Mikespresso Senior Member Joined: 15 Jul 2012 Posts: 14 Location: India Expertise: Just starting
Posted Sun Sep 16, 2012, 5:12am Subject: Opinion on the Gaggia MDF grinder
Does anyone have experience with a Gaggia MDF grinder. Can it be used with a high end non-pressurized portafilter espresso machine to produce a good quality espresso. I haven't been able to find any reviews on the usefulness of the machine for use in non-pressurized portafilter machines. Thanks a million
Posted Sun Sep 16, 2012, 7:47am Subject: Re: Opinion on the Gaggia MDF grinder
It's adjustment is stepped, so it's difficult to dial in precisely for espresso use, but it can be made to work in a somewhat compromised way. The grind is OK, but not great for espresso. The doser on that particular model is somewhat annoying as well. (I used one with a housemates Nuovo Simonelli commercial single group machine, back <mumble> years ago).
You'd be much better off with a grinder that offers continuous adjustment or much closer spaced steps. Consider something like an Ascaso i-1 as the starting point in the former camp, or the Baratza Preciso or Vario in the latter. Ypu'll get improved results with better grinders than those.
Ascasouser Senior Member Joined: 9 Jul 2011 Posts: 12 Location: US Expertise: I like coffee
Espresso: Ascaso Bssic Grinder: Ascaso i-mini
Posted Mon Sep 17, 2012, 5:04pm Subject: Re: Opinion on the Gaggia MDF grinder
I get pretty good non-pressurised results with the Ascaso I-1. Keep in mind, this is with a much cheaper (Ascaso Basic) machine, the grind is still similar.
Sylvain Senior Member Joined: 19 Dec 2001 Posts: 58 Location: Trois-Rivieres Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: La Marzocco GS3 Grinder: Mahlkonig K30 Vario Drip: Technivorm
Posted Tue Sep 18, 2012, 6:06am Subject: Re: Opinion on the Gaggia MDF grinder
I have used the MDF with a Gaggia Coffee a long time ago. Its a nice grinder but for not so much you can have a better one. I have had also the Ascaso and in my opinion is better. Sylvain
JasonBrandtLewis Senior Member Joined: 9 Dec 2005 Posts: 6,098 Location: Berkeley, CA Expertise: I live coffee
Espresso: Elektra T1 - La Valentina -... Grinder: Mahlkönig K30 Vario -... Vac Pot: Yama 5-cup Drip: CCD, Chemex Roaster: No, no, not another...
Posted Wed Sep 19, 2012, 7:31am Subject: Re: Opinion on the Gaggia MDF grinder
Mikespresso Said:
Does anyone have experience with a Gaggia MDF grinder. Can it be used with a high end non-pressurized portafilter espresso machine to produce a good quality espresso. I haven't been able to find any reviews on the usefulness of the machine for use in non-pressurized portafilter machines. Thanks a million
I used a Gaggia MDF with a non-pressurized portafilter for some 25 years.
"CAN it be used?" Sure. Of course it can. But is it a good choice -- the answer is no. As "dyqik" has already pointed out, it is a stepped grinder with relatively large steps, making it very difficult to dial in properly.
I cannot speak to what is available in India, but if possible, I'd get a better grinder. Yes, the MDF will work, but only as a last result and -- if you are serious about making quality espresso -- you will find it very frustrating.
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