Igor Senior Member Joined: 20 Dec 2011 Posts: 5 Location: Salt Lake City Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: La Cimbali Jr Grinder: Mazzer Mini Electronic B
Posted Sun Jan 8, 2012, 3:39pm Subject: Mini Mazer Electronic - use for espresso and press grind
Before buying new mini mazer electronic I researched whether it would be suitable for easy switching between grinds --- finding radically conflicting reports. I don't know what the reporters who stated that this grinder was suitable for dedicated espresso use only were thinking (or doing) but I strongly disagree. After buying and using the mini I can say without qualification that this grinder is perfectly suitable for switching between espresso and press grinds with ease. Indeed, I was surprised that the actual distance in setting between the two grinds was less than half of the circumference distance around the setting collar. While stiff in terms of resistance, still very easy to move the collar (have to move while grinding), particularly with the screw-in lever, No need to remove and change placement of screws (stop guards) that limit the distance around that the chrome disk collar can be moved. Also the numerical indications (relative, not absolute) allow easy identification of predetermined (i.e. determined by you based on trial & error) grind setting locations when changing from one grind to the other. Love it. Now if it were a bit cheaper . . . .
Marc_T Senior Member Joined: 13 Mar 2002 Posts: 94 Location: Baltimore Expertise: I like coffee
Espresso: PID Silvia Grinder: Mazzer Mini; Solis Maestro... Vac Pot: Cory 8 cup Drip: Technivorm; Vintage Chemex;... Roaster: Hearthware Precision
Posted Sun Jan 8, 2012, 7:49pm Subject: Re: Mini Mazer Electronic - use for espresso and press grind
I used the Mazzer for years and found that once it was dialed in for a particular espresso...i didnt want to touch it...i could not imagine going all the way across the dial to use if for a drip and then go back to the precise espresso setting. I had a separate grinder for drip.
I also had a Silvia, which is pretty finicky, so maybe that was part of it.
calblacksmith Moderator Joined: 25 Nov 2007 Posts: 5,671 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 Jan 9, 2012, 7:59am Subject: Re: Mini Mazer Electronic - use for espresso and press grind
If it works for you, I will not tell you that you can't do both with one grinder but I do know from my use of many different grinders, including the SJ which is the big brother to the mini, is that once my espresso grind is dialed in, i do not want to mess it up, the difference between a good and a great shot sometimes comes down to the absolute SMALLEST amount of movement you can make on the grinder and just "in the ball park" is not good enough for me. If it works for you, great and have a nice life but in the seeking of great espresso, I have found that for me there is no way I am using the same espresso grinder for general use, which it was not designed for, so I have other grinders to do those jobs. Just saying.
In real life, my name is Wayne P.
Feed the newbs, starve the trolls and above all enjoy what you drink!
Igor Senior Member Joined: 20 Dec 2011 Posts: 5 Location: Salt Lake City Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: La Cimbali Jr Grinder: Mazzer Mini Electronic B
Posted Mon Jan 9, 2012, 10:52am Subject: Re: Mini Mazer Electronic - use for espresso and press grind
My comments about the ability to use the Mini Mazer for both espresso and press grind were made from the technical standpoint of feasibility and convenience. If one's point of view is to use a dedicated grinder then that is great. Though one could raise philosophical questions about changing the grind for different espresso beans and whether one would need as many grinders as necessary to have dedicated settings without messing it up. Also the idea of "what the machine was designed for" is interesting to me. Yes, it is designed for grinding espresso, but really it is designed to grind coffee, with espresso being the grind size. Thus, it is entirely possible that the same design may include the capacity to accurately and reproducibly grind somewhat coarser (large) particles needed for other grinds as well. That was what I was concerned with. Employing that capacity is not something I advocate for or against. Note that I am also not taking an opinion on whether the Mini is the best machine at grinding espresso or at grinding for press. Some of us are ok with certain compromises, others not. I don't know that there is any right or wrong here. To each his own.
My message is simple. The ability to return the grind setting to its prior exact measurement is easily done because there are notch markings on the collar, and one need not turn the collar multiple revolutions to make the change, unlike a worm screw configuration, on which I would agree would be quite difficult to do the same thing, and seriously get into the concerns raised about reproducibility. But on the Mini I have trouble understanding how one would "mess it up" as the change is relatively small (less than 1/2 a turn) and easily reproduced precisely, so long as you mark out the notches. If you get down to it, it seems to me that on any machine on the same setting grind likely will not reproduce EXACTLY for the same bean on a micron level. Variations in temperature, bean, moisture, etc vary from day to day. The question is whether this is noticeable and/or meaningful. For those who answer yes, it would seem to me that a worm drive grinder would be needed to get the most possible control over grind, and the ability to adjust for the most minute variation, and still changes in grind may be needed from time to time to account for variability factors. I just don't see the mini mazer or S jolly being quite that precise (a different characteristic than reproducible) -- though certainly precise enough for me, even when moving back and forth between grinds. Everyone should do as they please. As stated above, my only intention was to provide accurate information regarding the technical aspect of using the Mazer, switching back and forth between press and espresso grind. I certainly understand that for some this would be something horrific, which they would never consider for various reasons, but technical inability of the machine to reasonably perform the task without undue difficulty should not be one of them.
Posted Mon Jan 9, 2012, 11:07am Subject: Re: Mini Mazer Electronic - use for espresso and press grind
Long response/answer there.
I have a grinder that uses Mazzer Mini 58mm flat burrs. It grinds great for espresso - it grinds great for auto drip too. I am not surprised by this fact at all...
I chew coffee beans with my teeth while gargling with 195 F water to enjoy coffee. What is this "coffee brewing" device you speak of?
takeshi Senior Member Joined: 12 Oct 2002 Posts: 731 Location: Houston Expertise: I live coffee
Espresso: Silvia Grinder: Super Jolly Roaster: Amaya Roasting
Posted Thu Jan 12, 2012, 11:57am Subject: Re: Mini Mazer Electronic - use for espresso and press grind
Igor Said:
My comments about the ability to use the Mini Mazer for both espresso and press grind were made from the technical standpoint of feasibility and convenience.
cappuccinoboy Senior Member Joined: 27 Jun 2009 Posts: 789 Location: MILANO Expertise: Professional
Espresso: Milano pod, Milano fully... Grinder: grind on demand
Posted Sat Jan 14, 2012, 10:12am Subject: Re: Mini Mazer Electronic - use for espresso and press grind
Igor Said:
Before buying new mini mazer electronic I researched whether it would be suitable for easy switching between grinds --- finding radically conflicting reports. I don't know what the reporters who stated that this grinder was suitable for dedicated espresso use only were thinking (or doing) but I strongly disagree. After buying and using the mini I can say without qualification that this grinder is perfectly suitable for switching between espresso and press grinds with ease. Indeed, I was surprised that the actual distance in setting between the two grinds was less than half of the circumference distance around the setting collar. While stiff in terms of resistance, still very easy to move the collar (have to move while grinding), particularly with the screw-in lever, No need to remove and change placement of screws (stop guards) that limit the distance around that the chrome disk collar can be moved. Also the numerical indications (relative, not absolute) allow easy identification of predetermined (i.e. determined by you based on trial & error) grind setting locations when changing from one grind to the other. Love it. Now if it were a bit cheaper . . . .
Dear friend, any stepped grinder is easily repositioned (if you mark your notches) and therefore suitable for different purposes
Igor Said:
My comments ..... Yes, it is designed for grinding espresso, but really it is designed to grind coffee, with espresso being the grind size. Thus, it is entirely possible that the same design may include the capacity to accurately and reproducibly grind somewhat coarser (large) particles needed for other grinds as well. ugh certainly precise enough for me, even when moving back and forth between grinds........... Everyone should do as they please. ....... of them.
as Igor corrrcetly points grinders are designed to grind coffee beans and therefore it is a wrong definition "espresso grinder or drip grinder" I would rather call grinders "Espresso capable or NON ESpresso capable" Now the point is that with stepless grinders positioning system is normally worm screw, very precise and alas very lengthy, therefore not really suitable for re-positioning even when difference is ONLY half collar rotation, and we know that best, most precise is stepless... Ciao, Pietro
adan0327 Senior Member Joined: 6 Sep 2011 Posts: 45 Location: Toronto Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: la cimbali m32 dosatron 3... Grinder: Astoria Super Jolly Vac Pot: hario tc2 Drip: chemex, v60,kalitta... Roaster: Lol.... Pan :D
Posted Sun Jan 15, 2012, 12:32am Subject: Re: Mini Mazer Electronic - use for espresso and press grind
Its doeable but I wouldn't recommend it. Actually when I got started with coffee I did the espresso route first and got a used super Jolly. I few months later I got into manual pourover (chemex). I did use the grinder for both brew methods but it was extremely inconvenient because my super jolly is obviously stepless. when I would go back to espresso it would be slightly off so my first shot would be like a calibration shot. In the end I just bought a used Rossi rr45 for my pouover and had a 3d print of a doserless attatchment for it. I use both grinders everyday. My rossi in the morning for my chemex and super jolly for my espresso throughout the day.
If you decide to get the mini most likely you will buy another grinder dedicated for drip. Espresso is very precise.
MikeReilly Senior Member Joined: 28 Oct 2007 Posts: 277 Location: Vancouver Island Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: La Cimbali Junior D, Gaggia... Grinder: Mazzer Mini Drip: Cuisinart Roaster: Behmor, I-Roast 2, Popper
Posted Fri Jan 20, 2012, 8:13pm Subject: Re: Mini Mazer Electronic - use for espresso and press grind
I have no problems using my Mini (it's not a Mini-E) for everything from espresso to press pot. I use a permanent marker to indicate the region for each grind and when I move to a coarse grind, I make a mental note of the current relative position of the grind setting in relation to the "espresso" mark on the dial so I can get back to very close to the spot I want to be. I find that the first shot after switching back to espresso grind is acceptable, and a small adjustment (less than one bump on the dial) gets me to the perfect espresso zone. In fact, it's almost the same as the difference in grind from one day to the next. For me, this works just fine.
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