Hello Snobs,
I upgraded my machine from a Rancilio Silvia to a beautiful Di Bartoli Lumina (ECM) after 13 years about 6 months ago. Next on my upgrade path is to move on from the simlarly aged Rocky (doserless). It has been a solid unit but I'm keen to improve my shot quality with a new grinder. Important to me is that I use a number of different brew methods on a regular basis. As well as espresso, I use the Dripster (cold drip), Chemex, V60, french press and aeropress at various times. I usually have at least one lot of espresso beans and one lot of filter beans on the go at any given time. These brew methods obviously call for widely different grind sizes. Whilst I have managed for quite a few years to do with this with Rocky, I find the process of switching grind quite frustrating, and there does seem to be quite a bit of wastage flushing out stale grinds. I've also found that when using the coarser grinds on rocky, stale grinds gum up the threads on the collar adjustment fairly quickly and in time I can no longer adjust easily down to espresso without pulling the whole thing apart and cleaning it.
Given all the above, I am very interested in the couple of low retention, single dosing friendly grinders which are around now. Of course there is a lot of talk about the Niche Zero at the moment, though at $1300 or so it is a bit above my ideal budget - I was aiming to spend around $1000. That said, if it turns out ot be the best option I may well save for a bit longer to get it rather than settling on something that is my second choice. I thinks also in the same ballpark the Eureka ATOM and Especialita may well be worthy of a closer look due to their low retention. There is also the Baratza Sette option, but I know there are concerns around longevity, and I'm really looking at this being my last major coffee investment for a long time.
It occurs to me that I may be better off to spend $1000 on a dedicated espresso grinder and hold on to Rocky for my filter needs. If I got one grinder to do it all, I'd be looking to sell on my Rocky but I don't think the resale would be that high given its age. IIRC, they retail for a little over $400 these days new.
I'm interested in what any other snobs with similar brewing habits might have in their arsenal, and what might get me the best bang for buck!!
I upgraded my machine from a Rancilio Silvia to a beautiful Di Bartoli Lumina (ECM) after 13 years about 6 months ago. Next on my upgrade path is to move on from the simlarly aged Rocky (doserless). It has been a solid unit but I'm keen to improve my shot quality with a new grinder. Important to me is that I use a number of different brew methods on a regular basis. As well as espresso, I use the Dripster (cold drip), Chemex, V60, french press and aeropress at various times. I usually have at least one lot of espresso beans and one lot of filter beans on the go at any given time. These brew methods obviously call for widely different grind sizes. Whilst I have managed for quite a few years to do with this with Rocky, I find the process of switching grind quite frustrating, and there does seem to be quite a bit of wastage flushing out stale grinds. I've also found that when using the coarser grinds on rocky, stale grinds gum up the threads on the collar adjustment fairly quickly and in time I can no longer adjust easily down to espresso without pulling the whole thing apart and cleaning it.
Given all the above, I am very interested in the couple of low retention, single dosing friendly grinders which are around now. Of course there is a lot of talk about the Niche Zero at the moment, though at $1300 or so it is a bit above my ideal budget - I was aiming to spend around $1000. That said, if it turns out ot be the best option I may well save for a bit longer to get it rather than settling on something that is my second choice. I thinks also in the same ballpark the Eureka ATOM and Especialita may well be worthy of a closer look due to their low retention. There is also the Baratza Sette option, but I know there are concerns around longevity, and I'm really looking at this being my last major coffee investment for a long time.
It occurs to me that I may be better off to spend $1000 on a dedicated espresso grinder and hold on to Rocky for my filter needs. If I got one grinder to do it all, I'd be looking to sell on my Rocky but I don't think the resale would be that high given its age. IIRC, they retail for a little over $400 these days new.
I'm interested in what any other snobs with similar brewing habits might have in their arsenal, and what might get me the best bang for buck!!

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