MikeReilly Senior Member Joined: 28 Oct 2007 Posts: 244 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 Mon Feb 6, 2012, 9:44pm Subject: K8 vs K10. And Fresh vs. dosers..
So the K8 is a whopping 83mm flat burr while the K10 is 68mm conical. Which of these would you prefer and why? As for me, I'm kind of stuck between them both. I like comfort food espresso blends with flavours like chocolate, maraschino cherries and marzipan, so that favours the flat burrs. At the same time, I home roast a lot of SO beans (including eastern african and central american), which would benefit from the brighter flavour profile of the conical burrs.. If only I could have both!
On another note, there's Kx Fresh vs. the doser models. The Fresh has some seroius convenience factor going for it. After watching the video on the CC web site, I was very impressed with the consistent programmed dosing (to 0.1g) and the completely clean operation (in addition to the excellent grind quality and lack of clumping). On the other hand, you have the potential downside of added electronics (which mean added expensive repairs down the line). The doser models OTOH, should give decades of trouble free performance, but less convenience. For me, the big question is always what will give me the best coffee, so it's sort of a wash, but I do like the convenience factor. I'd probably save cash and go doser models in the end.
On a related note, I currently have a mazzer mini, which I've seen reference to by at least one poster as being the grinder they were very happy to upgrade from (and to a titan class grinder). Is everyone in agreement that this is that big an upgrade? I suppose I should start another thread with "how good were your shots with a mini before you upgraded" as the topic as I'm sure this one has enough questions already.
Posted Tue Feb 7, 2012, 3:55pm Subject: Re: K8 vs K10. And Fresh vs. dosers..
I have been pondering the same thing. I understand that the K10 is incredibly fast, and videos seem to confirm this. I doubt very much that I could tell the difference between the two as far as taste goes, but could the flat burrs of the K8 possibly be as fast as the K10's conicals?
Posted Tue Feb 7, 2012, 7:09pm Subject: Re: K8 vs K10. And Fresh vs. dosers..
The K10 spins at only 325RPM so it isn't really blindingly fast compared to a Major or K8 which is spinning at 1650/1350 rpm. How fast do you need to grind?
Given a choice between the K8 & the K10 I'd say definitely go for a K10 & if you still think you'd like to own a large flat burr grinder look for a used Major. I've got both on the counter but I use the K10 98% of the time.
Never owned a Mini but my first espresso grinder was a Macap M4 which is pretty much the same. Going from that to an Super Jolly was a big improvement. Going from a Mini to a K10 would be huge upgrade IMO.
Posted Tue Feb 7, 2012, 7:19pm Subject: Re: K8 vs K10. And Fresh vs. dosers..
The Compak Fresh models are really amazing; in my opinion they offer the best doserless solution available right now. It is very clean and easy to use.
On a side note, we have conducted tests in store recently for several customers who tried flat burrs vs conical burrs.
Mazzer Major vs Mazzer Robur - we did not have a Royal which would have been a fairer comparison but the Major is pretty good too.
Compak K8 vs Compak K10
Every customer preferred the taste of the conical burrs. We were using the same coffee and dose for each grinder. This is just an anecdote from my recent findings in store, it is not meant as a definitive statement.
SJ
Find www.iDrinkCoffee.com on facebook and become a fan for deals, contests and more.
So how is royal a more fair comparison when the royal and major use the same bur and the difference is the motor? As compared with a kony which has smaller bur and motor than its big brother the robur. Not be smart I am really curious.
What machine should you buy? Buy what ever I have in my profile.
MikeReilly Senior Member Joined: 28 Oct 2007 Posts: 244 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 Tue Feb 7, 2012, 11:58pm Subject: Re: K8 vs K10. And Fresh vs. dosers..
iDrinkCoffeeCanada Said:
The Compak Fresh models are really amazing; in my opinion they offer the best doserless solution available right now. It is very clean and easy to use.
On a side note, we have conducted tests in store recently for several customers who tried flat burrs vs conical burrs.
Mazzer Major vs Mazzer Robur - we did not have a Royal which would have been a fairer comparison but the Major is pretty good too.
Compak K8 vs Compak K10
Every customer preferred the taste of the conical burrs. We were using the same coffee and dose for each grinder. This is just an anecdote from my recent findings in store, it is not meant as a definitive statement.
You are most correct. Those Fresh models truly are amazing. I've seen the videos of them in action and they look incredibly clean and ever so much more efficient for any barista, professional or home. That said, they *are* several hundred dollars more (especially with a certain Canadian retailer having such a great deal on the K8!) My only concern really with the Fresh is the life of the Electronics. I replaced my Cimbali Junior's Gicar box and that was painful, I'd hate to have to do the same on a grinder.
I'm somewhat saddened to hear that the conicals are universally preferred by your in store customers and I sure wish I lived back East to have access to such an outlet to be able to see for myself. Your feedback on this matter is much appreciated in any case. I have been able to try shots ground by K10's in local espresso joints and they were quite tasty.
JVBorella Said:
Never owned a Mini but my first espresso grinder was a Macap M4 which is pretty much the same. Going from that to an Super Jolly was a big improvement. Going from a Mini to a K10 would be huge upgrade IMO.
Thanks for that feedback. Any chance you could give details on what made the bigger grinders such a big upgrade? Repeatability? Better flavours? Any details help.
Dodge1 Senior Member Joined: 21 Dec 2002 Posts: 198 Location: Omaha Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: GS/3 Grinder: K30 Vario WBC & K10 WBC
Posted Wed Feb 8, 2012, 6:45am Subject: Re: K8 vs K10. And Fresh vs. dosers..
John and I are pretty good friends and about two years ago we bought our K10 WBC’s on the same day from CC. Just like John I also had a Macap M4 but in my case I did a direct upgrade from it to the K10. I also have a K30 Vario, which I really like, but if I had to choose only one, the K10 would get the nod.
That’s due to its consistency, grind quality, ability to single dose, lack of grind retention and price but in the end it all boils down to what the grinder adds to to the quality of your espressos/lattes etc. and in that regard it’s a vast improvement over my old M4.
diggi Senior Member Joined: 28 Nov 2011 Posts: 235 Location: Halifax, NS Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Spaz vivaldi S1 V2 Grinder: B Vario, Hario Mini Drip: Chemex, Aeropress Roaster: Poppery I
Posted Wed Feb 8, 2012, 9:43am Subject: Re: K8 vs K10. And Fresh vs. dosers..
I'll have same issue as you in a few years....but for now, I've just been licking my chops over this deal on returned K10 WBC. Will have to let it pass, but this might be enough for you to jump click here. Otherwise, just pay almost double for the k10 fresh
Posted Wed Feb 8, 2012, 11:00am Subject: Re: K8 vs K10. And Fresh vs. dosers..
JVBorella Said:
The K10 spins at only 325RPM so it isn't really blindingly fast compared to a Major or K8 which is spinning at 1650/1350 rpm. How fast do you need to grind?
So the K8's flat burrs spin faster, but does that mean that the K8 grinds faster? I was under the impression that slow spinning conicals ground a lot more coffee, in a given amount of time, than fast-spinning flat burr grinders.
Posted Wed Feb 8, 2012, 2:17pm Subject: Re: K8 vs K10. And Fresh vs. dosers..
Mike,
I just went through a very similar decision process. I ended up buying the K10 Pro Barista. I decided to go that way because of its reputation and the fact that it is so easy to single dose with it. So far my results are amazing. Especially when you consider that I moved up from a Rocky doserless.
Good luck.
btw - the open box special mentioned by diggi is quite a deal.
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