Another BCG820 replacement/upgrade recommendation

[demod]

Yes, I bought a Black/Chrome Eureka Specialita and a 20g Pesado filter basket from Coffee Parts. I've been dialing in the new setup, tweaking many variables, including extraction temperature. I'm trying to make improvements across the board as I develop a new routine. So far I put about 1/2kg of Yergacheffe through the grinder and can't fault it. It's quiet, accurate, simple to work, really clean and compact. The quality of the grind is great, much better than anything else I owned before. I no longer have channelling problems. The grinder is quick, but not so quick that you can't be accurate.

tl;dr - Upgraded from Breville Smart Grinder Pro to Eureka Specialita and after 4 days of use, I am extremely happy. Thanks for the detailed info - it really helped when making the decision.

That's great news. Glat you love it. I was a little worried you'd hate it and blame me

I'm still amazed at the quality and quietness. I did just increase the grind time as I've noticed a slightly sloppy puck for a few days.

[peteru]

Yes, I bought a Black/Chrome Eureka Specialita and a 20g Pesado filter basket from Coffee Parts. I've been dialing in the new setup, tweaking many variables, including extraction temperature. I'm trying to make improvements across the board as I develop a new routine. So far I put about 1/2kg of Yergacheffe through the grinder and can't fault it. It's quiet, accurate, simple to work, really clean and compact. The quality of the grind is great, much better than anything else I owned before. I no longer have channelling problems. The grinder is quick, but not so quick that you can't be accurate.

At the moment I'm running a 14.8 second grind which consistently results in 28.6-28.7g dose. That's barely enough to touch the shower screen after extraction using the 20g basket on a Sunbeam EM6910. I get best result with an extraction that gives me 57-65g of coffee which takes around 35 seconds, give or take a few. At the moment I am grinding into a small plastic container that sits on scales, rather than direct into a portafilter. This is mainly because my scales, which are accurate to 0.1g, have max capacity of 200g so can't weigh the portafilter. Once I have the process sorted will probably start grinding directly into the portafilter and will use the holder. The Specialita comes with a height adjustable portafilter holder which is held in the slot with a magnet. No sharp edges on it and I'm not sure if it will need the rubber/silicon sleeve. There seems to be minimal vibration - I guess I'll discover that aspect in due time.

About the only thing I wish was different is the colour of the hopper. While clear plastic looks nice right now, I wonder if it will stain over time. I think a smoke coloured hopper (which I believe is an optional accessory, although not available here in Australia) would be a better standard option. Especially if the coloured plastic has light blocking properties to protect the beans.

One relatively minor thing that I appreciate is the mechanical on/off switch on the side. Flick it off when done and the grinder consumes no electricity. The Breville Smart Grinder Pro switchmode power supply was always on and drawing power. I was not so concerned about the cost of the electricity consumption, but what did annoy me was the noise from the PSU. It was particularly annoying when the off peak electricity signal was present and the Breville PSU would emit alternating squeal/hum tones.

tl;dr - Upgraded from Breville Smart Grinder Pro to Eureka Specialita and after 4 days of use, I am extremely happy. Thanks for the detailed info - it really helped when making the decision.

[demod]

Thanks for that demod - very helpful. That bit of tubing seems to work well.

I'm sold. In fact, so sold I just ordered the Eureka Mignon Specialita a few seconds ago. Hopefully, I'll be picking it up tomorrow and in the process also choosing a new basket to fit my portafilter.

Did you get it? Happy with it? The suspense is killing me!

[peteru]

Thanks for that demod - very helpful. That bit of tubing seems to work well.

I'm sold. In fact, so sold I just ordered the Eureka Mignon Specialita a few seconds ago. Hopefully, I'll be picking it up tomorrow and in the process also choosing a new basket to fit my portafilter.

[demod]

peteru

Here's a video of this mornings first grind. I added some black rubber tubing to the portafilter fork, so also highlighting how good it holds. It's now happily hands free. And doesn't look too bad.

https://imgur.com/a/4aTzCAN

[peteru]

Not initially, but a hand grinder has been suggested to me. I went and did a bit of research on hand grinders and I don't think it's the right choice for me, especially given how expensive the good ones are.

Oh, and I can't find any left handed models around! ;-)

[jafa1970]

Considered a decent hand grinder?

[demod]

Thanks for those insights. It's often the little things that can make a big difference to long term satisfaction.

The Sunbeam is terrible for mess, whereas the Breville is good, except for the clumps towards the end of the grind that roll off the PF. It's good to hear that the Eurekas are not messy.

The uniformity and lack of static is amazing. (for me coming from the BSG at least). I don't have to stop the grind at all, and it makes a neat little mountain of coffee, then tamp, and away you go. So having to pause the grind is not really an issue. I'll try to remember to do a little video for you.

I noticed in some of the demo videos I watched that the PF holder could use more grip and it looked like it was a cheap, punched out piece of metal. I wonder if a bit of heat shrink tubing or silicon hose applied to it would fix the PF drifting and take care of the sharp edges too.

I was thinking about the heat shrink, but not convinced it'll help much. I have some tubing, so I might give that a try. Tubing seems like it might give it a better grip. I'm also thinking about 3d printing something to hold the PF onto the 'fork'. I'll try the tube first though - a much better idea.

I like the small form factor of the Eureka Mignon series. Am I correct in assuming that the bench footprint is no bigger than the Breville?

I've had a bit of a look at the Baratza Sette 270Wi. The integrated scales seem like a great idea, but it seems like the grinder mechanics / longevity is not there, so I've got cold feet.

The BCG is a little smaller and has a slightly smaller footprint than the BSG. Here's a family pic.





I should have started a new thread as this has turned into bit of a Silenzio review / BCG comparison. I wonder if there a way to change the title?

I added some pics without the BCG too.

( I just realised I've been swapping between BSG and BCG like a mad man - apologies!)

[demod]

Ahh thanks for that 10db nugget of info. That really does make more sense to my preception of the difference.

I just did Silenzio db measurement with the phone in my hand in the same spot and grinder in the same spot and it was pretty much the same. Hovered around the 64 , 65 db mark.

[peteru]

Thanks for those insights. It's often the little things that can make a big difference to long term satisfaction.

The Sunbeam is terrible for mess, whereas the Breville is good, except for the clumps towards the end of the grind that roll off the PF. It's good to hear that the Eurekas are not messy.

I noticed in some of the demo videos I watched that the PF holder could use more grip and it looked like it was a cheap, punched out piece of metal. I wonder if a bit of heat shrink tubing or silicon hose applied to it would fix the PF drifting and take care of the sharp edges too.

I'm very used to push-to-pause on the Breville to redistribute mid-grind. Then again, if I use a funnel on the PF or an intermediate container, I would not need to do that - just let the timer run for the whole duration and then shake, distribute and tamp. Stepping up to the Specialita might make a difference in terms of the workflow, but it also means bigger burrs and a substantial increase in the price.

I like the small form factor of the Eureka Mignon series. Am I correct in assuming that the bench footprint is no bigger than the Breville?

I've had a bit of a look at the Baratza Sette 270Wi. The integrated scales seem like a great idea, but it seems like the grinder mechanics / longevity is not there, so I've got cold feet.

[peteru]

Sound pressure level and perceived loudness are not the same. To double the pressure level, you need an increase of 3dB. Human hearing is complicated, but the rule of thumb is that to perceive something as twice as loud, you need to increase the pressure level by 10dB.

Therefore 8dB difference is not as much as twice as loud, but will certainly be very noticeable.

[demod]

Hi demod ,

It's been a few more weeks since you got your Eureka. How do you feel about it these days? How is your workflow with it and are there any positive or negative aspects worth mentioning?

I'm still loving the purchase. No regrets at all. I've probably put around 1.5 kg of beans through it. 3 to 4 double shots on a normal day.

Positives: Grind consistency, zero clumping, less mess (I thought it'd be worse than the Breville), grind speed. - oh and the sound... OMG the sound! so good.

Negatives: PF holder (it tends to slowly twist to the right if you leave it). It was also super sharp when I got it, needed to go over it with some wet'n'dry sandpaper.

Annoyances: the timer adjustment is a bit primitive, but I haven't touched it since the first day I had it. grind trigger - I wish it would pause/stop the grind (like the bsg), but in the few times I needed to stop it I've just flicked the switch off on the side.

Only change to workflow is that I keep hold of the portafilter so that it grinds into the middle of the basket. Might be a bit harsh putting the PF holder in the negative, as it grinds in about half the time of the BSG and its less annoying so I don't mind. But for the price of the thing I'd prefer something a little more sturdy.

If some of the timer features are appealing and you are not too concerned with the noise, I'd say the Eureka Specialita might be a good fit.

[demod]

mthomas87 8db and the thought of 6x louder seems huge, which is why I went off on my tangent on looking up some human sound theory. Because it doesn't feel 6 x quieter. Its definitely much quieter. I did think of redoing the measurement without it resting on the bench after noticing and feeling the hum coming from the bench. But I figured it was the same for both grinders, and I'd emptied the BSG and put it under the stairs . I might do the silenzio again in the morning, but the frequency stuff was taken from the other phone in my hand.

[mthomas87]

Every 3dB is ~2x (3dB = 2x, 6dB = 4x, 9dB = 8x etc). 8dB is ~6x louder. It would probably make a difference not having the phone on the bench picking up vibrations too.
It'd be interesting to chuck that into a dBA calculator.

[peteru]

Hi demod ,

It's been a few more weeks since you got your Eureka. How do you feel about it these days? How is your workflow with it and are there any positive or negative aspects worth mentioning?

I have a Sunbeam EM0480 and a Breville BCG820 and while they both still work, I'm looking for an upgrade. I only make espresso, typically one or two double shots every day. Low(ish) retention would be good. I'm open to using a grinder either in single dose mode or with a timer. The Eureka Mignon-E or Silenzio both look like very good options. While I do like quiet, noise is not the highest priority for me - quality of espresso grind and mess / workflow factors are the important things for me.

I would be interested in hearing from Eureka Mignon owners about their experiences.