ggcadc Senior Member Joined: 25 Mar 2008 Posts: 146 Location: San Diego, CA Expertise: I live coffee
Espresso: QM Alexia Grinder: Mazzer mini E, Virtuoso,... Vac Pot: Yama 3 cup Drip: All of them Roaster: Behmor 1600
Posted Mon Nov 14, 2011, 4:30pm Subject: Re: Zassenhaus Guatemala
This is a followup after much back and forth with a Zass distributor about problems with 3 of these grinders. The reatailer Blacksmith coffee was amazingly helpful in trying to resolve these issues but in the end I had to deal with the distributor.
The first grinder I had was misaligned and on a med/coarse grind would rub about 1/4 of the turn with no beans in it. The replacements had this same problem only worse on one, so bad that I sent a pic of the grind distribution to show I wasnt just being finicky, this was really bad... Click Here (www.flickr.com) The distributor tested their newest shipment and found about 1/3 showing shaft misalignment... that's just nuts to me. This is absolute proof of what some said above about Zass going to china for manufacturing.
I finally after about a month of this got a decent copy of this grinder. Now I'm wary of keeping this thing around considering the problems it's prone to. Anyone think I should go with a different mill for my daily pourover? This is so beautiful to look at I almost want to just grin and bear it.
jameskachan Senior Member Joined: 2 Feb 2013 Posts: 1 Location: Toronto Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Areopress
Posted Sat Feb 2, 2013, 12:32pm Subject: Re: Zassenhaus Guatemala
Hey
Just bringing this thread back up, some time has gone by, do you still love the Zassenhaus Gutemala mill? It looks nicely designed. I'm a fan of well made and aesthetic things.
I need a grinder, however I want to get a good to start and not bother with having to replace it. Since you've owned this one for a while, would you recommend it?
Though, im at a loss of which is better, ceramic burrs or stainless steal, I've heard ceramic is better but.. I dont know a bunch about the hardware side of coffee.
and another thing, what is the "experience" like of grinding daily with a handpowered one? I like the idea, though I worry if it would be a pain, or is it kinda a nice ritual? please let me know!
thanks — James
PS, in your flickr pictured I didnt notice the wooden ball on the top of the grinding arm, did yours not have it? or is this a newer update that has it now.. (link for reference) Click Here (www.socialcoffeecompany.com)
ggcadc Senior Member Joined: 25 Mar 2008 Posts: 146 Location: San Diego, CA Expertise: I live coffee
Espresso: QM Alexia Grinder: Mazzer mini E, Virtuoso,... Vac Pot: Yama 3 cup Drip: All of them Roaster: Behmor 1600
Posted Tue Feb 12, 2013, 11:28am Subject: Re: Zassenhaus Guatemala
I do still have the grinder, it sits on the shelf though. it looks great, functionally works well, the experience of grinding is a bit difficult though due to the shape of the grinder. the Skerton you linked to would be a better choice. it's cheaper, and ceramic burrs are washable, that's the main practical advantage. However the slim mill is easier to grip, and has a cap for the top. its more in the tradition of a knee mill, but meant to be hand held instead of pushed onto a counter. I have a slim mill and it's a great travel grinder. I believe it uses the exact same burr set as the skerton.
Zassenhaus has sadly fallen below the quality of the Korean and Japanese made hand mills.
Posted Tue Feb 12, 2013, 11:45am Subject: Re: Zassenhaus Guatemala
ggcadc Said:
I do still have the grinder, it sits on the shelf though. it looks great, functionally works well, the experience of grinding is a bit difficult though due to the shape of the grinder. the Skerton you linked to would be a better choice. it's cheaper, and ceramic burrs are washable, that's the main practical advantage. However the slim mill is easier to grip, and has a cap for the top. its more in the tradition of a knee mill, but meant to be hand held instead of pushed onto a counter. I have a slim mill and it's a great travel grinder. I believe it uses the exact same burr set as the skerton.
Zassenhaus has sadly fallen below the quality of the Korean and Japanese made hand mills.
The Skerton and Mini will not last in the long run. You spent $100+ for the Zass I am assuming. Is a LIDO not in your price range? To me, it's the ultimate affordable manual grinder and will easily outlast electric grinders in a similar $100-300 price range.
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