDT needle setup that he uses in the vid... I wonder why it would come with it, it being such an expensive quality grinder I wouldn't think it necessary to use that...

[Magic_Matt]

i thought convention was to time a shot from when the first of the coffee comes out, ignoring the run up including any pre-infusion.

I've never heard anyone suggest that, tbh.

[samuellaw178]

I find the convention is only helpful when you're starting out with nothing as baseline. Every machine has a different preinfusion function so counting from pump on will be a bit iffy anyway. I'm using a lever machine now so that's even more irrelevant. I find on my setup, the shot usually tastes best with 5-15 sec preinfusion and about 25-35 sec flow time.


p/s: I read your comment and assumed you meant to say he started the timer from pump on....in that video, I did not see how he started the timer. There is a mode on Acaia where the timer is started when the coffee weight is detected in the cup (counted from first drip), and I think he's using that.

[mrgray]

yes that video is very interesting. an odd thing however is that he appear to be looking at shot time from when he starts the timer, not when the first drop comes out. slightly off topic but i thought convention was to time a shot from when the first of the coffee comes out, ignoring the run up including any pre-infusion.

[samuellaw178]

it's just hard to get one's head around. so nothing left in it and so change grind size and then grind and no waste.

Once you get used to it, it will be equally hard to get your head around how were you able to put up with a hopper for so long.

Here's a video of the Monolith - a compelling reason why single dosing is for home users (who do not have lots of beans to burn through).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d9wk4cXRnDg

[mrgray]

it's just hard to get one's head around. so nothing left in it and so change grind size and then grind and no waste. the ability to swap around what beans i am using perhaps sounds trivial but it is so far from where i am right now.

[Melbroaster]

There is nothing left inside so nothing to purge

[mrgray]

@plestor - can you swap from one bean to another without any purging (assuming of course you know what grind setting you want)?

[Plestor]

My Monolith (flat) gave better shots than a Compak a8.Slightly thinner, but with more sweetness and clarity. Dialed to both best shot and constant time (with identical dose/ yield in both cases). Haven't tested against a conical but I tend to drink a lot of very light roasts.

If you drink filter my Monolith's filters are MILES ahead of the Cunhill I was using previously.

The titus grinding's efforts are probably the prettiest I've seen but $$$$$$$$. On single dosing I find a far less fussy experience with less retention / cleaning/waste than any of the other grinders I had on hand (A8, Cunhill tranquillo, RR65). YMMV

[Magic_Matt]

Ditto the Kony-E. Ugly beast but functional nonetheless...

I do like the 1950s era grinders - there's an incredible example in Cassatis Deli in Collingwood. The ECM V-Titan gives a head nod to that style but yeah - they're basically all chrome cylinders with a perspex cylinder on top and another cylinder or funnel on the front, really. 🤷

[mrgray]

obviously looks are subjective however when it comes to grinders what have we really got? off the top of my head aesthetically it is stuff that looks like mazzers. i mean 99% of all grinders look pretty much the same. then you have the esoteria such as hg-1, versalab, ek43, monolith. personally i would, on looks, take any of the esoteria just because they are different looking (i however own a kony-e).

the best looking grinder though must be the m3. monolith flat a close second. YMMV.

ok just checked and m3 with doser does look good. m3 without doser not so much. monolith flat is in a tie with the ek43 i think.

[Magic_Matt]

And the Mythos is even more seriously huge. The Monoliths get equivalent quality and less no-fuss retention to any of the commercial behomeths in a domestic-sized package. That's the whole point of the grinder.

I took the ugly comment as referring to the Mythos... Do tend to think the Monolith has a face only a mother could love though.

[chopinhauer]

But it is seriously ugly

And the Mythos is even more seriously huge. The Monoliths get equivalent quality and less no-fuss retention to any of the commercial behomeths in a domestic-sized package. That's the whole point of the grinder.

[Logga]

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder

[dlight]

But it is seriously ugly