germantownrob Senior Member Joined: 2 Dec 2007 Posts: 2,017 Location: Philadelphia Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Duetto 3, A Dead Oscar Grinder: Vario-W, Preciso w/Esatto,... Drip: Brazen Roaster: Diedrich IR-1, HT B
Posted Fri Aug 31, 2012, 2:33pm Subject: Re: Variable espresso quality - am I to blame?
Mandheling Said:
I know stones will wreck pretty much any grinder, but I reckon I'd rather replace the burrs in a Mazzer for about a quarter of the cost of the Mahlkoenig (I think they're branded Baratza in the US) if the worst did happen... I don't know why but they seem to be cropping up more regularly in my beans at the moment - I think I've found 3 in the past 5 years with 2 in the last 12 months...
I've been regularly cleaning the group etc but had overlooked the importance of descaling when I first bought the machine as I live in a very soft water area (our kettle is at last 3 years old and has no trace of scale). After a while I noticed a few problems with reduced flow through the head which were fixed by descaling so I've been doing it regularly since.
I did wonder if some of the problems were a legacy of my initial poor maintenance so I tried aggressively descaling it which made a bit of an improvement but wasn't a "magic bullet".
It certainly seems like the root of the problem is the grinder so I'll be working on a Mazzer fund for a while!
Sounds like you have a handle on keeping your espresso machine maintaince up.
The Baratza Vario ( or Mahlkonig Vario) is a very good espresso grinder for the money for typical home use. I have only delt with Baratza and they have taken care of me and my 3 grinders I have from them for the last 5 years even way out of warenty. I probably should have gotten a commercial grinder for espresso right from the go for the amount I put through it but as I said Baratza has taken care of any of my problems including trading in a failing Vario for the VarioW after 3 years of hard use for a price I couldn't refuse, plus commercial grinders are so very big for the home. Definitely spend the time doing your research for a grinder since it is so very important for what you get in the cup, crazy as it seems it is worth spending the correct amount of money for a good grinder.
NobbyR Senior Member Joined: 10 Jul 2011 Posts: 1,611 Location: Germany Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Poccino Opus One, Ariete Grinder: Eureka Mignon Istantaneo,... Vac Pot: N/A Drip: Melitta Linea Unica de Luxe Roaster: N/A
Posted Fri Aug 31, 2012, 10:20pm Subject: Re: Variable espresso quality - am I to blame?
If you can't choke your machine, your grinder will be to blame. Using pre-ground coffee is no alternative, simply because the fineness is practically never right, and no matter how much on demand the company grinds the coffee will be stale by the time it arrives.
Considering a new grinder is therefore a very good idea. The Mahlkönig Vario would be a good choice, but depending on your budget there are others to take a look at: the Compak K3-Touch or the Eureka Mignon Istantaneo, for example.
*** "This drink of the Satan is so delicious that it would be a shame to leave it to the infidels." (Pope Clement VIII on coffee)
Posted Sat Sep 1, 2012, 2:07am Subject: Re: Variable espresso quality - am I to blame?
NobbyR Said:
Considering a new grinder is therefore a very good idea. The Mahlkönig Vario would be a good choice, but depending on your budget there are others to take a look at: the Compak K3-Touch or the Eureka Mignon Istantaneo, for example.
I've been looking at the Vario or Mazzer Mini-e up to now - the Vario seems like a better physical fit in my kitchen but I'm a little worried about longevity / cost of repairs although people have said really positive things about Baratza customer support (not sure if the same goes for Mahlkönig?). The Mazzer is physically bigger but seems like it would last a lifetime and produce excellent results - although it's on the outer limit of my budget (for a new one).
The two you've suggested look interesting - time for some more homework I think!
NobbyR Senior Member Joined: 10 Jul 2011 Posts: 1,611 Location: Germany Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Poccino Opus One, Ariete Grinder: Eureka Mignon Istantaneo,... Vac Pot: N/A Drip: Melitta Linea Unica de Luxe Roaster: N/A
Posted Sat Sep 1, 2012, 4:38am Subject: Re: Variable espresso quality - am I to blame?
The Vario simply hasn't been around long enough to have any strong data on its durability. The Mazzer as well as the Compak and Eureka are known to be rock solid.
*** "This drink of the Satan is so delicious that it would be a shame to leave it to the infidels." (Pope Clement VIII on coffee)
JasonBrandtLewis Senior Member Joined: 9 Dec 2005 Posts: 6,099 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 Sat Sep 1, 2012, 9:02am Subject: Re: Variable espresso quality - am I to blame?
Well, I've got my Baratza Vario approximately six months after release and have had no problems. True, it hasn't been out as long as a Mazzer or Eureka, but I have no hesitation in recommending it . . .
Posted Sat Sep 1, 2012, 9:58am Subject: Re: Variable espresso quality - am I to blame?
Thanks to everyone who's contributed to this thread - much appreciated!
I've looked back over everyone's comments and it looks like the consensus is I've reached the limits / end of life of my equipment (notably the grinder) rather than simply being a terrible "barista" :o)
I don't want to hijack my own thread with discussions about "which grinder should I buy", but the suggestions are great and I'll be doing some more research!
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