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Looking to buy a new grinder for home espresso around $1000

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  • Looking to buy a new grinder for home espresso around $1000

    Grinder tech is changing as are price points, not to mention my own experience with coffee and equipment. So, with apologies for asking this commonly asked question again, I am seeking the wisdom of this group in helping me decide on a grinder.

    I have an Isomac Mondiale and used to have a Forte before it broke down. Parts are a real problem so have decided to buy a new grinder. It will be for home use, make just 2 espressos and two macchiatos a day. Those two, though, are real moments in our day. We love our coffee, especially lighter roast profiles. So we are keen to find a grinder at a quality / price point that works for us. We have a budget of around $1000 ($1300 would be the top) and open to second hand as well as new. So far the Atom has caught my attention but I am also being instinctively drawn to a conical as distinct from flat burr ... if I can find one. For me its all about the bean and the coffee with the grinder being the supply chain.

    So, with appreciation of the wealth of experience here, may I ask you to indulge with my quest and offer your thoughts? Thank you.

  • #2
    Why conical over flat burr? Compak e5 or maybe even e6 coukd be worth looking at in tge flat burr range. Also m4d.

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    • #3
      My Kony-E was $1250 used but in mint condition (thanks @Gavinsconi007!); terrific grinder but I wouldn't necessarily say a huge difference to more kitchen-friendly flat-burr options like ECM/Profitec, Compak etc.

      Personally having used a big conical with doser for single-dosing I wouldn't go down that path again; timer all the way.

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      • #4
        Where abouts are you based? I'll be selling my Kony-E in a few weeks once a new grinder arrives. If you can wait that long, send me a PM, i'm in Sydney

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        • #5
          Thanks for replying folks.
          Trentski, its a sense that conical gets to the high fruity notes discussed in a thread on the topic of conical and flat burrs. I guess I am more inclined towards those than chocolates.
          Magic_Matt, I'm curious about your experiences with a "big conical". What issues did you experience?
          Kofekitt, I am Brisbane and keen to buy within the week. I'll do a bit of research on the Kony-E. What are you upgrading to?

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          • #6
            Originally posted by RPbeans View Post
            Magic_Matt, I'm curious about your experiences with a "big conical". What issues did you experience?
            Oh, no issues with conicals per se - rather doser grinders combined with high retention making fiddly single-dosing a necessity.

            My previous conical doser was a Fiorenzato, and while a great grinder the on/off switch had a delay (something to do with the cooling fan I think); that made purging and pulsing an extra nuisance.

            I have a Kony-E now; it's brilliant. Probably the best conical available for home use. Industry leading build quality combined with a highly usable timer interface, easily accessible chute and relatively minor retention (a few grams - not nothing, but a fraction of the Robur, K10 etc.).

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            • #7
              Looking to buy a new grinder for home espresso around $1000

              HI Rp
              If I was you I would not get too worried about the difference in flavour profiles between conical and flat burr grinders.
              Yes there may be a difference but the ultimate determining factor of flavour is the beans, blend , roast and water temperature .
              IMO the information in the thread on flavour difference between grinders is done with out true side by side comparison.
              I have judged at the Golden Bean competition for over Five years as well as being an importer and distributor of beans.
              Just my uneducated opinion ....

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              • #8
                Thanks for the additional info Magic_Matt. Taking a serious look at the Kony. New it's outside my budget but will keep it in mind. Thank you.
                I'm not sure that your experience could classify your opinion as uneducated Antony, quite the opposite I'd say. Regarding the grinder, I understand where you're coming from. I work to control beans (variety, processing, location) where possible. Not planning to upgrade my espresso machine so that does constrain some aspects. Due to the recent death of my old grinder (flat ceramic burr), I now have the opportunity to explore other options. I do appreciate your perspective, thank you.

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                • #9
                  Hey Paul, thank you so much for your suggestions. I'll take a look at each now.

                  If you had to pick one of the four you suggested?

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                  • #10
                    Can anyone suggest what difference does burr size make? Say between a 54 and 64 flat burr? Thank you.

                    Oh, and this Compak dosing funnel grabbed my attention https://youtu.be/ltNpZmA8_5g

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                    • #11
                      Originally posted by RPbeans View Post
                      Can anyone suggest what difference does burr size make? Say between a 54 and 64 flat burr? Thank you.

                      Oh, and this Compak dosing funnel grabbed my attention https://youtu.be/ltNpZmA8_5g
                      All other things being equal - just speed, and marginally higher retention.

                      Sometimes grinders in the same family will use larger burrs with slower rotation to avoid heat buildup, but that's not really a concern for home use.

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                      • #12
                        What Matt said.

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                        • #13
                          Just speed? Wow, I had a hunch that the larger burrs would changes the flavour in the cup. Thanks for clearing that up.

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                          • #14
                            Hi RP,

                            I agree with the sentiment regarding burrs changing the flavour (they don't but if they do its a tiny difference).

                            Have you looked at the Mazzer mini? Its in your price range brand new, and is a really high end domestic grinder. It really does provide the same quality as larger grinders, however it lacks the capacity to grind all day long without over heating and being too slow. These are issues that you don't need to worry about in a domestic use.

                            Mike K

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                            • #15
                              Hi RP, I have been using a Vario for the last year and it hasn't missed a beat. It does timed grind or on demamand and takes about 14 seconds to do an 18 gram basket with no clumping and very little residual grounds up the spout. They cost around $800 from CMS in Newmarket Brisbane (not QCMS)
                              Cheers Peter

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