I wasn’t sure what this thread was about when catching up on the last 15-20 posts. I think it clearly shows one thing:
- There is a great diversity of opinion, much of it totally incorrect
- None of you have seen in the flesh, or used the Philos…except me
- You have to be careful of HB reviews and influencer reviews
- I was offered a Philos to test when I met Mazzer in October and given a contact person…I never followed up on it…perhaps think about why that might be.
- People seem to love throwing insults around
- You might not know as much about grinders and burrs as you think you know
- Hoffman isn’t god and for whatever reason he couldn’t taste the difference between flats and Conicals on the Niche (think about that and those Gorilla Gear burrs for the Zero and what people said). I could taste a difference and so could many others.
The Philos is sort of OK, not amazing at anything, at the launch price, I don’t think it’s amazing value for a 64mm grinder, but it seems people have convinced themselves it is because of the shape, orientation and name. I actually think it’s expensive, quite large and the workflow isn’t great. Some of you will have one soon, and no doubt say I am wrong..but I can’t be, it’s my opinion.
I will say this though, out of all the grinders I have, it wouldn’t be in my top 3 or 4 to go for to use. In fact, If I’d accepted one, I probably would have reviewed it and not really used it again (except for fun)! I know people will say, yeah but you helped Niche and your biased or not..but I don’t really think I am, I have enough grinders and burr sets that I think I have a fairly balanced view.
Today I am starting my tests on the Di fluid stuff, I grabbed up the unknown hand grinder and will be using that…I almost grabbed the JX Pro, but I can’t remember where I put the box. I am using the hand grinder, because it just fit’s nicely on the counter for the video. The Di Fluid stuff I gather should help me improve my coffee, so whatever grinder I use for filter is moot, as it’s just to see if I can get an improvement…for the best flavour, I would be using a dedicated flat filter burr.
I really do need to have a grinderthon this summer and invite as many of you over as can make it, using the grinders I have and any you have that I don’t.
Finally, one important thing about grinders, usability…a grinder you want to use and is easy to use…is really important
P.S. The T64 with HU SSP Espresso burrs really is a good contender vs the Philos and P64 at it’s price point…plus I feel very confident about a tool steel coated burr rather then a stainless treated one (which was a huge departure for Mazzer).