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Coffee Discussion boards => Hardware & Equipment => Topic started by: 2ndcrack on August 12, 2011, 02:00:01 PM

Title: Mahlkonig Guatemala grinders at Borders books
Post by: 2ndcrack on August 12, 2011, 02:00:01 PM

FYI:

Border's Books is selling their Mahlkonig Guatemala grinders at their various locations with cafes for $650.

They also have Thermoplan 2 group machines listed at $3000. (way too much imho)
Title: Re: Mahlkonig Guatemala grinders at Borders books
Post by: Warrior372 on August 18, 2011, 11:06:33 PM
Have you talked to them about these? I am curious if they are set on that price or if they would be willing to barter.
Title: Re: Mahlkonig Guatemala grinders at Borders books
Post by: 2ndcrack on August 19, 2011, 09:48:38 AM
I did talk to a store manager in my area and the prices will decrease if they remain unsold. I think $650 is a pretty good price for a Mahlkonig grinder.
Title: Re: Mahlkonig Guatemala grinders at Borders books
Post by: Warrior372 on August 19, 2011, 10:51:24 AM
Yes, $650 for a $2,500 dollar grinder is a good price. My main concern would be the last time they replaced / had the burrs resharpened. I know they last for around 35,000lbs, but who knows how often a Seattle's Best replaces / resharpens the burrs. That in and of itself can be a $300+ dollar endeavor. The location by me has a Ditting KR1203 instead of a Mahlkonig Guatemala for the same price. 
Title: Re: Mahlkonig Guatemala grinders at Borders books
Post by: BoldJava on August 21, 2011, 08:08:39 AM
Visiting the Twin Cities this weekend.  They are clearing out their grinders, Dittings 1203, $650.
Title: Re: Mahlkonig Guatemala grinders at Borders books
Post by: ecc on August 21, 2011, 04:21:09 PM
I just happened to be in one of the remaining open stores, ostensibly looking for cheap suduko books for teh better half.  The flyer up front showed a ditting for 650, with an additional 10% liquidators fee, and of course state sales tax.  I was fully prepared to resist very nice gear at that price.

When I got back to the coffee section, there was the Mahlkonig.  The sign said I would need to contact the appliance manager, but she was standing right there at the time I walked up.  The grinder looked huge.  They wanted $3500 for the Bunn espresso machine.

Good thing I have epic will power, or that grinder would be sitting in my trunk right now, waiting for a late night move into the basement.

Title: Re: Mahlkonig Guatemala grinders at Borders books
Post by: ecc on August 22, 2011, 04:27:36 PM
                                                      .
Title: Re: Mahlkonig Guatemala grinders at Borders books
Post by: Warrior372 on August 22, 2011, 04:43:03 PM
So much for epic willpower?
Title: Re: Mahlkonig Guatemala grinders at Borders books
Post by: BoldJava on August 22, 2011, 04:43:41 PM
...
Good thing I have epic will power, or that grinder would be sitting in my trunk right now, waiting for a late night move into the basement.




Hee-lar-i-ous.  Crash and burn.
Title: Re: Mahlkonig Guatemala grinders at Borders books
Post by: Pyment on August 22, 2011, 06:23:05 PM
Let's see...

Going to cup with Peter tomorrow, so Schaumberg, Gurnee, Rockford, Madison are all potentially on the way.

Time to make some calls.
Title: Re: Mahlkonig Guatemala grinders at Borders books
Post by: Pyment on August 22, 2011, 07:12:18 PM
Found a Ditting, but the guy couldn't tell me which model.

he said it cost $1800, but that could mean any model.  I would like the 804, but if it is the KE640 would take that also.
Title: Re: Mahlkonig Guatemala grinders at Borders books
Post by: BoldJava on August 22, 2011, 07:15:55 PM
Found a Ditting, but the guy couldn't tell me which model.

Swiss 1203 Dave, I am sure.  I can't see them having a variety of models out there.
Title: Re: Mahlkonig Guatemala grinders at Borders books
Post by: Pyment on August 22, 2011, 07:17:14 PM
That would be nice!

OTOH, that is a big monster and my wife would have me put away.

I presume it doesn't do espresso?
Title: Re: Mahlkonig Guatemala grinders at Borders books
Post by: Warrior372 on August 22, 2011, 07:40:39 PM
It does everything! I emailed a member on HB that has one and he uses his for every coffee medium. They are massive though. The borders by me has the 1203. It weighs 80lbs and is quite tall.
Title: Re: Mahlkonig Guatemala grinders at Borders books
Post by: ecc on August 22, 2011, 08:21:57 PM
The mahlkonig has an espresso setting too! ::)



Title: Re: Mahlkonig Guatemala grinders at Borders books
Post by: EricBNC on August 23, 2011, 05:24:39 AM
I hate to go off topic in a thread about large things that make small things smaller but....

(HT warning!!!! *Just like the Govt and my bank account!*)

And now back on topic about going off topic - I notice on ecc's photo of the large Guatemala's presets that setting 4 is espresso and 5 is Melitta filter cone - I grind for filter cone a good bit larger than I do for espresso - am I doing it wrong? ???
Title: Re: Mahlkonig Guatemala grinders at Borders books
Post by: BoldJava on August 23, 2011, 05:44:53 AM
... I notice on ecc's photo of the large Guatemala's presets that setting 4 is espresso and 5 is Melitta filter cone - I grind for filter cone a good bit larger than I do for espresso - am I doing it wrong? ???

Nothing.  Ignore their suggestion unless you like overextracted pourover filtered coffee through a Melitta cone.
Title: Re: Mahlkonig Guatemala grinders at Borders books
Post by: ecc on August 23, 2011, 09:51:04 AM
+1

I am currently using setting 10 for my Kone, could probably go a little coarser.

I don't think I will be using this grinder for the finer grinds, it is a little too much like feeding a small branch into a wood chipper.   The finer particles tend to take to the air...
Title: Re: Mahlkonig Guatemala grinders at Borders books
Post by: ecc on September 03, 2011, 11:05:57 AM
After using the mk for a few weeks, I finally got the time to pull it apart for a decent cleaning.  It was surprisingly fairly clean, the burrs are in pretty good shape, the grind produces clear as glass flavors.  If you haven't noticed, I have decided I love this grinder. 

Two very accessible screws on the front and the burr is out.  The plastic hopper isn't really necessary for my very non-commercial use, so I saved a little time on reassembly.

Before, during, and after:



Title: Re: Mahlkonig Guatemala grinders at Borders books
Post by: BoldJava on September 03, 2011, 12:59:50 PM
After using the mk for a few weeks, I finally got the time to pull it apart for a decent cleaning.  It was surprisingly fairly clean, the burrs are in pretty good shape, the grind produces clear as glass flavors.  If you haven't noticed, I have decided I love this grinder. 

Two very accessible screws on the front and the burr is out.  The plastic hopper isn't really necessary for my very non-commercial use, so I saved a little time on reassembly...

The Dittings are beginning to show up on eBay.  Early sales were at the 'buy it now' at $1200.  Now, auctions are starting with $700 min threshold.
Title: Re: Mahlkonig Guatemala grinders at Borders books
Post by: cfsheridan on September 04, 2011, 06:27:26 AM
Congrats on your grab, ecc.  I've had a Guatemala for about 2 years now for cupping and for larger quantity grinding.  It's an excellent grinder--easy to maintain.  The Mahlkonig folks here in the US are more than willing to help if you have any maintenance questions.