fabchef Senior Member Joined: 27 Feb 2007 Posts: 64 Location: mtl Expertise: I love coffee
Posted Sat Mar 31, 2012, 9:23pm Subject: do 220V commercial grinders exist? can use for home?
Hi everyone. I just remembered tonight that we have an older commercial espresso grinder (for our store) in storage. I remember at the time, the plug wire for it was plugged somewhere into the commercial 2 group espresso machine. MY question is...is this automatically a 220V grinder? or can it be a 110V? can i somehow use this in my home? or would i have to rewire the outlet? thanks fabs
JasonBrandtLewis Senior Member Joined: 9 Dec 2005 Posts: 6,098 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 Sun Apr 1, 2012, 8:57am Subject: Re: do 220V commercial grinders exist? can use for home?
Generally speaking . . .
Of course commercial 220v grinders exist! Obviously, they are sold in Europe (it's really only in North American where the "standard" is 110v), but they are also sold here in the US and Canada -- look here for but one example. Then again, commercial 110v grinders also exist. Here is an example of the same grinder in a 110v version, available in single-phase or three-phase models.
As far as using a 220v grinder in your home, you will either need a 220v circuit or you'll need a transformer . . .
Posted Sun Apr 1, 2012, 9:04am Subject: Re: do 220V commercial grinders exist? can use for home?
I'm currently using a 220v grinder with a $70 1500w voltage transformer. It works quite well even on the semi decrepit circuits in my house. It's a very large space commitment, but my grinder doesn't exist in a 110v version.
It's certainly worth exhuming the grinder and having a look.
fredk01 Senior Member Joined: 20 Feb 2012 Posts: 115 Location: Canada Expertise: Just starting
Espresso: Saeco Aroma Grinder: OE Pharos
Posted Sun Apr 1, 2012, 10:12am Subject: Re: do 220V commercial grinders exist? can use for home?
In North America, 220v plugs/outlets are required to be different than 110. The plug should tell you what voltage your grinder operates at. There should also be a UL label on there that tells you the power requirements.
calblacksmith Moderator Joined: 25 Nov 2007 Posts: 5,661 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 Sun Apr 1, 2012, 2:03pm Subject: Re: do 220V commercial grinders exist? can use for home?
I take it by your post that the grinder was CONNECTED to the espresso machine?
If so, it could be EITHER a 110 OR a 220 grinder as both voltages are internal in a 220 v U.S. machine
The MFG label will tell you what voltage the grinder was designed to run on. If it is 110, it sounds like you might need to switch back to a "standard" plug.
In real life, my name is Wayne P.
Feed the newbs, starve the trolls and above all enjoy what you drink!
fabchef Senior Member Joined: 27 Feb 2007 Posts: 64 Location: mtl Expertise: I love coffee
Posted Sun Apr 1, 2012, 3:24pm Subject: update...
hi guys, well i picked it up at our office today..there are no markings as for current on it, i think there is just a model number, not even the make! (has an odd graghic logo on it..kinda like a G and R upsidedown or somthing)...the wire has no connector at the end of it. There are 3 wires...one blue, one brown and a yellow with green stripe running down it. Any ideas???thanks fabs
fabchef Senior Member Joined: 27 Feb 2007 Posts: 64 Location: mtl Expertise: I love coffee
Posted Sun Apr 1, 2012, 4:27pm Subject: another update...
well looked underneath, found out it's an older brasilia model RR45 grinder. On the second line i saw: 220/50...:-((((( oh well i guess it's a 220V....hmmm could i get away with buying a converter, plug this grinder to it and the converter to the 110 outlet? or maybe just look for another small grinder?..hahah fab
calblacksmith Moderator Joined: 25 Nov 2007 Posts: 5,661 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 Sun Apr 1, 2012, 9:01pm Subject: Re: another update...
A grinder does not draw as much current as a heater in an espresso machine and yes, you could run it off of a converter box.
The RR45 is a solid commercial grinder which should serve in the home very well. Some find that the stock "clicks" for the grind setting are enough and some find they want more than the stock 40 steps, there is an 80 step conversion available for it..
In real life, my name is Wayne P.
Feed the newbs, starve the trolls and above all enjoy what you drink!
fabchef Senior Member Joined: 27 Feb 2007 Posts: 64 Location: mtl Expertise: I love coffee
Posted Sun Apr 1, 2012, 9:14pm Subject: Re: do 220V commercial grinders exist? can use for home?
Hi Cal...thanks for the reply. I think it would work okay, it's a pretty tall machine though..might take up most of the counter..hahaha I will see what i can do with it. I was also for fun looking at some reviews on the baratza virtuoso grinder, looks pretty good. I took home another "no name" brand (new though) grinder with dispensor that we're had for a few years for sale, i hooked it up, it works, but not that great, seems that when you start it, the grinds don't look that even when they come out. I will be passing by a coffee store tomorrow to get a new PF basket (double doser, ) that might help and might eye some of the grinders they have..hahah fabs
calblacksmith Moderator Joined: 25 Nov 2007 Posts: 5,661 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 Mon Apr 2, 2012, 6:02am Subject: Re: do 220V commercial grinders exist? can use for home?
remember that you dont HAVE to use the bean hopper, that will cut down the height a LOT. I was able to make a much shorter feed tube from a section or fitting in PVC pipe. It has been a while since I did it so I am not sure if I had to cut down the OD a little on the lathe for the RR45 or not, all you need though is enough to hold less than a quarter pound of beans, even less if you grind per dose without the aid of a timer.... which provides a very consistent size dose of grinds.
Do you have a pic of the NO NAME grinder? It might be a psuto burr grinder, they LOOK like a burr grinder but they WORK like a blade machine. The result is a VERY inconsistent grind, much like what you are speaking about.
In real life, my name is Wayne P.
Feed the newbs, starve the trolls and above all enjoy what you drink!
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