Terrakeramik Senior Member Joined: 25 Oct 2006 Posts: 18 Location: New Canaan Expertise: Professional
Espresso: Quickmill Andreja Premium Grinder: Mazzer Mini Drip: Capresso MT500
Posted Mon May 7, 2007, 1:37pm Subject: Re: SCAA Long Beach 2007 Day 1, Road Reports
Mark, Thanks for the day 1 report and the photos on flickr. It would be wonderful to post some scores and analysis from the semi-final round to provide some context and understanding of what happened. There is obviously a little surprise at who made it and who did not make it to the finals. We also hear that the scores are close. We like the photos on Jay - any chance that you have photos of some of the other competing baristi (we understand one or two may be "retiring" after the USBC). Keep up the nice work - just feed our hunger for almost real-time info and your insight into the onsite happenings! Thanks!
I remarked on another forum that the convention went virtually unreported by the conventional media (Google news searches all weekend brought up next to nothing). I expected some greater coverage, both here and elsewhere. I realize that the participants had their hands full but all the more reason to contract out some coverage.
pburbridge Senior Member Joined: 22 Apr 2005 Posts: 298 Location: Halifax, Nova Scotia Canada Expertise: Professional
Espresso: La Marzocco GS3 Grinder: Mazzer Super Jolly Vac Pot: hario 3 cup Drip: Kalita pour over brewer Roaster: I-roast 2
Posted Tue May 8, 2007, 7:18pm Subject: Re: SCAA Long Beach 2007 Day 1, Road Reports
Hi Mark,
When and where can we here more about this new grinder? What size are the burrs, how long does it take to grind an 16-20g dose? How does it achieve an even distribution with a chute like that, do you have to move the portafilter around while filling? Also, any ideas how much it might retail for and when it might hit the market (sorry but you know I had to aski :)? It sounds really exciting, finally companies are addressing the serious limitations of current grinders! I want one :P
MarkPrince Moderator Joined: 19 Dec 2001 Posts: 5,144 Location: Vancouver Expertise: Professional
Espresso: Frankenstein'ed LM Linea Grinder: Anfim Super Caimano Vac Pot: 1922 Silex Drip: Krups Moka Brew Roaster: Hottop
Posted Tue May 8, 2007, 10:13pm Subject: Re: SCAA Long Beach 2007 Day 1, Road Reports
pburbridge Said:
Hi Mark,
When and where can we here more about this new grinder? What size are the burrs, how long does it take to grind an 16-20g dose? How does it achieve an even distribution with a chute like that, do you have to move the portafilter around while filling? Also, any ideas how much it might retail for and when it might hit the market (sorry but you know I had to aski :)? It sounds really exciting, finally companies are addressing the serious limitations of current grinders! I want one :P
I'm guessing you're talking about the Elektra? (I haven't published the LM Grinder thing yet, but it's fresh in my head too).
Let's see what I can answer
Burr size: I was told, but don't quite remember. I know they are conical and they rotate at 500rpms, and I think, but am not positive that they were either 75mm or 85mm.
For speed, it's bloody fast. I didn't time it, but it seemed to me that doing a 14g dose took around 5-7 seconds.
For distribution - I wish I'd taken a video, but I didn't have anything save for my cell phone to do so. It's hard to put into words, except to say, it just distributes clean, even and "gentle" and really doesn't require any manual distribution, including moving your pf around. When I was watching it, it kind of reminded me of the first time I saw the gentle shower action of a .6mm gicleur'ed espresso machine grouphead. It's not the same "action" per se, but I had the same feeling - this is the PERFECT speed for coffee to fall into a filter basket.
You can't move your pf around much when it's slotted into place on the customized fork. It is designed to fit the Elektra PFs, but I'm betting a retrofit for any PF would be easy, since it is just cut and welded metal (the fork). it forces your PF to be level, both side to side, and front to back. That aids with the distribution, I'm betting.
Dealer price - I asked, and they aren't quite sure yet, but the ballpark may be under $1.5K. Considering that this thing eliminates waste, speeds up your prep service, and such, it'll probably pay for itself in a busy cafe inside of maybe 2 months, depending on how much waste you have now.
I am sure that Dr. Fregnan would be more than happy to answer any questions about this grinder. He's very approachable. Email him via their website: http://www.elektrasrl.com/ - mention the grinder and the CG report, and I'm sure he'll get back to you when he gets back to Treviso.
Andy, you were sorely missed at the conference. I missed your wit. Not to mention your hot bod and bollo tie.
I also, unfortunately, lost out on a chance to talk to Greg. I started at the Barista party (Greg came up to Beata and I when we were sitting with Jay and Carl Sara, snapping photos), but as soon as I started the convo, another person stepped between he and I and took Greg's attention away.
I should get Greg on the podcast. Actually check that - you AND Greg on the podcast. Complete home engineer consumer geekout time.
Hi Mark, yes I was talking about the Elektra and thats for the extra info. Sounds like a really exciting grinder that could be very competitively priced. I can't wait to hear some reviews once some people get their hands on these. I have been considering pairing a Mazzer Kony or Compak K10 with my GS3 (when I get my GS3) but I always felt that something better was just around the corner in the grinder market. I'll be interested to hear what you have to say about the La Marzocco S grinder too, but I imagine the price on one those is not going to be within my budget :)
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