Coffee Appreciation

Hoffman did a video sort of covering this recently. The only grinder that comes in around £100 new is the Iberital MC2. Stock seems an issue at the moment, and I'm sure following his video, prices may have risen in the short term....I got mine a couple of years ago "on here" for under £50 I think.

It's between the MC2 and a Sage Pro for electric espresso grinding on a budget (plus options above), but the combination of lockdown and this video means prices are high.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y1LUkfpTtu0

I found it amusing that the setup here is almost exactly my set-up (although I have the older classic). He even got the same scales I use, but somehow I continue to exist without a knock box and just bash it straight into the food waste bin like an uncultured heathen.

I have an Ascaso i-Mini, which I bought from on here for £50.
Does the job, and its micro adjustment means it is dedicated to espresso use only, as it takes a fucking age to wind it out for something courser.

Can't see any damage - I also cannot really be arsed to spend more time faffing about with it, which I think is the real driver. But it's a pretty decent grinder with no obvious alternative (unless a fresh batch of Niche's are released) so bit of a catch 22...

will think over the weekend.

I got introduced to James Hoffman’s YouTube channel about 2 weeks ago. I’ve since bought an espresso machine. Sourcing a reasonably priced grinder is hard, finding an espresso is much harder

Is it possible the burrs are no longer aligned?

The gaggia md15 seems reasonably price but is it fine enough for espresso?

Mc2 looks good but since that video the price and availability is low.

Tbf they are not very aligned to start with.

If they are fresh it’s though they will need time to season, it sounds silly but it’s a thing.

Also, the burr adjustment system is notoriously fickle when it’s being worked on, so it could be that.

Hate to be the person continuously recommending the machine I've got, but I'm pretty happy with my Sette which I've had for almost 2 years. It's up there with the Niche in terms of single-dosing use which was a big factor for me. Pretty noisy but also damn quick (though to be fair, the difference between 4-5 seconds & 8-10 seconds to grind isn't really a big deal in the grand scheme of things).

No idea, but I think the old Gaggia MDF is a decent option and often found on the bay.

I know the Mignon range from Eureka doesn't get a lot of love here but I love mine; I have the Silenzio. There's some retention but it's a solid, well made little beastie.

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Mignon range from Eureka

I'm a fan, 5 years ago they were the only choice for the price range that could do consistent espresso grind but there's more on the market these days. They could bit a little overkill for home espresso as they do have some grind retention but in an office doing 5 in a row a few times a day it was perfect.

Gaggia MDF is a decent option

@Light_EDDed I have one of these (and have had for about 20 years or so). Does both filter and espresso. Solid machine if you can find one.

This seems good value but I can’t see much in the way of review

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Might be worth spending some time on UK coffee forum classifieds. MDF for under a £100: https://coffeeforums.co.uk/topic/58681-for-sale-step-less-gaggia-mdf/

Thanks for the heads up will message now

Scales. £40 max. What is forum-approved? Never bought from Alibaba before. Timemore from there? Or extra tenner and get the Hario scales.

Indecision.

Ive got the timmore black mirror and bought of aliexpress - easy and better value than buying from UK. They work great. Would recommend

Don’t suppose you remember which store/user you bought from...? 😇

I'd buy lower quality shade coffee over unshaded if it helps slow deforestation.

I guess coffee is likely a drop in the ocean compared to beef & palm oil?

I finally tore mine apart yesterday, couldn't see anything obviously wrong inside... I've ordered a new display, hope that sorts everything out...

Yup, and soya.

But it’s not as easy as that. If it’s shade grown or wild then it’s likely that the yield for the farmer is less, so be happy to pay more for the coffee.

Be good if it was clear on the web blurb / packet labels of roasters, as prominent as washed/natural etc.

Bought and paid for!!

Excellent work! :)

a lot of white saviour photos and text about how they are helping through trade but very little substance.

Yeah, that’s deffo the vibe I got!