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Splitting the Grinders category

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  • Dimal
    replied
    Re: Splitting the Grinders category

    Originally posted by flynnaus link=1213770099/40#49 date=1214567820
    Great points but these forums (fora?), if ever created, arent just going to be used for asking about which grinder to buy (e.g. troubleshooting) just like for the coffee maker forums. Have a look at the range of topics in the grinder section as it is - all 19 pages of them.

    Also, not everyone is in the position to go to a specialist retailer to be able to make comparisons. The closest for me is DiBartoli so it would be a good hour or more for me by public transport and I live in Ryde. And also people will want advice on second hand machines advertised for sale and not in the position to make side by side comparisons.
    Yep, I am aware of these conundrums flynnaus.....

    Mal.

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  • flynnaus
    replied
    Re: Splitting the Grinders category

    Originally posted by Mal link=1213770099/40#47 date=1214552918
    I think that what ever method is ultimately used, the best that any such categorisation can hope for is as a guide to help people short-list grinders within their budget and then head off to a reputable specialist retailer to try them hands-on.
    <snip>
    I think it still just comes down to buying the best grinder you can afford and if possible, try to get a hands-on demo of the units youre contemplating so that you are aware of the differences and the compromises involved.

    Mal.
    Great points but these forums (fora?), if ever created, arent just going to be used for asking about which grinder to buy (e.g. troubleshooting) just like for the coffee maker forums. Have a look at the range of topics in the grinder section as it is - all 19 pages of them.

    Also, not everyone is in the position to go to a specialist retailer to be able to make comparisons. The closest for me is DiBartoli so it would be a good hour or more for me by public transport and I live in Ryde. And also people will want advice on second hand machines advertised for sale and not in  the position to make side by side comparisons.

    Leave a comment:


  • scooter
    replied
    Re: Splitting the Grinders category

    Good post, Mal. /thumbs up/


    Cheers....................Sean

    Leave a comment:


  • Dimal
    replied
    Re: Splitting the Grinders category

    I think that what ever method is ultimately used, the best that any such categorisation can hope for is as a guide to help people short-list grinders within their budget and then head off to a reputable specialist retailer to try them hands-on. There are lots of very small and sometimes significant differences between grinders within a budget range and sometimes the only way to appreciate how they may impact on the buyer, is to simply try them out.... give em a good going over and then select the one that fits closest to your preferences.

    Doubt that anyone could put a "Guide" together that would adequately address all of the idiosyncrasies of Grinders within a budget range to such an extent that you would be able to then tick off all of the pros and cons and ultimately arrive at a single unit that says "Buy me!". Look how much work Greg Pullman put into the comparo he prepared with the Mazzer/Compak grinders.... took him weeks to complete and thats for just two grinders. In a lot of ways, grinders are even more difficult to compare side by side than similarly specd espresso machines. I think it still just comes down to buying the best grinder you can afford and if possible, try to get a hands-on demo of the units youre contemplating so that you are aware of the differences and the compromises involved.

    Mal.

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  • flynnaus
    replied
    Re: Splitting the Grinders category

    I still think an indication of price range is the way to go. Divide it up like the Machine forums are. If necessary, attach labels

    e.g.

    Entry Level ($150-$500); Prosumer ($500 - $999); Professional (> $1000)

    The ranges are arbitrary - not suggesting these are the ideal limits. (The $150 is to accommodate the Sunbeam EM0480/Em0450)

    There are always price variations but people like me can make judgments based on these classifications and then worry about what is a good price. For example, I might want to know what is the best entry level grinder to buy.

    Leave a comment:


  • Wrecker
    replied
    Re: Splitting the Grinders category

    Personally I wouldnt find grinders categorised into price brackets all that helpful. From my recent experience Ive had quotes on the same grinders upto $150 apart. Then youve got different configurations and "finish" that can change the end price by over $100. Whilst heavily subjective, I wouldve found "if youre looking at machines of this type or price range, then strongly consider these proven grinder match ups." Ultimately that is what it came down to essentially for me. And lets face it, how many threads have been started with "whats a good grinder to go with XXX machine?"

    Leave a comment:


  • porschemad911
    replied
    Re: Splitting the Grinders category

    Originally posted by cremakid link=1213770099/40#43 date=1214518727
    Likewise if the grinder section is split into price other CSers wont read the thread if it seems out of their price range and may miss out on reading about and being convinced to up the ante and buy a more expensive grinder as you have after reading the review on the Compak.
    Im not sure this is necessarily a bad thing though, internet forums are a great way to get carried away and end up spending way more than you originally intended based purely on other peoples opinions. Ive seen it so, so, so many times on forums like head-fi.

    Im not saying that this is always bad, and may be necessary for example, if someone truly has no idea of what budget they need to be allocating. But in this case a helpful post by a member could point them in the right direction.

    Leave a comment:


  • cremakid
    Guest replied
    Re: Splitting the Grinders category

    I dont generally read the low and mid-priced coffee machine threads unless I have a specific interest.
    Intellidepth Likewise if the grinder section is split into price other CSers wont read the thread if it seems out of their price range and may miss out on reading about and being convinced to up the ante and buy a more expensive grinder as you have after reading the review on the Compak.

    Mals suggestion of breaking up re burr size etc also gives a starting point.

    Leave a comment:


  • Intellidepth
    replied
    Re: Splitting the Grinders category

    I reckon the basic price brackets are great and give new people like me a starting point.

    As a new purchaser of a grinder still in transit, the mazzer was out of my price bracket (but oh, how I wanted it), but the review of the compak and mazzer by pullman gave me the drive to push my uneducated price bracket up from $300ish to reach the compak, well into the next category suggested by Mal.

    For example: I copiously read the upper-price threads on coffee machines, because thats where Im heading. I dont generally read the low and mid-priced coffee machine threads unless I have a specific interest. Saves on some reading. (I spend waaay too much time reading information on this site as it is Its just too good not to!)

    Leave a comment:


  • cremakid
    Guest replied
    Re: Splitting the Grinders category

    Likewise. I agree with  abaddonxi on this topic.

    Leave a comment:


  • abaddonxi
    replied
    Re: Splitting the Grinders category

    Originally posted by Mal link=1213770099/20#25 date=1214038910
    Personally, I prefer going with Burr Size/Type and leave the end users purpose up to them, e.g.

    Small Conical - Lux, Iberital Challenge, etc
    Flat Burr-Plates <= 50mm - Rocky, etc
    Flat Burr-Plates <= 60mm - Mazzer Mini, etc
    Flat Burr-Plates <= 70mm - Mazzer Super Jolly, etc
    Flat Burr-Plates > 70mm - Mazzer Major, etc
    Large Conical > 60mm - Mazzer Kony, Robur, etc

    This could probably be condensed somewhat to reduce the number of categories but you get the general idea though....

    Mal.

    So thatd be two categories.

    Mazzer, and everything else.

    ;D

    Cheers
    Simon

    Leave a comment:


  • Dimal
    replied
    Re: Splitting the Grinders category

    Yes, I have noticed that Mark; when this topic was first posted but if members (and prospective members) think that splitting it up will be helpful then its worth discussing.... Even if the end result is a decision to leave things as they are for the time being,

    Mal.

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  • Mark
    replied
    Re: Splitting the Grinders category

    The front page of the current grinders category shows 2 full weeks of posts. Does the volume posted really justify splitting? Its not like recent posts are being pushed off the front page before people manage to read them.

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  • Wine_of_the_Bean
    Guest replied
    Re: Splitting the Grinders category

    Youre welcome in my shop everyday mate. I give you best price...

    Leave a comment:


  • yeeza
    replied
    Re: Splitting the Grinders category

    Originally posted by Scorpion link=1213770099/20#35 date=1214222089
    Regardless of what we would like to buy, our choices are ultimately driven by what we have to spend, and that therefore becomes the guide to what areas will be looked at.

    Thats debatable if youre a sucker like me and spends far over what he has, just to get something Id like to buy. ;D

    Leave a comment:

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