Posted Sun Oct 14, 2012, 9:16am Subject: Buying a new grinder, flood me with suggestions please :D
Hey all, After upgrading to a much more capable machine, I have found that my Ascaso I-1d is the only thing slowing me down when producing a few shots at once. That said, Upgrading from here I have seen the price can skyrocket quickly.
Here are my desired features:
Larger burrs (bigger than 60mm)
Quieter if possible
Easy to determine dose size/ programmable dosing, I have been measuring my beans prior to grinding for too long.
Easy to distribute doser, or doserless.
Longevity, Id like a machine that can last as long as I decide it needs to.
easy to find replacement parts
I like the mazzer A-type, but I dont know I could justify the cost of that machine over something like the Quamar M80.
Any suggestions in that range? I havent ruled out the vario yet, though Im not sure it will last as long as I want it to.
Anthony C
Currently pulling: -espresso- Social Coffee Co. (Ontario, Canada): -Peoples Liberation -Peoples Daily -El Socorro Palo Blanco Espresso
Posted Sun Oct 14, 2012, 10:06am Subject: Re: Buying a new grinder, flood me with suggestions please :D
It sounds like a commercial machine is what your after, but I have a Mazzer on my counter and next to it the Vario I used everyday. I like them both, the Vario is more convenient and offers delicious coffee without all the hoopla of weighing and such.
I've had my Vario for a couple of years and it runs great, even ran a rock through it one day, no apparent effect. Its a tough little machine.
jwoodyu Senior Member Joined: 31 Dec 2010 Posts: 704 Location: Michigan Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Allex Duetto II Grinder: Mazzer Major Roaster: Poppery
Posted Sun Oct 14, 2012, 11:15am Subject: Re: Buying a new grinder, flood me with suggestions please :D
Used Major. I had a Baratza Vario then added a Major the Vario is gone and Major remains.
You know those people that want to tell you how to raise your kids but have none of their own? That is how i feel when someone with a kitchen appliance tells me how the merits or dis-merits of my machine or how to use it.
Posted Sun Oct 14, 2012, 9:36pm Subject: Re: Buying a new grinder, flood me with suggestions please :D
So I looked up some details and found that for the money, the Quamar m80e seems like the best call. It matches the Mini A type in specs, and settles all of my requirements. If there are any serious qualms with this machine, please speak up now, I will be ordering shortly :)
Anthony C
Currently pulling: -espresso- Social Coffee Co. (Ontario, Canada): -Peoples Liberation -Peoples Daily -El Socorro Palo Blanco Espresso
Well, I can certainly say that I love my Mazzer. Consider me biased, but I felt that spending the extra money was worth it. There are a few espresso equipment supply shops which sell Mazzer here, so it was important to me to buy a brand which is commonly used and can be serviced. It also puts a smile on my face when I see the more upscale coffee shops using it's bigger brothers, like a Super Jolly or a Kony, knowing that inside, they're using the exact (I think) same burrs which I'm using.
I've never seen any coffee shop using a Quamar where I live, it's always usually Mazzer, Compak or Nuova Simonellis lines.
I've heard Mazzer grinders have this incredible reputation for reliability and durability. They also score highly in the reviews on this site. That had a huge factor when I made the decision to buy mine.
I think you should bite the bullet and get the Mazzer. You'll get your money's worth IMHO.
Cdnpaul Senior Member Joined: 2 Sep 2012 Posts: 26 Location: Ontario Expertise: I love coffee
Posted Sun Oct 14, 2012, 9:51pm Subject: Re: Buying a new grinder, flood me with suggestions please :D
While I think the Quamar is a very nice looking machine (a few inches too tall for me though) and the price is right, I also think I'd have to go with the Mazzer as you can't beat the build quality and reputation.
Posted Mon Oct 15, 2012, 6:06am Subject: Re: Buying a new grinder, flood me with suggestions please :D
Go with a New Macap M4/5/MX All are comparable to the Mazzer but half the price. The M4 for home use is perfect! I personally use the MX at home and it rocks but it's a monster. The M4 would be a good fit.
calblacksmith Moderator Joined: 25 Nov 2007 Posts: 5,679 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 Oct 15, 2012, 6:24am Subject: Re: Buying a new grinder, flood me with suggestions please :D
I am going to echo, Mazzer, buy used for most value/money. Used Mazzers in stone ugly looking but top shelf operating condition (usually machines that were used in coffee shops) can be had for as little as $200 or so and with a bit of work on your part can look like new. Used in great visual and mechanical condition can be up to the $500+ range and the new ones, well you know how much they cost.
I also echo I have never seen a Quamar ever used in commercial operation and that may be a hint about quality. It might not be but YMMV!
EDIT to remove brain fart!
I used a SJ with an electronic dark room timer for very consistent results for years, I never weighed coffee other than to dial in the time and grind, then to do a quality check. The timer gave me very nice results with the push of a button.
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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