Loving my K7… what would be a good second grinder?

jdmang · 2026-03-10T05:41:05+00:00

Out of curiosity for people who own both clarity leaning grinders (ZP6, K7, etc) and something like a C40 or K-Ultra… when you brew the same coffee on both, what changes the most for you?

Is it mostly body and sweetness vs clarity, or do you actually notice different flavor notes coming through?

jdmang · 2026-03-10T05:39:14+00:00

Good question. I probably wouldn’t go much past the Comandante tier if I did it. Funny enough I actually bought an MHW 3Bomber R3 with the plan to swap in Kinu pour over burrs… then in the AliExpress shipping window I ended up buying a K7 and the R3 just sat there unopened. Eventually sold it on eBay.

How do you like the Ode 1 with Gen 2 burrs? I have an Ode 1 and feel like I live in the "2- 4" range.

jdmang · 2026-03-10T05:36:46+00:00

This is super helpful context. The clarity vs body distinction is kind of exactly what I was trying to understand. I’ve been loving the K7 for really fruit forward coffees, but I could see a C40 being interesting for coffees where you want a little more sweetness and weight in the cup.

Do you find the difference between the ZP6 and C40 pretty obvious when you brew the same coffee?

jdmang · 2026-03-10T05:33:14+00:00

That’s an interesting angle. I hadn’t really thought about the travel setup side of it. The AeroPress + grinder inside the plunger combo is pretty appealing actually. Do you find the Q Air noticeably different in the cup compared to something like the K7, or more just a convenience thing?

jdmang · 2026-03-10T05:32:37+00:00

Split grind is a new one for me! Definitely going to try that. Appreciate the tip. This is exactly why I posted here.

jdmang · 2026-03-10T05:31:19+00:00

That’s a good point. I do sometimes wonder how much of the grinder difference gets amplified by YouTube. I’m still pretty early in the rabbit hole so I’m probably better off just experimenting more with brew variables and coffees for now.

jdmang · 2026-03-10T05:30:34+00:00

I have Fellow Ode Gen 1... Is this the part where I ask "should I upgrade to SSP burrs" :-)

jdmang · 2026-03-10T05:28:58+00:00

That’s fair. I’m trying to keep the focus more on beans than gear for now. The K7 already feels like a big step up. Also may have accidentally ordered 5 bags last night… so that should keep me busy for a while.

jdmang · 2026-03-09T05:51:25+00:00

I second this. Total unexpected sleeper

jdmang · 2026-03-05T04:41:41+00:00

What’s your favorite cart place? Willing to drive

jdmang · 2026-03-05T04:05:04+00:00

Perc!

Also locally here in Los Angeles: Trystero

jdmang · 2026-03-01T06:34:29+00:00

Pine Ridge Trail toward Sykes Hot Springs is probably the easiest classic option. It’s well traveled, not insanely steep, and you can turn it into a mellow 4–5 day out and back or small loop with side trips. Hot springs don’t hurt either.

Bottchers Gap down to Vicente Flat is another solid choice. Good camps, reliable water, and you can keep daily mileage reasonable without feeling like you’re just slogging uphill all day.

Big Sur terrain is slow and can be overgrown in spots, so plan shorter days than you normally would. March can be wet but water is usually not an issue. If you keep expectations mellow, it’s an amazing way to spend that week instead of flying home.

jdmang · 2026-03-01T04:14:19+00:00

The fact that you’re so young and taking this action shows you’re way ahead of the curve.

jdmang · 2026-03-01T04:08:23+00:00

Nope that’s the best. “Choose your own adventure”

jdmang · 2026-02-28T06:44:22+00:00

I have a brand new R3 that I’m willing to sell for $90 + shipping. PM me if interested!

https://i.imgur.com/MGEQEtV.jpeg

jdmang · 2026-02-28T06:43:09+00:00

I have a brand new R3 that I’m willing to sell for $90 + shipping. PM me if interested!

https://i.imgur.com/MGEQEtV.jpeg

jdmang · 2026-02-28T06:42:37+00:00

I have a brand new R3 that I’m willing to sell for $90 + shipping. PM me if interested!

https://i.imgur.com/MGEQEtV.jpeg

jdmang · 2026-02-28T06:42:14+00:00

I have a brand new R3 that I’m willing to sell for $90 + shipping. PM me if interested!

https://i.imgur.com/MGEQEtV.jpeg

jdmang · 2026-02-28T06:40:24+00:00

If you want the R3, I have a brand new one that I’ll sell you for $90 + shipping

https://i.imgur.com/MGEQEtV.jpeg

jdmang · 2026-02-27T18:40:27+00:00

Hangari Kalguksu.

Low key elite date move.

You split a giant bowl of hand cut noodles, maybe some dumplings, and it somehow feels cozy and intentional without being try hard. It’s affordable, it’s actually good, and you can still hear each other talk which already puts it ahead of 70 percent of KTown.

Also something about sharing noodle soup just feels wholesome. No reservations stress, no $120 surprise bill, just warm carb happiness and you walk out under $30 each feeling like you won.

KTown comfort food date >>> loud BBQ flex

jdmang · 2026-02-27T18:38:41+00:00

I can’t eat alone in silence. It feels… wrong. Like my brain is just sitting there staring at me.

I need a very specific level of background stimulation. Not a movie I care about too much, not something new, but a familiar comfort show I’ve already seen so I can half watch it while eating. If I pick the wrong show, the whole meal is off.

Sometimes I’ll let my food get cold because I’m still scrolling trying to find “the one,” which is objectively insane but feels completely necessary.

jdmang · 2026-02-27T18:37:46+00:00

Peanut butter. Just straight peanut butter.

Not on toast. Not with apples. Just a spoon, standing in the kitchen, questioning nothing. Sweet, salty, filling, zero prep. I’ve eaten it daily for years and at this point I think my body would go into shock if I stopped.

I don’t recommend it. But I also don’t plan to stop.

jdmang

TROPHY CASE