fox2000 Senior Member Joined: 18 May 2012 Posts: 46 Location: WA Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Isomac Millenium I Grinder: Mazzer S.J. Auto & MDX
Posted Mon May 21, 2012, 5:57pm Subject: HELP Grinder under $300! Advice on used commercial grinders RR45, K6, Astra etc
I am looking for a grinder to go with my millennium and I am overwhelmed with choices and information. I currently have an encore which is just not quite precise enough to use with my current machine. So my options are to trade it in for a presico or to buy used. I am on a tight budget being that I spent my money on my used Isomac. I have been reading the threads and although I have gotten a lot of helpful info from them it is still hard to decide which way to go. I can currently get the following equipment I need to make a decision soon before my return period is over.
Baratza Presico new with warranty and excellent customer service $300 Rossi RR45 used with newer burrs and cleaned has pretty good condition $250 Lelit PL43 $125 may need new burrs (not sure why I am listing) La San Marco 1993 refurbished 2 years ago barely used since then at a home $300 great condition Astra 1 or 2 approximately 5 years old may need new burrs clean and has only been used at home $200 Cunill Brasil in good condition with new burrs homemade hopper comes with it and original hopper $185 Compak K6 labeled another name from 1996, burrs are worn but will last a while $200+ possible shipping of around $50
There are super jollys for sale right now as well but they are $375-$400 and I just cant go that high especially if it will need new burrs.
Thank you for your advice I appreciate any help I can get obviously the cheaper the better. I suppose other new machines may be an option as well $300 is the absolute highest I could go.
I changed my title in hopes of grabbing the attention of more members its hard trying to find info on older machines and knowing if it will work well as a home grinder. I also added a machine I want advice on.
dyno Senior Member Joined: 20 Nov 2011 Posts: 42 Location: Burnaby BC Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Oscar Grinder: K6/Super Mini/Super Mini E
Posted Tue May 22, 2012, 8:55pm Subject: Re: Grinder selection HELP please, should I buy used commercial or new?
I've got a Preciso refurb that has been very good over the past months. While the grind quality cannot be faulted, it does have an aura of plasticky cheapness. The fact the timer knob falls off regularly doesn't help.
There are good values out there, especially if you can pickup a rebrand. I recently bought an Anfim Best rebranded as an ECM for $170 shipped. With new burrs, it'll be under $200 and reportedly the equal of anything in its class.
If you are prone to tinkering and rethinking choices, go for the used commercial. It doesn't have to be a Super Jolly. With patience you could pickup something alittle less heralded like a Nuova Simonelli MDX for a good price. Quite a few of those have sold here locally on Craigslist. If you need something immediately, a new Lelit PL53 will come in under budget and perhaps hold you over until the inevitable upgrade.
I think there are a few Rossi owners here - hopefully they can chime in.
It really is true, the grinder is the key to great espresso.
fox2000 Senior Member Joined: 18 May 2012 Posts: 46 Location: WA Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Isomac Millenium I Grinder: Mazzer S.J. Auto & MDX
Posted Sat Jun 9, 2012, 5:27pm Subject: Re: HELP Grinder under $300! Advice on used commercial grinders RR45, K6
Thank you for your help. I ended up buying a MDX and then a super jolly because I couldn't pass up either deal. Both are great now I have to figure out which to keep.
calblacksmith Moderator Joined: 25 Nov 2007 Posts: 5,761 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 Jun 11, 2012, 6:18am Subject: Re: HELP Grinder under $300! Advice on used commercial grinders RR45, K6
They are both good grinders and I think I would be hard pressed to make that choice. I own both (as well as others) and I like them both. My advice is to keep them both and use one for regular coffee and one for decaf but then that is just me!
In real life, my name is Wayne P.
Feed the newbs, starve the trolls and above all enjoy what you drink!
fox2000 Senior Member Joined: 18 May 2012 Posts: 46 Location: WA Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Isomac Millenium I Grinder: Mazzer S.J. Auto & MDX
Posted Mon Jun 11, 2012, 8:07am Subject: Re: HELP Grinder under $300! Advice on used commercial grinders RR45, K6
Hey Wayne I had a feeling you would have some experience with these:) I wanted to tell you I was reading a thread about dialing in a super jolly for the first time and your answer about making tiny adjustments saved me at least a couple bags of beans. I was really struggling with the MDX and the SJ because they have so many possible settings I to was making way to large of adjustments. I just wanted to thank you its hard to find such straight forward answers sometimes.
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