Announcement

Collapse
No announcement yet.

$500 grinder to replace a Breville SG

Collapse
X
 
  • Filter
  • Time
  • Show
Clear All
new posts

  • $500 grinder to replace a Breville SG

    Hi all,

    My smart grinder has recently started making some noises (sounds like plastic gears slipping past each other) and stops grinding half way through, produces clumpy grinds and volume is all over the place. I will try to take it up with breville, but I've had the machine for 5 years so I suspect it's time to bury it.
    This means I get to buy a new grinder. Now I was perfectly happy with the SG, but am using this as an opportunity for an upgrade.
    In an idea world, I would be able to pay extra to get something identical to the SG with better grind quality however that machine doesn't seem to exist.

    My needs:
    * Hopper - not single dosing (I don't want to, my partner definitely won't want to)
    * Single button operation - I want to push a button and have the grinder dispense the same amount of coffee each time (timed is fine)
    * Portafilter holder - I like to get my milk and other things ready while the machine is grinding so I just leave the portafilter in the grinder while it's grinding and go about other things
    * Noise - I don't expect these things to be whisper quiet, but the SG had a 50% rate of waking up my partner. I suspect anything noisier would lift that rate
    * Exclusively used for espresso, and even then mostly milky drinks (but with the occasional short black)
    * Using this with a Breville dual boiler

    Machines I've looked into:
    * Baratza Sette - only concern is noise, I've heard it's noisy but compared to what? (maybe the wi has helped this, but then that's $680)
    * Eureka Mignon Specialita - only concern on this one is the portafilter holder ($545 delivered from an eu seller)
    * Mazzer mini - few second hand ones in the price point, but the lack of single button operation is a deal breaker

    I'm happy to buy a second hand machine too. Looking for some guidance.

  • #2
    There’s not much else in your price range with the features you want really. Probably the only other option I’d consider is either a Mahlkonig Vario or on of the other Baratzas like a Forte or Vario. These would all be out of your price range at full retail but you might be able to find one on sale somewhere or second hand. Of the ones you’ve listed the Sette is definitely noisier than the Breville, but it might just be the best option. If you’re using it with a fairly full hopper most of the time it will be quieter than it is for those that are single dosing with it. You can also sit your hand on top of the hopper while it’s grinding to mute the noise a bit more. A second hand Mazzer could be ok, but you’d need an ‘E’ version for timed dosing. Either a second Mini or Super Jolly would work. Personally I’d got for a Super Jolly E with a short hopper. I don’t have any personal experience with the Eurekas, but they are becoming very popular and are almost universally praised so I wouldn’t count one of them out either. Are you able to get to a seller to check any of them out in person?

    Comment


    • #3
      I would go for a mahlkonig vario if you can find one second hand (to meet your price): has timed dosing, great secure metal portafilter holder, very low grind retention so no need to purge between grinds (vs mazzer where you’d have to purge for a few seconds everytime), very accurate stepped adjustments (260 settings), and bulletproof ceramic flat burrs to last many many years.
      baratza sette’s are frighteningly loud so I would avoid that tbh... gave me a fright every time I turned mine on (until I sold it).
      The specialita is a much quieter option and a great grinder - what’s your concern with the portafilter holder? That price of $545 is a steal so I’d get that for sure!

      Comment


      • #4
        There are lots of good second hand grinders regularly coming up on CS at the moment at good prices. I would look at one of those.

        Comment


        • Ted2013
          Ted2013 commented
          Editing a comment
          Just checked. An example is the Compak K6 on offer at $550 ATM. I personally have no interest in this grinder.

        • Afroman
          Afroman commented
          Editing a comment
          Thanks for checking Ted, but that machine is completely manual and therefore doesn't meet my requirements.

      • #5
        Hey OP, where did you see the specialita for that price? I am tempted to pull the trigger on one tonight which I thought was a pretty good price at $800 for a local supplier but at $545, that's almost a third off again!

        Comment


        • Afroman
          Afroman commented
          Editing a comment
          Italian based shop called espresso coffee shop. Seems to have good reviews on the espresso subreddit. Obviously carries some risk given overseas seller and warranty etc, but to be honest such a significant price difference compared to local retailers.

      • #6
        After reading a bit more on the forum and opening up the machine it looks like the impeller on my smart grinder is the issue. I'm going to try and just fix that and continue living with the machine. As tempting as the Eureka (or any new grinder) is, if I can avoid the purchase I've been happy enough with the smart grinder (turns out I've had it for 7 years too, not bad for an "appliance" quality machine).

        Comment


        • #7
          By the time you factor in shipping and taxes the total is approx. $660aud, which is $200 below standard retail price.

          Not sure how the warranty would work, but it wouldn’t take long to eat that saving up if you ran into issues.

          But if you can point me to where I can get it for $800 it would be much appreciated.

          Originally posted by dhanderson1 View Post
          Hey OP, where did you see the specialita for that price? I am tempted to pull the trigger on one tonight which I thought was a pretty good price at $800 for a local supplier but at $545, that's almost a third off again!



          Comment


          • #8
            I purchased a chrome Specialita from overseas a few months ago for $700 inc shipping (the only shipping option was roughly $100 but it was express so I was happy). The downside is warranty being a pain in the neck but I figured since I saved nearly $500, if I ever have problems with it I would just pay for repair locally and by that time I would have got my money's worth anyway. Good luck with your decision.

            Comment


            • #9
              We also had a look at the Sette - 270 I believe - and although it had a lot of great features the noise was a huge no no for us. Early in the morning when we have our espresso is not a time I want something that sounds like a mechanical t-rex munching on a car in my face. But that's just my preference.

              FWIW I know of three people with a Eureka Mignon that are very happy with it - they are all using it for espresso.

              Comment


              • #10
                I can vouch for the Sette 270 WI. Amazing precision and speed. Grind is fluffy and there are no clumps whatsoever. Yes, it is noisy but i personally don't care.

                Comment


                • #11
                  Originally posted by Afroman View Post
                  Hi all,

                  My smart grinder has recently started making some noises (sounds like plastic gears slipping past each other) and stops grinding half way through, produces clumpy grinds and volume is all over the place. I will try to take it up with breville, but I've had the machine for 5 years so I suspect it's time to bury it.
                  This means I get to buy a new grinder. Now I was perfectly happy with the SG, but am using this as an opportunity for an upgrade.
                  In an idea world, I would be able to pay extra to get something identical to the SG with better grind quality however that machine doesn't seem to exist.

                  My needs:
                  * Hopper - not single dosing (I don't want to, my partner definitely won't want to)
                  * Single button operation - I want to push a button and have the grinder dispense the same amount of coffee each time (timed is fine)
                  * Portafilter holder - I like to get my milk and other things ready while the machine is grinding so I just leave the portafilter in the grinder while it's grinding and go about other things
                  * Noise - I don't expect these things to be whisper quiet, but the SG had a 50% rate of waking up my partner. I suspect anything noisier would lift that rate
                  * Exclusively used for espresso, and even then mostly milky drinks (but with the occasional short black)
                  * Using this with a Breville dual boiler

                  Machines I've looked into:
                  * Baratza Sette - only concern is noise, I've heard it's noisy but compared to what? (maybe the wi has helped this, but then that's $680)
                  * Eureka Mignon Specialita - only concern on this one is the portafilter holder ($545 delivered from an eu seller)
                  * Mazzer mini - few second hand ones in the price point, but the lack of single button operation is a deal breaker

                  I'm happy to buy a second hand machine too. Looking for some guidance.
                  Yeah I have a Sette 270Wi as well for about a year now (paired with the Breville Dual Boiler). For the price and the results you can get out of it, few grinders can match its proposition.

                  The noise isn't too bad when your hopper is somewhat filled to dampen the sound but it is still a bit on the loud side when compared to other grinders.

                  I would encourage you to consider single dosing or at least try and compare when you don't. The results are night and day.

                  P.S. I've recently upgraded my grinder to an EK43S, let me know if you're still wanting a 270Wi. Happy to share more deets with you.

                  Comment


                  • #12
                    Originally posted by blitzingboon View Post

                    Yeah I have a Sette 270Wi as well for about a year now (paired with the Breville Dual Boiler). For the price and the results you can get out of it, few grinders can match its proposition.

                    The noise isn't too bad when your hopper is somewhat filled to dampen the sound but it is still a bit on the loud side when compared to other grinders.

                    I would encourage you to consider single dosing or at least try and compare when you don't. The results are night and day.

                    P.S. I've recently upgraded my grinder to an EK43S, let me know if you're still wanting a 270Wi. Happy to share more deets with you.
                    What do you pair your EK with? Is it worth the price? Say compared to a Niche or Similar?

                    Comment


                    • #13
                      Originally posted by Garyh View Post

                      What do you pair your EK with? Is it worth the price? Say compared to a Niche or Similar?
                      At the moment with a Breville Dual Boiler for espressos but will be replaced with a Lelit Bianca. I also drink filter using Hario V60.

                      It depends... if you only drink Espresso then maybe the EK is not worth the price but if you also drink filter, pour over, etc. then it really shines (especially speciality coffee on filter).

                      Comment


                      • #14
                        The Sette 270Wi has been on my radar for a while. The noise doesn’t worry me - it’s on for less then 10 seconds, but the plastic gearbox and bearing races do.

                        Barratza has a reputation for good customer service and there are plenty of yarns about people receiving new motors and gearboxes even out of warranty, but even so. I know plastic gears are used in a lot of things and in some cases they will last a very long time.... but just do a search for Sette gears.

                        Now, if they offered a variant with more robust gears, I’d turn my radar back on.

                        Comment


                        • #15
                          I had pretty much the exact question and parameters as OP. Tossed up between the Rancilio Rocky, second hand mini Mazzers and Eureka Mignon Manuale.

                          Eventually settled on Eureka Mignon Manuale (waiting for delivery) for the following reasons -
                          • I wanted a grinder that will meet my needs for at least 4-5 years (e.g. not yearning for an upgrade in 6 months to a year);
                          • I wanted a grinder where I can gradually dial in the beans as they age over the course of weeks;
                          • Looking for a small footprint in the kitchen and as much as there were many options on gumtree for second hand dosers, in the end I didn't take those up as I was concerned about the day to day retention in the dosers. I would only be making 1-2 single shot espressos a day, and 3-4grams of retention in a 7g basket would not be ideal.

                          Will post once I've had a chance to try it out!

                          Comment

                          Working...
                          X