jaredw Senior Member Joined: 19 Aug 2012 Posts: 1 Location: Chapel Hill Expertise: I love coffee
Posted Sun Aug 19, 2012, 7:54pm Subject: mazzer mini vs mazzer major
Right now, I'm roasting on a Behmor, grinding with Rocky, and pulling with Miss Silvia. My fiance has decided to upgrade me as an engagement present (yes, she's a keeper). I'm debating between the Mazzer Mini E (A type) or Mazzer major. The mini seems smaller and more convenient for home use, and I can afford the dosserless model which I prefer (I've found it for around 900). The major is bigger than I'd prefer, but has larger (83mm) burrs. Cost is similar (I've found the major for just under $1k). So, my question is essentially whether the Major will actually make superior coffee than the mini, or whether I'm wiser to go for the superior convenience of the mini. Thanks for any opinions you can offer!
calblacksmith Moderator Joined: 25 Nov 2007 Posts: 5,645 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 Tue Aug 21, 2012, 9:49am Subject: Re: mazzer mini vs mazzer major
Yes it will. I have not used the Mini but I have used lots of SJs and Majors. The major is markedly better than the SJ which isn't a slouch by any means. Those that have upgraded from the mini to a SJ remark on the much better quality of the grind and in the cup.
Doser/doserless is a personal choice thing and only you can answer that question. My PERSONAL preference when using this style grinder is for the doser. I find it is cleaner, with no or very little static and clumping while allowing me to grind while doing something else. I use a digital dark room timer on the grinder so the grind is maintained to within 1/10 of a second with a constant volume of beans in the hopper (even the mini hopper works great) the dose is very consistent, at least it is close enough that I can't taste any difference in the shot. YMMV!
In real life, my name is Wayne P.
Feed the newbs, starve the trolls and above all enjoy what you drink!
hankua Senior Member Joined: 29 Aug 2009 Posts: 204 Location: Jacksonville, Florida Expertise: Just starting
Espresso: Salvatore One Black Grinder: Pharos,Rossi RR45OD, Lido,... Drip: CCD Roaster: Yang-Chia 800n
Posted Tue Aug 21, 2012, 10:31am Subject: Re: mazzer mini vs mazzer major
I upgraded from a Rocky to a Major, picked up a used Mini, then sold both to a Cafe with a GB5. The coffee from the GB5/Major combination tastes fantastic. In my kitchen the Major looked out of place and was inconvenient to use. So my vote is for the Mini because of the smaller size and reduced noise; especially if you get the doserless version and keep beans in the hopper.
Posted Tue Aug 21, 2012, 12:33pm Subject: Re: mazzer mini vs mazzer major
I have not used Mini but have Major in my collection and it truly is Titan class grinder. You can't go wrong with it and I doubt you'll get an itch to replace it any time soon. The only knock on it I have is that adjustment is in tight range and one notch on collar is almost range between gusher and very tight shot (well not quite but almost, I really would like wider spacing there), but that's the issue I think with all Mazzer grinders so....
randytsuch Senior Member Joined: 11 Jun 2009 Posts: 578 Location: LA, Ca Expertise: I like coffee
Espresso: Expobar Office with... Grinder: Baratza Vario Roaster: Customized Alpenrost,...
Posted Tue Aug 21, 2012, 12:40pm Subject: Re: mazzer mini vs mazzer major
calblacksmith Said:
Yes it will. I have not used the Mini but I have used lots of SJs and Majors. The major is markedly better than the SJ which isn't a slouch by any means. Those that have upgraded from the mini to a SJ remark on the much better quality of the grind and in the cup.
Doser/doserless is a personal choice thing and only you can answer that question. My PERSONAL preference when using this style grinder is for the doser. I find it is cleaner, with no or very little static and clumping while allowing me to grind while doing something else. I use a digital dark room timer on the grinder so the grind is maintained to within 1/10 of a second with a constant volume of beans in the hopper (even the mini hopper works great) the dose is very consistent, at least it is close enough that I can't taste any difference in the shot. YMMV!
The mini E uses 64mm burrs, so it is really in a SJ class grinder.
In response to the original question, I had a major and sold it because it was too big for my kitchen, they are big heavy duty machines. I bought a vario instead, much more kitchen friendly. Pretty sure that the Major would have won a taste off but I never compared, didn't really want to know since I already knew the Major wouldn't work for me.
If I was getting a big, commercial size grinder, I would look at a conical, but that's me, and its not my money either ;)
jwoodyu Senior Member Joined: 31 Dec 2010 Posts: 704 Location: Michigan Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Allex Duetto II Grinder: Mazzer Major Roaster: Poppery
Posted Sat Sep 22, 2012, 6:51pm Subject: Re: mazzer mini vs mazzer major
I had a Major and Baratza Vario on the counter side by side. The Major stayed the Vario is gone. I also played with a Pharos to see how I felt a about a big connical bur set but it to is now gone. If I find a Mazzer Royal on a deal I would jump on it.
You know those people that want to tell you how to raise your kids but have none of their own? That is how i feel when someone with a kitchen appliance tells me how the merits or dis-merits of my machine or how to use it.
chex Senior Member Joined: 27 Mar 2008 Posts: 50 Location: Lemoore CA Expertise: I live coffee
Espresso: Q M Silvano, Gaggia Espresso Grinder: 2xMazzer SJs, box, KA... Vac Pot: Still need; but i haz ibrik! Drip: pourovers, presses,... Roaster: Behmor, stovetop...
Posted Mon Sep 24, 2012, 1:22am Subject: Re: mazzer mini vs mazzer major
I need to dig through my junk drawer to verify, but I'm sure the packaging for my Super Jolly burrs also indicates it's for the Mini-E as well; same part number. However, the Mini-E still is a smaller motor; 250w vs 350w for SJ, so i would think the SJ has a little more torque resulting in a cooler overall operation. As for the Major, just get it. I love my SJs, but i should of taken the Major when I had the chance! :)
You know those people that want to tell you how to raise your kids but have none of their own? That is how i feel when someone with a kitchen appliance tells me how the merits or dis-merits of my machine or how to use it.
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