Just looking for a little guidance. I'm hoping to leave the Gaggia MDF grinder for a more convenient and tunable one.
I notice, Niko, that you are full of praise for your Macap M4 doserless (also stepless, I believe). Other fora have comments about how the rough interior of the exit chute retains loads of grinds, more than other designs. Then there is Teme, who finds the doserless makes very clumpy grinds.
And, antonioe, so far as I know, you haven't talked much about your M4 that I noticed in pictures of your setup that show your timer. What is your experience and procedure with that grinder. Do you grind into that little blue plastic cup clipped to the snout?
The point is that I would rather pay Macap prices for a doserless, but I have upgrade anxiety that the Mazzer Mini E doserless is better as far as depositing less clumpy grinds straight into a portafilter.
Furthermore, I have reservations about convenience--especially in my setup where the grinder is tightly positioned to the left of the Vivaldi about the side mounted on/off switch. Do you think that a front-mounted switch a la Cimbali Junior or Mazzer Mini E would be markedly more convenient than the Macap plastic-clad rocker?
antonioe, Niko, et al., How good is the doserless Macap?
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Niko
I refuse to go with a doser because of 2 reasons: 1. They're huge! 2. I don't like stale coffee.
I know all grinders leave something behind but I carefully sweep the chute out with a brush between grindings. Yeah, the doserless models clump, but I have no problems whatsoever with mine. I simply stir the grinds into my portafilter as they fall and break up the clumps instantly with a chopstick. My model is the stepless one with the worm gear so you can adjust with just two fingers. I didn't even know that a black models was available, I probably would've gone with the chrome one anyway since the Spaz has chrome on it also.
As far as the Mazzer goes, it's a really nice grinder - I use one every week at a relatives house. He's got the doserless model and he said the following after using mine: "I wouldn't have WASTED the money on the Mazzer if the MACAP doserless was available at the time..." - That's his opinion, mine's a little different. I like the Mazzer and I wouldn't talk anyone out of one, they're nice and elegant. They get clumps also but at least the unit has a cradle for the portafilter to rest in. If I would do it all over again? - It's a tough one, there's no perfect grinder out there for me, the best ones all score 7 out of 10 pts for me. The perfect grinder for me would be: a doserless model with conical burrs, worm gear stepless 2 -finger adjustment (like the MACAP), cord comes out from the bottom (unlike the Mazzer), a doserless dosing chute-thingy (like the Mazzer) with a cradle and above all a quieter motor.
I know all grinders leave something behind but I carefully sweep the chute out with a brush between grindings. Yeah, the doserless models clump, but I have no problems whatsoever with mine. I simply stir the grinds into my portafilter as they fall and break up the clumps instantly with a chopstick. My model is the stepless one with the worm gear so you can adjust with just two fingers. I didn't even know that a black models was available, I probably would've gone with the chrome one anyway since the Spaz has chrome on it also.
As far as the Mazzer goes, it's a really nice grinder - I use one every week at a relatives house. He's got the doserless model and he said the following after using mine: "I wouldn't have WASTED the money on the Mazzer if the MACAP doserless was available at the time..." - That's his opinion, mine's a little different. I like the Mazzer and I wouldn't talk anyone out of one, they're nice and elegant. They get clumps also but at least the unit has a cradle for the portafilter to rest in. If I would do it all over again? - It's a tough one, there's no perfect grinder out there for me, the best ones all score 7 out of 10 pts for me. The perfect grinder for me would be: a doserless model with conical burrs, worm gear stepless 2 -finger adjustment (like the MACAP), cord comes out from the bottom (unlike the Mazzer), a doserless dosing chute-thingy (like the Mazzer) with a cradle and above all a quieter motor.
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bbqnut
I have the Macap M4 Stepped. I recently got a very good deal on it, so that is why I chose it (I did not set out to buy it specifically).
I had a Mazzer Mini with doser a year ago, and ended up getting rid of it. Truth be told, I wish I had that back. Here are my complaints with the Macap:
1. Clumps
2. Grinds stick up the chute, and then a minute later (while you are pulling your shot) a big pile falls out.
3. Harder to clean (I know most will argue), but I felt I could clean my Mazzer doser model easier (not faster). Plus, I actually like a few stale grounds in each shot
4. Cant grind for multiple shots. Must grind one by one. This is what I miss the most.
And regarding the Mazzer Mini E - you might read all the reviews over at CG. I thought it was the end-all, but the reviews give some good insight.
I think right now, there is no perfect grinder, so I am waiting.
I had a Mazzer Mini with doser a year ago, and ended up getting rid of it. Truth be told, I wish I had that back. Here are my complaints with the Macap:
1. Clumps
2. Grinds stick up the chute, and then a minute later (while you are pulling your shot) a big pile falls out.
3. Harder to clean (I know most will argue), but I felt I could clean my Mazzer doser model easier (not faster). Plus, I actually like a few stale grounds in each shot
4. Cant grind for multiple shots. Must grind one by one. This is what I miss the most.
And regarding the Mazzer Mini E - you might read all the reviews over at CG. I thought it was the end-all, but the reviews give some good insight.
I think right now, there is no perfect grinder, so I am waiting.
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Weska
Thanks for the helpful answers, guys. I've been reading every review I could find while trying to wring more satisfaction from the MDF.
Niko, thanks for reminding me of the size issue for doserless. I've only got a standard 60cm worth of countertop for my coffee equipment before it has to sit in the sink. Vivaldi takes over 40cm. Giving a few to a doser handle and knuckle clearance has to be thought through carefully.
Yes, 7 out of 10 is about all that I expect. We are basically abusers of our equipment, using it for purposes for which it was never intended. Hence the designs all have some sort of inadequacy.
bbqnut, yes, I'm wondering if the doser is on balance a good or bad thing. I grind per shot and at this point usually weigh what I dump in the grinder before sending it all through. Using the doser to make up my dose is probably something I'm unlikely to do. (I don't know why. It's not as though I won't ever entrust something to a mechanical device. I use the scales. I generally let the Vivaldi flowmeter cut off my shots, although I hover near in case I want to override.)
My final choice will be tempered by availability of 220v models. Judging by the internet, the most available of the high-quality smallish grinders here is the Cimbali Junior. I probably would have had one by now except that the price is so much higher than in the US (about $750). Whereas a Mazzer Mini with doser is perhaps $550, still more than in the US but not by such a large margin.
Niko, thanks for reminding me of the size issue for doserless. I've only got a standard 60cm worth of countertop for my coffee equipment before it has to sit in the sink. Vivaldi takes over 40cm. Giving a few to a doser handle and knuckle clearance has to be thought through carefully.
Yes, 7 out of 10 is about all that I expect. We are basically abusers of our equipment, using it for purposes for which it was never intended. Hence the designs all have some sort of inadequacy.
bbqnut, yes, I'm wondering if the doser is on balance a good or bad thing. I grind per shot and at this point usually weigh what I dump in the grinder before sending it all through. Using the doser to make up my dose is probably something I'm unlikely to do. (I don't know why. It's not as though I won't ever entrust something to a mechanical device. I use the scales. I generally let the Vivaldi flowmeter cut off my shots, although I hover near in case I want to override.)
My final choice will be tempered by availability of 220v models. Judging by the internet, the most available of the high-quality smallish grinders here is the Cimbali Junior. I probably would have had one by now except that the price is so much higher than in the US (about $750). Whereas a Mazzer Mini with doser is perhaps $550, still more than in the US but not by such a large margin.
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Niko
Weska,
Here's what I think, if I had to do it all over again...
I'd get the MACAP doserless again and my second choice would be the Mazzer doserless (only because of money). If they were priced the same I'd get the Mazzer but several hundred dollars just heavily sways me towards the MACAP, not to mention the 2-finger stepless adjustability and the beautiful chrome finish.
My 3rd choice would be anything doserless and nothing but doserless, I refuse to put a Zamboni on my countertop...
The dosing models are absolutely HUUuuge. I'm limited with space in my kitchen and I know you mentioned the same thing. Clumping is not an issue with any of my grinders, I also have a Gran Macanino doserless for travel and it works beautifully - has the same grind quality as the rest it's just the build quality isn't commercial.
Here's what I think, if I had to do it all over again...
I'd get the MACAP doserless again and my second choice would be the Mazzer doserless (only because of money). If they were priced the same I'd get the Mazzer but several hundred dollars just heavily sways me towards the MACAP, not to mention the 2-finger stepless adjustability and the beautiful chrome finish.
My 3rd choice would be anything doserless and nothing but doserless, I refuse to put a Zamboni on my countertop...
The dosing models are absolutely HUUuuge. I'm limited with space in my kitchen and I know you mentioned the same thing. Clumping is not an issue with any of my grinders, I also have a Gran Macanino doserless for travel and it works beautifully - has the same grind quality as the rest it's just the build quality isn't commercial.
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Weska
Niko, thanks for being a role model for doserlessness! If I find that same kind of price difference here between the Macap doserless and a Mazzer B, I'll probably do the same as you. If everything ends up costing $750-800, it will become more random, I suppose.
Time to plunge into local price research, which involves the phone, my shaky second language skills, and probably some legwork.
Time to plunge into local price research, which involves the phone, my shaky second language skills, and probably some legwork.