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  • wattgn
    replied
    As said, the grinder is unlikely (unless a horrible cheap one) is unlikely to upset your coffee. The Macap M4D has a lovely worm gear adjustment which allows the finest possible adjustments to be made unlike the Rocky. The bigger numbered steps like on the Rocky though mean you can easily flick from say plunger to espresso and back again easily.

    It sounds like you should have one of these smart wired houses where the lights go on and off for you as you move through the house...

    Yes, what you get is entirely up to you and really you can't go too far wrong with what you get. Some users here even spend $2500 on full blown commercial grinders so it is hard to find someone on the forum to say you have over done it. It seems over doing it, is at best, a minor misdemeanor here on the forum and is quickly forgiven. A cardinal soul destroying sin though is to go too cheap in which case you will be shunned and wander through the forum alone for the rest of your miserable life.

    Live safe and prosper.

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  • Venery
    replied
    Hi wattgn, thanks for the tips.

    I thought your comment was pretty funny. You see, I used to have pretty eccentric OCD (probably still do). When I was around 10 or 12, I couldn't bring myself to enter a room without flicking the light switch on and off an even number of times. An odd number was out of the question (it would also usually need to be a multiple of ten, or else my whole life would collapse). Match that!

    Clumping is not (yet) something I'm overly concerned about (whether I should be is another matter entirely) - although it does seem to keep numerous coffee snobs awake at night.

    I personally just like simple grinders that are very easy to strip and clean, robust and reliable.
    Haha that's probably because you're a sensible, practical person - whereas I am not. Having said that, I figure any grinder I choose will need stripping and cleaning at periodic intervals. The way I see it, my combined outlay (espresso machine + grinder) will be fairly significant, so I don't see the point of skimping on the grinder.

    Call me a laughably misguided newbie, but I don't want to compromise on the flavour in my cup. I'd rather shoot straight to the top, and then deal with the consequences.

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  • wattgn
    replied
    Hi Venery. First of all, most of us are a bit OCD about our coffee which is why we are here in the first place. We just argue sometimes about who is more OCD than others.

    The simplest grinders, are ones like the Rocky and the M4D and the ones I prefer. The motors and the burrs are connected directly, the adjustment is by rotating a ring and they are the most simple and generally the most compact. You can get grounds hung up on any grinder but I don't worry about it. Clumping is a thing that happens the more oily, the more highly roasted the bean is maybe combined with humidity. Grinders with the big cones on the front but are doserless, are there to break up clumps and deliver the grounds directly into the portafilter with less mess. The only downside is it makes the grinder bulkier and there is a question of asthetics. Clumping though when it occurs I never regard as an issue as I have never known it to spoil a shot. Other people might get in there horrified and break them up but that isn't me and anyway, all grinders will produce some clumping regardless of design.

    I personally just like simple grinders that are very easy to strip and clean, robust and reliable.

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  • Venery
    replied
    Very funny. Which camp do you fall into, wattgn?
    Last edited by Venery; 17 December 2016, 09:43 PM.

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  • wattgn
    replied
    Yes, neurotics and the OCD can often be found hiding in dark places like grinder chutes. The Clumper people often co-exist here too.

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  • Venery
    replied
    My usual recommendation is to pair an ECM, Profitec or Rocket machine with a brand-matching grinder
    Yep, keep it simple for the newbies so the wires in their brains don't cross.

    FBI AGENT: "Mr Simpson, from now on your name is Homer Thompson. When I say "Hello Mr Thompson", and press down on your foot, you smile and nod.
    HOMER SIMPSON: "Gotcha!"
    FBI AGENT (stepping hard on Homer's foot): "Hello Mr Thompson".
    [Homer stares blankly]
    Last edited by Venery; 17 December 2016, 09:43 PM.

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  • NZer
    replied
    Just a final update. I ended up getting the rocket - mainly because of price and availability. There didn't seem to be anyone selling/supporting the Macap or Quamar in NZ.

    Fausto is going great - a huge step up from the BGC820. Thanks to everyone for their input.

    Leave a comment:


  • wattgn
    replied
    I have the M4D in Chrome. I got the Chrome one as it matched the SS/Chrome Wega Mini Nova Classic. I use the timer all the time. It isn't perfect as the coffee changes but I always meter the amount by 'eye' / volume and level off the portafilter with my finger. This method has always worked well for me. I use the timer then flick it onto continuous to top up if necessary. Yup, I love the simplicity and looks of this grinder, it works well and looks great.

    Leave a comment:


  • mjs
    replied
    Originally posted by NZer View Post
    Thanks Artman and AlastairMcG.
    In New Zealand there is not really one place to go and seemany grinders, so it’s very difficult to see these side-by-side. I think thereis much better support in Australia! Idon’t think the Quamar Q50 is available at all in NZ.
    All the grinders listed are timed and on demand (I think).This is one of the features I like on the Breville.
    The E5 OD would be a good option, but I have a height limitof 450mm.
    The lack of an LED/LCD display on the Q50P makes it visuallymore appealing, but I’m not sure if this is a compromise in terms of functionality.
    At this stage I think the Q50P and the Fausto are the frontrunners.
    M4D just measured at 430mm on my bench. I love it

    (mind you, you need to be able to get the lid off to get the beans in!!)

    Leave a comment:


  • chokkidog
    replied
    Originally posted by Dimal View Post
    Grinder buying guide here also...
    Buying guide- coffee grinders | Talk Coffee

    Mal.
    The best grinder guide on the interwebs, by a very long shot, backed up by years of experience, thousands of sales and full industry support.

    I have a coffee cart client running a Qamar, it's a good grinder but has its limitations, especially when getting a workout.

    One of my old Macap's (the M4 ) is still running like new next door. It's about 8 or 9 years old, never had a problem, burp or hiccough.
    The other one (the M4D) bought at the same time went to Brisbane after 5 years or so of faultless service and like nearly all Macaps, has never been heard of again.
    The Fausto is good but overly blingy for me. It would, however, be my second choice.
    Last edited by chokkidog; 17 November 2016, 12:46 PM. Reason: missing words

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  • alextrippa
    replied
    Grinder shortlist

    You are only limited by how much you will spend. Personally I would buy the Fausto. The general recommendation when I first bought my gear was to spend the money on the grinder not the machine.

    Leave a comment:


  • Dimal
    replied
    Grinder buying guide here also...
    Buying guide- coffee grinders | Talk Coffee

    Mal.

    Leave a comment:


  • AlastairMcG
    replied
    My E5 measures in at 425 high. It came with the short gourmet hopper 290g, which I think is same as the K3's.

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  • NZer
    replied
    Thanks Artman and AlastairMcG.
    In New Zealand there is not really one place to go and seemany grinders, so it’s very difficult to see these side-by-side. I think thereis much better support in Australia! Idon’t think the Quamar Q50 is available at all in NZ.
    All the grinders listed are timed and on demand (I think).This is one of the features I like on the Breville.
    The E5 OD would be a good option, but I have a height limitof 450mm.
    The lack of an LED/LCD display on the Q50P makes it visuallymore appealing, but I’m not sure if this is a compromise in terms of functionality.
    At this stage I think the Q50P and the Fausto are the frontrunners.

    Leave a comment:


  • AlastairMcG
    replied
    It seems the M4D is the recommended pick of the home grinders and obviously for good reason. I don't see many bad comments or many for sale second hand.

    I bought a Compak E5 OD a few weeks ago and am very happy. It is on the same level as the M4D but I chose it for the more modern interface and liked the looks better. It costs a bit more than the M4D but less than the Rocket Fausto. Both of those were on my short list too. The E5 is a fairly new release and unfortunately not a lot of reviews or user postings on them.

    For me, I wanted a grinder I didn't feel I'd have to/want to upgrade in a few years, one that gave me no excuses. Also I wanted set programmable dosing. Being fairly fast was on my list too (not at the top) to keep the wife happy for length of exposure to the noise for our kid.

    Leave a comment:

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