emradguy Senior Member Joined: 31 Mar 2011 Posts: 1,711 Location: Houston Expertise: I live coffee
Espresso: Izzo Alex Duetto II Grinder: MacapM4T, Macap M4, OE Lido,... Drip: Espro press; Aeropress Roaster: internet
Posted Sat Aug 11, 2012, 12:06pm Subject: Re: Suggestions on what machine to buy?
Get the very best grinder you can afford. From the list you provided, I'd recommend the Vario. However, one caveat, my recommendation comes from all I've read about them and my experience with other grinders.
Coffeenoobie Senior Member Joined: 11 Dec 2011 Posts: 2,314 Location: PNW Expertise: I like coffee
Espresso: N S Oscar Grinder: Vario W
Posted Sat Aug 11, 2012, 12:54pm Subject: Re: Suggestions on what machine to buy?
I really like the foot print and ease of use of my Vario W.
It might not last 100 years like a used super jolly but it fits my kitchen (tiny) and the espresso tastes very close to the taste of the super jolly according to taste testers on H-B. I love that it weighs my beans for me. I have it grind right in my basket. I stuck a command adhesive strip to the sensor foot and stuck a small stainless sauce dish to it, set my basket in that and put a yogurt cup funnel on top of the basket. I then stir my grinds with funnel on, remove funnel, tamp, drop in my naked portafilter and go. It is easy, except for the knocking out the grinds but since I don't make that many back to back I can deal with that. Very few stray grinds but the connivance of the set up is worth it to me. That to say, I can do it in the morning half asleep and before I put my glasses on. And since I do the milk by feel/sound now also, I only have to squint at the end of the pour to see the blonding.
Coffeenoobie
Buying advice: GRINDER GRINDER GRINDER. Don't cheap out on the grinder. My coffee treasure map... Click Here (maps.google.com)
Coffeenoobie Senior Member Joined: 11 Dec 2011 Posts: 2,314 Location: PNW Expertise: I like coffee
Espresso: N S Oscar Grinder: Vario W
Posted Sat Aug 11, 2012, 1:00pm Subject: Re: Suggestions on what machine to buy?
Sorry you feel over loaded with info. But, I promise you will be happier with the espresso from this set up than you would be from the first machine you bought. And really any grinder of the 3 will work. I favor the one I bought but I looked at all 3 of what you considered. The weighing of the beans made the Vario W a slam dunk for me because it saved me a step because I am annul enough to weigh every shot. The service is good from the manufacturer and they are great people. I have met them at the coffee show. I have had mine over 6 months now and I really like it as much now as then.
Coffeenoobie
Buying advice: GRINDER GRINDER GRINDER. Don't cheap out on the grinder. My coffee treasure map... Click Here (maps.google.com)
Intrepid510 Senior Member Joined: 30 Dec 2010 Posts: 303 Location: California Expertise: I love coffee
Posted Sat Aug 11, 2012, 1:15pm Subject: Re: Suggestions on what machine to buy?
jttran28 Said:
Thanks to everyones help, I finally know the direction I want to go.
Crossland CC1 will be the espresso machine.
As for grinder, I'm still not to sure. Please suggest something for me. I'm tired of researching and going back and forth. AT this point, the budget doesn't matter.
sn_85 Senior Member Joined: 1 Dec 2011 Posts: 131 Location: Fort Lauderdale, FL Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Quick Mill Andreja Premium Grinder: Baratza Vario
Posted Sun Aug 12, 2012, 5:34am Subject: Re: Suggestions on what machine to buy?
jttran28 Said:
Thanks to everyones help, I finally know the direction I want to go.
Crossland CC1 will be the espresso machine.
As for grinder, I'm still not to sure. Please suggest something for me. I'm tired of researching and going back and forth. AT this point, the budget doesn't matter.
NobbyR Senior Member Joined: 10 Jul 2011 Posts: 1,607 Location: Germany Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Poccino Opus One, Ariete Grinder: Eureka Mignon Istantaneo,... Vac Pot: N/A Drip: Melitta Linea Unica de Luxe Roaster: N/A
Posted Sun Aug 12, 2012, 10:50pm Subject: Re: Suggestions on what machine to buy?
Those three are all capable grinders that'll work well for espresso. My personal choice would be the Compak, because it's stepless and appears to me as the most solid grinder with the best value for money.
*** "This drink of the Satan is so delicious that it would be a shame to leave it to the infidels." (Pope Clement VIII on coffee)
MisterJohnnyT Senior Member Joined: 13 Jan 2012 Posts: 59 Location: S.E. Florida Expertise: Just starting
Espresso: Crossland CC1 Grinder: Compak K3 Touch
Posted Mon Aug 13, 2012, 6:30am Subject: Re: Suggestions on what machine to buy?
I am very happy with my CC1 paired with the Compak K3 Touch. The Compak is CONSIDERABLY higher quality than Baratza's flimsy plastic grinders. The main downside to the K3 is that it's not very feasible to change grind quickly, if you want to use the grinder for anything other than espresso. Once you get it dialed in, it's easy to make small changes, BUT I would not use it for switching back and forth from drip settings to espresso settings. I use my K3 only for espresso, and I bought a cheaper baratza for drip coffee. I had a Baratza Preciso for espresso, but it broke within a couple weeks due to the shoddy cheap plastic construction, and I replaced it with the K3. The baratza grinders almost seem like they are engineered to fail, due to their load-bearing thin plastic parts.
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