mp3me1 Senior Member Joined: 22 Feb 2005 Posts: 18 Location: USA Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Miss Silvia Grinder: Solis Maestro Plus
Posted Sat Mar 12, 2005, 3:26pm Subject: Innova i2 or Solis Maestro Plus
For those that have used both of these grinders: Let me know which one you like better and what espresso machine you used to brew with. I have a Maestro Plus but I'm still on the fence about it. If the Innova isn't much of a difference or not as good then I will hold off on a different grinder until I can get something at the Mazzer level.
CremaPhile Senior Member Joined: 5 Nov 2004 Posts: 269 Location: Brooklyn, NY Expertise: Pro Barista
Espresso: Gaggia Espresso Grinder: Innova I2 Drip: French Press
Posted Sun Mar 13, 2005, 2:26am Subject: Re: Innova i2 or Solis Maestro Plus
I own an i2, love it. I've never used an SMP, but I think the choice depends on your usage. i2 is a lovely espresso grinder. the stepless adjustment is fantastic, and after using it I couldn't ever think of using a grinder with stepped adjustment for espresso. that being said, if you use it for anything besides espresso, the i2 is a royal pain in the ass. i rarely drink anything aside from espresso, so it doesn't bother me, but the few times I tried grinding for french press, it took about 5 minutes of twisting the knob and a sore arm to get there. then i suffered a sorer arm from twisting it back. there is a way around this if you have the patience to take the hopper etc off, take off the worm gear and just unscrew the burrs by hand. but then its hard to screw it back to where it was and you have to dial in your espresso grind all over again. also, as many others have noted, grinds tend to stick in the chute of the i2. i find this to be only a minor nuissance.
from what i've read about the SMP, its not really meant to be solely an espresso grinder, and if you use it as such, the burrs will wear out rather fast.
if you use it only for espresso, i say the innova wins hands down. better looking, sturdier build, better grind. but if you use it for drip or press pot, then the maestro is probably fine and more convenient.
PatRi Senior Member Joined: 30 Jan 2005 Posts: 78 Location: Montreal, QC, Canada Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: La Spaziale S1 Grinder: Innova 2d Roaster: Iroast
Posted Sun Mar 13, 2005, 7:53am Subject: Re: Innova i2 or Solis Maestro Plus
I had a maestro (not +) before and a I2 now. The maestro + is much closer to an espresso grinder than its predecessor, but still not to the level of the i2. It would not give me great results on my silvia.
The i2 really provides a great grind adjustment and very consistent,it compares to some more expensive models. It is certainly a lot easier to use for espresso only, the weakness would be the lack of adjustement indicator. If you switch grind level often, there are better options.
I found that since I have my i2, I have improve my coffee by 100%. My coffee now comes out in crema from start to finish. The first time I tought something was wrong !!! I kept my old grinder for decaf and other type of coffee.
Symbols: = New Posts since your last visit = No New Posts since last visit = Newest post
Forum Rules: No profanity, illegal acts or personal attacks will be tolerated in these discussion boards. No commercial posting of any nature will be tolerated; only private sales by private individuals, in the "Buy and Sell" forum. No cross posting allowed - do not post your topic to more than one forum, nor repost a topic to the same forum. Who Can Read The Forum? Anyone can read posts in these discussion boards. Who Can Post New Topics? Any registered CoffeeGeek member can post new topics. Who Can Post Replies? Any registered CoffeeGeek member can post replies. Can Photos be posted? Anyone can post photos in their new topics or replies. Who can change or delete posts? Any CoffeeGeek member can edit their own posts. Only moderators can delete posts. Probationary Period: If you are a new signup for CoffeeGeek, you cannot promote, endorse, criticise or otherwise post an unsolicited endorsement for any company, product or service in your first five postings.
= No New Posts since last visit 