Great series. I really enjoyed your explanation of the problem of grinding surfaces being parallel, precision, and so on. I'll also refer my friends to the epilogue of this video any time they tell me they want to buy one of these machines for their home (presumably for the bragging rights?) and explain why that's silly. I very much appreciate your attention to detail, and even more so your disregard for lore in favor of testing and analysis. I think a lot of coffee youtubers might actually agree with you (at least I hope the absurd sandpaper cargo cult is a small minority). They do seem to lack the ability to use clear knowledge of mechanical engineering concepts to illustrate the facts as well as you can, which might be why so many people fall for silly myths and snakeoil coffee gear/fixes.
Really like your channel and how deep you go into things without being dry/boring. Appreciate the production values as well - very professional and easy to follow. I liked this "series" a lot and really looked forward to part 2. I think you should do more videos like this - restorations/teardowns/repairs - they're quite interesting and I have learned A LOT. Appreciate your explanation of why you do a thing - that's a big deal! BTW - after watching all your vids on Eureka's it convinced me to buy one - and I would NEVER have thought about spending $400+ on a grinder. I got the Zero (not oro) and quite happy with it. Upgrading to the brew burrs next week (your Spet V60 and burr alignment vids gave me enough confidence to give it a go).
the whole process shown in these videos was simply amazing ! Although you said at the beginning of the video that the tear down and restoration process is simple enough I'm afraid that for someone like me, not being used to dismantle this kind of equipment, it can be quite complicated and I'm afraid not to mess up the equipment. Love your work and we are waiting for more videos. Greetings from Romania !
Finally someone has broken down the systems of the EK in a understandable and concise way! I spent 5 Years as a coffee tech, and trying to find any kind of official maintenance information or best practices was near impossible. Heck, just learning that you can buy shim stock for alignment instead of aluminum foil was a revelation. I only wish you had made this video 5 years ago 😆. Also, I can second that Josh is the man. Always super helpful with diagnostics and parts, especially with the new e65 and e80 espresso grinders as they came out.
I was a coffee equipment tech and would get calls from customers with EK43 grinders that would vibrate when the motor was engaged. This would usually happen after using these grinders to prepare espresso. The only fix we could do was to entirely replace the “pre-breaker” or rotating burr carrier. The assumption was that the excessive force of espresso grinding duty was bending this part out of spec, even though the shear plate would usually still be intact. This is really hard to believe because this part is really quite robust. This video is doing a great job of clarifying some popular thought around burr alignment and perhaps the creator has something to say about this vibrating pre-breaker issue we experienced.
Normally I steer well clear of remote diagnosis, but since you're a pro, here goes. We know the parts are durable; mine was used commercially since 2015 and runout on the rotor shaft was, like, half a thou. I think the vibration is normal; as you point out, we have the force, the leverage, of the work load on 98mm burrs, plus the need for clearance between the shaft and PB sleeve. So things are going to move, for sure. Is it possible that the fix worked because you would have re-lubricated the shaft/PB interface? A good high-pressure lube will act as a buffer. Over time it would migrate and break down, and maybe the customer replaces it with MK 111, and voila, vibration when pushing it, like for espresso. I hate to suggest this, but do you think it possible that the fix was more a matter of proper lubrication than parts replacement?
learned more in this video than in my first semester in college, at least about grinders ;) fantastic video and explainations! I myself bought an Bezzera bb005 second hand for 50 bucks, got a new Burr and promptly destroyed the Burr + trans with a stone in my beans. The roaster was nice enough to pay for the new new burr and trans gear. Now I see your video and ask myself if the isolationspray for the motor wires is something I should consider. Given the price and availability of a new motor, a failure of the old one would mean a total write off. Also it is from 2010 and the wires are held together by tape. Would love to hear your opinion! Thanks.
Superb depth and overview on the EK43. Regarding the Kluber - which areas are you applying this to? the bearing in the faceplate, the threads on the adjustment shaft, motor shaft spring and sleeve.... anywhere else? Thanks!
Hi. Do you plan to make a video about french press ? I love your precise approach on "archaic" coffee preparations, and you nearly did it all... except french press ! James Hoffmann is waiting for you
I've just picked up an EK, have a basic dial gauge, so to summarise, you'd recommend shimming the rotating burr on its carrier and that's it? Just with the carrier sitting on a flat surface. Leave the fixed burr as-is and no sanding nonsense
Hey I don't know if you read my original comment, just yesterday I asked under the original video how I would mod the grind adjust stepsize on one of these because I have a vintage grinder that comes stepped I just wanted to chime in and say that a friend of mine came up with a ultra low stakes mod that I could implement in a half hour (just playing a plastic shield somewhere under the adjuster) And it works perfectly again! What you say about durability is right on, as I said mine is from the 70s and still producing really nice coffee I'm super impressed
Great video! One question, how securely is that felt ring and retainer attached? Is it possible that you push it out or move it during maintenance cleaning? Thanks!
Hi I can’t find info on this anywhere so I thought I’m just gonna ask you 😅 Does the interior of the faceplate (ie the bearing and the part that sits on top of it needs to be lubricated? I don’t know how it was originally anymore 😅
i liked your review Mahlkonig ek43 for home use? i was going to buy the 54? but its plastic parts' so i was looking to buy the E80 all metal with short hopper, easy to use and its quiet for home use thanks wheelchair larry
Does that mean that the Titus burr carrier, due to its high precision and tolerance, will make the ek43 grind with actually less uniformity because the grinder can’t align itself anymore due to less play in the BC?
Interesting question but I haven't played with that so I really can't say. I'd guess if you shim the burrs to make them parallel the lack of play should be OK. And as for play, there is a sweet spot; there can be too much, and then the behavior gets unpredictable.
if you have asked me i would tell you all the secrets to the ek43. To have a chamber that is always aligned, you shim between the housing and the motor (unscrew those 4 small screws, adds shims there) screw them back and then you always have a flat surface if you take the burrs out to replace.
Sorry, but that's not good advice. Altering the angles of the two bearing mounts independently can leave them not parallel and concentric, which loads the bearings unevenly. I would advise strongly against it. Maybe you'll get away with it at home; in a commercial setting, it's just asking for trouble.
I would but the two are so different that I'm not sure the comparison would be meaningful. X54 might be compared with the Eureka Mignons, Niche Duo, Vario, lower end Mazzers and Ceados, etc. The EK is a different species.
Hello, highly respect your advice on anything coffee, and as I’m finding difficult to purchase the Klüberpaste UH1 84-201 in sydney, (via an Australian website), I was wondering if the following food grade grease would also be suitable for use in place of the Kluber lubricant? It’s called INOX MX6. Here’s the sellers Amazon description of it: … ”INOX MX6 is a synthetic PAO base extreme pressure grease which uses an organo clay thickener formulated to give premium performance and food grade purity. This grease is made entirely of ingredients which meet the requirements of section 178.3570 of the US FDA regulations and have been cleared for use within registered establishments by the US Department of Agriculture and will not deleteriously affect any food products.”
You underestimate the force generated by grinding coffee at 20g/sec. The rotary carrier boss will often cause scoring/galling on the front bearing seat. Your little home machine working at 2-3g/sec is in a different realm.
Looking for Part 1, the teardown and eval? Here you go: ua-cam.com/video/cSWdHBqAz-4/v-deo.html
You’ve got to be the most under rated UA-camr 🔥🔥 love your work!
totally agree with you
I don't have a EK43 and watched it all, that's just how good your videos are.
Great series. I really enjoyed your explanation of the problem of grinding surfaces being parallel, precision, and so on. I'll also refer my friends to the epilogue of this video any time they tell me they want to buy one of these machines for their home (presumably for the bragging rights?) and explain why that's silly. I very much appreciate your attention to detail, and even more so your disregard for lore in favor of testing and analysis. I think a lot of coffee youtubers might actually agree with you (at least I hope the absurd sandpaper cargo cult is a small minority). They do seem to lack the ability to use clear knowledge of mechanical engineering concepts to illustrate the facts as well as you can, which might be why so many people fall for silly myths and snakeoil coffee gear/fixes.
"Sandpaper Cargo Cult" is the most beautiful thing I've read here in ages :)
Your coffee content is just a pleasure to watch. The way you convey your technical expertise is truly one of a kind. Keep up the good work ♥
excellent ! I love the way you share valuable knowledge ! thanks , this is very generous
Really like your channel and how deep you go into things without being dry/boring. Appreciate the production values as well - very professional and easy to follow. I liked this "series" a lot and really looked forward to part 2. I think you should do more videos like this - restorations/teardowns/repairs - they're quite interesting and I have learned A LOT. Appreciate your explanation of why you do a thing - that's a big deal! BTW - after watching all your vids on Eureka's it convinced me to buy one - and I would NEVER have thought about spending $400+ on a grinder. I got the Zero (not oro) and quite happy with it. Upgrading to the brew burrs next week (your Spet V60 and burr alignment vids gave me enough confidence to give it a go).
Thanks, I'm really glad to hear that. I try to be more helpful than entertaining :)
Outstanding documentation. So satisfying to watch how you tackle one issue after another. I even learned a few things. Thx
the whole process shown in these videos was simply amazing !
Although you said at the beginning of the video that the tear down and restoration process is simple enough I'm afraid that for someone like me, not being used to dismantle this kind of equipment, it can be quite complicated and I'm afraid not to mess up the equipment.
Love your work and we are waiting for more videos.
Greetings from Romania !
Finally someone has broken down the systems of the EK in a understandable and concise way!
I spent 5 Years as a coffee tech, and trying to find any kind of official maintenance information or best practices was near impossible. Heck, just learning that you can buy shim stock for alignment instead of aluminum foil was a revelation. I only wish you had made this video 5 years ago 😆. Also, I can second that Josh is the man. Always super helpful with diagnostics and parts, especially with the new e65 and e80 espresso grinders as they came out.
Better late than never, I guess :)
Fascinating - the combination of technical enthusiasm and hedonistic attitude ;-) congratulations !
I was a coffee equipment tech and would get calls from customers with EK43 grinders that would vibrate when the motor was engaged. This would usually happen after using these grinders to prepare espresso. The only fix we could do was to entirely replace the “pre-breaker” or rotating burr carrier. The assumption was that the excessive force of espresso grinding duty was bending this part out of spec, even though the shear plate would usually still be intact. This is really hard to believe because this part is really quite robust. This video is doing a great job of clarifying some popular thought around burr alignment and perhaps the creator has something to say about this vibrating pre-breaker issue we experienced.
Normally I steer well clear of remote diagnosis, but since you're a pro, here goes. We know the parts are durable; mine was used commercially since 2015 and runout on the rotor shaft was, like, half a thou. I think the vibration is normal; as you point out, we have the force, the leverage, of the work load on 98mm burrs, plus the need for clearance between the shaft and PB sleeve. So things are going to move, for sure.
Is it possible that the fix worked because you would have re-lubricated the shaft/PB interface? A good high-pressure lube will act as a buffer. Over time it would migrate and break down, and maybe the customer replaces it with MK 111, and voila, vibration when pushing it, like for espresso. I hate to suggest this, but do you think it possible that the fix was more a matter of proper lubrication than parts replacement?
great video! Thank you!
Glad you enjoyed it. And thanks for stopping round. Don't be a stranger :)
Someone needs to do a mystery shop of all major coffee equipment manufacturers customer service experiences.
That is an excellent suggestion :)
learned more in this video than in my first semester in college, at least about grinders ;) fantastic video and explainations!
I myself bought an Bezzera bb005 second hand for 50 bucks, got a new Burr and promptly destroyed the Burr + trans with a stone in my beans. The roaster was nice enough to pay for the new new burr and trans gear.
Now I see your video and ask myself if the isolationspray for the motor wires is something I should consider. Given the price and availability of a new motor, a failure of the old one would mean a total write off. Also it is from 2010 and the wires are held together by tape. Would love to hear your opinion! Thanks.
Thank you!
Superb depth and overview on the EK43. Regarding the Kluber - which areas are you applying this to? the bearing in the faceplate, the threads on the adjustment shaft, motor shaft spring and sleeve.... anywhere else? Thanks!
Hi. Do you plan to make a video about french press ? I love your precise approach on "archaic" coffee preparations, and you nearly did it all... except french press ! James Hoffmann is waiting for you
I've just picked up an EK, have a basic dial gauge, so to summarise, you'd recommend shimming the rotating burr on its carrier and that's it? Just with the carrier sitting on a flat surface. Leave the fixed burr as-is and no sanding nonsense
Hey I don't know if you read my original comment, just yesterday I asked under the original video how I would mod the grind adjust stepsize on one of these because I have a vintage grinder that comes stepped
I just wanted to chime in and say that a friend of mine came up with a ultra low stakes mod that I could implement in a half hour (just playing a plastic shield somewhere under the adjuster)
And it works perfectly again! What you say about durability is right on, as I said mine is from the 70s and still producing really nice coffee I'm super impressed
Fantastic video, thank you!
Loved this video. Looks like you did a fantastic job. Only wish you were closer so I could give you mine to have a look at 😊
Great video! One question, how securely is that felt ring and retainer attached? Is it possible that you push it out or move it during maintenance cleaning?
Thanks!
I got two ek43, and I used superlube 21030 for lubrication . It's sticky enough and food safe at the same time.
Solid.
Hi I can’t find info on this anywhere so I thought I’m just gonna ask you 😅
Does the interior of the faceplate (ie the bearing and the part that sits on top of it needs to be lubricated? I don’t know how it was originally anymore 😅
I think you'd be mightily impressed by the Zerno Z1. Most of the machinists I've spoken to have said it's pretty much unparalleled in its design.
Thanks for the suggestion. Availability might be an issue, but I can ask :)
@@wiredgourmetI would love a video of your thoughts of the zerno z1
Would you use 1000 sandpaper for the inside of the face plate? Got some knicks inside mine which I’m not sure whether to sand out or leave.
Epic! Bravo Sir!!
i liked your review Mahlkonig ek43 for home use? i was going to buy the 54? but its plastic parts' so i was looking to buy the E80 all metal with short hopper, easy to use and its quiet for home use thanks wheelchair larry
hello do you have advice on how to fix the loud noise of the ek43?
Hi, great video! What do you think about using molykote 55 instead of the Kluber paste?
Same objection as MK 111; not meant to perform under a load
@@wiredgourmet Thank you, I ordered a Kluber paste.
Does that mean that the Titus burr carrier, due to its high precision and tolerance, will make the ek43 grind with actually less uniformity because the grinder can’t align itself anymore due to less play in the BC?
Interesting question but I haven't played with that so I really can't say. I'd guess if you shim the burrs to make them parallel the lack of play should be OK. And as for play, there is a sweet spot; there can be too much, and then the behavior gets unpredictable.
if you have asked me i would tell you all the secrets to the ek43. To have a chamber that is always aligned, you shim between the housing and the motor (unscrew those 4 small screws, adds shims there) screw them back and then you always have a flat surface if you take the burrs out to replace.
Sorry, but that's not good advice. Altering the angles of the two bearing mounts independently can leave them not parallel and concentric, which loads the bearings unevenly. I would advise strongly against it. Maybe you'll get away with it at home; in a commercial setting, it's just asking for trouble.
Wow
The uncle Doug of coffee grinders
It would be very interesting to see how the X54 performs against his big brother.
I would but the two are so different that I'm not sure the comparison would be meaningful. X54 might be compared with the Eureka Mignons, Niche Duo, Vario, lower end Mazzers and Ceados, etc. The EK is a different species.
4:43 Who knew you were a Yinzer? :)
Native New Yorker, actually. But my hometown teams are the Jets and the Giants. I'm sure you can understand how I feel :)
Hello, highly respect your advice on anything coffee, and as I’m finding difficult to purchase the Klüberpaste UH1 84-201 in sydney, (via an Australian website), I was wondering if the following food grade grease would also be suitable for use in place of the Kluber lubricant? It’s called INOX MX6.
Here’s the sellers Amazon description of it: …
”INOX MX6 is a synthetic PAO base extreme pressure grease which uses an organo clay thickener formulated to give premium performance and food grade purity. This grease is made entirely of ingredients which meet the requirements of section 178.3570 of the US FDA regulations and have been cleared for use within registered establishments by the US Department of Agriculture and will not deleteriously affect any food products.”
I haven't used it or even handled a sample of it so I'd prefer not to comment. Sorry.
I would not touch the rotor insulation. They just look fine
If you had the machine apart on a bench in front of your own eyes, I'd be inclined to listen.
thx, very detail
just buy a ek43
I don't understand any of this, but interesting nonetheless haha
Using moly grease is overkill. It's not operating under high pressure
You underestimate the force generated by grinding coffee at 20g/sec. The rotary carrier boss will often cause scoring/galling on the front bearing seat. Your little home machine working at 2-3g/sec is in a different realm.
Why was my comment deleted?
No idea. Was there a link? YT automatically treats comments with links as spam. Did you forget to hit the button?
Sent you an email instead...🙂
i hv both ek43 & ek43s for home lol