Burr Grinders

[scubadoo2]

I used to have a DeLonghi Burr grinder, and it worked great for home use.  Made really fine grinds for expresso.
It finally broke, and now I can't find new ones to buy anywhere.
What's everyone else using?  I'd prefer to stay with the burr grinders.
Thanks,
Doug

[Tex]

First, what do you use it for - espresso, drip, FP, Turkish, ??

It makes a difference.

[JoshInCA]

Adding to what Tex said, how often, and for how much coffee at a time?

[scubadoo2]

I only grind one batch at a time (usually 8 cups worth), for drip, but I also use it for my vacuum pot, and also my espresso maker, so it has to be versatile.

[grinderz]

My preference would be for a used commercial grade espresso grinder like this:




It's large for a home kitchen, but you'll likely never need to replace a commercial unit like this and you'll look long and hard to find a consumer model which compares in quality or function. Just buy it a new set of burrs once a decade and don't look back.

[Tex]

Then my next question is, "How serious are you about your espresso?"

Good espresso grinders are adjustable to the nth degree, necessary because the difference between a so-so pull and a God Shot is measured that finely. Using a grinder for espresso and drip means taking the espresso grinder out of its finely tuned adjustment and then having to dial it in again every time you want to make a pot of drip coffee. This is wasteful and can be time consuming.

For that reason, many aficionados of espresso recommend two grinders; one for espresso only, another for everything else.

For espresso I recommend this as a minimum start: For everything else I use this grinder:

[scubadoo2]

looks like I have a lot to learn about grinding my coffee.  Maybe that's why my expresso is hit or miss.  I never really played with the grind.  Thanks for the suggestions and links

[Tex]

looks like I have a lot to learn about grinding my coffee.  Maybe that's why my expresso is hit or miss.  I never really played with the grind.  Thanks for the suggestions and links

Try these suggestions as a starting point.

From the Gaggia User's Group home page;
Technique is mastered by experimenting and repetition. Sit at a table with a half pound of beans, your grinder, the machine and the necessary accessories. Adjust the grinder until you've choked the filter (nothing passes when you pull a shot). Making minute changes, grind progressively coarser until you get 1 ounce in the cup in 25 seconds using the single filter (double filter = 2 ozs in 25 - 30 seconds).

For dosing of the filter I use this technique;
* Using a bottomless yogurt cup, overfill the filter
* Use a skinny probe/pick to stir the grounds
* Remove the cup and level the grounds with the top of the filter
* Tamp - light or heavy (consistency is the key)

[BoldJava]

Burr life.  Good narrative from Espresso Parts on burr life, maintenance, changing burrs, etc.  I found that changing the burrs on my Macap 4 at 450 lbs improved the taste/flavors in the coffee, though somewhere Macap suggests 600 lbs.

"SO WHEN DO I CHANGE MY BURRS?"THE OFFICIAL ANSWER:
The easy answer is to change your burrs using the grinder burr manufacturer's recommendations.
Mazzer Mini (58mm flat burr) – change at 660lbs coffee throughput
Mazzer Super Jolly (64mm flat burr) – change at 880lbs coffee throughput
Mazzer Major (83mm flat burr) – change at 1300lbs coffee throughput
Mazzer Kony (63mm conical burr) – change at 1640lbs coffee throughput
Mazzer Robur 110V (71mm conical burr) – change at 1700lbs coffee throughput
Mazzer Robur 220V (83mm conical burr) – change at 1800lbs coffee throughput
La Marzocco Swift (64mm ceramic flat burr) - change at 3300lbs coffee throughput
Anfim Caimano (75mm flat burr) – change at 300 lbs coffee throughput

http://www.espressoparts.com/ChangingGrinderBurrs

[ScareYourPassenger]

It might be too late for me to start logging my machines usage:(

not sure I will hit the ~1700lbs anytime soon on my pharos. I can only assume that the burr life is close to the same.

[grinderz]

At two pounds a week on average, it looks like changing burrs once a decade is more than often enough.

[SJM]

At two pounds a week on average, it looks like changing burrs once a decade is more than often enough.

At less than a pound a week, my current burrs are gonna still be good when I'm nothing but ashes....:-)))

[grinderz]

It might be too late for me to start logging my machines usage:(

not sure I will hit the ~1700lbs anytime soon on my pharos. I can only assume that the burr life is close to the same.

I think you might be considering arm replacement surgery before you wear out a 1700  pound set of burrs with a Pharos.

[ScareYourPassenger]

I think you are right! My last batch was a higher density bean that was roasted to a c++ and the lever wanted it finer than the pump machine. I really need to practice using the other arm, I might get lopsided.