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  • Recommend me a Grinder

    Hi all,

    I've had a Breville Smart Grinder Pro for 3-4 years now and generally it has been great however recently I cannot get the grind just right. It's either too fine or too course and I don't know if this is because of its age or me being more picky with my old age.

    So, what are my options for a replacement? Been looking at the Eureka Specialità Black but it's right at my limit in terms of money. It's very similar in operation to the Breville with it's digital timer for single and double shots, however I never do single shots in fact I have never used the single shot basket in my life.

    One of the requirements is it must pass the wife test, be small, look good and fit in with the other black appliances in the kitchen. I'll never get anything if it cannot pass this test.😀😀 Another requirement would be low retention which the Breville definitely does not have as I have to purge the old grinds each morning or when I make an adjustment which just wastes coffee.

    So what can you experts recommend for me?

    TIA

    Greg

  • #2
    Sounds like you got it first go. The Specialita is small, quiet, low retention, and usually passes the wife test. The Silenzio is the same thing but without the timer if you want it a bit cheaper. I can't think of anything that would suit you better for the same money.

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    • #3
      Yes, the Eureka Mignon Specialita is the one to go for. It is worth the money.

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      • #4
        I've been waiting on stock for the Baratza Sette 270Wi and I am just about at the end of my patience.
        How is this Eureka Mignon Specialita compared to the Baratza?

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        • #5
          Originally posted by bobiverse View Post
          I've been waiting on stock for the Baratza Sette 270Wi and I am just about at the end of my patience.
          How is this Eureka Mignon Specialita compared to the Baratza?
          You need to read the review comparisons.

          The Mignon is hugely more quiet and is better built. It can also single dose well.

          The Sette is more convenient to use.

          The Mignon Specialita is more expensive.

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          • #6
            Originally posted by level3ninja View Post
            The Silenzio is the same thing but without the timer if you want it a bit cheaper.
            I think the Silenzio does have a timer, but it's an analogue one instead of a digital timer.

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            • level3ninja
              level3ninja commented
              Editing a comment
              Right you are, my mistake.

          • #7
            Originally posted by wattgn View Post
            You need to read the review comparisons.
            I have read/watched some comparisons.
            They seem to perform similarly in output. One of them does better at coarseness, the other ever so slightly better at fineness.
            The Sette has non replaceable gears. Not sure about the Specialita. But this is moot as it's home use so lifetime of the gears would outlast me.
            I was wondering if coffeesnobbers with first hand experience on either grinder could give their 2 cents.

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            • #8
              I ended up getting the Specialita. Nice looking machine.

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              • #9
                Originally posted by bobiverse View Post
                I ended up getting the Specialita. Nice looking machine.
                I think it is a perfect choice for most. It has the flexibility to run single dosing without any modifications but for me, I still used it with beans in the hopper as the dosing is very accurate and it is easier to use that way. I had the Specialita for two months then got the Atom...now I'm waiting for delivery of another Specialita. The Atom feels much sturdier but is bigger in every way but for home use, I think the Specialita is perfect.

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                • #10
                  Another vote for Specialita.
                  I followed the same path - upgraded from Breville Smart Grinder Pro after few years of use.

                  They are about the same size.

                  Spicialita Pros:
                  * Specialita is noticeably quieter.
                  * Specialita is noticeably faster.
                  * Specialita produces less clamping and can easily grind finer. Also a number of people claims grind quality is better (particle size distribution).
                  * Specialita suppose to have lower retention. Also I believe the biggest burr in Mignon family leaves less space around the butt so it's got the lowest retention in Mignon family.
                  * Specialita feels really solid (heavy) compared to Breville. I am sure it will last way way longer than Breville Smart Grinder. I believe Specialiata's motor is more powerful (and heavier).
                  I was using Specialita for a year (light use, 1-2 kg per month). Then I opened it for cleaning (removed top cover and the top burr) and internals were as clean as new - not a single coffee particle anywhere around the motor.

                  Specialiata Cons:
                  * Specialita doens't have "sleep timer - it doesn't go to sleep like Brevile Smart Grinder - I have to flip the switch on the side of the grinder.
                  * Specialita's portafilter holder is a bit... dodgy - it's not as good as Breville's one.
                  * Also if I stick portafiler into the holder (for hands-free grinding) the coffee comes from the chute which is angled (not perpendicular) into one side of the portafilter (not the middle) so I end up with more coffee on that side of the portafiler which causes uneven extraction unless I redistribute coffee (using toothpick) before tamping. Shaking portafilter didn't work for me. Holding and moving portafiler while grinding fixes this problem. So I ended up not using portafilter holder in Specialita at all.
                  * Specialita doesn't have "catch tray" under the chute - from time to time I have to wipe the table around it and it is full of coffee particles - Breville Smart Grinder was cleaner. This is the only factor which can affect wife acceptance test (!!!)
                  * Specialita doesn't have star/stop button on the control panel - the only way to start it is to press the button above the portafilter holder.

                  For me all Pros are significantly more important and all Cons are really minor.

                  Specialita is 4-5x times more expensive compared to Breville Smart Grinder Pro.
                  Still I would buy Specialita over Breville again if I have to make this choice (and if I can afford it).

                  With Breville I was thinking about upgrade from time to time - from time to time it sounded like it is struggling.

                  Specialita sounds... effortless. I feel like it's gonna last longer than me (I am not that young). So ... it is a bit sad ... but it might be the last grinder I had to buy.

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