Grinders...again

Janlab · July 2013

The Behmor has landed, and some beans. I have read extensively on this and other (foreign) forums over the past two weeks have come to the conclusion that a new higher order grinder is needed. (The old, kitchen utensil one has in any case demised in the big move.)
I visited most, if not all the suppliers' sites. But the confusion is just increasing. I have also taken note of various members' kit (some clearly have a thing for grinders, hehehe).
While I do not have unlimited funds, I have allways believed that one should buy the best you can afford, It saves some upgrade costs, (at least to some extent) it also seems that the grinder is the most important piece in the process, so I have permission the buy at least a semi professional one.
Therefore some simple questions please:
1. The merits of flat burs vs conical burs. It seems that the major price jump occurs from the former to the latter.
2. Doser vs -less, this will be a home machine.
3. Relative reliability, I live remote.
4. Suggestions up to $1000, $1500 and $2000.

Thanks.

Koffee_Kosmo · July 2013

1. The merits of flat burs vs conical burs. It seems that the major price jump occurs from the former to the latter. 2. Doser vs -less, this will be a home machine. 3. Relative reliability, I live remote. 4. Suggestions up to $1000, $1500 and $2000. Thanks.

1) Both burr sets are good but the larger size the better and the Bezzera made by DRM brand have a hybrid model that uses both conical and flat burrs 2) I have used both and now settled on a doser model - but doser-less is cleaner 3) Most known brands that produce commercial machines will be at your service for many years 4) Mazzer, Compac, Bezzera made by DRM, Macap I got my BNZ as a lightly used ex cafe grinder So don't overlook used commercial grinders KK

Janlab · July 2013

KK, Thanks very much. I have only seen the Bezzera on the agent's (whom you seem to know well!) site. Will they supply directly. Where to look for used kit? JL

Koffee_Kosmo · July 2013

on 1374711395:

KK, Thanks very much. I have only seen the Bezzera on the agent's (whom you seem to know well!) site. Will they supply directly. Where to look for used kit? JL

By all means contact our sponsors for models and prices Other sources for used grinders are from members posting on the Crema classifieds and online auctions KK

askthecoffeeguy · July 2013

The Fiorenzato coffee grinder range also appears to offer some very good quality grinders in their commercial range, at very competitive prices - could be worth checking out...

Jonty · July 2013

Macap m4d is a good little unit.... :thumb:

Koffee_Kosmo · July 2013

on 1374746197:

Macap m4d is a good little unit.... :thumb:

I had one of those, a stepped model and it was a great little grinder KK

Lizzi · July 2013

I have a Macap M4D... love it. Solid, quiet , not too big a footprint nor too tall, easy to clean. Still messy, as the coffee will clump and spill no matter how hard you try to keep it in the portafilter, but the programmable pre-sets are great and the micro metric adjustment is super easy... great for humidity changes during the day and also easy to dial in for a new bean. Happy hunting!

L

Naki^chap · July 2013

Hi Janlab, How do you drink your coffee with milk or black ? How many drinks are you making per day ? I have a Pharos 68mm conical hand grinder which I use when only making a couple of drinks, as I drink it black I like the grind from the pharos, I also have a Compak K6 for when I need to bang more than a couple of drinks, You could do something like this for a $1000 second hand flat burr + pharos large conical.

Janlab · July 2013

Thanks for this, if only I can find a place to buy a Pharos from. I drink mostly milk based coffee, but enjoy an espresso a lot. I drink a lot of coffee, but my workload during the day precludes anything bar the instant Nespresso! Also, no grinder there. Part of this current quest is to significantly raise the bar, as well as having loads of fun. Hopefully I'll own a better grinder soon, but the sheer quality of the pharos make it something I want! Jan

Koffee_Kosmo · July 2013

Very good suggestion A Pharos is a good recommendation The new HG One may be all you need for both situations Lets hope the few owners on the forum can reply with a user update KK

Janlab · July 2013

Checked out the HG one; it's looks even more psychedelic! Seems that its only available from the manufacturers though. With that weight it'll be expensive to get here. J

Naki^chap · July 2013

Orphan espresso in the US produce the Pharos.

Jonty · July 2013

on 1374835588:

I have a Macap M4D... love it. Solid, quiet , not too big a footprint nor too tall, easy to clean. Still messy, as the coffee will clump and spill no matter how hard you try to keep it in the portafilter, but the programmable pre-sets are great and the micro metric adjustment is super easy... great for humidity changes during the day and also easy to dial in for a new bean. Happy hunting! L

Agree Lizzi. I have purchased one of those beautifully spun aluminium portafilter funnel from OE in the states. Beautiful kit and zero spillage... Sits nicely with the M4D :thumb:

Janlab · July 2013

on 1374930644:

Very good suggestion A Pharos is a good recomenrpdation The new HG One may be all you need for both situations Lets hope the few owners on the forum can reply with a user update KK

Anyone here own an HG one? J

Koffee_Kosmo · July 2013

on 1374971182:

Anyone here own an HG one? J

Gulumay in the NT has had his the longest

Lizzi · July 2013

on 1374969914:

Agree Lizzi. I have purchased one of those beautifully spun aluminium portafilter funnel from OE in the states. Beautiful kit and zero spillage... Sits nicely with the M4D :thumb:

Oh, Jonty, that looks great.. much better than the cut-off yoghurt tub! On the wish- list it goes

L:

Janlab · August 2013

the Pharos has landed! Beautifully packaged, with the lugs and some other goodies. what a beautifull piece of engineering, it deseves a place in the Chicago Museum of Science and Technology! thanks to the Forum and your free advice, without which the name would still have me thinking about Alexandria (where one of the bucket list buildings of the world, the Modern Bibliotheca Alexandrina is). that is the beauty of these pages (which incidentally are all saved in said building's library of web pages) (some trivia!) now for the upgrade of the....wait for it!...Kitchen Aid. more help will be needed. i'll make a nice hardwood base for the Pharos, with the lugs attached.

Brett H · August 2013

Kudos JL!! A piece of functional art to adorn your coffee station.

Janlab · August 2013

the local roaster is opposite the post office. i was so pleased with the excellant service from OE, that i immediately went for a coffee (where it all started). saw these beautiful little cups, and immediately got a "from jan to jan" present to augment the rest of the small collection. (bit off topic, but added immense pleasure!) best was the price!

Koffee_Kosmo · August 2013

It's a nice manual grinder that uses huge conical burrs What more can you want :thumb: Hope you come back with user tips and taste reports KK

Janlab · August 2013

oops! how do you turn pictures???

Koffee_Kosmo · August 2013

on 1377689988:

oops! how do you turn pictures???

Don't stress they are the right way up when expanded Nice cups by the way KK

Kelsey · August 2013

I've always liked the idea of the Pharos - hope to get to play with one in person one day!

Ol Grumpy · August 2013

So is Pharos still the original design? I don't know, so I am asking? From the perspective that many found the voodoodaddy's mods greatly improves the basic machine, not that there's anything wrong with it, I'm just a born tinkerer? So What's the latest news? : ear

Janlab · August 2013

Apparently yes, original, although I think the adjustment mechanism was adapted to some mod(others may know better). I'll use it like this first, will buy the voodoodaddy mods yearend in US, will be cheaper to carry. J

C-man · September 2013

on 1377941006:

So is Pharos still the original design? I don't know, so I am asking? From the perspective that many found the voodoodaddy's mods greatly improves the basic machine, not that there's anything wrong with it, I'm just a born tinkerer? So What's the latest news? : ear

My friend got one and never bothered with the mods, says it works good enough how it is.

Ol Grumpy · October 2013

Well thanks to Brett H, I now have a new Bodum Siphon... Now to the Grinder Quandry..... Firstly, I'm a manual grinder kinda guy... I'd like a Rossa Mini-, but it is too small (hopper wise)... Save that for camping... The Lido is no longer in production, however, the Lido 2 is getting close to production ready... But still maybe many weeks away... Whenever... The Pharos has a huge Burr, but a puny hopper... 21 grams odd, also the Pharos is not currently available due to parts (Burrs), not being available... Quite the Quandry... What to do? By the time I get the Pharos and the Voodoo Daddy Mods I'm spending a little more than the budget allows... But the Scottish blood in me will stretch it, just a few more pennies...

Ol Grumpy · October 2013

Well it seems like months ago, but in truth, it was but a matter of a few {: anxious} days... The exodus has begun... Today a Pharos grinder bid farewell to Idaho bound for New Jersey, a 2100 mile journey; to be placed in the hands of the Voodoodaddy, no less than the Chan man, himself. Once the spell is cast, the real journey shall begin, in earnest, and the Pharos shall Springwood bound, be...

Koffee_Kosmo · October 2013

Excellent You have a huge conical grinder operated with muscle power :thumb: KK

Brett H · October 2013

on 1381500623:

Excellent You have a huge conical grinder operated with muscle power :thumb: KK

Wow, between that and the Syphon your coffee cred will be unimpeachable! Congratulations!!

frame

Howdy, Stranger!

Howdy, Stranger!

Categories

In this Discussion

Grinders...again

Comments

foot

Policies

Social

frame

Howdy, Stranger!

Howdy, Stranger!

Quick Links

Categories

In this Discussion

Grinders...again

Comments

foot

Policies

Social