herbert Senior Member Joined: 26 Nov 2012 Posts: 1 Location: Uk Expertise: Just starting
Posted Tue Nov 27, 2012, 10:40am Subject: Trashing a Jura J5 and searching for a grinder!
Dear All My Jura J5 bean to cup machine has finally died and may have done me a great favour as I have become enlightened to a new world of coffee out there. After dismantling the J5 I could not believe how difficult it was to get to the filthy and unhygienic inner workings of this machine. Jura really go out of their way to make sure you cannot get to the brew group etc and it was full of fungus etc. Anyway, I wish to start with a new grinder and want to get this right first time to save future expense on upgrades etc. We mainly drink long coffees in our house- americano and not espresso but I understand a good grinder is essential for pour-over/filter/aeropress etc and have short-listed the following grinders:
Eureka Mignon Mk 2 Baratza Vario Mazzer mini electronic doserless mod A
I would like to know is it really worth the extra money to go for the Mazzer that everyone rates so highly when I do not intend to use this for espresso at present (I may in the future, of course). I will be making different coffee styles- from aeropress to filter and how easy is it to hop from one coarseness of grind to another and back again and also to get reproduceable results? Is the convenience of the Vario likely to score over the Mazzer or will I be missing out on a superior cup of coffee? Am I barking up the wrong tree and should I lower my sights? i don't want to be disappointed and have to replace a poor decision. Last question- how tall is the Mazzer with the 600 g hopper as it needs to fit on a work top with 17" clearance- the standard hopper would not fit . I cannot find these dimensions with the smaller hopper anywhere.
emradguy Senior Member Joined: 31 Mar 2011 Posts: 1,710 Location: Houston Expertise: I live coffee
Espresso: Izzo Alex Duetto II Grinder: MacapM4T, Macap M4, OE Lido,... Drip: Espro press; Aeropress Roaster: internet
Posted Tue Nov 27, 2012, 11:04am Subject: Re: Trashing a Jura J5 and searching for a grinder!
The Mazzer Mini should fit under your cabinets, but you'll probably have to slide it or rotate it to refill the hopper. However, best to be sure, and its dimensions should be in this link, which is actually very good reading about the class of grinder you're looking at... http://www.home-barista.com/espresso-grinder-reviews.html
I know of one guy here, who posts a lot and is very knowledgeable, who likes his Vario better than the Mini, but he does espresso only. I can't think of any posts offhand answering your question about using one of these grinders for drip/pourover, and don't feel like I should be the one to speculate (better to leave this to someone who actually knows the answer).
Sorry to hear about the Jura. It sounds pretty disgusting...and would certainly turn me off to ever owning another one if I were in the same boat.
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 Tue Nov 27, 2012, 11:51am Subject: Re: Trashing a Jura J5 and searching for a grinder!
Well i had to through 2 high dollar Jura's in the trash before i got it through my think skull so your already ahead of me but believe me when i say i feel your pain :0)
To me the Vario is slam dunk no questions asked over the Mazzer Mini save maybe longevity. I have owned the Vario, the Mini, the Jolly and the Major. IMO were grind quality is concerned the Vario is more comparable to the Jolly than the mini. I do prefer my Major (its the one i kept) for espresso and sold the Vario.
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.
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 Tue Nov 27, 2012, 12:12pm Subject: Re: Trashing a Jura J5 and searching for a grinder!
If you are not making espresso, don't buy an espresso only grinder such as the mini. The Vario does a good job of grinding for multiple brew methods, or so those here that have them say, I do not have one but I do have a lot of respect for some of the people here that do have and like them.
Super auto machines, for the most part, are not designed for in depth user maintance as far as I know so it does not shock me that you have a lot of trouble taking it apart.
A good grinder will help you with all brewing and it is worth the investment to buy a good one.
In real life, my name is Wayne P.
Feed the newbs, starve the trolls and above all enjoy what you drink!
moreshots Senior Member Joined: 17 Apr 2011 Posts: 225 Location: west of Chicago Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Cimbali DT1//Jura Z5 Grinder: Mazzer Mini, Pharos Drip: Technivorm Roaster: Made my own 2KG roaster
Posted Fri Dec 7, 2012, 6:08am Subject: Re: Trashing a Jura J5 and searching for a grinder!
I also made this decision approximately 1 year ago and bought a used mazzer mini. its a great little grinder and built like a tank . it has worked very well for me and I had heard of horror story's about repairs to the varios
resale of the Vario will not be as good as the mazzer. Now I am saving for a Conical as I bought a pharos 68mm conical and love the grind but not the manual grinding hense the Compak best of luck. also the mazzer will make std grind coffee easily as well as espresso grind.
jwoodyu Said:
Well i had to through 2 high dollar Jura's in the trash before i got it through my think skull so your already ahead of me but believe me when i say i feel your pain :0)
To me the Vario is slam dunk no questions asked over the Mazzer Mini save maybe longevity. I have owned the Vario, the Mini, the Jolly and the Major. IMO were grind quality is concerned the Vario is more comparable to the Jolly than the mini. I do prefer my Major (its the one i kept) for espresso and sold the Vario.
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