richedie Senior Member Joined: 17 Jun 2006 Posts: 683 Location: Pennsylvania Expertise: I love coffee
Posted Tue Oct 21, 2008, 7:39am Subject: Does anyone make a good do-it-all grinder?
I have a Virtuoso grinder but is there a better all in one grinder, moka pot to aeropress to drip to espresso? I don't have room for more than one grinder. My only other options is to upgrade my espresso machine to a machine with a built in grinder.
So, is there a all in one grinder you all recommend? Gaggia MDF?
Posted Tue Oct 21, 2008, 8:00am Subject: Re: Does anyone make a good do-it-all grinder?
Depending on your budget I've been very happy with my Mazzer Super Jolly with everything from espresso to press. Used SJ's can be had for good prices if you're patient. I snagged mine for less than $250, clearly in the range of the grinders you list.
Posted Tue Oct 21, 2008, 10:21am Subject: Re: Does anyone make a good do-it-all grinder?
I don't know what kind of espresso machine you have but moving to a model with a built in grinder is not likely to be an upgrade in anything other than price. For an overall combination of price, flexibility and compact size I think a Rocky doserless is worth looking at. I happen to have a preference for Mazzer - due both to burr size (larger than Rocky) and the stepless grind adjustment. But the Rocky is affordable (in relative terms), compact and the stepped adjustment should make it a cinch to jump back and forth between drip and espresso.
Also - the doserless feature means you can grind directly into a paper drip filter or the like for your drip coffee but then just put your portafilter under the spout when grinding for espresso. That said - I use my Mazzer about once each week to grind for drip and the rest of the time for espresso. have never had any issue changing settings. If I was grinding for both drip and espresso every day I would have a smaller cheaper grinder for drip - e.g. a good Baratza or the Kitchenaid - and a separate dedicated espresso grinder.
Posted Tue Oct 21, 2008, 12:39pm Subject: Re: Does anyone make a good do-it-all grinder?
I think few would argue (much) with the phaelon's thoughts on this. The Rocky has long been considered a top option for people needing a double duty grinder.
Another option would be the new Baratza Vario. It's spankin new (unproven) but Mr. Prince and the guys at Aeropress both said great things about it. It was born from the void in the market for people just like yourself.
richedie Senior Member Joined: 17 Jun 2006 Posts: 683 Location: Pennsylvania Expertise: I love coffee
Posted Tue Oct 21, 2008, 1:13pm Subject: Re: Does anyone make a good do-it-all grinder?
Thanks,
I ask because I am at a crossroad of sorts. I have a Gaggia Coffee and Virtuoso grinder. I want to make some upgrades and thought about an automatic espresso machine to save time in the morning, but I can only imagine the grinders are horrible in those things. So, I thought about upgrading my Gaggia with a new valve and PID kit. However, I am not sure how the PID kit will solve the problem of the water not reaching the right temperature.
Anyway, A thought was the new Baratza or the Gaggia MDF which is cheaper. Right now, we are limited in counter space so the Gaggia I have is a space save. I also don't have room for a grinder much taller than the Virtuoso and I think even the Gaggia MDF is like 20" tall!
Maybe upgrading the Gaggia and grabbing a Vario is the way to go.
Posted Tue Oct 21, 2008, 2:21pm Subject: Re: Does anyone make a good do-it-all grinder?
I understand the issues caused by a lack of space, that's why my espresso machine and grinder reside in my dining room. I have both a Maestro for drip/press and an MDF for espresso, the good news is that the MDF is taller than the Maestro (which I assume is the same size as the Virtuoso) by less than a quarter inch. Unfortunately, I can't say that I would recommend the MDF as an all purpose grinder under most circumstances. The MDF will have no trouble grinding for either use but the doser is a pain in the rear when you want to grind enough beans for drip/FP/vac. I spent the last few weeks using the MDF as an all-purpose unit and found that it is much slower than my Maestro when grinding for 6-8 cups of drip and getting all the ground coffee out of the doser had me pulling my hair out.
Posted Wed Oct 22, 2008, 5:49am Subject: Re: Does anyone make a good do-it-all grinder?
richedie Said:
Thanks, I thought about upgrading my Gaggia with a new valve and PID kit. However, I am not sure how the PID kit will solve the problem of the water not reaching the right temperature.
A non-PID'd Silvia would IMHO be an upgrade from a Gaggia Coffee. I'm not knocking Gaggia - I had a happy time with my Gaggia Baby for a year or two before moving to an Isomac Tea but the larger boiler, beefier construction and larger drip tray of a Silvia make it a better choice. You'd need to practice and adopt some temp surfing techniques to get consistent brew temps but the Silvia (or the Gaggia for that matter) is capable of producing far better shots than any Super auto machine in the sub $5,000 - $10,000 category (and - in the right hands - better than any super auto at any price). Don't even get me started on the grinders in consumer level super auto machines.
richedie Senior Member Joined: 17 Jun 2006 Posts: 683 Location: Pennsylvania Expertise: I love coffee
Posted Wed Oct 22, 2008, 7:00am Subject: Re: Does anyone make a good do-it-all grinder?
Thanks! Sounds like since I am the only coffee drinker in the house, just PID'ing the Gaggia and adding a new valve will be my best bet. Sound good? I will eventually look at the new Baratza and maybe a new roaster. If the Rocky doserless is a small as the new Baratza I will consider. Thanks again.
I am hoping a PID'ed Gaggia Coffee would be on par with the Silvia, but I still do not fully understand how one temp surfs. On the gaggia I was told I could open the steam for a second, shut it off to allow a little water, then pull the shot. The PID would be easier. I just fear our kitchen outlets are not strong enough to produce the required power.
richedie Senior Member Joined: 17 Jun 2006 Posts: 683 Location: Pennsylvania Expertise: I love coffee
Posted Fri Oct 24, 2008, 1:39pm Subject: Re: Does anyone make a good do-it-all grinder?
From talking with a lot of people, it doesn't sound like a Silvia would give me beter shots than the Gaggia Coffee and a PID'ed Gaggia should easily surpass that. I am still going to play around with temp surfing.
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