I have a Niche Zero with a 63mn conical burr. And ofcourse my Decent. I like the flavour of the espresso I produce (my technique has improved) but sometimes wonder whether I would do better with a different burr, or not. Fyi, I only drink decaf, but pour both espresso and pour-over, generally in a milk drink. *So I would like to know what the taste characteristics of various types and models of burrs are. Are there any burr comparison guides/reviews that I can read or watch?* I did find this: Fyi, I did once own a Eureka Mignon Specialita, which has a proprietary 55mm flat burr. I had challenges dialing it in, and found the shots to have less body and strength and distinguishable flavor than I wanted, even with my then Lelit Elizabeth. So I sold the Eureka (which was almost new) and bought the Niche Zero. Once I got used to the NZ, I noticed a significant improvement in ease of dialing in, taste and workflow, along with an ability to easily shift from filter to espresso grind and back. And it’s just so easy to maintain. So I will be loth to part with my NZ. Still, one always wonders: can I do better? My much earlier Bartaza Sette 270 (which had a 40mm conical burr) actually produced more body and strength than the Mignon and I was able to produce pretty good shots with nicely distinguishable flavors, using my then heavily modded Breville Duo Pro (including a dimmer mod). So ... is a NZ with its Mazzer burr as good as it gets for my medium-dark coffee taste preference (in a fuller bodied, fuller strength shot)? Is there another burr that will give me preceding but provide more distinguishable and long lasting flavors? Is there a burr that will give me sweeter espresso? Can I do better? For example I could sell the NZ (I don't have counter room for 2 grinders) and buy a Niche Duo, which would give me filter and espresso oriented burrs. But will I like the taste of its flat burrs? Or am I unfairly jaundiced by my challenged experience with the Eureka? Thanks for your advice and suggestions.

@"tompoland"#121 Thats really helpful! Thank-you! A few questions, if you have time: * How easy is it to change the burr, say in comparison to the Niche Zero? * If you look at this chart \*\*

1. burr changing in Gen 2 is about as easier as it gets 2. interesting chart thanks for the link but at this stage probably best just go on what I posted above (burrs are "varia" as opposed to "vario") 3. i am not aware of any plans to phase burrs out, I think it is unlikely 4. I've only used the Hypernova Ultra S for pour over and it was superb (need to grind coarser than normal)

Burr Advice - Keep or Change My Grinder?

MediumRoastSteam

JHCCoffee But will I like the taste of its flat burrs

You’ll never know until you try it out yourself.

Cuprajake

No one local you can try their grinder

Fomo is real and if you can justify the change and price then do so,

It’s all small steps

MWJB

This is a question that you could ask yourself with respect to any grinder.

I wouldn’t do anything until you have the opportunity to try a direct comparison against your current grinder.

tompoland

This is the reason I’m running the Burrnament with 32 different burr sets.

@JHCCoffee if you want more sweetness you should probably look more to beans than burrs. The Kony 63mm are very good burrs and give a similar espresso to many flat burrs frankly, at least I can’t tell the difference in a blind test.

But there are burrs that will give you more choc like notes punching through milk e.g. DF54 or DF 64mm DLC burrs.

If you want more nuanced flavor notes then the Varia Hypernova Ultra S 48mm conical burrs or the Mazzer k151H 83mm flat burrs are both expectional. (They are also both hard to get hold off but the former al least should be available some time in April or May - my set came direct from Varia for testing/reviewing).

JHCCoffee

tompoland If you want more nuanced flavor notes then the Varia Hypernova Ultra S 48mm conical burrs or the Mazzer k151H 83mm flat burrs are both expectional. (They are also both hard to get hold off but the former al least should be available some time in April or May - my set came direct from Varia for testing/reviewing).

Tom, I am thinking of buying the Varia VS3 for extended stay travel. Could you tell me more about the taste profile of the: a) burr that comes with the grinder, b) the hypernova?

Is it this one: https://eightouncecoffee.ca/products/varia-vs3-hypernova-burr-set-2nd-gen-titanium-plated-iridescent?_pos=1&_psq=hypernova&_ss=e&_v=1.0

Thanks Tom!

tompoland

JHCCoffee the standard burr is OK.

Here is my current thinking on the VS3 burrs.

There are three Hypernova burrs

Hypernova
Hypernova Ultra
Hypernova Utlra S (not currently available other than as the stock burr in the Varia Evo - see my review on Youtube)

And there is the Supernova burr.

I like all five of them and have them all set up on my bench at the moment for some testing (five white VS3s in a row looks quite smart!)

I wouldn’t rave about the stock burrs but they do deliver a nice espresso in the cup, probably best suited for a medium to dark espresso. A more traditional espresso but with a bit more body than say the Zero.

The Supernova would be my pick for any milk based drinks. It like a “slap in the face” espresso. Not a lot of subtlety but plenty of flavor to punch through milk, compared to the other VS3 burrs.

The three Hypernova burrs are all superb, with each one listed above offering a little more in the way of distinquishable flavor notes and a smidgen less body, as you go from 1 through to 3.

Hope that helps.

JHCCoffee

@tompoland Thats really helpful! Thank-you!

A few questions, if you have time:

How easy is it to change the burr, say in comparison to the Niche Zero?
If you look at this chart **<https://espressoaf.com/guides/burr_catalog.html ](https://espressoaf.com/guides/burr_catalog.html)**where would you place each of the Varia burrs?
Will all of these burrs be available for purchase come April or are some being phased out?
How well do each of the above burrs work with pour over?

tompoland

burr changing in Gen 2 is about as easier as it gets
interesting chart thanks for the link but at this stage probably best just go on what I posted above (burrs are “varia” as opposed to “vario”)
i am not aware of any plans to phase burrs out, I think it is unlikely
I’ve only used the Hypernova Ultra S for pour over and it was superb (need to grind coarser than normal)

dfk41

I think that you really need to have a seriously advanced set of taste buds before you spend hundreds of £'s chasing 7 winged butterflies…..

Adrianmsmith

dfk41

Could easily get in a flap about those creatures 😁

Adrianmsmith

JHCCoffee

for my 10p worth….. I have more of a try, taste, decide, try to sell approach after reading reviews and this forum of course. Sometimes I think, i will try that anyway. Just be careful not to say anything to Dave when you dont like some things especially when you agreeing with his prior warnings . haha.

I have the craig lyn hg1 prime which is still my favourite for latte and thought id try the Key as well. they are the same with a motor thrown in aren’t they. No. enough said. Maybe it will be better with standard funnel and shaker catcher than the magic static electricity device :-) that is standard. (anyone in the UK have a spare for sale?)

I have the Duo which my wife prefers for americano and if im honest in a blind test i still prefer the Prime but not by a sip, sip, this one kind of way. It takes a while and the differences are very slight but the prime always wins and vice versa for the americano.

Obviously, that said in a one cup tasting I’m not going to know which grinder made it.

Its a hobby where numbers and analysis can show a plethora of data but ultimately if it doesn’t tick a box for you, the niggle will grow and grow and you will sell it. (I love the Mk2 Evo)

Unfortunately that means buy it and decide if nothing you read throws alarm bells at your face!!

Sometimes you will lose money which is just rent for the time you had it.

I had a DF83 which some of you love but there was something about it, maybe just the speed and fines produced. maybe nothing. but the niggle made me sell it. Luckily due to the situation with BB its one thing i made a profit on but that was a one-off!!

My first “real” grinder was a sage / breville smart grinder pro. lots of nice display and adjustments. Lets just say the niche zero was on another planet entirely from this grinder and if only the 2 grinders existed, you would not sell the niche!!

unfortunately no one can describe to you how your drink will taste to you and after everything i said it doesn’t completely just come down to taste. taste has to be the best of course. But, some of us like levers and valves. some of us like tablets and apps. and the two opposed teams will never align completely even whilst agreeing both coffees are great. not quite the same situation with a grinder i agree.

dfk41

Adrianmsmith A lot f people get the 7 and 9 winged varieties mixed up…..an easy mistake

Adrianmsmith

dfk41 is it the 7 that spins in a clockwise circle and the 9 anticlockwise?

🫣