I certainly hope so! Arrived today, beefy little thing. And it is little, proper tiny, but has a great quality feel to it's weight. Initial impressions on aesthetics, I quite like it. I've always been a fan of angular design so this suits me just fine, though not a huge fan of the polished areas, a real fingerprint magnet and shows up dirt way too easily; a more matte finish might have been nicer from this viewpoint, but I realise this is subjective. Everything about it oozes class, except the tray at the bottom; that feels and looks like an afterthought, which I have to admit is a little annoying given the price tag. For example, the beanhopper is hefty, as is the lid that sits on top of it, but this tray appears to be something shaped from a piece of random metal to fit in between the feet. Some real integration with the main body/feet would have been nicer. The machine is loud, I measured 88db from my mobile (with the mobile sitting on top of the Elizabeth when grinding), but thankfully it's not for very long. And the actual note of the grinding, isn't a pleasant note, but that doesn't really bother me, just an observation as opposed to a criticism. For me I love how it fits very nicely into my space, almost as if it was designed for it. @"tompoland"#121 If we count the smallest dot as "zero", what sort of range have you been finding for your coffee? Just as a rough guide? [URL=https://i.imgur.com/syuHrzi.jpg][IMG]https://i.imgur.com/syuHrzi.jpg[/IMG][/URL] [URL=https://i.imgur.com/wTHbDNZ.jpg][IMG]https://i.imgur.com/wTHbDNZ.jpg[/IMG][/URL] [URL=https://i.imgur.com/2WNyPAo.jpg][IMG]https://i.imgur.com/2WNyPAo.jpg[/IMG][/URL] [URL=https://i.imgur.com/vjJjgll.jpg][IMG]https://i.imgur.com/vjJjgll.jpg[/IMG][/URL] [URL=https://i.imgur.com/JmCzq81.jpg][IMG]https://i.imgur.com/JmCzq81.jpg[/IMG][/URL]

Nice grinder Ps I think k have the same work top as you 🤣

I've seen this worktop a lot, obviously quite popular 😅😅

Congrats! I’m close to buying one of these but waiting to hear how it does with filter settings, and whether you can dial different espresso/filter beans back to back first time without purging. Do you grind for filter also?

@"Ernie1"#p37123 Thanks. I bought a separate hand grinder which I intend to use for anything other than espresso, as my understanding is although this can do all sorts of grinds, changing from a finer grind to a coarser grind isn't as simple as in the Niche. You do have to faff a little bit, which isn't ideal. The dial in the right pops off (magnetically attached), then there is an allen screw which needs to be unscrewed. Then the underlying dial needs to be popped out, rotated 180 degrees (which way depends if you want to go finer or coarser), then reassembled.

@"DrForinor"#p37124 Blimey, sounds like a faff indeed. Still, as you say, no issue if you’re using a secondary grinder also (which is what I’m also doing). Definitely one of the best looking grinders out there. Still love the aperture style opening when you twist the little hopper bit.

@"Ernie1"#p37125 It's a proper cool little grinder for sure! I just hope that it wasn't a mistake for me (opting for a flat as opposed to conical).

I’m biased but the speed and flavour of a flat will always win for me, although I’ve not tried any of the high-end conicals. Given @"tompoland"#121’s experience with grinders, if his comments are anything to go by you’ll probably be very pleased with your choice!

@"Ernie1"#p37127 It was actually Tom's input, video and review that persuaded me to buy it 😅😁

> @"DrForinor"#p37124 The dial in the right pops off (magnetically attached), then there is an allen screw which needs to be unscrewed. Then the underlying dial needs to be popped out, rotated 180 degrees (which way depends if you want to go finer or coarser), then reassembled. There is a work around. Take the hopper off, take off the top/front panels and simply remove the grub screw. The will put an end to the faffing around. I have done that on both of the Moca SDs and you can then dial in from espresso to filter as easily as the Niche. This comment on the issue was in the manufacturers right of reply at the end of my review which can be found in the Knowledge Base tab: *The grubscrew and resulting adjustment that threw you towards the user manual, is a prerequisite for our TÜV certifications. To make the quite technical story short: It’s to ensure that nobody can turn the burrs on top of each other by accident.*

@"tompoland"#p37129 Any chance you have a diagram/picture of this grub screw? Or is it obvious? How does it affect warranty?

Endgame, single dose grinder?

DrForinor

@tompoland Sorry I mean to pester you but you have knowledge about this grinder.

I have removed the grubb screw but very hesitant/apprehensive as to how “tight” to push it.

In this video, I have the dial set from the 1st dot (the smallest dot being zero, then the half then 1). At this setting, using a medium-ish roast blend, I got a 1 to 2.3 ratio in 19 seconds, which obviously means I can go finer. I got almost taste the notes, but there was a little sourness present.

But when I adjust the dial finer, getting to about half the audible note changes (almost as if the burrs might be touching?). I’ve then switched it off, and you can see how far tighter I can actually go.

Any guidance, please? The change in audible note, are the burrs doing anything crazy?

DrForinor

Emailed this same video to Sascha from Olympia and his reply first was “please do not remove the grub screw, it’s for the protection of the grinder”. I explained it was for ease to be able to move from espresso to more coarser grinds then he replied stating what I had in the video was about right; meaning the finest dot should be classed as zero, the extra I am able to go finer should not be used to grind.

Hope that makes sense?

tompoland

Always happy to help (you are not pestering at all).

To my ears all sounds fine. I can’t detect burrs touching.

Its hard, if not impossible, to damage the burrs teeth as such because other than the flat surface of each burr, the teeth won’t come into contact with each other. Jamming them is a possibility but your safety margin for that is using beans and grinding no finer than you need to for your desired espresso.

If you hear a “chirping” when running the grinder then the burrs are getting close so dont dial them so they are any closer, just use that as the point of limitation.

In the video it sounds like they are close but I"d be comfortable with grinding and confirming that it’s fine enough for the espresso you are making. I think you are good to go with the world’s best kept grinding secret.

DrForinor

tompoland

Thank you.

Since the video, I’ve fed through some old beans (I wasn’t going to use them so I thought I’d use them to season the burrs - is that still a thing?).

After going through 500g of stale beans, I’m able to go another full dot finer than what I have shown in the video. So I’m thinking I can adjust the “zero point” to be a little finer, and after your information, I’m more comfortable in doing so.

I have emailed Olympia also, explaining that I’ve taken the grubb screw out, and asking the best way to determine Point Zero without causing harm to the burrs. I’ll update the thread when I hear from them.

Thanks again 😊

tompoland

DrForinor season the burrs - is that still a thing?).

Definitely a thing.

While they are seasoning the grind setting changes a bit with the Moca. No biggie. Some grinders (e.g. Livi and Honne) need up to 10kg through before they settle down and resemble anything that’s predictable but not the Moca (or Niche). But the flavor will improve over the first 10kg or so. 500g to kick off is enough. Bring on the good beans!

I’m delighted that you took the plunge and bought a Moca.

DrForinor

tompoland I’m delighted that you took the plunge and bought a Moca.

I’m also thrilled. Looking forward to many a tasty cup!

Will certainly update you on their response as soon as I’m able to.

tompoland

PS I would be interested in Olympia’s response

DrForinor

My first real shot in it. an Ethiopian (apricot, mango, jammy).

16.5 in, 37g out, in 43 seconds (6 seconds bloom pre-infusion, 6 seconds wait, then pressure). I would definitely class it as too fine but it tasted good (for sure could be better). I would have normally expected a really heavy bodied shot from a conical if it came out like this but it was very light. Very light and “clean”, I don’t how else to describe the notes except clean. Sweetness, lightness, more sophisticated?

Much more comfortable with the Moca and it’s range now. Need to figure out how much a change in the dial translates to how much it changes the grind size.

EDIT: I’m comparing this flat burr grinder to the Lido 3, Solo SPTK 38 and the 1zpresso K Max, all conicals.

MattH

FYI l, I noticed today that the single dose olympia is listed on bella barista now - £1299

DrForinor

MattH Yes, Marco said they would put it up as they have had more interest as of late.

ajohn

One way I have found the “zero” is to adjust finer until I can’t rotate the lower burr carrier with a socket spanner or what is needed. Back off from that and the actual motor should run freely. I don’t use a forcible adjustment.

Rather similar to checking if the burrs are level but with that the upper burr has to just touch the lower.

This is how conical is a set. Niche provides a marker to set the dial so it never gets to touching.

With flat there may be a slight slowing near where the burrs touch due to pumping air.

Del_UK

I’ve not heard much about this grinder, but it is a tidy looking piece of kit. It’d look nice in white in my kitchen 🤔

tompoland

Del_UK some dude did a review https://coffeetime.freeflarum.com/blog/1253-olympia-moca-sd-first-looks-review-november-2022

Del_UK

tompoland I did actually see that review, but I haven’t seen much else since, unlike say the Niche that once I had learnt of its existence, it was everywhere!

chlorox

tompoland

How would you compare the flavour profile generally created by the olympia moca SD to the 64mm SSP cast steel burrs? ( if u have tried the latter before)

tompoland

Del_UK I suspect it’s mainly bought by Olympia owners. They seem to do nothing in the way of promotion so outside of the Olympic owners it’s a well kept secret.

It shows you how the sometimes-maligned influencers actually pack quite a punch.

ajohn

Del_UK unlike say the Niche that once I had learnt of its existence, it was everywhere!

Niche was a rather radical change in grinder design. It was marketed well and when offered for testing due to the radical design people are bound to take a look - then of course it works, that always helps.

;) Then people using these start using a grinds cup and single dosing.

https://www.mahlkoenig.com/products/ek43-s

Past that comes the usual grinder debates what ever some one chooses to buy.

tompoland

chlorox haven’t tried them sorry.

chlorox

tompoland

No worries Tom

tompoland

DrForinor one would have to assume that he knows what he’s talking about.

I can’t figure it out though. Apparently burrs can jam but it would be pretty difficult to damage the cutting teeth given that they are below the surface of the tops/bottoms of the burrs.

Maybe its to stop jamming.

I guess the main question is can you grind fine enough for your needs without going past the finest dot?

DrForinor

tompoland

His exact words:

“we do not recommend removing the grub screw, as you can easily unscrew the mechanism too much and the whole mechanism can disengage. We also do not recommend turning the grinder to it’s absolute zero, as it is calibrated from factory.”

I have been playing about with it more, and the there is a point where I get to (when I go finer and finer) where the motor will start up, but when I turn the bean hopper in order to stop the motor, it will not stop. If I power off form the switch at the bottom and power back on the motor runs (even though the bean hopper is in “off” position). The only way to then stop the motor is to turn the dial coarser and then the motor stops. This point, is about ½ to ¾ turn finer from the finest dot in that video.

In saying all of that, I am finding that my grinding needs sit around the 1st dot after the finest dot, so no real issue.

After using it more, I have to say I am thoroughly enjoying the quality of the grinds. For my palate I can definitely taste the particle size distribution (meaning the cleaner flavours coming through), and I’m glad I went for a flat burr grinder. Obviously I have no other flat burr grinder experience to be able to compare it to but I am not disappointed.

Thank you Tom!

« Previous Page Next Page »