Posted Fri Jun 15, 2012, 5:10pm Subject: OK was this a deal or a flop? (Update...it just came today)
Well I finally got a grinder after looking patiently for almost 2 months..I finally found a Nuova Simonelli MCF that is 3 years old and first 2 years got zero use and last 1 year was light use only. There are no scratches on it at all, the doser plastic is still clear like new and the hopper is lightly stained (looks like half way they had it full and left it) I will be getting it in my hands in about 4 days and will post a pic. I'm hopin it was a deal and I made the right choice not spending the extra on a refurb Preciso.
To add, this is an espresso only ginder. I won't be using it for drip or press.
Also is there a magical cleaning solution to clean the hopper and get all the oils out and make it pretty again?
On a side note and in the wrong forum.....is a portafilter worth getting right away or is it something that can wait a few months?
What portafilter are you using now and why are you wondering about a new one? BTW, the word "portafilter" is sometimes used to refer to the handle and sometimes used to refer to the filter basket - I'm not sure which is correct but I always mean the whole handle assembly if I say portafilter and I say "basket" if I mean the actual filter the coffee goes into.
Your side bar indicates you have a Gaggia Carezza. Is that still the machine you will be using? The stock portafilter (I'm referring to the handle and the brass cup that holds the filter basket) is good quality and no need for a different one unless you want a bottomless PF.
The stock double basket that comes with the Gaggia is fine (except I just learned that in some countries the new Gaggias only come with pressurized, doublewall baskets). I have used the stock Gaggia basket and it works fine - I've used the HQ and Microfine baskets available at some suppliers and they work fine too and I can dose a little less or grind a little more coarse in the HQ/Microfine baskets to get the same pour. And I've recently tried the expensive VST baskets - and they work fine as well. If you want to dose higher than 18-19 grams then you probably need a larger basket than the stock Gaggia.
Posted Fri Jun 15, 2012, 8:45pm Subject: Re: OK was this a deal or a flop? ( my new grinder)
I haven't used one but that grinder looks like a well built model for espresso. If it is in good working shape it wont be a flop.
Side note - to me "deal" implies a comparison between value and price while "flop" implies a comparison of functionality asking "does it work or not?". It can be a great, fair, average or bad deal price wise but still be a great grinder.
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?
Posted Fri Jun 15, 2012, 9:05pm Subject: Re: OK was this a deal or a flop? ( my new grinder)
Side note - to me "deal" implies a comparison between value and price while "flop" implies a comparison of functionality asking "does it work or not?". It can be a great, fair, average or bad deal price wise but still be a great grinder.
I guess by your definition I was asking both questions without even knowing it. Deal as in good price for a capable grinder. Flop being it's not a capable grinder to use at any price. So I guess I should have said deal and/or a flop since I was asking two questions in one. I only ask because if I have picked up one and only one thing from the weeks of reading the how to articles and forum searching here it would be get a good grinder.
IMAWriter Senior Member Joined: 4 Jul 2002 Posts: 5,477 Location: Brentwood, TN Expertise: I live coffee
Espresso: Nothing at the moment Grinder: Vario-W,Preciso-Esatto/KyM... Vac Pot: Adcraft SS, Yama 8 cup Drip: Brazen.Chemex, Hario, Clever... Roaster: Behmor 1600, CO/UFO combo
Posted Fri Jun 15, 2012, 9:20pm Subject: Re: OK was this a deal or a flop? ( my new grinder)
Your grinder will be fine for espresso. Messier than some (I have a friend who had one, now has a Vario) but did a good job of grinding, IMO. Yes to the bottomless PF. If a triple basket comes with it, I'd eschew using it (the triple basket) for a while, and perfect your technique using a double basket. Saves coffee as well!
Posted Fri Jun 15, 2012, 9:26pm Subject: Re: OK was this a deal or a flop? ( my new grinder)
Looks like most people who bothered to write a review like the results. JBL was a bit negative and another mentioned his motor was not holding up after 3 years while the rest give it high marks. Probably comparable to the Mazzer Mini for grinding but with a lighter build quality. Considering the Mazzer Mini is built to commercial standards this isn't a deal breaker - the much loved B. Vario isn't built like a Mini either.
Posted Fri Jun 15, 2012, 9:55pm Subject: Re: OK was this a deal or a flop? ( my new grinder)
Thank you all for the fast posts. I can sleep easy tonight knowing I'm in good shape now on a grinder. I ordered a bottomless PF as well. Guess it will be nice to see exactly what is going on in there and as a learning tool. I guess my weekend will be spent roasting coffee in preparation for the arrival of my new toys. If i time it right it will be resting for just the right amount of time. I have enjoyed roasting for the past 4-5 years for drip only. Now I have a new reason to roast more. I have watched countless videos on dialing in a grinder so hopefully that will go rather smooth. I tossed some grindz in that bottomless PF order as well. I'm sure I will have some cleaning of the grinder when it arrives.
I had read all of the reviews before and like you said about JBL, even though they had the motor problems they sill managed to give it an 8.0 overall with the lowest being a 7 on quality. Guess it couldn't have been that bad to give it an 8 overall. If you look at what they replaced it with they aren't even in the same league as the MCF. How can you compare a K30 $1500/$1600+ retail and the other one, a Cimbali Max Hybrid which is nearly $900 retail. I'm not sure you can compare them to a grinder in this price range. For that money I would hope the were build like a Mack truck.
sgreen Senior Member Joined: 4 Apr 2011 Posts: 63 Location: Minneapolis Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Viblemme Replica, ECM... Grinder: Mazzer Major and Mini,... Drip: Technivorm Moccamaster Roaster: Behmor 1600
Posted Sat Jun 16, 2012, 5:36am Subject: Re: OK was this a deal or a flop? ( my new grinder)
Nice grinder. It's certainly a great place to start.
For me, the magic solution is OxyClean. It cuts through caked on coffee crud like you wouldn't believe. I even use it to backflush. I use the stuff without the blue crystals and rinse well.
Posted Sat Jun 16, 2012, 7:27am Subject: Re: OK was this a deal or a flop? ( my new grinder)
Will OxyClean get rid of the stain (if that's the right word) on the hopper? It's not totally clear anymore, it has that coffee oil tint to it. The doser is still clear though, thank goodness.
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