The 2014 version HG One - Anyone here have one?

ash

Any one around here have one of the 2014 versions?

As much as I love my Voodoodaddy Pharos, my partner doesn't like because she can't crank it easily enough to consider using regularly. But she did enjoy the flavour that came from a large conical burr set. So I started looking around at the large priced, large conical, large bench space electric grinders. the prices are to say the least  ??? Then for whatever reason I remembered the HG One grinder. So off I toddled to have a look at their website.

Whilst the bench space requirements are similar, with her working odd shifts I thought a quieter (and much cheaper, eco friendly ie hand powered) grinder might be in order. When I last looked at them, there was three different burrs you could get, 71mm, 83mm and TiN 83mm Mazzer burr sets. Now there is only 83mm bead blasted Mazzer burrs, a new 'stepped' locking mechanism and a few other gee whiz things. And the price was less than half and electric grinder....

So if you own one of these beasty's I'd appreciate your thoughts on them. How user friendly is the adjustment mechanism? How hard is it to crank? Did you use some weird organic matter to break it in or just use coffee beans? Are you still happy with it? How often are you using it?

I'd also appreciate anyone who has one of the original versions chipping and adding their two bob's worth too  :coffee2:, particularly about usabililty.

Cheers,
Ash

Brett H

Great question Ash?  This is something I've wondered too!  The thing about big electric conicals also is that they need to be modded for single-shot home use.  This makes them impractical to buy off the shelf... Who wants to pay $2k for a brand new whiz-bang device that's slightly unsuitable for purpose.  I remember with the HG however thinking that 60 cranks for a double shot was not what I wanted for dinner parties.

steve82

I had one of the first few of the 2014 models for about a year - 83mm Mazzer Assuming you and your partner are in good physical health, no ailments with hands, wrists and shoulders you should have no problems. (only reason I sold) For a medium dark roast 18 to 20g it is pretty quick, lighter roasts are significantly harder in that more opposing force is required. The grinder does sit very steady on the bench - I have read that many have permanently bolted it down and this makes things much easier. Bench height is another thing, if one is short or the bench slightly high it can be easier to stand on a little foot stool, so that one is more over and above the grinder as opposed to directly in front of it. The stepped adjustment was great, very quick and easy to adjust and the steps are very small. By far the easiest repeatable grind adjustment I have used and I have used quite a few different grinders. It all comes down to being prepared to live with the manual nature of it day in day out...so on those days where you might be feeling a little off and have to dial in a new coffee and you end up having to grind 3 or 4 shots before you get what you want. :'( I broke mine in with 5kg of the cheapest, stalest beans I could find and it was all good.

askthecoffeeguy

Ive got a mazzer super jolly for home use - works great and no modifications required!

Beanz

My introduction to bench handgrinders took me down a similar path and I had a Pharos with the full Voodoodaddy mods which I still have. I was not looking for another grinder but attended MICE and there was an HG One on one of the stands. I asked if I could try it and could not believe how good it was and it instantly became a must have item which was odd as I had already seen them on line and decided there was no way I would ever pay that much for a hand grinder ! It is much easier to use than a Pharos both for grinding and getting coffee into the basket. I sold the Mazzer Mini I had to make way for it and have no regrets at all, I cannot imagine going back to an electric grinder for domestic use. I use the HG One everyday in conjunction with a Rossa PG, a Giotto and various other brewing gear. Mine was purchased in June 2014 so it has the stepped adjustment, I change settings regularly for different coffees and baskets and its is a dream to use once you are familiar with the markings. It was easy to dial in. I did not break in the burrs I just ground coffee as required and it happened over time. I have no hesitation in recommending it to anyone and it is fun to use, I cannot imagine ever wanting to sell it. I roast my own coffee and I now get feedback on my roast or the beans on hand from the direct feedback I get when grinding. If you choose to buy some really expensive beans down the track you will get great value for money as everything that goes in comes out, there is no retention of grinds. Beans can jump out occasionally but  I use the Pharos rubber "popper stopper" or whatever it is called and that solves the problem, it is a perfect fit. Visitors always admire the design even if they are not coffee fanatics.

ash

Thanks guys, some little gems of info in your responses. Bench height being one thing to consider. Luckily we have a step aerobics step around the place which may end up getting used for something different, as where the grinder will go is on an elevated bench top. For Beanz and Steve82, just how small is small in the step adjustments? My Macap M4 is stepless, but I find that I make multiple half turn twists of the screw to dial in a bean. I've read over at HB that the steps are considered by some to be to big for espresso (or that's the impression that I'm getting...).[size=6pt]Mind you I do take a lot of what is written there about perceived pros/cons with a dose of salt. IMHO there is a lot of pseudo science going on there, along with some good bits of info hidden away.... :doh: They should stop posting about coffee and start drinking coffee! :coffee2:[/size] Do either of you find (or did you find) yourselves wishing there was a half step available? I used to own a Rocky Doserless, and before I modded it into a stepless one, I was getting annoyed about the size of the steps. Beanz, what kind of feedback are you referring to when you grind your own roasts? Is it how hard or easy it is, or the sound differences?? I also roast my own beans so this perked my curiosity . Thanks folks, I appreciate your comments  ;D

Beanz

I have never felt that I needed another step The feedback is that you notice more resistance when grinding a light roast less resistance for a darker roast, with an electric grinder that would go unoticed

lukemc

Which burrs did you go with beanz? Mine has the bead blasted Mazzer burrs. I broke mine in with some of the quick cook rice and a bag of Coles beans!

steve82

Never had a problem with the size of the steps.  :thumb: I found the Macap M4D worm drive stepless adjustment to be overkill - as in lots of turning to get a noticeable adjustment.

Beanz

I selected the TiN aftermarket burrs. I can recall looking at the table they had on line at the time but cannot remember now why I made the decision to go aftermarket. I have never had a problem with them and the coffee tastes great The only other point worth noting for anyone considering buying is static which is covered on their site http://hg-one.com/the-hg-one-grinder/hg-101/static/

ash

Thanks for the helpful information folks, all very helpful  :coffee2:

shortblackman

Got an hg one in January of 2015. Really happy with it. I found recently , using a naked , that the pour (and taste) are noticeably better with WDT. I'd really recommend trying that if you haven't already. Static is a small problem. You don't "lose" coffee, you just have to shake it free. I've never used the sweeper. Beanz (Hi there!) I think i remember you saying you did. Does that give you 100%?

Dry_bean.

on 1460987843:

Got an hg one in January of 2015. Really happy with it. I found recently , using a naked , that the pour (and taste) are noticeably better with WDT. I'd really recommend trying that if you haven't already. Static is a small problem. You don't "lose" coffee, you just have to shake it free. I've never used the sweeper. Beanz (Hi there!) I think i remember you saying you did. Does that give you 100%?

I know it sounds crazy given its not electrically powered, have you tried earthing it? should help dissipate the static charge, another option to try would be  an anti static mat.

Beanz

Hi SBM Welcome to the Forum Your progression through to your current equipment has been at Formula 1 pace ! I need to come and learn some tricks from you I did install the sweep arm on the HG 1 which makes quite a bit of difference but you will get more benefit from the RDT / Ross Droplet Technique which will almost completely eliminate grinds being retained by static in the environment we live in. There is a reference to this on the HG site but there is plenty of info on HB as well. http://hg-one.com/the-hg-one-grinder/hg-101/static/ I would stay away from the spray bottles as they tend to wet the coffee too much, just wet the tip of your (clean) finger and stir it through  the beans after you have weighed them out and that seems to add enough moisture to make a difference. Off topic have you tried The Storehouse at Mt Evelyn it seems to be the best coffee in the district since we lost Little Elixir although given your line up maybe the best coffee is at your place. We just need to get you roasting now !

Dry_bean.

Sounds like a simple solution Beanz. :thumb:

Brett H

And there's no shortage of friendly help here!!