Pfunk Senior Member Joined: 20 Jan 2002 Posts: 30 Location: So Cal Expertise: I love coffee
Posted Fri Dec 28, 2012, 1:19am Subject: Reccomend me a bulk/non-espresso grinder
I've been using a Macap M4 doserless grinder for several years exclusively for non-espresso brew methods (V60, chemex, french, vac, etc). I've seen posts about how espresso grinders such as mine don't produce a great grind for drip and such and always viewed these posts with some scepticism but I'm now a believer.
When I go to an upscale cafe and have a V60 brew prepared for me I'm amazed at how clear the aromas and flavors come through. I take the same beans home and with some effort I can get a brew that's similar but still clearly not the same.
A couple nights ago I got some beans at a nearby cafe that weren't super fresh. I requested they grind half of the bag for V60 so I could compare the grind size to what I'm using at home. He dumped the beans in their Bunn grinder and said "V60, oh you want the 'fine' setting'. Didn't seem very precise to me. I take a look at what he ground - I'm immediately impressed with how uniform the grind appears. I do a couple V60 brews and they are really good. I do a vacuum brew and it's great, no bitterness to it at all.
So I'm sold and interested in a grinder upgrade. My budget is around $1200. I'm looking at the Mahlkonig Kenia, Mahlkonig GSS 1 and also considering the Bunn G1 and upgrading to Ditting burrs. Suggestions? Others I should consider?
I'm not sure how easy these bulk grinders are to do a thorough cleaning with. I want to be able to remove the upper burr assembly to clean it and not have to recalibrate it after it's back together again.
Pfunk Senior Member Joined: 20 Jan 2002 Posts: 30 Location: So Cal Expertise: I love coffee
Posted Fri Dec 28, 2012, 2:48am Subject: Re: Reccomend me a bulk/non-espresso grinder
Hmmmm, Mark Prince has a lot of good things to say about the Baratza Preciso in his review. I had a Maestro in the past. I had to fiddle with the upper burr collar to get it to seat right and had a flimsy feel overall. I bought new burrs for it and damaged the grinder fighting to get that bottom burr off. Looks like the build on the Preciso is better and the smaller size would be a plus compared to a monster commercial grinder.
Can anyone comment on how uniformity and limiting of fines on the preciso compare to commercial choices?
Posted Fri Dec 28, 2012, 9:23am Subject: Re: Reccomend me a bulk/non-espresso grinder
Check restaurant supply stores or the 'bay for used store grinders. I have a model 500 Grindmaster from the 50's (I guess) and use it to grind my home-roast full batches for friends. These commercial store grinders work quite well for drip and perk. There are a bunch of used Bunn grinders for sale on eBay for under $300 right now.
calblacksmith Moderator Joined: 25 Nov 2007 Posts: 5,761 Location: Riverside, Ca, U.S.A. Expertise: I live coffee
Espresso: ECM Veneziano A1 Grinder: Many different commercial Vac Pot: 40s era Silex Drip: Milita, Bunn&Curtis... Roaster: Cast iron pan, gas burner
Posted Fri Dec 28, 2012, 12:48pm Subject: Re: Reccomend me a bulk/non-espresso grinder
Is there a particular reason you are looking for a commercial grinder for other than espresso use?
There are several good grinders you can use that are consistent and do not cost near as much as a commercial grinder does. However after saying that I do have several commercial grinders for other use but I guess that is just the kind of guy I am.
A commercial grinder that is designed for bulk use usually does not have an upper and lower burr. they are usually arranged inner and outer as they lay on their side not top and bottom. There really is not an easy way to clean the grinder in the same way that you are talking about. There are exceptions such as the MCD 65 from NS with it's vertical grind pathbut most are horizontial grind paths.
The bunn is an excellent grinder as it comes from the factory and I really do not see why you would want to try to modify it with other burrs.
In real life, my name is Wayne P.
Feed the newbs, starve the trolls and above all enjoy what you drink!
Well, what I like about my Macap is it's rugged, solid build. It's built like a tank, I feel like it's going to run for decades without issues.
You don't have to read many reviews on the Baratzas to know reliability is an issue. The reviews of people saying they had to get a second or even third replacement grinder shipped to them are discouraging.
nachoslibres Senior Member Joined: 3 Dec 2012 Posts: 22 Location: Tyler, Texas Expertise: I love coffee
Grinder: Baratza Vario-W Drip: Bunn trifecta MB
Posted Fri Dec 28, 2012, 6:16pm Subject: Re: Reccomend me a bulk/non-espresso grinder
Baratza Vario or Vario-W with upgraded steel burrs (instead of the standard ceramic). I haven't heard any issues with the Vario grinders and do know Baratza has great customer service. You can order the Vario (either new or refurbished) with the upgraded steel burrs already installed.
Posted Fri Dec 28, 2012, 10:44pm Subject: Re: Reccomend me a bulk/non-espresso grinder
Stick with the commercial grinders. The build quality is in a different league to domestic units. I think Baratza are the only choice if you're not going for a commercial grinder. Customer service may be more of an unknown quantity but that's the case with most purchases.
Posted Sat Dec 29, 2012, 12:09am Subject: Re: Reccomend me a bulk/non-espresso grinder
at work we use a Mazzer Kony for our pourover bar and a Mahlkonig Guatamala for our batch brewer. I havent done a side by side comparo...hmm maybe i'll do that the next time i'm in.
In both cases, we have very good results.
I know that Coava in portland also uses a Kony for their hand drip brewing.
At home, i use a Mahlkonig Kenia. To be honest, my drip brewing has taken a backseat to my espresso these days so i really am not getting my money's worth so far. One thing i LOVE about this commercial beast is how fast it is. Also the lack of grounds retention is very good.
calblacksmith Moderator Joined: 25 Nov 2007 Posts: 5,761 Location: Riverside, Ca, U.S.A. Expertise: I live coffee
Espresso: ECM Veneziano A1 Grinder: Many different commercial Vac Pot: 40s era Silex Drip: Milita, Bunn&Curtis... Roaster: Cast iron pan, gas burner
Posted Sat Dec 29, 2012, 4:50am Subject: Re: Reccomend me a bulk/non-espresso grinder
Pfunk Said:
Well, what I like about my Macap is it's rugged, solid build. It's built like a tank, I feel like it's going to run for decades without issues.
You don't have to read many reviews on the Baratzas to know reliability is an issue. The reviews of people saying they had to get a second or even third replacement grinder shipped to them are discouraging.
there were very many more grinders sold then you will find a review for and if you stop to think for just a second most people who are very happy don't say a word. was the majority of people who will write anything are posting to complain so you really to you need to take the posts with a grain of salt. Brazil at the has a very good customer service track record.
With that said I fully agree with commercial equipment if you have the room that is all I have and I have many examples of coffee brewers espresso machines and multiple grindersall of them commercial.
In real life, my name is Wayne P.
Feed the newbs, starve the trolls and above all enjoy what you drink!
Pfunk Senior Member Joined: 20 Jan 2002 Posts: 30 Location: So Cal Expertise: I love coffee
Posted Sat Dec 29, 2012, 3:51pm Subject: Re: Reccomend me a bulk/non-espresso grinder
I have a Bunn G1 on the way! I'm excited to try it out. If you would have told me a year ago to buy a supermarket grinder and lug it into my kitchen I would have told you you were nuts but here we are, hahaha.
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