Puff Cigar Discussion Forums

ghostrider · 07-30-2008, 04:42 PM

Well I'm all moved into the new place. Seems the espresso machine didn't like the move too much, so I'm looking to replace it. I've already ordered a new machine, now it's time to pair it up with a decent grinder. I'm considering the Mazzer Mini, or the Macap M4. Does anyone have any experience with one or both? I brew everything from vac pot to turkish on occassion, making 2-3 shots of espresso per day.

Mister Moo · 07-30-2008, 05:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ghostrider

...Mazzer Mini, or the Macap M4.

Two premium lifetime grinders, those.

I am a Mazzer man 'cause I like the stepless performance, low maintenance and historical commercial reliability. I grind about 100-lb. year - not much for these machines. Mazzer is rated for 600-lb per burr set.

ghostrider · 07-30-2008, 05:22 PM

Double checking my terminology here, does stepless refer to bing "infinitely" adjustable? If that's the case, how hard is it to change the setting from espresso to something more fitting for drip or vac pot?

dantzig · 07-30-2008, 05:40 PM

Now that I have a stepless commercial grinder with a doser, I find that I only use it for espresso. My Kitchaid Proline grinder still gets all of the drip and French press action because it's infinitely easier to use when grinding a large amount of coffee and the adjustment doesn't need to be as precise as with espresso.

ResIpsa · 07-30-2008, 07:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ghostrider

Double checking my terminology here, does stepless refer to bing "infinitely" adjustable? If that's the case, how hard is it to change the setting from espresso to something more fitting for drip or vac pot?

Yup. Like Mr. Moo, I go through about 100lbs of grinding a year, unlike Mr. Moo I am a Macap M4 man, so I guess you get both sides of the equation.

The M4 has a worm drive, generally considered to be the best drive for espresso. (pipe down Moo

). Macap setup is thought superior for small adjustments as opposed to the Mazzer. The Mazzer has a collar do hickey thingamabob on it that you lift and turn I believe. Mazzer set up makes it easier to make large adjustments if you brew by different methods.

In all honesty, it it not a problem making large adjustments with the Macap worm drive, and if you research you'll probably find that the M4 has a slight edge over the Mazzer these days. Either one is a great machine.

Mister Moo · 07-30-2008, 08:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ghostrider

Double checking my terminology here, does stepless refer to bing "infinitely" adjustable? If that's the case, how hard is it to change the setting from espresso to something more fitting for drip or vac pot?

ResIpsa is right - the Mazzer really does have top notch reliability and performance. Spot on, Victor. No worms needed in a Mazzer.

Stepless means no click-click-click notches from set-point to set-point - very nice for espresso, especially given the precision that the grinder will allow. I found resets to be challenging for a few months but, suddenly, it all seemed natural and very exact. I find no bother switching from one grind to another and wouldn't consider a second grinder; espresso-grind micro adjustments for humidity are as easy as switching over to vacpot or press coarse settings.

I won't really bust on the Macap product; it gets excellent reviews on price/value/performance from serious coffee'ers.

All it lacks is the long history of practically perfect performance and reliability the Mazzer enjoys in a demanding worldwide market. It'll probly catch up, y'know, in 20 or 30 years.

ResIpsa · 07-30-2008, 09:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mister Moo

ResIpsa is right - the Mazzer really does have top notch reliability and performance. Spot on, Victor. No worms needed in a Mazzer.

Stepless means no click-click-click notches from set-point to set-point - very nice for espresso, especially given the precision that the grinder will allow. I found resets to be challenging for a few months but, suddenly, it all seemed natural and very exact. I find no bother switching from one grind to another and wouldn't consider a second grinder; espresso-grind micro adjustments for humidity are as easy as switching over to vacpot or press coarse settings.

I won't really bust on the Macap product; it gets excellent reviews on price/value/performance from serious coffee'ers.

All it lacks is the long history of practically perfect performance and reliability the Mazzer enjoys in a demanding worldwide market. It'll probly catch up, y'know, in 20 or 30 years.

Fair enough Dan

Yet I can't help analygizing these two grinders to an old boxer, staggering around the ring as the young contender pummels him into retirement

ghostrider · 07-31-2008, 01:06 AM

From what I can see, it seems the biggest difference between the Mazzer and the Macap seems to be the adjustment mechanism. With the Macap it's a worm drive, and with the Mazzer a collar to adjust. I'm thinking since this will be the only grinder on scene, and using it for several grind settings, the Mazzer might be the way to go. On the other hand, it's about $100 more than the Macap.

Now to decide whether I want doser/doserless. Any pros/cons from the crew on this one?

floydpink · 07-31-2008, 09:01 PM

I'd never buy another doser, although I am in an inferior league with my Gaggia MDF grinder.

That thing is a pain and I predict it will break in the near future and I will be saying, "I should a gone big"

ResIpsa · 07-31-2008, 10:58 PM

I have a doser. Dosers are nice if you want to let the grinder run and walk away, dosers are nice for breaking up clumping when grinding for espresso.

Otherwise, a doser only functions properly if it's full and the vanes can fill and sweep a dose properly. They don't function as intended if you are just pulling one double.

Again, it's six of one, half dozen of the other as doserless have their faults as well.

floydpink · 07-31-2008, 11:01 PM

Also, with dosers, unless you sweep or vacuum out the doser, you always have a small amount of grind laying around, no matter how many times you pull the doser. Maybe the mazzer is different.

I doubt it's enough for my palate to notice, but it still is older grind mixing with fresh, and seems unfair when I worked so hard for the fresh ground expresso.

ghostrider · 07-31-2008, 11:36 PM

Thanks for all the input guys! I think I've narrowed it down to a Mini Mazzer w/doser. Sweet Maria's is about 5 minutes from where I work, looks like I need to head down there next week.