Crew Review: Breville Smart Grinder - Redux!

[JosephandElissa]

Will the CC1 portafilter fit in this with the 58mm, or does the spots at the bottom make it too big? We are looking at upgrading our espresso machine and I am seriously thinking about the CC1

[JosephandElissa]

Last post.  Sorry about that. ;)

[SeattleCoffeeGear]

@JosephandElissa Haha -- no worries! Love to see grinder converts :D - Kat (!!!!!)

[JosephandElissa]

Wow, I used way to exclamation marks in my

[JosephandElissa]

You're right about the grinder being the most important Kat! After getting this grinder, I decided that the blade grinders my office uses stink so I asked for the Hario Skerton conical burr grinder for Christmas and got it! It awesome to have at work! I have become the "Coffee Snob" at the office! How I wish I could get another Smart Grinder to keep at work!

[digital0314]

You guys are awesome. What an excellent review and demo of the Breville. I just ordered this model yesterday, so I'm looking forward to using it. Thanks again for this informative vid. You guys know how to inject the right amount of humor without being silly. Love your other vids, as well.

[SeattleCoffeeGear]

@digital0314 Thank you! It's a great grinder - you'll dig it. - Kat

[JosephandElissa]

Little research we learned that we needed to buy a conical burr grinder and we picked this one. It affected the taste so much that I have gone coffee crazy the last couple months and have purchased things like the Bonmac pour-over, the Aeropress, and the Bodum Chambord and have loved all the different styles. Coffee has become our hobby and it started with buying this cool grinder!

[SeattleCoffeeGear]

@JosephandElissa That's great to hear!! Investing in a good grinder is the single most important element to making great coffee at home, no matter the prep you're using. Always great to hear about a blade-to-burr conversion :D - Kat

[JosephandElissa]

I'm very glad you reviewed the "Redux"! We purchased this grinder a couple months ago and have loved the heck out of it! We were using a blade grinder before and we never made awesome coffee. After a litt

[TechnoGeek4Ever]

Can anyone here comment on the 'Adjust Amount' dial feature and what it actually does? On my grinder, the LCD screen says 'weaker to stronger' (from left to right), yet in the manual provided, it clearly states 'less to more'. Which is it, and what does this feature accomplish?

[raabusmc]

@TechnoGeek4Ever The weaker/stronger increases/decreases the amount that is ground by 5% increments.

[raabusmc]

@eikelben, I absolutely agree. i had a newer "non-shimmable" model that was spewing out a NPPF in less than 10 seconds at the finest setting and got it exchanged for a another. This one is now fine enough at the 6th mark into espresso, but now not coarse enough for french press

[TechnoGeek4Ever]

@raabusmc Very interesting comment @ eikelben. I finally got a hold of Breville, and they confirmed that I too have the newest model and thus do not need the Shim Kit. After quite a few pulls on my Breville 830XL espresso machine, I believe I found a good setting (23 on the espresso grind and -4 on the Adjust Amount dial). I have contacted Breville in hopes of getting some additional insight into whether I need to exchange my grinder or try out a shim kit.

[eikelben]

For the sake of others interested in this grinder, I purchased one to use with a Rancilio Silvia and at its finest grind setting I couldn't get longer than a 15 second "gusher". I exchanged it for another one and now can choke the machine halfway through the "espresso" range on the grinder. According to the serial numbers and purchase dates they both are the newer units that don't require shims. Just be aware, if you're getting unsatisfactory results, exchanging it for another unit might help.

[SeattleCoffeeGear]

@eikelben Thank you for sharing that with folks! Really appreciate that - Kat

[gabeslover]

I so want this to pair with my Saeco Starbucks Barista so can go non-preasurized!! : )

[SeattleCoffeeGear]

@gabeslover That'd be a great combo! :) - Kat

[SeattleCoffeeGear]

@gabeslover That'd be a great combo! :) - Kat

[TechnoGeek4Ever]

Based on your first video review of this grinder and with your assistance, I now know that I have the newest model with the modification already built into the unit. That said, given that this grinder has so many different espresso settings options, would you please comment on how best to find the optimal settings for this grinder. I realize that each person's tastes are unique and that each espresso machine works differently.....I just don't want to needlessly waste too much coffee! Thx.

[SeattleCoffeeGear]

@TechnoGeek4Ever I can't really do that, it varies so much; I generally tell folks to start at the finest and calibrate up from there. - Kat

[saypk]

Thanks for the update! Between this smart grinder and the Baratza Virtuoso, which one would you recommend for espresso?

[SeattleCoffeeGear]

@saypk Both will work well; just depends if you want the additional programming/interface that this guy has - Kat

[Gig103]

@SeattleCoffeeGear Kat & Gail, I have a followup to saypk's question. Between the 586 Virtuoso and this Breville, which is going to have better burrs for doing espresso at home, but french press at work? I see this one is a little cheaper and has the grounds and portafilter accessories, but ultimately the grind is the most important!

[SeattleCoffeeGear]

@Gig103 I'm not sure yet; I am planning a side by side video on it soon, to show their consistency at coarse and fine. I suspect the 586 will be better, but we shall see ... Stay tuned! :) - Kat

[Gig103]

@SeattleCoffeeGear Can't wait! You guys have a knack at convincing me that I need a $200 grinder to go with a $250 Saeco machine so I can go depressurized!!

[SeattleCoffeeGear]

@Gig103 Hahaha - well, the grinder is really where you should be spending all your money ;) - Kat

[zeram01]

Happy New Year Seattle Crew! Alas, do you know if Breville also updated the burr in the BES860XL?

[SeattleCoffeeGear]

@zeram01 Not to our knowledge, no - Kat

[raabusmc]

So looking forward to having mine replaced by Breville. Newer upgraded model would not pull a NPPF shot, but as I looked down into the burrs, it looked slightly crooked. I hope that my eyes were not deceiving me and that was the issue because I really love this grinder.

[arnienz1]

How would I know if I'm buying the new Grinder with the new burrs or the old one? Do they have different model numbers?

[saypk]

@arnienz1 New ones are have model number ending in 27 or above. Check the bottom of the machine.

[heman1110]

Received this as my Christmas present from my lovely wife. How do I know mine is the newer model and not the first generation one where I need the shim? (Oh.. and I already threw away the box in case it's in the bar code

)

[SeattleCoffeeGear]

@heman1110 Look at the base of the grinder - there should be a number on there - Kat

[heman1110]

@SeattleCoffeeGear I see "1040 F" which is embedded in the base and "3CW6 LISTED E158685"... Actually, both series ends with a number higher than 27.... So I guess I'm good... Out of curiosity, which one is the product/model number I should be looking at? Oh....BTW I love your channel!!! Keep up the good work!!! Oh and one last thing... if you can pretty please tell me what grind setting you would use to go with the Breville Roma. A big thank you once again!!!

[SeattleCoffeeGear]

@heman1110 The 1040 is where it's at, so you're good to go. I can't really tell you a grind setting, since every grinder/machine/coffee is different .. start at the finest and then go up from there, trying to get a double 2 oz shot 20 - 30 seconds. Let me know if you have any other questions - Kat

[PlanetGemini]

Breville is doing some awesome stuff!!!

[xximanoobxx]

What a clump party! WDT would help with distribution.

[SeattleCoffeeGear]

@xximanoobxx Yup

[diskusjon]

How would this compare to the Rocky? In your opinion.

[SeattleCoffeeGear]

@diskusjon Rocky could have a longer life, little higher grade materials (more commercial less home)...this guy has more functionality/programming however. - Kat

[frank828]

counted about 35 seconds from when the machine was turned on till off.

[dorohmc]

I've seen the Smart Grinder demoed in a WilliamsSonoma and really like it. I recently bought a Keurig single serve machine and have had mixed results using my own ground coffee using a blade grinder. I though maybe the single cup setting or shot on the smart grinder might be perfect for a myKcup portion and yield good results. What's your take on it?

[SeattleCoffeeGear]

@dorohmc Definitely better than a blade grinder! Since you can set this you can definitely calibrate do to that quantity ... - Kat

[MrAlligam]

Really love being able to find tune amount that is going into the portafilter. I know that I am getting the same amount of grinds for my espresso shot every time.

[MrAlligam]

I must be applying too mush tamp pressure if I need to have it on 3rd from the end for my non-pressurized Saeco. Time to experiment.

[SeattleCoffeeGear]

@MrAlligam Not necessarily; every machine and grinder is different -- also your coffee will play a part in this, too. If your shots are coming out in the right timeframe and tasting great (and you have room to move!) then I say you're doing everything right :) - Kat

[MrAlligam]

@SeattleCoffeeGear With a finer grind and a lighter tamp I'm getting much more syrupy-looking crema-bombs that taste great. I guess that I just didn't know my own strength!

[CDTrules7]

Ahhhhhh damn it you were first!!! hehehe, does anyone know what size tamper i need for a gaggia cubika!

[Warrenff5]

1st,  baby!

[SeattleCoffeeGear]

@Warrenff5 *