Conical Grinders

Comments

• john

  July 2004

  Forum Thanks for the all the replies via private emails. So far the Mazzer Robur looks like the one of choice of many respected members/readers of the coffee forum. However, I found it most interesting that when I spoke to a distributor of conical grinders he tried to talk me into buying a flat bur one instead. Thanks again. JD

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• FreshCoffee2

  July 2004

  Hi John, this is basically because the whole conical burr thing is a "con" in most situations, but before someone jumps on the high horse, let me just say that THAT IS NOT TO SAY THAT CONICALS ARENT GOOD OR DONT DO THE JOB... Blindfold someone who thinks he or she has a "good command" of espresso coffee. Set up a flat burr grinder, and a conical burr grinder, side by side. Grind say 750 grams coffee out of each (to get the units hot). Now make two idential espresso with each and serve to blindfolded expert. See if he or she can tell the difference between them. Now because say 90% of all espresso in Oz has been "put out" with milk, do the same again with lar'tae. Now tell me that our panel of experts have been able to tell the difference between the conicals and the flats. Ok that deals with "quality" of grind. Further (and as mentioned elsewhere), in busy situations where heating up of burrs occurs with all the associated management problems, we use Heavy Duty grinders that use larger than standard flat burrs, and a heavier duty motor that turns slower...it's the same theory as for the conical grinder, but at a lesser price (presumably due to cost of build). Incidentally, it's interesting to note that these HD grinders deliver grinds quicker than standard cafe grinders ( they are after all designed for busy environments) despite the motor turning more slowly. For example, we currently have a cafe doing TEN KILOS A DAY (that's 7 til 4, not 7 til midnight folks) with one only of these grinders and aside from the replacement of burrs at the required interval, there is no problem that anyone knows of. Theoretically, the advantage of conicals here should be that replacement of conicals might occur at lesser frequency than with the flats, but surely that is related to the effective size of the burrs (in comparison to the flats), speed of motors and therefore friction / heat produced and rate of "blunting", etc. Cost of flats is far less than the cost of the conical, and basically this is what it always comes down to in business (cost / benefit per individual situation)  given an equivalent standard of machine. Realistically then, A) is there REALLY an advantage to be gained from conicals except in exceptional circumstances? and, given there is very little real requirement for conicals and that they cost so much more and that you wouldn't want to hold much stock for fear it will represent a large quantity of unusable capital for a long time before it sells, the importer is going to hold very little stock and may not necessarily have any when you make your enquiry, preferring instead to sell an HD flat burr grinder on the spot, or order a conical especially for you after you have made the enquiry! No? Cheers, FC.

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• john

  July 2004

  Fresh I would agree with your comments. Few if any would pick the difference. ??? I was contemplating buying another grinder and thought that it would be interesting to have a conical on the bench. I could then do my own comparisons. For my current purpose it would be overkill but I can have some fun along the way to making the ultimate espresso. JD ;D

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• Ozkoz

  July 2004

  I almost fell into the "Conical" trap myself. After much surfing I concluded that I could not justify the extra cost. I certainly do not think that the grind will produce a consistantly better coffee. I will soon be in the market for: 3 Cafe grinders - 1 Commercial grinder Any tips or recommendations? I have my mind set on Mazzers for the cafe. Not sure on the commercial one. If posting brand names on this forum is "not cool"please e-mail me privately. Thanks, Alan

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• admin

  July 2004

  Just a note to clear up some apparent confusion - posting of brand names and/or web addresses is fine on the Trade Page, as long as this is not used to excessively 'sell' some type of product/service...ie it's allowed, but shouldn't be over-the-top (at the discretion of Admin). Cheers -A

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