**Context** During my experience with coffee, every so often I get some improvements from some changes, but for me nothing made more dramatic changes than changing the grinder. I tried: Sage BE, DF64 with SSP HU, Niche, Mazzer Major, Mahlkonig E80 Supreme (it has the 807Lab Sweet burrs). **Status quo** Even tho it was the cheapest grinder of all, the best espresso I’ve got so far was the one from MM. It is balanced, it has fabulous body, with complex and intense flavours. **What next?** So currently I am enjoying this setup but the question is what to try next? Going to the same vertical, the only espresso I tried that beats my MM is done with Mythos 2 (at a coffee shop I frequent). I found this shot to have slightly thinner body (not as creamy as my MM) but the flavours were more complex and more intense - a very aromatic cup. Tbh it could be that MM has that thick body that can mask other subtle notes. Unfortunately Mythos 2 is difficult for me to find (at a decent price), and the very next alternative would be a used Mythos 1. Would you recommend this move? Do you think this makes sense as an upgrade? **Alternatives** Other (quite different) options I am considering, not necessarily as an upgrade but more to explore different realms: * Hand grinder, particularly C40 (a lot of ppl praise it) * EK43 (yeah, I know..) or other 98mm flat burr grinder, just on the premise “the bigger, the better” and to explore if they can provide more aromatic shots. **The machine** I know there is also the option to upgrade the machine, but on the paper at least, I just fail to see what a different machine can bring on the table. I own a Silvia Pro (DB, PID) which has dimmer mod and I can vary the flow from 100% to 0%. Maybe not as repeatable as Decent or a spring lever but it is there and I use it. **Beans** I’ve got my best cups from medium roasts. Very light roasts were almost always a failure for me (some were too sour, some had too much fermentation notes) but maybe if I get the right grinder for them, who knows? **Brew** Although not the primary focus, I am also increasingly more into V60 lately and a grinder that could also help with that (thinking of c40, ek43?) would be advantageous. **Budget** Depends on some “complicated” factors, but the budget is max 2K. So no new P100, new EK43, Flat MAX, and other rare gems. Those are reserved as the last resort if nothing else can do it. So what do you think, what grinder do you recommend me to try? Would you recommend try upgrading something else than the grinder? Cheers

@"Petre"#p18897 Wow! ! You have had an amazing journey with your grinders and MM is going to be a benchmark. Any change from here, IMO, needs to be a step up in performance (ie cup). My only concern is you may be getting into a law of diminishing returns. Having said, you have brilliant people who would know about grinders inside out. Let them expertly guide you through. @"Systemic"#8 has EK43 but, I think if my memory serves right, he fitted, Turkish burrs. I don’t think you need a hand grinder for brews, unless you want it for a change. You may have seen this JH videos. https://youtu.be/6LGeBcUZ9YA Please take a look to refresh your memory. Edit JH’s weber key review https://youtu.be/bQ-ta6s931c

@"Petre"#p18897 Perhaps it is time to upgrade the machine, someone with the same grinder may have a view @"Cuprajake"#144

@"Petre"#p18897 You should know by now what the threads like this may lead you into! I stopped short of recommending a machine upgrade than grinder! I knew some one like @"DavecUK"#1 would precisely do that! Go figure ! 😉🤣

SSP burrs for your major and then an ims e&b labs superfine basket. Loved my superfine with the Bianca, the 83mm burrs come up time to time but they came quick new.

@"LMSC"#p18903 haha, yeah, I know it is an open ended question, and although I am biased towards grinders I am considering anything that would give be a better cup! @"DavecUK"#p18901 Indeed I gave a lot of thought to this. What machines you think I should look for? Need to mention that my Silvia measured pretty solid in terms of temp stability, pressure and the flow is controllable through dimmer. @"Cuprajake"#p18906 I did not know about those baskets, are they better the VST? I’ll probably order some anyway. But much more importantly, and I always wanted to ask you: could you describe how the SSP HU compare with stock burrs in MM? Also, do you agree with my description of what stock MM gets you? (just so we have a calibration point).

> @"Petre"#p18913 Indeed I gave a lot of thought to this. What machines you think I should look for? Need to mention that my Silvia measured pretty solid in terms of temp stability, pressure and the flow is controllable through dimmer. Well, I reckon try a lever for the fun factor…..see how you get on.

There is one listed for sale! It is a steal at a discounted price. https://coffeetime.freeflarum.com/d/713-acs-vesuvuis-evo-leva-for-sale

Umm been a long time since I had the stock fitted. The ims cleans the month feel. The SSP give me a sweeter brighter cup

@"audiomacgyver"#p18918 I am using RO and remineralise it with epsom salt and baking soda. I’ve set it on BH#4 (80 gh, 40 kh) and did not get to experiment too much yet (with espresso).

Grinder Upgraditis - Mazzer Major + DB machine

CafeNoir

JahLaza Nice, +1 CupraJake and possibly a nice new set of burrs, lol

Well done mate although admittedly compared to the Niche, it kind of towers a bit. Worth it though imho.

With my 1.7kg hopper on, it’s just silly in a domestic setting, lol lol!

JahLaza

CafeNoir possibly a nice new set of burrs, lol

Gonna hold off for a bit on this. There were Titaniums in it, and the seller put ‘newer’ titaniums in and gave me the old ones to compare. The ‘newer’ ones in there seem pretty sharp so I’ll wait a while, the grind seems pretty good to me atm

Ernie1

Welcome to the Mazzer club!

Not sure if you saw my thread where I refreshed my Super Jolly but if you’re using a dosing cup, a cheap salt/pepper mill tray from Amazon sawn in half and sanded works well in place of the fork. I think mine was £4.

Petre

Ernie1 your setup inspired me mate, I already bought myself a wood slab and I’m gonna build a lid and a cup tray as soon as I get the chance, hopefully it will turn out nice.

CafeNoir

Ernie1 like the cap for the funnel too

JahLaza

Ernie1 hi, I did indeed follow it, albeit from afar as I wasn’t in spenditis mode at that stage! I’ve revisited since of course. Great idea for the wooden cup holder, I will probably pursue at a later stage! Mine’s a grocery model so no doser, so, it’s switch to 1 for power on, and then a flick for on and flick again for off. I’m happy enough with that, is the general consensus that the switch is durable enough for that for a long time used this way?

JahLaza

Cuprajake Your set up and Ernie1 set up look great, I think once it’s a nice open area they look great together. That’s why I look forward to moving where I have more space, it’s a bit crowded under the cabinets

CafeNoir

JahLaza Exactly the same as mine, reckon if it’s robust enough for a cafe, it should be kind of ok (lol) for home use…just my opinion but I’d bet on it and I’m no gambler

Cuprajake

Yeah. How mine is no issues, new switch is about £40 for a genuine one

DavecUK

Cuprajake new switch is about £40 for a genuine one

Holy moley!!

Giphy - dick grayson film GIF

CoyoteOldMan

CafeNoir if it’s robust enough for a cafe, it should be kind of ok (lol) for home use

If I were a shopkeeper, I would hope I have more than 5 or 6 customers a day…

Cuprajake

i dont think there too bad size wise next to the niche or the lever,

CafeNoir

Cuprajake Well yes, gotta agree next to Vesuvius - but next to my Mara X and Elektra Leva, slightly different….just sayin.

I’ll pose a group photo next time I’m home on R&R for fun

CafeNoir

Well, as promised got home to a couple of things, Mara has been driving wife crazy….seems my benchtops filters not up to scratch so a descale was needed. And after that, today I’m stocking up on distilled water for the Dr R Pavlis recipe.

As promised, a pic of my "normal "set-up, bit cosy but I’m designing a replacement unit. Put the hopper on the F6 for giggles, normally it’s like this

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