Grinder review

admin

Hi guys - as most pro's know, the grinder is pretty much as important [some would say more important] than the espresso machine you use.

Just so you know, we will be doing a review of domestic grinders in our upcoming Summer issue of the magazine, but will also start putting them up in weekly instalments on our website.

-A

askthecoffeeguy

COOL - I use a Mazzer Super Jolly and a Rocky at home (for decaf / Single Origin), and I find these two to be a pretty winning combo...I wonder what others are using? P

psaigh

I would 100% say that the grinder is 10 times as important as the espresso machine.  I'd much prefer to make coffee using something like a compak k10 and a breville ikon than a Vibiemma domo super and a sunbeam em480. Can't wait to see the results of the domestics!!

admin

Hi there - just a quick of quick things in advance - Super Jolly is not included - as it's a domestic review, we went from the Mazzer Mini down. Also, unfortunately our Rocky didn't turn up in time for the review day, so we had to go to print without it :-[, but will include it in our online update on the website. -A

askthecoffeeguy

I would argue that a Super Jolly is suitable for home use only, as it's too slow for any but the quietest of commercial operations, I've also got a Compak K8 and a LA Cimbali magnum grinder sitting in the shed - both in perfect working order - but that's

Koffee_Kosmo

Yea My first grinder was an Iberital challenge purchased and used while my current grinder the Macap M4D was ordered and still on a container ship in transit to Australia I like my M4D and its great for home use For commercial use you cant go past the Mazzer Robur or Compak K10 KK

YeeZa

I've got a SJ, Rocky and a Cimbali DRM for my home grinders.... SJ with the uber-short hopper is my everyday one. No such thing as overkill IMHO for a grinder for home. I'd take a 2nd hand Rober for home if someone had one going. I'd go to say that the Mazzer Mini is a good home use grinder. I've also been impressed with some of the Anfim's, although havne't played around with one long enough to give a good review. I've played with the Macap M4D for a while and didn't like it that much.... but can see it's a great piece of kit for someone. I just found it was a bigger clumper than most. Probably why 9/10 I'd go a doser, unless it was a great connical that spat it out fast enough through a bit of wire that broke up the clumps. I used a Macap M4(dosered) for a day too. That was pretty good, but I'd take a Mini over it most days of the week. Also impressed with the Compak K3-T for the price. I was impressed by it's build and grind quality compared to my Rocky.

takeaim

I'd take a 2nd hand Rober for home if someone had one going.

I just bought myself a robur   I love the look of the domestic Isomac grinders

askthecoffeeguy

for home use?

Koffee_Kosmo

I'd take a 2nd hand Rober for home if someone had one going.

I just bought myself a robur

askthecoffeeguy

I bought a (2nd hand) cabinet and stuck it in a disused section of my (admittedly large) kitchen, and set up a coffee 'shrine' there, with my Bezzera and my Super Jolly housed above, and my roaster and green beans etc stored below - so that all who enter the kitchen must stop and worship at the shrine!

YeeZa

for home use?

totally.... I use mine for coffee gigs fairly often, but even if I didn't I'd still take one. Cut cupboards out if I had to    ;D

askthecoffeeguy

Being the good Samaritan that I am I lent my 'spare' Rancillio S24 single group commercial espresso machine to some friends of my recently, and they renovated their kitchen to accommodate it on the bench space - now THAT's dedication!  :D ;D  

Koffee_Kosmo

I am extending the main house by including a detached & self contained town house for the in-laws So I cant see any reason why a Robur cant fit in the new kitchen : D And that is just the start because I will need a new espresso machine with that What a dilemma KK

admin

Hi guys - first installment of home grinder review up now on cremamagazine.com.au [Click "Home" on menu bar above]. Remember this is a review of domestic units for home users, so we're talking Mazzer Mini down, so for the pros on the site, don't be too disappointed! However, what we're planning to do in the new year, is a serious review of commercial grinders,and hoping to get the use of a mass spectrometer to test for grind consistency! Note: this was something we would have liked to do for the domestic one as well, but we simply couldn't get access to one. However, keep your fingers crossed that we can get one for the commercial review!! -A

psaigh

please please PLEASE try and review the elektra NINO commercial grinder.  I'd love to see it's comparison with the robur and k10

askthecoffeeguy

any relation to the Carmen Electra? I hear its quite a sizzler!

askthecoffeeguy

heres some info I found on the Electra - looks good, but surely there is a more current version since this was originally posted? http://www.home-barista.com/forums/elektra-nino-azione-grinder-t4118.html

Koffee_Kosmo

please please PLEASE try and review the elektra NINO commercial grinder.

psaigh

From my understanding they're made by in the macap factory (or at least the burrs are) though are very different to the macap series of grinders. When the nino was first released I know the boys at veneziano had a good play around with one with very positive results. Mark Prince also speaks very VERY highly of them.

psaigh

With regards to the Elektra Nino they have a similar design to the Casadio-Istantaneo grinder and possibly a copy of one [/quote] The only thing that looks similar is the chute.  As for a copy, i find that hard to substantiate.  The build quality of the casadio looks pretty poor vs the nino, which quite literally takes two people to lift due to the sheer amount of metal parts used (entirely metal gears, cooling elements etc).

Koffee_Kosmo

The only thing that looks similar is the chute.  As for a copy, i find that hard to substantiate.  The build quality of the casadio looks pretty poor vs the nino, which quite literally takes two people to lift due to the sheer amount of metal parts used (entirely metal gears, cooling elements etc)

Yea psaigh I meant a copy of the chute design and done better in the Elektra way Still the videos show that it works well They say the design throws out 99% of the ground coffee leaving very little in the chute KK

psaigh

yeah, i was told 0.1 of a gram which is nuts!  Plus close to zero wastage (grinds missing the basket due to poor design or static etc), and an amazingly "fluffy" distribution of grounds with no clumps.  Good to tamp with no distribution technique required. But with all these positive points you still don't see them in action anywhere.  Really weird.

YeeZa

But with all these positive points you still don't see them in action anywhere.

Unknown

Yea My first grinder was an Iberital challenge purchased and used while my current grinder the Macap M4D was ordered and still on a container ship in transit to Australia KK

Interesting that you bought your M4D overseas. I know they can be quite cheaper than here in Oz but did you have to pay import duties though? and what about voltage/plug differences? and warranties. Warranties are sometimes void when shipped internationally. I would be interested in who you bought from (over the net). Cheers bleachbythebeach

Koffee_Kosmo

Hi BBTB I pre ordered my Macap M4D by securing it with a 20% deposit from an Australian distributor Talk Coffee thus getting a great price It is the Australian spec grinder not grey import So to answer your question further I have owned it for over a year now and have no issues with it Now when grinding fine it will soft clump a little but its a non issue for me It is a well built grinder that works well KK

askthecoffeeguy

agreed I've used this grinder in one of my cafe's and was very impressed with its ease of use and its adjustability!

Koffee_Kosmo

I am now a proud owner of a near new Mazzer Major I moded a few things even before I used it Sweeper tape mod, funnel guide at doser exit mod, wire at burr throat chute to cut the grind path in two mod Next mod is to go doser-less if I can find an appropriate funnel This what the home set up is like Compare the M4D with the Major KK

askthecoffeeguy

mate that's an awesome looking setup - I've had to downsize my home collection after moving house so now I'm back to my Rancilio S24 and Super Jolly me other equipment is stored away for special ocassions though I may display my 15yr old Baby Gaggia (fully restored works great) in my cafe when it finally opens! p

Koffee_Kosmo

My new motto is don't do things in halves   ::) Anyway I was unhappy with the funnel guide plastic thingy for the doser exit throat   So I designed another and fitted it   ;D  Much better now KK

admin

Hey KK - you never fail to amaze me!! -A