gibson00 Senior Member Joined: 30 Aug 2007 Posts: 90 Expertise: Just starting
Posted Fri Jun 20, 2008, 10:16am Subject: Upgrading from Rocky...
I was considering upgrading from my Rocky.
The following choices fall within my price range ($550 - $750, roughly). Which would be the best choice, or are they not really considered much of an upgrade from the Rocky? I've read reviews on each, and they all seem to get very good reviews I think...:
Posted Fri Jun 20, 2008, 10:09pm Subject: Re: Upgrading from Rocky...
I am big on used equipment, and you could get quite a grinder for $750 used - you could definitely find a good condition mazzer (whichever) for well under your minimum budget price used. But, I know some people don't like that. I'd say any in the mazzer lineup (or macap) will be an upgrade from the rocky. The larger burr size, lower speed, and stepless adjustment are are things you will appreciate. I upgraded from a rocky to a rancilio md-50 (on par with a mazzer super jolly) and couldn't be happier, it was quite a difference.
Posted Fri Jun 20, 2008, 10:51pm Subject: Re: Upgrading from Rocky...
These are the same three grinders I was looking at when I was upgrading. They all have the same grind quality, and in a way, there is no wrong choice. It's largely going to come down to how you like to make coffee and which grinder would fit that routine.
All these grinders are stepless, which is what you want for the best ability to tweak your shots. Mazzers have a pin on the collar that you grab hold of and swing around to wherever you want. Personally, I wanted the wormgear on the Macaps for more precise control over tiny adjustments in grind. It's easier and more practical to make really large adjustments on the Mazzer, but I didn't care because this is a dedicated espresso grinder for me. I also like the on/off switch on the Macaps compared to the timer on the Mazzer.
There is no difference between the M4 and MC4 except in the way the coffee exits. M4 = coffee firsts goes into doser. MC4 = coffee falls directly out of spout. The doser is useful for breaking up clumpy coffee. However, the way I do coffee, I am glad I got the MC4: I like to weigh my grounds on a digital scale. So, with my MC4, coffee falls directly from the the grinder into a small, flexible tupperware container resting on a scale. When I have the exact dose I want, I bang the tupperware down a couple times to break clumps and dose it into my portafilter. Works perfect for me.
If you want to grind directly into the portafilter, maybe consider the doser M4 or Mazzer. If you weigh, or even if you want to try the tupperware routine, try the MC4. Tupperware is my doser anyway, and it's easiest to keep clean - free of stale grounds.
Seconded! For the upper end of your budget you might even be able to snag a used Mazzer Kony. Remember, these grinder are so sturdy that they will run forever. Plus, you can clean them really well. I usually don't like used food preparing stuff that I don't know what it's been used for. But when I got my used SJ, I gave it a good cleaning, and it runs great. The chips in the body's paint don't bother me as the crucial parts are like new. And you could always remodel/repaint your grinder. There is a cool thread on refurbished grinder exteriors somewhere on coffeegeek!
denverclark Senior Member Joined: 24 Jun 2008 Posts: 1 Location: Denver Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: francis francis x3
Posted Tue Jun 24, 2008, 11:02am Subject: Re: Upgrading from Rocky...
Do you still have your Rocky? I've been looking for a gently used one, if you're not does anyone have any suggestions for finding them other than ebay? Thanks
gibson00 Senior Member Joined: 30 Aug 2007 Posts: 90 Expertise: Just starting
Posted Tue Jun 24, 2008, 1:33pm Subject: Re: Upgrading from Rocky...
denverclark Said:
Do you still have your Rocky? I've been looking for a gently used one, if you're not does anyone have any suggestions for finding them other than ebay? Thanks
Posted Tue Jun 24, 2008, 1:51pm Subject: Re: Upgrading from Rocky...
denverclark Said:
Do you still have your Rocky? I've been looking for a gently used one, if you're not does anyone have any suggestions for finding them other than ebay? Thanks
In addition to the buy/sell/trade section here, vendors such as Whole Latte Love sometimes have refurbished Rockies at a discount, or you could write or call some others to ask if they have any buyer's remorse units for sale.
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