BEST GRINDER UNDER $2000?: Zerno Z1 Review 

Yeah, great, but how does it compare to the Weber SG1 😂

we already know this. SG1 has no rival

​@@LanceHedrick would you also say the EG-1 is strictly better than the Lagom p100?

Hmmm, hard to see Zerno 64mm burrs being better for filter in the cup compared to Sculptor 78mm turbo burrs. You even said the turbo burrs bested the 64mm SSP MP on the ode. Not talking about build quality here, only the cup result.

@@HansProbs Built quality also effects cup quality. e.g. regrinding

had to toss it in covertly. Good eye

@@LanceHedrick Oh, it was really obvious to any of us who have seen the SG-1 review. I have to admit I giggled. 🤣

HOW DID I MISS THIS?!???? lol

thank you!

agreed! And thank you!

thank you! Means a lot! I try to make things I enjoy making, and that tends to be longer format lol

oh that will be a beautiful duo!

yes! Planning on it once I have all the upgrades.

heck yeah! And blind MP and blind Cast. Really cool initiative

Did you get yours yet? I just signed up a few weeks ago. @jaimethenomad

heck yeah dude.

new mechanika max! review coming soon

yeah def need to grab blind MPs!

haha! future videos, no doubt. gotta space it out

thank you! I really appreciate the support, John.

@LanceHedrick Thank for always applying back. You are the best teacher out there!

thank YOU! And same to you, friend!

thank you!

for sure. it does the job. Just hate the look tbh

I agree, I had those switches on my Quickmill Silvano, they're mechanical and satisfying to use :)

I think the location of the switch is strange. Smack dab in the middle throws off the sleek design. Perhaps if they moved it more towards the back it would be more pleasing to the eye.

@@jennifermarchlewski1607 The case looks like it might be a pretty tight fit around the motor. There might not be room for the switch and wiring farther back.

@@jennifermarchlewski1607 Uh, no not somewhere where it's going to be AWKARD to reach so it 'looks' nice. Don't do that lol. If that's the on/off switch you use every time you grind, you want it somewhere convent.

hope you enjoy!

agreed!

yeah I made all the measurements and calculations and posted on my IG about surface area. Check it out

thanks, friend!

I agree!

Thank you! Selfishly hopes it gets great engagement because I've been told by many creators they treat creators really well with longstanding deals. This is my test trial with them. Since I have used them loads throughout my life, and currently, makes it a great option for a sponsor.

thank you!

Hey! Good comment. Lots of questions ha! I'll chip away at some. I see people with upgraditis all the time. This grinder would be one to NOT upgrade, imo. This is an "end game" 64mm. I see people getting more than one grinder on their bar. I have a friend that sold off his 98mm and 75mm grinders to keep two zernos lol I think there will be a budget 98mm trend, but I doubt it will last. It would be designers taking advantage of the desire based off the flawed ideology of "bigger is better." Bigger than 98mm already exist. Look at Molar Z More burr work? Possibly, though i'm not actively searching for it. I wanted to help Pietro because it is the first ever marketed flat burr hand grinder. I'm always excited to help on completely new things. Lotus- people should dial to roasters IMHO

yes they have a gear box. My fear is i've read it is a plastic gearbox. Zerno has a metal one, which will last much longer and take a lot more strain.

❤❤❤❤ thank you thank you thank you!!!! 😅😅😅

he rocks

@@LanceHedrick honestly, I think Hugo is a differentiating factor in the coffee content! Providing in depth coffee knowledge coupled with crispy content (that isn't just naked portafilter shots) makes for some great stuff to watch and learn from!

the intros are HUGO!!!!! haha he has a specific style from 20+ years of videography. He rocks. Thanks for the love!

Shoutout to Hugo then! 🙌🏽

Personally, as of now with my experience on all three (I got a P100 about a month ago), i'm still going EG1. Is it best for the money? No. I think Zerno is best cost-value, but I most enjoy EG1 out of them all thus far.

I have high hopes for timemore! Review coming soon

loads of it and very receptive

heck yeah! Thanks for the support!

Yeah!!!!! TTTTTTHHHHHAAAAAANNNNNNNNNNKKKKKKK YYYYYOOOOOUUUUUU! yes, im literally screaming

@@hugoferrazporto You deserve the shoutout! Thank you so much for making this channel as good as it is!!!! Keep it up!!!!

hugo is daddy

Love to hear it from the horse's mouth!

sculptor content will come soon! Cheers

I am sure that will be a future iteration. As for now, they are working with variable augers. They didn't design a burr for this launch.

It is also shifting peak down. So psd allows less fines but you're also forcing the peak to decrease. This isn't surprising tbh

if p100 is your absolute max, then I assuem you wouldn't be able to buy extra burr sets?

@@LanceHedrick P100 is about $4000 AUD which is my limit for a single spend (and wife’s limit on a single item). I’ll be wanting to get some different burrs to try maybe after 12 months, can assign them to bday gifts 😁. If looking at a 98mm grinder I’m not sure what’s good burrs to start with given I like high clarity, mostly use light roast, and make a decent amount of espresso even though I lean to filter. Keen to hear your suggestions!

I also appreciate the finger guns very much!

Haha! Not the only one enjoying the switch!

heck yeah! Thanks for watching.

no. That would be changing PSD, which is decidedly what i'm saying is not happening (according to the PSDs i've seen at 500 and 1500 rpm). Instead, what seems to happen with most flat burrs is the peak shifts- meaning it starts at 25/50/25 with a peak at 500microns. go faster and the peak shifts to 600microns but still 25/50/25

Mine is on the way 🥰

@@LanceHedrick yeah! 🥳

i'l review it prior to the KS ending.

@@LanceHedrick Thanks you so much. If you can, also compare it to the niche zero as it is the only grinder I have experience with. I use light roasted coffee to make espresso with the decent de1.

​@@LanceHedrick I think a lot of people are waiting on this before they make up their mind and back the 078s. I know I am!

I think the Timemore grinders are kinda a no-brainer at their kickstarter prices as long as they don't mess em up with poor quality control. Zerno is on another quality level though being built in USA and produced in small batches! I have a referral link on my profile for the Timemore if you do go that route :)

Probably no kafatek. I am not a fan of the gatekeeping philosophy there with the burrs being only sold to kafatek owners. I like more open source type companies. One of the reasons I don't have an iPhone, for example, is they force you into their ecosystem. Quite annoying imo

@@LanceHedrick I know there's some Kafatek fanbois that claim Denis can do no wrong, and his company is certainly not perfect, but at least he does his best to own every step of the build process, and tries to keep his brand boutique. Some like the democracization of ideas, some like to claim that they offer the very best. Not saying Kafatek is "the best"... in fact after 2 years I'd like to move past mine into something else as I think $2400 for a Mazzer conical grinder isn't the best bang for your buck, but that's another topic.

@@JusBThankful oh i'm not at all saying he isn't doing a fantastic job. I'm just not super interested in getting a grinder just for the burrs. I've had a little experience with one and, from my limited experience, I prefer EG1 and P100 workflow and aesthetic.

psychology plays a massive effect. And when you take into account no one is able to taste side by side and do it based off memory, plus echo chambers and hive mind, you have a recipe for inaccurate data. Easy to prove it doesn't do anything. Here is something to test- dial in a bean to, say, 18g in, 45g out, in 30 seconds at 500 rpm. any burr. now at that same grinder size, increase the speed to 1500 rpm. The result, assuming everyone is right and high rpm creates more fines, should be a slower shot. But, you'll find out QUICKLY the shot is loads faster. This shows the peak has moved, but fines aren't substantially more. If you have a refractometer, an even more interesting test is measuring EY. So, dial in to that recipe at 500 rpm. Measure EY. Now increase rpm to 1500. redial in to the same exact recipe. Measure EY. it'll be the same within a few hundredths assuming you have a decent refractometer and good measuring protocol.

haha! I didn't actually buy that. It was loaned from Weber as part of the elaborate joke.

haha! Nice! I'll get to it! Some more pressing videos have hit me

I just feel like it doesn't match the aesthetic of this Or the niche. granted, i'm not a fan of the look of the niche in general so doesn't really matter there lol

No a few others like it! Just a personal qualm lol

it really isn't! Nothing holds a candle

none under 2k are that great tbh

Santiago, I have been seeing comments like this from time to time but is the Zerno really going to be 2x/3x better than the Timemore? I feel like the 78S has a lot going for it including the much later 78mm burrs over the Zerno's 64mm. Price wise no contest. Lastly the workflow for the Timemore also feels comperable to the Zerno. Not questioning your decision more asking why the change, coming from someone who also has an order placed for the 78S.

@@KushalJoshiP Because Zerno uses blind burrs, they have approximately equal cutting surface area. 22:54 has a more elaborate explanation.

@@Psynapsefulstill even being a blind burr the cost is so much higher than the Sculptor 78S? Excited to see comparison videos with this vs the sculptor as they being to ship in coming weeks!

Months later I commend your decision. I just got my 078S far later than you probably got your Zerno and now all I want is a Zerno.....

5000 hours with two grinds daily of 30sec lasts about 274 years.

And carbon brushes are super easy to swap :)

I honestly can't recall. i sent a pic to my mom for christmas and she bought them for me haha!

hey! I'm thinking the Timemore 078s for best under 1k. But need to do some more with it. Also just got in the kopi deva i'll be testing. And might be hard to ship as i'm out of country! Would be expensive and customs are buttheads

Ok cool :) Thank you! And yeah, I was thinking vacuum sealed 3-400grams would be worth it lol

@@LanceHedrick when do we get a video on the 078s? :)

If you accuse me of being a salesman, I don't really want you in my patreon. I never sell anything. I have no vested interest in anything I don't clearly state. Any accusation or implication otherwise is not welcomed. Feel free to watch my videos or not. But these comments do nothing.

I agree!

that'd be sick. damn. issue is i'm sure many would complain about plastic being heated up, etc.

@@LanceHedrick they'd complain whilst making filter coffee in a plastic V60 😆

Consider watching my who am I video

hahahaha! That's hilarious

it's the new mechanika max! and it's a thermoprobe connected to a bluetooth thermometer

Next one might be 98mm! I think they're still updating and perfecting the Zerno Z1 though! From what I heard the 1st ones were great, I'll be getting a 2nd edition soon.

@@BensCoffeeRants I have little interest in 98mm burrs again. Absolutely great burrs but the grinder gets too big and costly. I did have one some years ago, I just got tired of the footprint of such a beast in my tiny kitchen

@@mikni4069 I don't think 98mm burr grinders have to be as huge as an ek43 the p100 isn't quite so big. They're doing 64mm smaller than they used to. Look at a 64mm Caedo grinder and look at the zerno, timemore or df64V.

@@BensCoffeeRants p100 is still a noticeable grinder and it needs to be, those burrs are really massive, I have a pair left in cupboard somewhere, you need a motor/gear that can supply sufficient torque to run it. The alternative is what Titus done, shrinking it as small as is really possible but only by making some part of it under counter. We have some local roaster who run these and they are great for filter, but you need to be able to hide parts of it, something that isn’t possible for everyone. P100 almost as big as the chamber/motor housing of the EK but it benefit in size because it’s made Horizontally rather then vertically, something I’m not that convinced is the best solution as 98mm burrs originally was designed with feeders and vertical mounting in mind. Also there really is limitations how small you make these. Also I actually don’t think making yet another 98mm really make all that sense from market perspective. We already have P100, Titus Nautilus, Kafatek Monolith flat Max, Ek43, PK100 SD. The market is already rather saturated as is. That isn’t really the case with 80-83mm that strike a balance between these two extremes and where we actually got burrs that isn’t all about clarity. The problem with 98mm is that you only really got that and majority of burrs are either strictly filter burrs or really not all fantastic at ratios under 1:3. 64mm have selections but lacks dept of larger burrs in the presentation of the coffee. Titus just done a 75mm Nimbus and we need more manufacturers delivering for the in between to give us better selections then just more 64mm and 98mm.

​@@mikni4069 timemore sculptor 78 😉

I did review the bentwood. i'm not sure what the end of the comment reads, but i've reviewed both and brought up the bentwood many times in this video.

@@LanceHedrick I wrote this comment right as you said that you did not review higher priced 64mm grinders, like the P64 in the beginning of this clip. What I mean at the end of my post: maybe you don’t count the v63 as a 64mm grinder because of its prebreaker and blind burrs. (because they add more surface)

Ah I reviewed that because it is commercial. It's not marketed as a home grinder! So the price is more justified.

apparently the v2 and beyond zernos are much quieter than this. I'd say this is less Hz but is a bit higher squeal. But my version is no longer available.

DF83 is a bit louder or higher pitched than a DF64 if you know how those sound, but I'd say it's pretty 'normal' volume. It's also super fast to grind so it's not very noisy for long. I like grinders that have a smooth motor sound, the DF64/83 have a nice smooth hum, the P64 is much quieter motor wise. The Weber Key at least the one I had, had a reverberating noise which bugged me for such a 'high end' fancy grinder. The Pitch while grinding can change depending on the burr set used, the SSP MP is a great burr set but has a high pitch whine, I just switched to the Option-O Mizen burrs and surprised how much nicer /quieter it sounds with those burrs!

I am also curious about this.

correct! You go until the burrs are literally locked face to face. I do this because I want the micron measurements to be as close to actual peak micron measurements. If chirp was at 0, then 10microns on the dial would actually be like 120 or so

no shame in that! Good grinder!

haha for sure. I am glad more and more grinders are being made smaller and more manageable for kitchens.