Green Coffee Buying Club
Vendor Discussion Boards => old Traveling road shows => Topic started by: yakster on September 07, 2013, 08:44:58 PM
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This is a 40 gram german hand grinder with stainless steel burr set. It's garnered some interest in the specialty coffee industry, but not all that much on the consumer side yet.
Not sure of release date, I've heard rumors that units have shipped, but wanted to start a traveling road show. The latest is that Able Brewing will be the exclusive US distribution for this and the estimate availability in about two weeks No money now but commitments needed. I estimate $20 each, on the high side, but this is pure WAG (wild ass guess). Able also let me know it should retail for $150. This has now been pre-ordered, $16 will get you a week to try out this grinder and a 1 in 9 chance at winning the lottery and keeping this beauty. (I'll take myself out of the running) I'll start taking payment once this grinder ships.
I've got word that the pre-ordered grinders are shipping today/this week, and later on I got shipment confirmation from Able (9/30/13) so I'm opening this up for payments. Please send a paypal payment to yakster (at) gmail (dot) com for $16 with Comandante and your GCBC user name in the subject line, and if you make this a personal payment on PayPal and you have a bank account linked then neither of us will have to eat any PayPal fees. Payments are now complete.
I will take 9 other entrants and have a random number selected. That number is the winner and goes to the bottom of the list and gets to keep it. Others have the opportunity to play with the grinder for 7 days and then ship it to the next GCBC member. Each member is responsible for paying for shipping to the next on the list.
Who is in? The roster's now full, we're just waiting for this to ship, scheduled for the first week in October. I'll ask for payment when it ships or just prior and then use www.random.org (http://www.random.org) to select a winner once everyone's paid up and get this roadshow on the road.
The lottery has been run on Random.org (http://www.random.org), I mapped all the entrants besides myself to numbers and the lucky member is ... Sonnyhad, congratulations Sonnyhad. Sonnyhad now moves to the bottom of the list and will retain the grinder and any bragging rites.
1. Yakster -- Paid!
2. Sosha -- Paid!
3. Jbviau -- Paid!
4. Mass. Wine Guy -- Paid!
5. Headchange4u -- Paid!
6. Bassguy -- Paid!
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8. Ray T -- Paid!
9. Milowebailey -- Paid!
10. ScareYourPassenger -- Paid!
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Winner
7. Sonnyhad -- Paid! <---- Landed, journey complete!
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I'm in!
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In, please!
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I'd love to try it out. Thank you for doing this.
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I'll try it.
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wow, nice looking grinder. i'd love to join but being from another country, shipping and receiving that thing is going to be a PITA. only exception would if you're going to be the last one to receive it.
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wow, nice looking grinder. i'd love to join but being from another country, shipping and receiving that thing is going to be a PITA. only exception would if you're going to be the last one to receive it.
Not sure where you're at, but I know that they've got grinders heading to Mexico, Australia and other countries, and as the grinder is made in Germany, it might be available in Europe.
hey Chris, i'm here in the Philippines.
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I'm dense. What would the $20 pay for?
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looks like i'm missing out on the LIDO2 roadshow, so I'm in for this one!
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I'm dense. What would the $20 pay for?
You get to play with it and a 1 in 10 chance of winning it ;D
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I'd like a go at it!
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I was reading about the Pharos grinder, did you get to try it, or did you miss the opportunity? Couldn't tell, and have not read any reviews on it.
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oh no problems getting stuff from the US to where I am. just sad i can't join the roadshow because of my geographical location
Unfortunately, I'm going to limit this to USA participants only, but maybe it it gets good reviews you can find a source that works for you.
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oh no problems getting stuff from the US to where I am. just sad i can't join the roadshow because of my geographical location
You just have to make sure you're the winner, and then you'll be the last one to get it, so you keep it.
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I was reading about the Pharos grinder, did you get to try it, or did you miss the opportunity? Couldn't tell, and have not read any reviews on it.
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oh no problems getting stuff from the US to where I am. just sad i can't join the roadshow because of my geographical location
You just have to make sure you're the winner, and then you'll be the last one to get it, so you keep it.
ha! yes and that too :)
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I'm dense. What would the $20 pay for?
If you have never participated in a Traveling Road Show, basically the cost of the product is split between a number of people, usually 10, and then the item is passed to each person for a 1 week evaluation before it's sent to the next person in line. There is also a random drawing amongst participants, and the winner gets to keep the item.
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May as well try this one also. ;D IN
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... The latest is that Able Brewing will be the exclusive US distribution for this and the estimate availability in about two weeks No money now but commitments needed. I estimate $20 each, on the high side, but this is pure WAG (wild ass guess). Able also let me know it should retail for $150...
Good call Yak, $150 and Able has it for pre-orders today.
Speaking of Yak, we ate at a Nepali restaurant on Sunday. I had a yak dish -- sweet meat, with peas and potatoes over rice. Wonderful hot curry/gravy-like. http://www.everestongrand.com/ (http://www.everestongrand.com/)
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Watching and listening only.
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Ah, why not, ..... in!
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Good, we will have a comparison by Mr Seattle's Best <sic>.
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Good, we will have a comparison by Mr Seattle's Best <sic>.
I think we should all vote B/travelingroadshowstarter in for the last slot ;D
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Can't resist, add me as the last one.
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When do you want cash..... And where do we send it?
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Yeah, what he said.
Sent from my Transformer Prime TF201 using Tapatalk 2
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Zowie, $237USD in Norwegian krone. Look to Milo et al for some head to head once Idaho gets its wheels <burrs> into action.
Super Kraut vs Superb Beard (less SeattleBoy). Let the throwdown begin.
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Looks like Milo is having a bad head trip in that last picture... must be the phenolic sample from the defect cupping class at the Expo.
Nope, I was buzzin' from all the coffee I'd had that morning.... not to mention meeting such celebrities as Doug and Barb.
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Paid! I'm ambivalent about the seasoning and defer to you espresso experts. Mine's a brewed-only household.
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Just sent payment. Thanks for the effort.
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Payment sent
Rice the burrs
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Let's just say Sosha wins so I can move up a spot in line and get this to play with sooner, ok?! ;)
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Payment sent!!
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Let's just say Sosha wins so I can move up a spot in line and get this to play with sooner, ok?! ;)
😀😀😀😀😀😀😀
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Who has the grinder at the moment? Please send me a PM so I can give you my address.
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We have a winner! Congratulations, Sonnyhad, you've won the Comandante C40 hand grinder. I've moved you to the bottom of the list and I should have the grinder in hand this week and will ship it on to Sosha next week to give it a try.
I dunno. Looks like a 4 to me. :p
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk - now Free (http://tapatalk.com/m?id=1)
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We have a winner! Congratulations, Sonnyhad, you've won the Comandante C40 hand grinder. I've moved you to the bottom of the list and I should have the grinder in hand this week and will ship it on to Sosha next week to give it a try.
[/quote2
Oh that lucky sob!!!
Wait ! That's me!!! Wooo Hooo!
I was just explaining to the wife yesterday about how this works.
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^^^ Congrats!
Chris, re: the two bearings, my memory is that they were steel *coated* in plastic of some sort. Any way to verify? I could be wrong, of course.
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:D :D :D
My main interest in this grinder is for either French Press (Impress here too, Chris), or a CCD. I need a travel grinder that weighs less than the Lido. Don't get me wrong, the Lido is a great grinder. It's just too big and heavy when every pound matters in my luggage.
Yes, I travel with bricks: they're in the shape of scuba gear.
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So I finally sat down to play with the grinder. I'm comparing it to the Lido. The size difference is huge. The Lido weighs in at 37 oz, while the Commandante is at 20 oz. Much better for travel, but a bit too round for my small hands.
I've developed a great routine with the lido, which involved holding it between my legs when seated to grind. It works because of the height. I'll keep playing with the new one, to find a better position.
Taking Chris' advice, I'm not even going to try to grind fine enough for espresso. The detent is firm, for dialing up and down, and I've found a sweet spot for drip. Will continue to play, and post more impressions.
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Yea, the size difference is HUGE. If the Lido was cut down, it would be great. I've had the C40 at work the last few days, and I must say.....it's a breeze for french press. If I had this grinder, I think I'd put some kind or neoprene no-slip strap around it, making it easier to hold on to. Also, the top doesn't secure when grinding. Maybe I missed something.
A great little travel grinder for drip/FP. It's now on the way to jviau in MD. I roasted a little something for you too, Joshua ;-) Enjoy, and have fun!
Patty
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Sweet--thanks! Very nice of you, Patty. So the grind consistency for press was acceptable?
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The C40 arrived here in Baltimore yesterday afternoon, and I'm getting to know it. There are definitely a few build issues, which I'll say more about in a few days. For example, I can hear/feel burr rub up to and including 13 clicks from "zero." At 14 clicks out the shaft spins freely. Grinding 20 g. of Populace's Kenya at that setting took me 47 sec. (not bad) and was ~effortful with starts and stops; looked like fine drip afterward when I spread the grounds out on a white plate and poked around. I'll go coarser from here and do some taste tests using the Trifecta, pitting the C40 against the OE LIDO.
Speaking of, here's a pic showing the C40 and LIDO side by side: https://twitter.com/jbviau/status/390925190815043584
p.s. The Lycello W2 Gesha that Patty sent me a taste of is *very* good. First time I've ever detected "lychee" in coffee! Patty, what do you roast with?
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Thanks Josh! I have a Gene Cafe, but I'm still a beginner.
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Been pretty quiet here lately, what's the latest? What's your opinion Josh?
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My apologies. It's been way busier than usual here. Will weigh in after some final weekend testing and get this sent on its way to Mass. Wine Guy on Mon.
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Any thoughts on the C40 Josh?
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Hold your horses, Sonny! It's gonna be a while until you get your hands on this... ;)
The C40 is on its way to the next member in line with an ETA of Thurs.
I don't think it's worth the time to rehash the build issues. It's enough to say that everything documented in the HB thread (mostly by TomC) is true of this unit. A few extra niggles I noticed:
- If you look down into the burrs from the top, the two Y-shaped bearings aren't quite aligned; this makes me wonder (possibly wrongly) about the possibility of there being a twist in the plasticized bearing carrier assembly. Sorry, but I found this impossible to take an adequate picture of.
- The "popper stopper" plastic disc that's attached to the crank and covers the hopper while grinding can come off or travel up the shaft if you push/pull.
Additionally, here's a short video of the well-documented burr wobble. It's supposed to be somewhat self-correcting when the burrs are actually grinding beans, but still:
Comandante C40 wobble (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2mSqVaAdWes#)
But enough of all that. Taste matters most, no? I did my best to match the grind I use with my Trifecta and then brewed back-to-back cups of a QED Honduras I had on hand while varying only the hand grinder used (Comandante C40 or OE LIDO 1). Coffee from the C40 was OK but clearly inferior to that from the LIDO in terms of aromatics (muted), body (thinner; cup structure fell apart more while cooling), and flavor (muddier profile; edgier). YMMV.
The bottom line: at this price point in particular, there's no way I can recommend the C40. Let's hope they address all of the problems that have been pointed out in the near future. I'll be rooting for them.
One more thing re: ergonomics/ease of use: the C40 grinds faster than the LIDO. However, it's more awkward to hold for me, and I have small hands. Didn't expect this.
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Josh sent me the grinder post haste (thanks, man!) and I used it this morning for my French press fix. I don't make espresso, so I can't evaluate how well it wold work for that. But wow! I think for press pots this grinder is totally wonderful. My only suggestion would be to have a larger glass container so I don't need to keep removing it to empty the coffee. Still, though, $150? The Bodum burr grinder I bought for around $70 off Amazon works just as well.
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Except when you're going through an airport, or camping.
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Except when you're going through an airport, or camping.
That was my favorite part about it. It will travel like a rock star.
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Except when you're going through an airport, or camping.
That's why I carry ther Starbucks instant when on the road.
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Except when you're going through an airport, or camping.
That's why I carry ther Starbucks instant when on the road.
That. is. asking. for. it. ;D ;D
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I know. But there is only so much I want to lug around with me if I take a trip and stay at a motel or something. The grinder, the beans, something to make the coffee in.
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I know. But there is only so much I want to lug around with me if I take a trip and stay at a motel or something. The grinder, the beans, something to make the coffee in.
I am with you on that except for the SBUX instant. We cupped it one time in Milwaukee and found pouring water through a brown Chemex was more appealing than VIA.
When I used to travel on business, I would seek out a decent coffee shop. Failing that, I would have tea and a 10am Coke to reach the caffeine fix. When I go on vacation, it is the Espro press, coffee, and Hario hand grinder.
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You are a more dedicated soul than I, Peter.
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You are a more dedicated soul than I, Peter.
For me, especially if I'm travelling alone, the quiet time and coffee ritual in my hotel room is somewhat of a link to my sanity, the one thing I have on the road that connects to home.
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It beats traveling with the Grindmaster.
Ssshhhhhhh! It might hear you.. :-X
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Priceless Chris!!!
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Is thing stuck somewhere? There's no sign of life, even if this thing is a dud, its still gotta move on or the travelling road show will lose its credibility.
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Best I can tell from the posts is that mass. Wine guy has it.
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Has no one heard from the wine guy?
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Cool! Would liked to have heard his thoughs on it.
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Hey folks. I'm very sorry for being so late to comment here. I've sent the grinder on to the next person.
I was extremely impressed by this product. It's built like a tank and every component it's made of is high quality. I don't make espresso, just French press, so I thought the grind was perfect. Very consistent with no noticable powder (I forgot the right word for this). Definitely thought my coffee tasted fantastic when ground this way. One thing that puzzled me was the metal dial you use to set the size of the grind. I read that it was supposed to click into place, but this just spun freely.
I would love to have this grinder to take with me on trips so I could drink my own roasted beans as fresh as possible. The gears are such that it takes very little effort to grind, it's easy to assemble and clean. I think the Comandante is a real winner, but I would have a difficult time getting past its price tag. I'm grateful to have had a chance to live with it for a while and think most people would love it as much as I did.
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One thing that puzzled me was the metal dial you use to set the size of the grind. I read that it was supposed to click into place, but this just spun freely.
You didn't feel any detents/clicks when adjusting the grind? I did.
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Maybe I just didn't try adjusting it long enough to get it right.
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Comandante has landed. I will be putting it through the paces over the next week. First Impressions: extremely well built and test grinds look promising.
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I wonder if when you loosen it up for press pot if the spring is relaxed enough that you don't feel the detents.
Could be. But I really didn't adjust it very much at all.
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Where are we now with the Commondante? No posts in over a week!
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I sent it to headchange4u.
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The grinder is in transit to its next stop, Bassguy.
I'll post some notes soon.
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Ok, it's been pretty quiet on this thread, has the grinder arrived, Bassguy? Any review comments HC4U?
Or from headchange4u? Curious to hear what you think of the grinder.
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The grinder arrived the other day, but I haven't had the headspace available to audition it yet. My wife's gallbladder is earning a bad reputation at the moment.
Anywho, I unpacked it today. Nice piece of kit. Smooth feel, solid in the hand. Very well made. Tomorrow I'll throw some beans through it, dial in the proper Eva Solo grind size and test it out. I might have some time to try an Aeropress shot or two as well, but to be honest the Eva is all I ever use anymore...
Stay Tuned!
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I brewed some Tanzania Burkha Estate just now and am sipping the resulting brew. 30 grams, in 500ml water, steeped 4 minutes, pretty standard at the moment.
I just eyeballed the grind size for French Press, Eva Solo, might've overshot it a little bit. Little to no fines in the cup, big boulders of beans in a wide range of particle sizes. Might turn it down a click or two next time. The cup tastes a little bland, could be due to under extraction, not adjusting the brew time for the bigger size. I only roast so much at a time so I don't have a bunch of beans to experiment with. No Bean Left Unbrewed!
Easy to grind, a few hard beans not withstanding. The whole 30 gram was done sooner than I thought it'd be, didn't count turns.
I like the size and build. I own a Hario Mini Mill (collecting dust) and an OE LIDO, which I use every day. I'm not in the world of Espresso yet so that range isn't important to me. The LIDO is perfect for me at the moment, I don't see the C40 knocking that out of the top slot. If I were on the road a lot I would probably find a way to justify bringing the Comandante along with me.
I'll report again tomorrow. Maybe I'll try getting some action shots.
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Thanks for the update, been looking forward to this kind of feed back.
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Used it again today, same beans, same tech, but I closed the burrs by 5 clicks. No more boulders, same-ish fines, still kind of meh taste? I might brew these beans with the LIDO tomorrow to see if it's just the NEWB roasting the beans and not the grinder.
My impression so far stands, it grinds pretty fast and is easy to adjust, providing you know how many clicks you like. I estimate I am about 20 to 40 clicks away from closed. Just a guess.
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It's the beans. I haven't learned how to adjust for a drastically colder outside temp when roasting.
Yesterday I used the LIDO using the same tech and beans, and counted nearly 100 turns. A small improvement over the C40, still bland.
Today I used the C40 with the same tech and beans, counting 50 turns. This thing is fast!
I'm sipping it now and it's comparable to the LIDO brew yesterday.
If I wanted to get crazy with it I'd spend more time exploring all the brew methods I have (Aeropress, CCD, Impress and Eva Solo) but I do really like my LIDO. I'll be happy with it for long time I think and don't see the need to replace it. However if I ever go on tour again, I'll likely get a c40 for the road. Thanks for the opportunity to play with it!
On to the next guy!
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Ray is next. He is so infatuated with that bucket of chrome he won't even be able to spin the Commandante.
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Comandante arrived today, so far I love it.
Ray is next. He is so infatuated with that bucket of chrome he won't even be able to spin the Commandante.
Yep I looked at it the whole time I was roasting on the Hottop and Behmor today :-\
Any word on your deal?
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What? You still roast on them ol roasters?
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Where are we with the Commandant? Its hard to be last, I tell ya!
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Milo has it, now you just have to hope he doesn't like it much ;D
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Thanks Ray!
How you coming with that new roaster? There's many of us on here withroaster envy, that's for sure!
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Milo has it, now you just have to hope he doesn't like it much ;D
The grinder didn't show up before we came up to the cabin for the holidays. I'll be home on Thursday and then dig into the grinder.
Stay tuned.
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Hopefully someone told Milo he was to try it not store it,we all know what happened to Tex"s Sono ;D
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Hopefully someone told Milo he was to try it not store it,we all know what happened to Tex"s Sono ;D
Someone has the sono story backwards... :)
I did spend the day yesterday playing with the Comandante. Like all Able products, I'm mostly impressed. Sexy grinder, great for pourovers, but I could not get a fine enough grind for espresso.... close, but no cigar. It seems to be mis-aligned a little bit so this could be the reason for it not grinding fine enough..... the burrs rub on one side so I didn't dare adjust any finer. I don't know if it's the plastic insides or if there is a way to align the burrs better. Wish I had more time to tinker with it.
I also think it needs just a little bigger container to hold the ground coffee in case you want to make more than 2 cups.....
The wood handle was great, but the slick sides of the grinder body were not easy to grip.
The adjustments were easy to make...
Overall this grinder would look great in my office... easy to fly under the radar it's so officey.....
who's next?
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Scareyourpassenger is next, i sent him my address to finish it out. Haven't heard a thing in a week.
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Well, I gave the grinder a shot this morning. I sacrificed some beans to dial it in and loaded it up with some beans that Milo had packed with it. I am not sure what it was but it had such a nice sweet and complex citrus smell when ground. Unfortunately, I think the grinder ruined it. At a setting that I thought would be great for the Chemex Kone pour over, I got about 80% of the ground coffee that had a great shape and size while the rest was fines. In the cup it get the grit and I have never has so much sediment at the bottom of the Chemex when using my Precisio.
On the plus side, it is a well built grinder and I love the materials chosen. The size is great for travel, the handle is comfortable and it seems like a better option compared to the mini porlex that I owned before.
I will dial it in finer, and lower the temp of the water a bit and see if the sediment improves.
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Better results and more consistent with a finer setting. Still not as good as the precisio or lido but a decent first attempt on this with great construction and design elements such as the built in popper stopper, magnetic handle attachment and wood covered body.
Also, it seemed the wrong size for my hand to be comfortable but others may be fine.
Packed up and ready to go out today.
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Just in case you are wondering. The Mazzer hoppers are a perfect fit for this grinder..
([url]http://www.greencoffeebuyingclub.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=16642.0;attach=15936[/url])
Awesome
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The Commandant has made it full circle! Thank you everyone! Thank you Jeremy for the sample. I have not tried it yet but will this evening.Right now its nap time for this old guy!
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Enjoy! I'll look forward to reading your impressions.
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Well as everyone has already written, the finest settings without the burrs rubbing will not do espresso. Tomorrow, I'm going to let the burrs rubb and see if it goes finer yet. I've got nothing to lose, and have my eye on the Lido2! Sure wish some reveiws from some espresso guys would get out there!
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???Today I found that the Comandante c40 Can do a passable espresso when the burrs are touching enough to turn the handle freely. Although it grabs a little in grinding, it was a passable shot in the cup. But if you have any arthritis in your hands, you'll definitely get a wake up jolt!