analogdino
New member
- Mar 17, 2015
- 24
- 0
Burr coffee grinder questions for coffee forum.
For some years I have used a Cuisinart “Supreme Grind Automatic Burr Mill”. The problem is that, while the average grind size adjustment is very good, the burr rotates too fast. This produces an excess of “fines” due to “impact breakage”... leads to “muddy” coffee with plastic filters (but not with a paper filter.)
It seems that the Cuisinart unit has a direct drive-motor, likely a 2-pole shaded-pole type. On a 60 Hz AC supply these motors run very fast, typically 3,400 rpm under light load. However, they are low cost to the manufacture and thus are found in many consumer products.
I recently acquired a cheap burr grinder from Walmart, model MS-202527, aka Intertech 5020218. I paid about CAD$44 plus tax for it.
The “good news”...
The burr is alleged to rotate at only 450 to 500 rpm, which is why I bought it... much better for grinding as far fewer “fines” are produced.
It seems to run slower than the Cuisinart unit.
The grind setting adjustment is similar to the Cuisinart (but not as robust.)
Low cost (if it lasts!)
The “bad news”...
It's a bit flimsy.
It's Chinese made.
I called “tech support” and left some the questions, but no reply received to date.
My questions:
-- Is the burr really running at 450-500 rpm (it says so on the box, but not in the manual.) It certainly runs slower than the Cuisinart, but I have no simple way to measure it.
-- If it is 450-500 rpm, how do they do it? Obviously a gearbox off a 2-pole motor (7 to 1 ratio) would work, but at what cost?
-- Does this unit use a direct drive multi-pole motor? This would be quite expensive... multi-pole motors cost much more to make than 2-pole.
-- So, any ideas how they get the 450-500 rpm?
All comments gratefully received.
Merry Christmas!
Roger (Thornhill, Ontario, Canada)
PS. Here's the Walmart on-line advertisement:
It claims...
" At the heart of this grinder is a 40mm stainless steel conical burr that operates at a controlled 500 RPM, helping reduce heat and static build-up to preserve the full flavor and aroma of your coffee beans. The 200-watt AC motor provides steady power for consistent results...."
Likely not a cheap 2-pole motor.
For some years I have used a Cuisinart “Supreme Grind Automatic Burr Mill”. The problem is that, while the average grind size adjustment is very good, the burr rotates too fast. This produces an excess of “fines” due to “impact breakage”... leads to “muddy” coffee with plastic filters (but not with a paper filter.)
It seems that the Cuisinart unit has a direct drive-motor, likely a 2-pole shaded-pole type. On a 60 Hz AC supply these motors run very fast, typically 3,400 rpm under light load. However, they are low cost to the manufacture and thus are found in many consumer products.
I recently acquired a cheap burr grinder from Walmart, model MS-202527, aka Intertech 5020218. I paid about CAD$44 plus tax for it.
The “good news”...
The burr is alleged to rotate at only 450 to 500 rpm, which is why I bought it... much better for grinding as far fewer “fines” are produced.
It seems to run slower than the Cuisinart unit.
The grind setting adjustment is similar to the Cuisinart (but not as robust.)
Low cost (if it lasts!)
The “bad news”...
It's a bit flimsy.
It's Chinese made.
I called “tech support” and left some the questions, but no reply received to date.
My questions:
-- Is the burr really running at 450-500 rpm (it says so on the box, but not in the manual.) It certainly runs slower than the Cuisinart, but I have no simple way to measure it.
-- If it is 450-500 rpm, how do they do it? Obviously a gearbox off a 2-pole motor (7 to 1 ratio) would work, but at what cost?
-- Does this unit use a direct drive multi-pole motor? This would be quite expensive... multi-pole motors cost much more to make than 2-pole.
-- So, any ideas how they get the 450-500 rpm?
All comments gratefully received.
Merry Christmas!
Roger (Thornhill, Ontario, Canada)
PS. Here's the Walmart on-line advertisement:
It claims...
" At the heart of this grinder is a 40mm stainless steel conical burr that operates at a controlled 500 RPM, helping reduce heat and static build-up to preserve the full flavor and aroma of your coffee beans. The 200-watt AC motor provides steady power for consistent results...."
Likely not a cheap 2-pole motor.
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