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Grinders, bean storage, single dosing and related issues

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  • wattgn
    replied
    Single dosing on the Mignon Specialita works fine, minimal popcorning.

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  • Phils
    replied
    Originally posted by MattAttack View Post
    What's the verdict on the quality of the grind coming out of the NZ? I admit to being intrigued by it.
    I like it a lot. The NZ's particle distribution isn't perfect but good enough for me.
    0.4-0.6g retention after a full clean but then 18g in, 18g out nearly all of the time.

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  • LeroyC
    replied
    Originally posted by MattAttack View Post
    Any views on what's actually wrong with single dosing/popcorning? Once the beans are between the burrs it's hard to see how a hundred grams of downwards force here or there would actually make a difference to the particles that come out the other end.
    I agree that it very much depends on the grinder. I’ve had grinders that handled single dosing and a bit of popcorn action just fine, but others were truly awful without at least another 10-20g on top. The proof was mostly in the large variation in extraction time, but in fact on one of my grinders I could even see the greater particle spread. I’d also get ugly naked portafilter extractions.
    Someone did some testing on this a few years ago and found that the way the beans travel through the burrs is affected by what is above them on some grinders which leads to greater particle spread. I can’t remember who, it may have been a manufacturer. Interestingly the worst offender was my Compak K10. On the flip side it gave me the best quality grinds and best flavour profile if I used it right. My current grinder is a Mahlkönig Vario and it has no problem at all single dosing.

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  • Gavisconi007
    replied
    Originally posted by MattAttack View Post
    Any views on what's actually wrong with single dosing/popcorning? Once the beans are between the burrs it's hard to see how a hundred grams of downwards force here or there would actually make a difference to the particles that come out the other end.
    I found it varies from grinder to grinder. My old Elektra Nino couldn’t grind a decent shot and was totally inconsistent unless it had a column of beans applied as a surcharge (and then it was great). Whereas my Robur manual (with auger) will happily push out consistent grinds every day with no surcharge; I just place a small glass on top to stop pop-corning.

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  • Jackster
    replied
    My 270w was definately a different grind setting when single dosing. So that must mean the grind changes as the hopper empties.
    I single dose my lido2e now, and feed it from little baggies of preweighed beans.
    Maybe a more commercial grinder doesn't change?

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  • Yelta
    replied
    Originally posted by MattAttack View Post
    Any views on what's actually wrong with single dosing/popcorning? Once the beans are between the burrs it's hard to see how a hundred grams of downwards force here or there would actually make a difference to the particles that come out the other end.
    IMHO, nothing, most of the problems are imaginary.

    Leave a comment:


  • herzog
    replied
    Grinders, bean storage, single dosing and related issues

    Originally posted by MattAttack View Post
    For those who keep beans in the hopper, are you grinding onto a scale or just dosing by eye?
    Programmable timed dosing.

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  • MattAttack
    replied
    Any views on what's actually wrong with single dosing/popcorning? Once the beans are between the burrs it's hard to see how a hundred grams of downwards force here or there would actually make a difference to the particles that come out the other end.

    Leave a comment:


  • coolie21
    replied
    Originally posted by herzog View Post
    It's important to remember that fresh beans don't go stale in one day. In fact if they were very recently roasted it can help to let them breathe a bit.

    It's perfectly OK to run with a day or two's supply in the hopper, as long as: 1) The grinder isn't in direct sunlight, and 2) You start with fresh beans (which you are).

    I normally have a "float" of about 150-200g in the hopper at any time, and purge a few grams at the start of the day. All good, and if we have guests I can just tip more beans in as needed.

    We pull about 4 doubles on weekdays and about twice that on Sat/Sun (more if guests are over). Much prefer the workflow of on-demand rather than single dosing.
    Agree with this. In fact since I started roasting I'm struggling to keep ahead of myself! I like to think its the fam's reaction to the significant upturn in bean quality compared with buying 1Kg every couple of weeks from the roastery leading to increased consumption...

    If I can get a weeks supply (for us about 500g) ready a week ahead then none of this is relevant, because those beans won't be around long enough.

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  • coolie21
    replied
    Originally posted by MattAttack View Post
    For those who keep beans in the hopper, are you grinding onto a scale or just dosing by eye?
    Grinding into a dosing cup, then weighing. If slightly over remove a little with a teaspoon. With practice though you get remarkably close once you know your grinder.

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  • MattAttack
    replied
    Originally posted by level3ninja View Post
    Some thing like a Niche Zero is designed for single dosing only and has no issues with popcorning.
    What's the verdict on the quality of the grind coming out of the NZ? I admit to being intrigued by it.

    Leave a comment:


  • MattAttack
    replied
    For those who keep beans in the hopper, are you grinding onto a scale or just dosing by eye?

    Leave a comment:


  • herzog
    replied
    It's important to remember that fresh beans don't go stale in one day. In fact if they were very recently roasted it can help to let them breathe a bit.

    It's perfectly OK to run with a day or two's supply in the hopper, as long as: 1) The grinder isn't in direct sunlight, and 2) You start with fresh beans (which you are).

    I normally have a "float" of about 150-200g in the hopper at any time, and purge a few grams at the start of the day. All good, and if we have guests I can just tip more beans in as needed.

    We pull about 4 doubles on weekdays and about twice that on Sat/Sun (more if guests are over). Much prefer the workflow of on-demand rather than single dosing.

    Leave a comment:


  • beensean
    replied
    A Niche Zero will sort out most of your grinder problems, in my happy opinion.

    If you are worried about opening the 1 Kg bag 30 times, yet think dividing up the whole lot into single frozen doses a bit OTT, divide a new bag into four 250 g lots then needing to open each of those only seven or eight times. You can keep reserve bags in the freezer if you like. Often, 80% of the solution is pretty good.

    If you go for the Sette, you could still do the bag division thing then keep about 100g in the Sette, refilling with each couple of shots. Again, bags not opened often, machine works as it should.

    Leave a comment:


  • Yelta
    replied
    Originally posted by level3ninja View Post
    Depends on your budget. How much the lack of weight of beans on top affects the grind quality varies greatly grinder to grinder, depending on if it's designed for single dosing or not. Some thing like a Niche Zero is designed for single dosing only and has no issues with popcorning.

    I deal with storage by keeping just over the minimum required beans in the hopper.

    I deal with wastage by purging beans every session, I accept the cost for the better coffee.

    It's a bit of a balancing act.
    I use a Mazzer Mini in a similar manner, no beans stored in hopper, single dose, purge after every session, easy, great results, no waste.

    I store my 750 gram roasts in two one way valve bags, works for me.

    Leave a comment:

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