Coffee Appreciation

Cold brew course?

Hoffman says medium not "super coarse", 1m45 here

https://youtu.be/st571DYYTR8

I am mentally preparing myself to get a DF54 and fitting the Vario steel burrs (thanks Lance Hedrick). Anyone know any way to get it for less than £240?

There's nothing wrong with just using the base DF54 for a while. Hoffmann already rated it the best grinder under $250, without modification. I think it's going to reach a critical mass of users soon, to the point that "there aren't any 54 mm burrs" is no longer a problem.

anyone else had their df64 clog? Mine did after maybe 15 shots pulled. Had to take it apart to find the culprit - the plastic anti-clumping device. Just removed it and reassembled and all good. Coffee is not clumping without it anyway!

That makes sense but I've already got a 'quite good' grinder in my Kinu. The burr upgrade allegedly takes it to something that's close to an SSP MP setup for only £45 extra. I've not owned flat burrs before so if I can get that for under £250 total I feel like I should give it a shot. Especially when the SSP MPs are £180 for the burrs alone.

Could make for an interesting Hoffman review video

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DCkYUv3Pptu/

I think this is just a thing. It’s what currently puts me off the DF54 too. This so-called ioniser which if I’ve understood correctly stops it clogging for x number of shots and if you don’t keep it clear it starts blocking up. That, and if watch the latest Lance Hedrick video on YouTube, what the hell is going on with the amount of mess it’s making? It’s literally spitting grounds all over the place!

I could be lucky but I've had my DF54 for around 3 months and only had to clean the chute with a pipe cleaner once. No real static issues for espresso and a bit of RDT for means none for filter either.
Just fitted this ebay purchased mod to enable direct to blind shaker grinding.

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Anyone happen to have a single-shot 58mm basket kicking around that you no longer want? Gave mine away but recently got it in my head to try single shot espresso brewing..

I think the ioniser is seperate from clogging. The ioniser stops static build up with ensures grounds are coherent and don't stick to the sides. The declumper stops... well, clumps.

But I use a WDT for puck prep anyway which would take care of clumps (were any actually present!). So it's no loss to remove the wee plastic tab.

Had my DF54 for about three weeks and haven't had any of the issues (clumping, coffee grounds all over the shop) some are reporting. Quite the reverse; it's been amazing. The difference it's made from the Iberital MC2 is night and day, there's virtually zero mess and absolutely no retention. I, unlike the Hoff, also quite like the bellows thing. YMMV.

I haven't had any clogging with mine, thankfully. But with lighter roasts and coarser grinds there is some static and bits flying around. On espresso grinds that doesn't happen, maybe because the feed rate is slower? Spraying the beans a tiny bit does help, as does cleaning the chute occasionally. I use one of these camera sensor cleaners which is a combination of a brush and a little air puffer thing:

I'm taking the plunge on a Barista Express. Any recommendations for accessories that will make my life easier / better tasting out of the box?

the portafilter funnel if it doesn't come with one - game changer for avoidance of mess

upgraded tamper

1kg bag of citric acid from amazon for descaling

tub of puly caff for backflushing

hockey puck to rest portafilter on when tamping

scales

Do you have a link to that mod please?

I've had my DF64 Gen 2 for like a month and had to do the chute clean up this weekend already. It's a quick job if you know what's wrong but it took me a bit of time to figure it out

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/126697486321?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=7j1CiTSjQ9-&sssrc=4429486&ssuid=rLu3GA3cRRy&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY

The mod won't help with mess/retention. It's for Blind Shakers and non-standard catch cups. The guy 3D prints them to order. I happy with it so far.

Intrigue caught the better of me and despite the 200g per £25 bag I couldn’t resist an impulse purchase of this:

https://www.missioncoffeeworks.com/products/finca-milan-colombia?utm_source=Klaviyo&utm_medium=campaign&_kx=vQU_TwsqvKitsjgaiYYThwdwCwUo4LRKJBW9_jkB7oxv2eZH0GWcAKew4C-5vXcW.VHsMUM

Thanks! It did come with a funnel and a few cleaning bits.
I definitely need a knock box and a tamping mat.

Different machine, but on my DF54, I just hoover the hopper and the chute every morning before use. No more cleaning/faff required.

Hoovering the hopper and chute every morning sounds like cleaning and faff.

@JB Did you end up getting the ZP6? Now that I have a espresso grinder and the machine I don't really have the space for the Ode so looking to replace it with a hand grinder for my CD brews and checking what would be best

Made by knock all day er’day

Meh, takes five seconds. Ensures there are no stray grounds left over and means I'll never have to worry about the chute being clogged. I'll take that.

Another happy, mess free user of a DF54 here. Saying that, it currently does get a little few grounds stuck around the chute, but I have not cleaned it in at least 3/4 months and it's pretty minimal.

Retention is also super low and as much as some people have an issue with bellows, they just work and are mess free unless you really twat on them, which you shouldn't. I mean, I've seen conversations between Philos owners saying they were looking for bellows mods to become available on Etsy, so...