mammamia Senior Member Joined: 7 Jun 2008 Posts: 7 Location: ohio Expertise: I love coffee
Posted Sun Aug 17, 2008, 8:07am Subject: Doser vs. Doserless--MACAP
I know it's probably a tired topic, and I have read through tons of threads about it, but I am still in a quandry. I am upgrading from Rocky (doserless) to, most likely, a Macap M4. I just cannot decide between the doser or doserless. For the most part, I have been happy with the doserless version of the Rocky. However, I'm getting impatient with its clumping and don't have the patience for the WDT routine. I am hoping that a better machine will make the whole process easier. When I was shopping for Rocky several years ago, I decided I did not want the stale grind issue I'd get in the doser grinder and since I only grind for one or two shots at once, the doserless served me fine.
That said, it would be nice to have a doser (I think...) and I am hoping that the Macap DOSER grinder is a good enough machine that it sweeps relatively clean and doses relatively evenly. Is this the case? If not, is the doserless a better bet? The doserless doesn't seem to have a portafilter holder....without it do you have to grind into a separate container? That seems like an extra step I don't want to take. That is about the crux of what is spurring me on to upgrade: I want less fuss!
Hmmm....any Macap users have any advice for me? Thanks in advance!
Keepitsimple Senior Member Joined: 12 Sep 2006 Posts: 208 Location: UK Expertise: I like coffee
Espresso: Reneka Techno Grinder: Mazzer Mini-e
Posted Sun Aug 17, 2008, 9:35am Subject: Re: Doser vs. Doserless--MACAP
Hi I don't have a Macap grinder, but I think their non-doser model designed for espresso is the M4D. I think the non-doser M4 is designed as a bag grinder, hence no portafilter rest.
Edit - Correction - the non-doser bag grinder is actually the MC4, not the M4. Thr M4 is the doser version.
mdreuben Senior Member Joined: 20 Oct 2002 Posts: 186 Location: Cleveland Expertise: I live coffee
Espresso: La Spazialle VII, Electra... Grinder: Mahlkonig K 30 ES Vac Pot: Yama Drip: Say No To Drip! Use the Eva... Roaster: Sonofresco, Gene Cafe,...
Posted Sun Aug 17, 2008, 11:41am Subject: Re: Doser vs. Doserless--MACAP
Bought the Macap Doserless and returned it. Major major clumping.
Posted Sun Aug 17, 2008, 11:44am Subject: Re: Doser vs. Doserless--MACAP
Howdy, Mammamia. I just "upgraded" from the Macap doserless to the doser version. The doserless is far tidier. I ground per dose and weighed out the grinds to 0.1g; very little grounds retention. The doser is a bit messier, although what I do now to help with that is to sweep off the excess grounds back into the doser. I waste far more coffee, not wanting to let it sit in the doser, anywhere from 2 to 5g per shot. If I was willing to re-use the ground coffee for ensuing shots several hours down the road, then there would be far less waste.
Regarding how evenly it doses, it's pretty even. Most doser grinder users utilize some version of the NSEW sweep or Stockfleth's Move, so that evens things out even more.
For my previous grinder, I discovered that 100ml Pyrex beakers fit perfectly over the snout and are held in place by the bag clip, and then they fit neatly into the pf basket for dumping the grounds in there. Very tidy, but I did have to use the WDT. With the doser grinder, no WDT. My shot prep time has been reduced quite significantly. Now I can just do my hx flush, start the grinder, and have my shot prepped by the time my machine has come back up to temperature and is ready to go.
Bottom line: doser for ease of shot prep and less clumping; doserless for tidiness and economy. This is what I've found to be true at any rate. Regarding the main thrust of your query: dosers streamline the shot prep process tremendously. Other observations on the Macap grinders is that they look splendid in their chrome finish, grind quite quietly, come to a stop quickly after turning off. Good luck with your decision. Robert
Sorry...I realize my post was not really clear!! I am considering the MC4, but what I really want is the M4 Doser version. I am just wondering what kind of experience people have had with these two grinders. Does the doser work well or is it a pain? Is it smarter to get the doserless for light home use?
Posted Sun Aug 17, 2008, 1:01pm Subject: Re: Doser vs. Doserless--MACAP
I own a dosered M4 and a doserless M4 electronic. I like both grinders, but definately prefer the dosered model. Doserless is SUPER clumpy; breaks up easy with my WDT though. If it wasn't for my doserless model being the electronic model (grinds by programable time to get correct dosage), I wouldn't care for it at all. If I could only get one it would definately be the dosered version.
JVBorella Senior Member Joined: 29 Oct 2007 Posts: 474 Location: northeastern CT. Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: LaSpaziale S1 Vivaldi 2 Grinder: Mazzer SJ,KA Pro,Zassenhaus... Vac Pot: Press Pots/Finum Filters Drip: No Thanks Roaster: Before Long
Posted Sun Aug 17, 2008, 4:04pm Subject: Re: Doser vs. Doserless--MACAP
I really like my M4 w/doser & have had no issues. It sweeps pretty clean & breaks up the clumps that come out of the chute. Get rid of the finger guards, do the stepless adjuster mod & you are good to go.
Posted Sun Aug 17, 2008, 6:49pm Subject: Re: Doser vs. Doserless--MACAP
I replaced a doserless Rocky with the stepless doser MACAP M4 and I prefer using the doser M4 to the doserless Rocky. It is faster and at least for me less messy than the Rocky. No regrests making the upgrade. Ed
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