Hey guys! Looking at upgrading from my BSG after 6 years of use. Budget is up to $1000 but could stretch if needed. Low retention, doserless, step less or micro grind adjustments preferred (I mostly make espresso) Looks and size (have cupboards above) are a consideration (Mrs didn't like the Rancilio Rocky I had some years back) Not to fazed about speed or noise. Prefer ground coffee to come out pretty cleanly from the exit chute
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Upgrading from Breville smart grinder $1000 budget
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First crack or nothing
- Nov 13
- 3440
- Sydney (West)
- Filter or long black: clean with crisp acidity
- Send PM
Are you single dosing or hopper dosing?
What is the maximum height it can be?
Does this mean you only want a grinder that grinds directly into the portafilter?Prefer ground coffee to come out pretty cleanly from the exit chute
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PreferablyOriginally posted by level3ninja View PostAre you single dosing or hopper dosing? Will consider either
What is the maximum height it can be? about 500mm
Does this mean you only want a grinder that grinds directly into the portafilter?
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Eureka specialita for its price, can add 15 degree tilt from etsy and a bellow hopper from etsy if you'd like better retention, a niche zero would have been a good option for 1k,but it grinds to a dose cup not portafilter. The Mahlkonig X54 doses to a portafilter, but unsure how great the retention is on that machine. Definitely a few good options out there for sure. Baratza sette 270,270w or 270wi are all a good budget friendly, but they are noisy (I own one), consistent grinding, portafilter or to dose cup, retention per shot is minimal but 1st couple shots it retains a bit until the gaps are filled basically
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I think you're best doing some YouTube reviews on a bunch of the suggestions from myself or ninja and others and seeing what you like or what features appeal to you. If you don't need timed dosing that will eliminate alot of machines, do you want auto off after a certain period, do you want the lowest retention possible, your exact height between your cupboards will be crucial as to what you can and can't have. I have a feeling the haycafe may be too tall, but in saying that you haven't mentioned height measurements. There's a lot of factors you need to weight up for your need and not need etc etc. Hope we can help, but more info will be required
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First crack or nothing
- Nov 13
- 3440
- Sydney (West)
- Filter or long black: clean with crisp acidity
- Send PM
HeyCafe H1, slightly over budget and not the prettiest.
Mahlkoenig X54 & Eureka Mignon XL. A bit more retention and slightly over budget.
Eureka Mignon Specialita doesn't have the best exit chute delivery and has a small amount of retention but is under budget.
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I just bought a Eureka Mignon Specialita, upgrading from a Breville BCG820.
This is after 3 'uses' today.

It's messier than the breville (the breville is pretty much the benchmark for not making a mess) but I don't think its that bad. I do grind in 2 goes (7.9s each) and tap the portafilter on the mat to settle the grinds between each, and also pause it half way through the second to tap it down again, otherwise they do spill over a lot more.
This is my first time using a stepless grinder and its something I love already. Its very quiet and its now possible to talk and be heard while grinding. Really happy with it. Can't comment on other more expensive options mentioned. One think of note though, for its size its quite heavy. Hopefully it means its built like a tank.
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Wow, that's a fair old mess with the Specialita. And I thought the Breville smart grinder can be a little messy (well when the Mrs uses it anyway) The Specialita is a contender but i'm not a fan of the cheap looking hopper or grind adjustment dial. Maybe the XL version would be a better fit. The Mahlkoenig X54 is also a contender but not sure about the black. I am willing to increase the budget for better build quality.
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do they call you 'Shakin Prydey'? That is a lot of mess. I don't even use a mat for mine but I do get a small amount of spillage which I just wipe up each time. It might be you are just filling up the basket a lot more than I do. I weigh in 15g into a VST basket.
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For a dosing funnel? That should eliminate slot of your coffee mess as it seems it's going over the portafilter. Otherwise, I always spritz my beans 1-2 times, shake and add to the hopper and then dose, this eliminates slot of static and grinds spraying everywhere. Good luck
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I think the picture is making it look worse than it is. I'm not ocd so don't clean up after every coffee I make. A quick whizz around with the dyson each day or so keeps the area tidy enough. I just thought it would provide some real world feedback as to how 'messy' they can be.
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