raytracer Senior Member Joined: 15 Feb 2009 Posts: 14 Location: US FL Expertise: I love coffee
Posted Wed Jan 13, 2010, 12:42pm Subject: Grind issues
Lately my coffee quality seems to have been diminishing. I've pretty much ruled out beans (always buy green), roast (several diff methods, most recently Behmor), and brewing method (again, several diff methods, aeropress and moka mostly - never espresso). So it has led me to focus on the component I have been neglecting the most, my grinder. I have a Solis Maestro plus. Had it for about two years. I examined the grind consistency today and it seems to be way way inconsistent, but I'm not 100% sure what I'm looking at. What do you think? I've been thinking about a manual grinder since I only drink 4 or 5 cups a day.
JasonBrandtLewis Senior Member Joined: 9 Dec 2005 Posts: 6,099 Location: Berkeley, CA Expertise: I live coffee
Espresso: Elektra T1 - La Valentina -... Grinder: Mahlkönig K30 Vario -... Vac Pot: Yama 5-cup Drip: CCD, Chemex Roaster: No, no, not another...
Posted Wed Jan 13, 2010, 2:21pm Subject: Re: Grind issues
Let's just say "not my favorite grinder," and leave it at that. Many people love their manual grinders; the best source for them, new or used, is Orphan Espresso -- be sure to read the descriptions, as they are quite accurate and will clearly say what type of coffee preparation "x" grinder is good for (and not good for).
Personally, unless there's a power failure, I'm hard-pressed to see myself using a hand-grinder. Therefore I would suggest this . . .
Would that be much of an upgrade over my Maestro +? If I didn't go the manual route, at what point should I consider just biting the bullet and getting a Mazzer or Rocky? I dont currently have an espresso machine but probably will in the next few years.
JasonBrandtLewis Senior Member Joined: 9 Dec 2005 Posts: 6,099 Location: Berkeley, CA Expertise: I live coffee
Espresso: Elektra T1 - La Valentina -... Grinder: Mahlkönig K30 Vario -... Vac Pot: Yama 5-cup Drip: CCD, Chemex Roaster: No, no, not another...
Posted Wed Jan 13, 2010, 2:59pm Subject: Re: Grind issues
Personally, I'd pass on both the Rocky and the Mazzer. The Rocky is something that you can do much better than, and no Mazzer is all that easy to switch in between aeropress, moka, drip, espresso, and so on . . .
IF you want to seriously upgrade your grinder, and IF you think you will eventually get some form of espresso machine, bite the proverbial bullet sooner rather than later and get the Baratza Vario!
raytracer Senior Member Joined: 15 Feb 2009 Posts: 14 Location: US FL Expertise: I love coffee
Posted Wed Jan 13, 2010, 3:51pm Subject: Re: Grind issues
Ok - i'll keep that in mind. I guess my main question is - for $80 I can pick up a Zass - would that be much better than my Maestro+ just to hold me over for another year or so?
GarryG Senior Member Joined: 18 Mar 2004 Posts: 26 Location: Missouri Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: La Spaziale Mini II Grinder: Cimbali Jr.,Maestro Plus,... Drip: Chemex, Krups, Bodum...
Posted Sun Jan 24, 2010, 10:39pm Subject: Re: Grind issues
Have you cleaned your grinder? Over time, a grinder can accumulate coffee oil that imparts an off taste to the coffee. The Maestro + can be disassembled without too much difficulty, but an easier solution is to buy a container of Grindz (available at specialty coffee shops, including Chris Coffee), and run some of that through.
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