Posted Wed Dec 29, 2004, 1:22pm Subject: Input needed for FAQ page on Grinders
Since there is so much talk of "Which grinder do I get, I am going to do this kind of coffee, and I need to be under $XXX.XX."
I thought I would ask for some input from you guys to create a little sub-page/FAQ off my main link site - www.sumocomputers.com/coffee/link
I think it makes sense to include some of the "pet" grinders we all love, but include both pros and cons. It would be good to include things like how good it is for Espresso, FP, Drip, Vacuum, Moka Pot. How easy it is to change between types, etc.
I want to also reference the burr explanations by Alan Frew, and some links on where to buy these sometimes "odd-ball" grinders. JonR10, I am talking to you, you nemox Lux Freak!!! :-))
Feel free to give me some mod links as well, I can put those under "Mods".
Hey now!! I am probably more of a Mazzer fan than anything, but nobody ever asks
"What's better, MazzerMini or Zassenhaus Manual?"
The LUX is a great low-end machine that's versatile. Seems like I'm forever posting it with the Innova i2 and the LaPavoni PGC because all three have the same burrs. Truth is I was about to buy a LUX grinder when I found my PGC very cheap on eBay.
Sometimes I think that 1st-Line and EPNW should give me royalties for all of the free advertising I do for them. HEY TERRY!! How many people have said this? "I have to get a bottomless PF because I want to make shots like I keep seeing posted all over coffeegeek!!"
By the way - I more often choose to post the 1st Line link for the LUX because they have a much better picture, but it's also being sold at 1-800 espresso whatever (Click HERE)
Chris - are you going to post links to find these grinders along with some blurbs about ad/disads and comparisons and characteristics? I think it would be cool to maybe reference some posts here and Dan's write-up comparing Mazzer, MACAP and LaCimbali Junior and stuff like that.
Posted Wed Dec 29, 2004, 2:14pm Subject: Re: Input needed for FAQ page on Grinders
JonR10 Said:
Hey now!! I am probably more of a Mazzer fan than anything, but nobody ever asks
"What's better, MazzerMini or Zassenhaus Manual?"
The LUX is a great low-end machine that's versatile. Seems like I'm forever posting it with the Innova i2 and the LaPavoni PGC because all three have the same burrs. Truth is I was about to buy a LUX grinder when I found my PGC very cheap on eBay.
Sometimes I think that 1st-Line and EPNW should give me royalties for all of the free advertising I do for them. HEY TERRY!! How many people have said this? "I have to get a bottomless PF because I want to make shots like I keep seeing posted all over coffeegeek!!"
No doubt!
Chris - are you going to post links to find these grinders along with some blurbs about ad/disads and comparisons and characteristics? I think it would be cool to maybe reference some posts here and Dan's write-up comparing Mazzer, MACAP and LaCimbali Junior and stuff like that.
Definitely all of those are in the plans. It has been hard enough just linking to other decent pages, let alone individual threads and posts. So to actually create a webpage is going to take some motivation on my part. The problem is that once I get a "Grinder FAQ" page going, that is just the beginning; there is still a Drip machine FAQ, an Espresso Machine FAQ (I dread this one), a Tamper FAQ, and the list goes on...
Well I can certainly give a courtesy link to your website. I will probably have to create a new sub-category though. Maybe under "EVERYTHING ELSE" I will make a sub-category of USER SITES-->ESPRESSO-->WORLD DOMINATION
MPantani Senior Member Joined: 16 Oct 2004 Posts: 116 Location: Seattle Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Isomac Millennium Grinder: Pasquini Moka Drip: Never
Posted Wed Dec 29, 2004, 8:22pm Subject: Re: Input needed for FAQ page on Grinders
I'd suggest adding these to your chart:
Gaggia MDF: a popular mid-priced grinder Isomac Granmacinino: also mid-priced but not well liked Pasquini Moka (aka Anfim): excellent but with a high price
One difficult aspect is how to consider the price/performance ratio. With the dollar fluctuating prices can be all over the place. The Gaggia MDF was on sale for $129 at one point this year. Pretty hard to beat for a mid-priced grinder. (I think of mid-priced as $175 to $300). A Rocky is a better grinder but for someone on a budget the MDF is a good buy if it can be purchased for $129. The regular price for the MDF is more like $200. For that price the Innova is a better buy.
A similar situation happened this fall with the Pasquini and Mazzer Mini. Regularly $500, the Pasquini was selling for $329 branded as an ECM. A killer deal, and an easy choice over a Mazzer Mini's regular $400 price. But then Illy did its special deal on the Mini for $300 I think, and the dealer ran out of the ECM/Pasquini. I would take a Mini for $300 any day over a Pasquini for $500 (or $400 as it is sometimes priced).
So I think for the comparison page to be useful it has to take the price variables into consideration somehow.
Also, for your chart I would add information on how tall the grinder is (some won't fit under cabinets) and how messy they are (subjective but important).
Everman Senior Member Joined: 25 Nov 2004 Posts: 999 Location: Coffee Land Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Valentina Levetta Grinder: Mazzer Mini Roaster: Hottop
Posted Wed Dec 29, 2004, 10:46pm Subject: Re: Input needed for FAQ page on Grinders
A few things: Doser useability, Static, and kind of a tips section. For tips I'd put for example under the Mazzer Mini: Although it is tall with the hopper on, many people find it easier to operate without it. Just pour the beans in the throat and place your tamper on top.
barkus Senior Member Joined: 12 Nov 2004 Posts: 13 Location: austin, texas Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: estro vapore (old) Grinder: maestro plus Drip: krups
Posted Thu Dec 30, 2004, 7:00am Subject: Re: Input needed for FAQ page on Grinders
back in 1973 I got my first home grinder, back in Oregon, a nifty cast iron Spong. It was a pain in the butt. I had to jiggle my sticky dark roast beans with a chop stick to feed 'em through. Even though I am now using a Maestro Plus (and lighter roasted beans), I have to say that if you have the time to use them, manual grinders really are pretty hard to beat for the quality of the product...and there's really nothing to break down. I don't know if Spong is still in business. Just a little early morning anecdote of grinder nostalgia for you. I will probably move on to the next stage in my espresso progression someday soon (probably an MM or a Cimballi Jr), but every now and then I will still pull out the Spong, bolt it to the counter, and make a comparison, just to see if the curve is still going the right way!
True, but that grinder was not available for $129 after May of 2004 and I think the website that advertised it may be defunct now anyway. Have a look (Click Here). You'll see the grinder but there is no way to purchase it IIRC.
The MDF is in a class above the PGC, LUX and i2 grinders because it has the big flat burrs. Presumably that means longer life and quieter, faster grinding.
CHRIS (sumo) - you may want to add the motor power as a comparison tool. Here's more info:
LUX, PGC, and i2 all have conical burrs. LUX and PGC are satisfactory for espresso and i2 is probably excellent
La Pavoni PGC/PGB 95W (1400 RPM) (LINK 1) and BEST FREAKIN' PRICE HERE. Apparently this may become discontinued so it's a good time to get one if you've been thinking about it....
Hey - Is there any chance for something between excellent and satisfactory? I'd say Mazzer, MACAP and LaCimbali Jr. are SUPERIOR, while i2 and Rocky are excellent.
MACAP, Cunhill/ASTRA, and LaCimbali are all flat burr grinders
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