Posted Tue Aug 11, 2009, 4:21pm Subject: Macap M4 Stepless?
Hello All, About to upgrade from a well used Solis Crema SL70 to a Rancilio Silvia '09 model. With the upgrade in the espresso machine I will also upgrade to a Macap M4 grinder. Was wondering if there is a big difference in the step vs stepless models. Is it worth the $50 extra for the stepless?
If you're using this grinder exclusively for espresso, get the stepless model. Although the stepped version has smaller steps relative to many other grinders, a change of just one step still results in differences in shot timing of 4-6 seconds. To really fine tune your espresso shots, you'll ultimately want to get a stepless grinder.
The benefit to the stepless is it allows for even the slightest changes; from humidity, the beans being used, the age of the beans etc. Even thought the steps or relatively small (reportedly) on the stepped model, I can even tell the difference in my shots with very small adjustments on the stepless. The stepless really allows you to dial in the beans and I don't know that can be said for the stepped.
The only reason to go for the stepped is if you're switching between brewing methods and the $50 isn't a good reason IMO. Although the stepped may be better for switching between different brewing methods, I've heard mixed reports of whether the M4 is suitable for non espresso brewing. If you do want to go that route though, there is a mod that makes the adjustments between fine and course very easy on the stepless models (sorry, don't have the link handy at the moment).
Thanks Joel. Ive been lurking around this site for a long time and figured it was time to finally register. Appreciate the welcome and the advice. Yes, I will be using exclusively for espresso, so it sounds like the consensus of 2 is to go stepless. (thanks as well to you mybs). Cheers, Brant
Thanks Joel. Ive been lurking around this site for a long time and figured it was time to finally register. Appreciate the welcome and the advice. Yes, I will be using exclusively for espresso, so it sounds like the consensus of 2 is to go stepless. (thanks as well to you mybs).
I have an M4 stepless and love it. Prior to that I was using a Faema MPN, which is a similarly spec'd grinder but stepped and less elegant for home use. The M4 is much nicer to use. I couldn't tell you for certain how much of that is attributable to being stepless, but if I were purchasing again, stepless would be a priority for me. I really like this grinder.
I posted a note on this in the grinders forum over at Home-Barista as this is the first I have seen this. I love my M4D, but hate the clumping. If the Non-Clumping version works, I would demote my "Clumping" M4 to the drip world pretty quick.
I posted a note on this in the grinders forum over at Home-Barista as this is the first I have seen this. I love my M4D, but hate the clumping. If the Non-Clumping version works, I would demote my "Clumping" M4 to the drip world pretty quick.
I posted a note on this in the grinders forum over at Home-Barista as this is the first I have seen this. I love my M4D, but hate the clumping. If the Non-Clumping version works, I would demote my "Clumping" M4 to the drip world pretty quick.
I believe that the digital Macap M4 was carried by Chris Coffee a few months back, but I can't seem to find it on their site anymore. Not too sure what would exactly make it less likely to clump as the snout looks quite similar to the regular doserless model. I'm sure Joel would be better equipped to answer as it looks like he owns one. :)
IMO, the current price of the digital M4 is quite prohibitive. If you're looking for zero grind retention with a possible timer, the Baratza Vario looks like a great deal at less than half the cost of the digital M4. In fact, you would be able to buy both the Vario and a regular stepless M4 at the price of the digital. o_0
If I only had one espresso grinder I'd go with a doser as well; no right or wrong here, just my preference. I own a dosered and doserless; the doser vs. WDT to de-clump really is six of one/half a dozen of the other.
mybs Said:
I believe that the digital Macap M4 was carried by Chris Coffee a few months back, but I can't seem to find it on their site anymore. Not too sure what would exactly make it less likely to clump as the snout looks quite similar to the regular doserless model. I'm sure Joel would be better equipped to answer as it looks like he owns one. :)
I purchased mine from chris a little over a year ago. Stefano's and 1st line currently carry it for $749USD. Caffetech is touting it as a "non clumping" doserless grinder; I'm not sure if this is something new or just what the original M4D is considered. I know on mine, the exit chute is different; the exit hole of the burr area is smaller than a normal M4, the snout is slightly different, and there are a couple of paper thin metal vanes in the exit chute. It clumps, but to varying degrees. The current bean I'm using hardly has any clumps at all. The very first beans I ever ran through (a mexican chiapas) clumped horribly. I remember thinking oh crap, what did I just buy! But it was only that bean, it just turned out that was the first bean I ran through it :) Without to much to go off of I'd say it probably clumps less than some other doserless grinders and the WDT goes really quick, but I'd in no way call it non clumping.
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