Zerno Z1 just arrived. I got the Mazzer burrs and SSP HU.
At the moment the SSP is in there. I do tend to lean towards medium to dark roasts .. chocolate notes for latte. So will see how the SSP goes. 
Am having to grind finer with SSP so far. Otherwise will go to the Mazzer.
Beauty 😍
Definitely a nice looking grinder. Shame about the absolutely ridiculous price to get one in the UK.
Does the chute come off as easily as Hoffman made it look? Pretty wild that you can easily knock it off and leave an entry point next to spinning burrs.
How’s the static? He also mentioned it was pretty noticeable and called for well-balanced RDT.
La Marzocco Linea Mini - Mazzer Philos
Ikawa Roaster
The chute come off extremely easily. To make sure all coffee comes out I tap the top funnel a few times (like a bellows), then I will flick the bottom chute. Retention is really good.
As advised in the setup video, I only give the beans a light once spray from afar for RDT. Not much static.
Am still getting used to dialling in using the SSP burrs. Burrs might need seasoning with a few kgs of beans.
Thats a very bonny looking grinder, especially when compared to my Monolith. It is almost enough to make me want a flat burr again!
dfk41 but it’s only 64mm David and more expensive than the Philos.
I’d prefer the Zerno of course. 👌
How’s the knee? 🤞
Jason1wood Ha! I was basing my thoughts on looks and nowt else! I find it interesting that so many entrants have stayed at around the 64mm level and not followed the Kafatek 98mm route. I wonder if they know something that we do not? I know at least 2 Kafatek owners who went to them from well known and respected grinders who really are wowed. My days of spending big are behind me now! I would possible buy another Evo if the right chance came up though. Those 54mm groups are not to. be beaten!
Definitely looks a lot nicer in proportion than the Philos.
I’ve no plans to change as I’m incredibly pleased with the Philos and Hoffman’s very honest review of the Z1 confirmed my position on that, but it does make you wonder why the Philos is so enormous when the Zerno is basically the same grinder but far smaller and neater looking.
La Marzocco Linea Mini - Mazzer Philos
Ikawa Roaster
Very nice ! - i was tempted with the Zerno even had one in the basket and then chickened out…
I do like the look, build and size of it !
@drdre89 are you in the UK?
What was the final cost if you don’t mind me asking?
La Marzocco Linea Mini - Mazzer Philos
Ikawa Roaster
MattH did exactly the same 🐔
I own a Kafatek MC5, my buddy owns a Kafatek Max, my other buddy owned a Zerno. We all got together and did a grinder swap and coffee tasting. Conclusion in short form was the Zerno just isn’t in the same league, from build quality to coffee flavor, and was sold the following weekend. The 98mm flat outshines the smaller burrs in flavor separation and clarity on lighter to medium roasts and the 71mm conical outshines in body and taming bitter astringent medium to dark roasts.
Then there’s the whole build quality and motor differences conversation but again, the Zerno doesn’t really belong at the table of 2-3k grinders.
I don’t own a philos but the motor difference between it and the zerno is enough for me to say the philos is better built. I think I have an electric pencil sharpener with a quieter more powerful motor than the zerno
Interesting view. Thanks for that. 👌
mykm
Kafatek Max retails at approx $3600 USD + shipping. I think the MC5 is around $2500 + shipping.
My Zerno was around $1500 USD + shipping. I’m in Australia.
I don’t know why you’re comparing the Zerno to those Kafateks as obviously first of all price wise, they are definitely not in the same league. Apples and oranges.
Obviously you would hope the Kafateks tasted better paying thousands of dollars more !
The Zerno looks fantastic on the coffee bench. Sleek design and changing burrs is really easy. Will try the Mazzer burrs soon and see how the compare to the SSP HU.
Yeah agree, the zerno was 2k us$ with all the burr options and case and everything so not wildly out of range of the mc5, plus the wait was longer for the Z but again I agree it’s not worth bringing up as a comparison
What I do not understand, is if is just another 64mm grinder using widely available burrs, what makes it stand out at the price point? I mean coffee is about taste, burrs are about taste. After that, it is aesthetics and type of motor etc etc. It is a bit like going to Harrods and paying £2.25 for a Mars Bar
drdre89 It certainly wins the looks competition!
Nothing makes it stand out per say, its just pushed very well
Hoffman even has a vid lance was a big fan too from memory
My only worry is that it seems to be an ever changing product, and people get a different version every order, which is good and bad in my eyes, in that way i liken it to the decent were each version is the best for a few months
Looks nice, sounds under powered imo, and a little faffy
Personally dont like the way you buy either zerno or kafatec which seems to be a lottery, but also adds to the hype and the selective/exclusiveness of it.
But as i always say if you can afford it then go for it
Happy for those who want to go down the whole auger route but not for me,
Decent De1pro v1.45 - Niche Duo - Niche Zero - Decent is the best machine ever made -
Cuprajake Hoffman even has a vid
He had some pretty scathing criticisms buried in his vid. The video sort of glosses over them and judging by the comments people took it as a positive review but those critiques he made are pretty bad in my opinion.
La Marzocco Linea Mini - Mazzer Philos
Ikawa Roaster
