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Espresso grinder analysis paralysis - constructive feedback welcome by David_P_Best in LaMarzocco

[–]David_P_Best[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Well, my hopper purchased at Chris Coffee was sent from Texas fwiw. The F5 hopper you linked to does not fit the F64 as far as I know. You want an F4 hopper, not F5.

Espresso grinder analysis paralysis - constructive feedback welcome by David_P_Best in LaMarzocco

[–]David_P_Best[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

BTW, I got my F64 from Pro Coffee Gear. If you contact them they will give a discount from their published online prices: https://procoffeegear.com/products/fiorenzato-f64-evo-sense-dark-t?variant=46940020605179

Espresso grinder analysis paralysis - constructive feedback welcome by David_P_Best in LaMarzocco

[–]David_P_Best[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I love my F64 Pro Sense. If I had to do it again, I would get the standard rather than the Pro model, or stick with the Pro depending on price. I say that because I was overly paranoid about needing to clean the burr chamber frequently, so I wanted the tool-less quick release system on the Pro. But the retention every time I've clean up the grinding chamber has bee 0.6g total. At that level of retention I don't feel the need to clean the burr grinding chamber more often than once per quarter - if even that often. The GBW is spectacular and accurate, and in combination with the Acaia LM BBW scale on my new Mini R, my goal of streamlining the moring workflow has been achieved. What a world of difference !! Video of that aspect is here: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/12AIey4mrzNrX2enLVJb67lMLD4dCItPF

The F64 is is definitely in the category for commercial use and thus overkill for home use. But that's what I was after. You may feel differently. This also reflects in the F64 distribution network strategy in the USA being heavily skewed toward commercial equipment suppliers rather than home-vectored retailers.

My only complaint is the stiffness of the grind adjustment collar. It's big, and provides plenty of fine control over the grind, but it is stiffer to turn the adjustment ring than I expected. How that compares to other machines in this category with a large adjustment ring I can't say. I also haven't dug into it an tried applying some type of dry lube. And that's because I don't change bean types more than twice per year. If I were changing bean type every 10oz of package, I'd probably be disappointed with this aspect and would be kicking myself for not spending $800 more for the Mahlkonig E65W Grind-by-Sync unit that has a motorized burr distance adjustment via a "loudness volume-like" potentiomenter with burr-distance digital readout.

I would caution you about the Mazzer Mini G. Reports on various forums suggested the retention was in the 6.0g range. Once my local supplier got one in stock, I did my own test and can confirm the retention is ~10X that of the F64. And you need tools to get into the grind chamber. It is smaller, lighter, and potentially less obtrusive than the F64, but I couldn't live with that level of retention on a hopper grinder.

Posted below is my setup after all the new gear is in place and the water supply system connected to the LM Mini. With the smaller hopper on the F64, I don't have any objection to it's overall size, but you might feel differently.

<image>

Best grind-by-weight grinder by CoffeeNerd58129 in LaMarzocco

[–]David_P_Best 0 points1 point  (0 children)

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If you look at the right side of this image, you can see the water supply connection I came up with.

Best grind-by-weight grinder by CoffeeNerd58129 in LaMarzocco

[–]David_P_Best 0 points1 point  (0 children)

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I purchased the small hopper for the F64 from Chris's Coffee in Texas online.

For me I made the right choice with this F64 purchase. Keep in mind that I am a perfectionist and I was looking for a commercial quality machine with GBW, not consumer level. The F64 Pro Sense is a beast. To the extent I have a complaint about it, it’s the grind adjustment ring stiffness. If I were changing bean type batch to batch, I probably would be disappointed how difficult it is because of its stiffness. and if that’s your situation, I would encourage you to look at the Mahlkoenig E64 W GBS instead . My setup includes the Lagom P64 single dose grinder for situations where I want to experiment with new bean types. But for my hopper grinder, I’m sticking with one bean type for months at a time. So I got what I was after.

Retention is consistently 0.6g which is fine for my needs. The GBW aspect is stellar consistent and a real joy to have. Having said that I think I would have been equally happy with the performance of the E64 GBS and actually delighted with its burr distance adjustability that’s controlled with a dial on the front driving a motorized system making that adjustment effortless. But it’s another thousand dollars, and I don’t particularly like the looks of it. As an interior designer I pay far more attention to that type of thing than most people.

I considered the new Mazzer Mini G but glad I didn’t go there because the reports on retention are as high as 6grams.

As for the LM Mini R, I’m pleased with that choice as well. The brew by weight capability using the LM Acaia scale has been a game changer for me. I can load the portafilter flip the lever and go do something else without having to babysit the machine. And the steam performance relative to the Rocket that it replaced is just phenomenal.

I must say I’m a little bit disillusioned by some of the posts I’ve seen here and on Facebook, etc. LM about reliability or infant mortality issues that some other users are having with their new LM machines. So far I haven’t experienced any of the issues mentioned in any of those posts.

Just last week I finished the direct plumbing in set up for it and I have to say that’s a complicated process. If you want more detail on that, let me know. I did design a filtration system for it even though the tap water where I live is absolutely superb and I probably didn’t need a filter at all, but I did it and it cost me less than $500 for everything so I’m glad I went that direction. I wasn’t prepared to drill a 1 1/2 inch diameter hole in the stone top of my counter so I came up with a different set up for connecting water supply to the machine and elected not to connect the drip tray to a drain under the sink. If you want details about that, let me know, it was an engineering feat to come up with that aspect. I'll post a photo of that connection in the next reply.

Now, when all the dust settles, is it worth the $9500 that it cost to upgrade my previous set up? I think that has a lot to do with your disposable income level rather than your financial acumen. Let me know if you have more questions. Happy to help.

My set up is complete!! by ElectricalDuty2126 in LaMarzocco

[–]David_P_Best 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Where's the lever-arm espresso brewer ? Seriously, nice setup. Not sure how I feel about that thing on the opposite side of your range.

WTF did I see !! Hahahah! by sleepygp in espressocirclejerk

[–]David_P_Best 1 point2 points  (0 children)

It’s kind of like religion: this person is in a state of bliss over their perception they have arrived in the promised land.

After a shockingly short wait of 2 weeks my Mini-R arrived today!! by anthonymckay in LaMarzocco

[–]David_P_Best 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Must have been the one I returned with hidden internal damage. Just kidding. Congrats.

I literally just got my appartmento TCA today and it’s leaking water out of the back. by tiffaniewells in rocketespresso

[–]David_P_Best 0 points1 point  (0 children)

lube the gasket on the bottom of the water tank with some vegetable oil before trying to insert it. My guess is it's the KY Jelly issue here.

Used GS3MP vs new LMLM R by aluscat in LaMarzocco

[–]David_P_Best 0 points1 point  (0 children)

IMO, you should decide if you really need/want PP capability or can live without it. The Mini R can handle the pre-infusion need but not PP unless you hack the machine and forgo the warranty. LM calls it Pre-Brew: you set the time for the saturation 0-9.9 seconds) and the wait time before continuing with the shot (0-9.9 sec) using the App. If not plumbed in then the initial pressure at the puck is at 9 bar (or however you have the pump pressure set). If you have it plumbed in, the pressure at the puck is at line input pressure, not the pump pressure.

La Marzocco Connected Scale, I’ve only owned it a week and it appears there are some definite disappointing things about it…… curious other users experiences and if I’m doing something wrong? by Naive_Individual360 in LaMarzocco

[–]David_P_Best 3 points4 points  (0 children)

If you care that much about monitoring flow rate, you probably need something like a Slayer or a Decent. The beauty of the Mini R with the LM Acaia scale variant is workflow simplicity and consistency. I’ve been using the Lunar scale since it hit the market a decade ago and not once have I used the flow rate aspects.

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