There is a new grinder about to hit the market from Bella Barista the T64, **not to be confused** with the Profitec T64. It's a 64mm flat burr grinder, produced by a Chinese manufacturer, I had a prototype and already a few enhancements have been recommended by me to BB so they can fine tune their offering. **The grinder in the video doesn't have an extra movable zero collar, the revised grinder does,** and it means the zero point can be adjusted should you ever change/use different burrs. The BB grinders will have this as standard. [upl-image-preview url=https://i.imgur.com/P1d9vPj.png] Secondly, the grinder can be purchased with Italmill, Chinese, or SSP burrs. **Bella Barista have decided to only offer it with SSP burrs at this time.** I truly don't know what burrs mine has, but I suspect it's not SSP burrs, even though it's working great! These videos introduce the T64 grinder, it's a nice variable speed flat burr grinder that produces excellent in cup results. It's is being launched by Bella Barista in the UK. https://bellabarista.co.uk/ The power brick you see is for my cabinet lights, the grinder plugs directly into the mains and is 230/240 volt. The grind cup, extension funnel and forks are all for the standard 58mm porta filter and made of good quality thick aluminium, not plastic The grinder is being returned early next week, so any questions, ask them quickly. https://youtu.be/VZYepwWagvw?si=b5Uk_yfMl28Aan73 https://youtu.be/XQLxMeQupsA?si=6tNlNFMCLu-5bFzs Now if you read this far I don't feel it's appropriate to disclose the planned pricing of this grinder in advance of BB announcement. But they will be doing a forum special at a price that if they step up and do what they say, will be unbelievably good and I don't say that lightly.

Thanks Dave, there is a "BG T64" on YT that may be the same. Looks pretty solid. Pretty sure the burrs are not SSP given the color variation but videos and lighting can be deceptive. https://youtu.be/vX-StUEhe4A?si=c44173JKA3buBr9z One concern in the comments in the YT thread was "it's stepless until it's not" referring to the dial drifting under load to a stepped point. The video was front August 2023 and it's normally an easy fix for the manufacturer so I'm wondering if you noticed any drift in the unit you have?

T64 Grinder From Bella Barista

DavecUK

tompoland The video was front August 2023 and it’s normally an easy fix for the manufacturer so I’m wondering if you noticed any drift in the unit you have?

I got my unit from BB in January and it was stepped…I (damaged the stepped pin to jam it in, as you can’t pull it out), this made it stepless. I did this after realising going in between steps was imprecise, it would possibly “fall off” the steps and move…plus it wasn’t mine and would be going back (It actually is being collected by Bella Barista next week).

As stepless, it’s never moved or drifted at all and the company have been asked to make the BB grinders stepless. Also to add a re-zero ring as they might be factory zeroed, but if people change burrs then the zero may be lost. Also the factories zero might not always bee 100% correct.

There is one big difference you perhaps didn’t spot…it’s not variable speed, mine goes from 800-2000 rpm, which is how I can use it to clear grinds without using the bellows.

There are some other differences in the video to the unit I have, some small some larger

The grinder in the video has a 200W motor, my unit has a 300W motor
Aluminium lid with wood top cover on mine (looks nice, adds a bit of contrast.
The ring that fits on top of the grinds cup has two grippy o rings machines in to it stays in place nicely
The grinder I have it I believe slightly heavier.

But they look like they are from the same company and offer the same 3 burr options…obviously I suggested to BB to only use SSP burrs, because they are a known quantity and the quality of construction merits it.

P.S.The Evo portafilter funnel for LSM size portafilter from Norvin (thanks again Norvin), fits a groove in the grind cup perfectly as you saw on the video, making it super easy to use with my 53.5mm portafilters

delta76

How would you compare it to df64 if you have used both? Also any way for non UK customers to buy it without having to ship from BB?

DavecUK

delta76 How would you compare it to df64 if you have used both? Also any way for non UK customers to buy it without having to ship from BB?

I actually have a DF64 and it in my option the T64 is a much better grinder. and more accurately made.

Oh I forgot to mention once it’s finished grinding, after 2 minutes it switches off, so they really have thought about the product and the grind cup etc..

I have no idea about availability and retailers world wide, if you are in Europe BB might well ship it?

MediumRoastSteam

DavecUK - did you manage to find out more about the phenomenon of no static what so ever? Is there anything special? Given high end grinders come with a spray bottle…. This is an achievement in itself, whatever they did!

delta76

DavecUK if it comes to that I might have to, but would prefer to buy from a local retailer or at least from within EU to avoid tax complication (and warranty also).

Great to hear it is better than df64 in your opinions - i know you pay very close attention to details!

tompoland

DavecUK actually have a DF64 and it in my option the T64 is a much better grinder. and more accurately made.

Interesting thanks Dave.

Can you shed some light on “more accurately made” and is there anything else that you prefer over the DF?

DavecUK

tompoland Can you shed some light on “more accurately made” and is there anything else that you prefer over the DF?

not really, it’s just more accurate, no o rings to centralise the core as in the DF64, and accurately made is just that, especially in the burr chamber…all milled aluminium and no wave washer.

It’s just a nicer grinder to use and especially adjust. The looks of the grinder ittself and accessories like the catch cup etc.. are way better.

giampiero

Any stalling issue?

DavecUK

giampiero Any stalling issue?

As I said in the video and description as well I think, no problems with stalling. I run it at it’s slowest speed 800 rpm, I don’t hot start and in the video you can listen to it grinding. I have also tried some of @LMSC light beans in it as well.

tompoland

DavecUK ah yes, the DF64. I have the DF64V on my mind when I asked. The former is definitely not a precision instrument.

Gagaryn

Interesting that it has only been tested with unbranded burrs which are reported as working well, but BB won’t sell with those - instead they will only offer with SSP, which are so far untested in this grinder. That seems odd to me.

I guess the hope is that if it works well with average burrs, it will work better with SSP’s. This may well end up being true - but it is not certain and seems to me to be a flaw in BB’s testing strategy.

This seems pretty obvious to me, so surprised that Dave’s recommendation wasn’t to undergo a second round of testing with a revised version closer to the retail model. Making such a fundamental change then sending the revised model straight to retail shows a worrying lack of rigour in the testing.

dfk41

Gagaryn sending the revised model straight to retail shows a worrying lack of rigour in the testing.

How do you know this exactly, or is it yet another of your Sherlock Holmes style deductions? I read it that Dave is quite happy with all aspects of the grinder, especially if they follow through with his undoubted list of improvements. The burrs are the burrs……no doubt if this was sold with the stock burr the first thing some folks would do is buy SSP to put in…….

delta76

Gagaryn i would not even worry about the burr. If it fits, has a design that allows easy calibration and has a strong enough motor, why bother.

Bb at least tested it when they retrofit

Gagaryn

dfk41 How do you know this exactly, or is it yet another of your Sherlock Holmes style deductions?

No Sherlock Holmes style deduction was needed, just basic comprehension skills. :-)

Dave says clearly that BB will only sell with SSP, his test grinder did not have these and that he won’t announce pricing now as BB announcement is on the way.

If Dave planned further testing I’m sure he would have delayed posting his review until he had tested the retail unit. The fact that he has released the review now, along with mentioning BB’s announcement, would indicate that he has no plan to test further.

Unless you know more this seems to me a perfectly reasonable summation.

Do you know more, or you just arguing and attempting to belittle me for fun?

DavecUK

Gagaryn The grinder I have will go back to BB next week. So I don’t plan any further testing. The main thing I take from it is that the “platform” is well engineered and should support any good 64mm burr. The plan is to supply it with SSP HU espresso red burrs. For which I think it will excel. Now if I do get one with SSP burrs sent for testing, I will of course report back.

Mind you, the potential launch pricing and very limited quantity, might mean they don’t stay in stock long. We will find out the pricing and launch shortly before it goes on the website and I will announce it on this thread. The grinders will actually come in end April 24. I can say that the price is pretty spectacular at launch if it all comes together as it should.

As far as I am aware, the grinder will come with these SSP burrs

https://tinyurl.com/28hqraoo

MediumRoastSteam

DavecUK As far as I am aware, the grinder will come with these SSP burrs

That’s nice. Although, I agree with @Gagaryn - it would be better if the grinder was tested and run with those burrs before selling to the general public. At the end of the day, the general public only has one window where they can see things before making the purchase. I appreciate that on paper it should work just fine, but it would be even better if that’s demonstrated practically. @DavecUK - isn’t there a chance you could ask BB to supply you with the intended burrs they will be selling it with so you can do some more testing at least just to make sure - this way testing and demonstrating the actual package rather than half of it? You never know, you may find that if you install the SSP burrs all of a sudden the grinder becomes a static monster! 🤣👍

delta76

DavecUK i’m a bit confused, is the announcement imminent or 1 month away?

I am looking at shipping options to where I live. Have anyone bought from BB and shipped to EU? Was VAT declared correctly and was the shipment delivered to you without additional charge? I just tried and it seems they do not change the price regarding shipping address

DavecUK

MediumRoastSteam sn’t there a chance you could ask BB to supply you with the intended burrs they will be selling it with so you can do some more testing at least just to make sure - this way testing and demonstrating the actual package rather than half of it? You never know, you may find that if you install the SSP burrs all of a sudden the grinder becomes a static monster! 🤣👍

To be honest, if I asked BB to do they they get a set of burrs they can’t sell and they don’t have the HU burr sets only the MP in stock. Then even if I did test with other burrs, it would be, what are the Chinese burrs like, what are the MP SSP like, what are the gorilla gear like etc.. etc.. If I’m honest, life is too short, I don’t get paid for my time and I simply don’t have the time or inclination to test all burr types…which is the way it would go.

I tested the “platform”, it’s good well made and will justify any burr sets you place in it. They will come factory set up and if you don’t like the taste of the HU burrs, you can for sure put something else in. Realistically though I can’t see BB are opening the grinders up, remove the burr sets they come with and put something else in for people.

Even if I get one of the full production with SSP burrs to review, the offer will have been open for some weeks before I get one and it would be some 6 weeks before I get around to publishing findings, as burrs have to be run in..which Is why I have said nothing before and had this grinder since January..

After all this, the 20 coming in on special offer will be long gone!

MediumRoastSteam

DavecUK . Thanks Dave, I understand. The reason I ask this, is because the Niche was a very different thing… it was made to run optimally with a specific set of burrs, the motor custom wound for that, so the burrs are packed correctly and run at the optimal speed. Presumably, that’s why I bought the Niche. Because I know that it as designed, tested and put through its paces as what it was meant to be.

So I’m a little puzzled, if I’m honest. All of a sudden we have a “platform” that is tested… the burrs being mere accessories and the SSP HU burrs will do just fine. But how do we know the burrs are packed correctly, that there’s no regrinding, that it won’t need to be hot started, that there’s no static? Is the Niche a not so good platform therefore that I it might not run optimally with other burrs?

Appreciate this is BB problem and you are just helping them out, but it does feel a little strange (and I’m confused) if I’m all honest.

giampiero

Maybe, if the quality/performance of the unbranded burr was not sure or granted for future batches ( who know), the choice to offer a stable quality/performance with the SSP burr is not a bad decision.

DavecUK

MediumRoastSteam Appreciate this is BB problem and you are just helping them out, but it does feel a little strange (and I’m confused) if I’m all honest.

Because you can vary the speed, hence the burr packing… as for the other issues, they are the sort of how long is a bit of string question really. e.g. if you get a slower throughput burr, you can up the speed, packing rate is quite throughput dependent.

Perhaps the influencers will one day cover it more thoroughly. My intention was only to recommend whether BB sell it or not and the burr set I thought would be good.