This "Only GRINDERS" thread is not for you if...

[Mister Moo]

Originally Posted by Da Klugs

...New grinder = good idea. Jane likes to spoil me so.. good one?

The Good Jane.

1. Anything less than the best would not match the humidor motif.
2. To make to-die-for moka and espresso down the road may harken.
3. Possible coffee drinking crowds (e.g. Shackie thing) demands capacity.

If Jane has an unlimited budget and she is not afraid to overspend it, don't **** around. Select among the three or four of the top-rated burr mills according to style, size (will it fit under the cabinets, etc.) and color. The top 10 best of the bunch all do a lifetime job brilliantly, Dave. Nobody moves up the grinder ladder, ever, and sez, "Feh. THAT was a waste."

MazzerMini
Macap
Pasquini

Keep the old grinder for decaf, flavored beans, the boat house - whatever.

[Mister Moo]

Originally Posted by Mister Moo

MazzerMini
Macap
Pasquini

Jeez - another thing. Consider in the mix, besides the cosmetics of machine height or color and cord location, the doser and auto-timer options.

Doser is good for espresso, but only when you're making at least three or four at a time. Otherwise, it is in ther way and one more thing to keep clean. I like a doser given that I make a lot of espresso but many people find them inconvenient.

The on/off timer is something I never have used. If you're tending to make a pot of coffee in the same machine, regularly, I can see where a timer would be a good thing. Turn it on and it shoots out a measured amount of grind, just right for your Teknikalkworm basket, and then shuts itself off. No waste - no minding the button while you're running the water or flipping the bacon or telling Jane, over and over, how much you appreciate the new grinder with the timer on it.

[Da Klugs]

Originally Posted by Resipsa

We're working on him Ev's we're working on him

Dave, I like the Baratza Virtuouso for everyday all round grinding. Solid construction, dependable, does a great job grinding and just one step below the "major" coffee grinders and worth the money, but not cheap.

And it is and always be the "Shack Grinder"

Originally Posted by Mister Moo

The Good Jane.

1. Anything less than the best would not match the humidor motif.
2. To make to-die-for moka and espresso down the road may harken.
3. Possible coffee drinking crowds (e.g. Shackie thing) demands capacity.

If Jane has an unlimited budget and she is not afraid to overspend it, don't **** around. Select among the three or four of the top-rated burr mills according to style, size (will it fit under the cabinets, etc.) and color. The top 10 best of the bunch all do a lifetime job brilliantly, Dave. Nobody moves up the grinder ladder, ever, and sez, "Feh. THAT was a waste."

MazzerMini
Macap
Pasquini

Keep the old grinder for decaf, flavored beans, the boat house - whatever.

So assuming she loves me alot and I have an 18 inch high counter area that is 3x2... the specific reccomendation is....

Rancillio Rocky has served me well and fits the niche between $Moo$ grinders and the $200-and-under set. Personally I think that for the low-mid-$300 price tag it is much closer to a top tier grinder than the price would lead you to believe

[Mister Moo]

Originally Posted by Da Klugs

And it is and always be the "Shack Grinder"



So assuming she loves me alot and I have an 18 inch high counter area that is 3x2... the specific reccomendation is....

They do make a shorter hopper for the Mazzer these days but, short or tall it's my first pick. Nobody ever got one and said, "Feh. This thing sucks."

The Macap may be the equal of the Mazzer for a few clams less and, in most peoples opinion, it comes in a package more pleasing to the eye. It lacks history to speak for future performance but looks great in the here and now.

Macap owners tend toward an irrational exuburance - and a jingoistic, "My grinder, right or wrong!" mentality which cannot be explained by anything except the poisonous, toxic gasses Macaps release, Mazzer owners claim. I think the imbalances that have occured in BigWaved and ResIpsa since they got Macaps validates the Mazzerian argument.

The Rocky is a legendary, fine grinder for a younger (or less worldly) man than yourself, Dave; it's a finely tuned 599cc crotch rocket in the shadow of a Harley Ultra Classic. (gentle shrug - fine grinder, a Rocky, but not up to the demands of someone who may pursue coffee with even 10% of the vigor you pursue cigars. C'mon...

Let Jane decide. If you get a Macap just keep a few windows open to cross-ventilate. Hope this is helpful.

http://www.1st-line.com/machines/com...nder/index.htm

I love my Zass.

[Sr Mike]

Wow, I did not know some grinders had such steep prices. I think I will have to stick with grinding my coffee with my shoe, my taxes are going up.

Originally Posted by Sr Mike

Wow, I did not know some grinders had such steep prices. I think I will have to stick with grinding my coffee with my shoe, my taxes are going up.

The Zassenhaus is a great alternative if you don't mind working for your coffee a little.

[Alfred]

I waited to buy for a very long time-not wanting to spend the money, but insisting on long term quality. One option (among others already discussed here) shown to me was the Spanish made Cunill Tranquilo:

http://sovranastore.com/esgrin.html

I know it's served the detail orientated suggestor well for years. That said, I finally opted for the Mazzer Mini to go with my Expobar Brewtus. I really prefer to do these things once if possible.

[Mister Moo]

Originally Posted by Alfred

I waited to buy for a very long time-not wanting to spend the money, but insisting on long term quality. One option (among others already discussed here) shown to me was the Spanish made Cunill Tranquilo:

http://sovranastore.com/esgrin.html

I know it's served the detail orientated suggestor well for years. That said, I finally opted for the Mazzer Mini to go with my Expobar Brewtus. I really prefer to do these things once if possible.

I think the Cunill/Espagnas are well regarded but I know the Mazzer is a once-per-lifetime home machine. You won't be disappointed.

How do you like the Brewtus? How long have you had it?

[Alfred]

Originally Posted by Mister Moo

I think the Cunill/Espagnas are well regarded but I know the Mazzer is a once-per-lifetime home machine. You won't be disappointed.

How do you like the Brewtus?

Thus far with the Mazzer-I'm very happy. Easy to adjust for whatever bean and seems built tank solid-which is what I was looking for.

As to the Expobar Brewtus-the very first machine I considered was the Silvia. But it seemed most (or many) who bought the Silvia, while very happy with it, consistently stepped up. So, to avoid that-I made 2 steps instead of one, though more expensive at the offset, I thought cheaper then having bought 2 units over time. I REALLY like it. Easy to operate and consistently produces what I'm looking for. It's the older model-non PID with a vibratory pump versus the third version (with PID and rotary). But with the the second versions introductory price and performance, a great value. My shot of choice is the Malabar Gold. I really need to try the Black Cat.

[Mister Moo]

Originally Posted by Alfred

Thus far with the Mazzer ... built tank solid...

Note on Mazzer. Mine, from delivery, was very stiff handling on micro adjustments. The fineness ring was not able to be turned without one hand on the screw-in lever/handle and the other on the base of the machine. I always figured that's the way it was.

After I replaced the burrs a few months back the adjuster got even more difficult. I re-removed the top collar and meticulously cleaned the threads with a lint-free cloth and some mineral oil. Another few drops of mineral oil on the threads before reassembly and now all is smooth as silk.

Expobars seem to be built for the long haul; those who have them keep them.

[Alfred]

Originally Posted by Mister Moo

After I replaced the burrs a few months back the adjuster got even more difficult. I re-removed the top collar and meticulously cleaned the threads with a lint-free cloth and some mineral oil. Another few drops of mineral oil on the threads before reassembly and now all is smooth as silk.

Thank you for the tip! I'll keep that in mind. I'm still in the learning curve/process with this but, that's my thought approach with most endeavours since most things, on many levels, can always be better.

Again, thank you.