I am new to this list -- so perhaps this question has been answered here before. We will appreciate any help. We need an affordable electric home coffee mill. We use mainly vacuum brewing, espresso machine, and French Press. Rarely a manual or electric coffee filter method. We are leaning towards Solis mills. What is the better choice: Solis 166 or Solis 177? We have heard about people who are happy with the 166 and other people unhappy with the 177. We know that the 166 runs slower and the 177 range can be adjusted. It seems that the stones are the same in both machines. The USA importer has some refurbished 166 mills. Also, *$ stores sell them as Barista mills; we have heard that the quality of the *$ - branded version is lower as compared to the "real" 166; is that true? Thanks for your help -- Lubos. homeroast mailing listhttp://lists.sweetmarias.com/mailman/listinfo/homeroast |
I just started using my 177. It works great as far as grinding. But it does make a mess. Static causes some grounds to actually seep out and appear on the outer edges. You do have to whack it to get most, but not 100%, of the grounds out of the shoot. I usually end up with grounds on the counter as well. But there's always clean up. I am going to look for a small vac to help clean it out and clean up. It's noisy too! I used to use a whirly blade type so this is a great improvement. I brew with vac, French press and drip - no espresso. steve |
on 7/3/01 6:15 PM, Irene and Lubos Palounek at PAL wrote: <Snip> I have the 166, it took a while to get it adjusted correctly but I love it now. Jim Gundlach Roasting over pecan wood fires In Shorter, AL homeroast mailing listhttp://lists.sweetmarias.com/mailman/listinfo/homeroast |
Steve, thanks for your reply related to the Solis coffee mills. You wrote: "The *$ version is adjusted to grind coarser than other 166s. That's the only difference I've heard about." Well, if we want to mill coffee both for a home espresso machine with a decent pump or for a vacuum brewer or French Press, which range is more useful? The "coarser" or the "original"? Thanks again, Lubos homeroast mailing listhttp://lists.sweetmarias.com/mailman/listinfo/homeroast |
I purchased a refurbed 166 maybe 6 months ago. It was in almost new condition with new burrs. It will grind fine enough to choke my Silvia, and works wonderfully for vac pot or drip. The coarse setting is a little fine for press pot, but I don't like press coffee that much anyway. It's very quiet and I have had no static problems, either. I really like it. I also have a Bodum Antigua at work. Piece of junk. Uses the same burrs as the Solis, but a different motor that is REALLY loud, and the fit and finish isn't as good. Also, it would take surgery to the grinder to be able to adjust it fine enough for a good espresso machine. Out of the box, any setting above espresso produced boulders of coffee. It's better than a whirly blade, but I'd spring for the Solis. Chris homeroast wrote: <Snip> Get your own FREE, personal Netscape Webmail account today athttp://lists.sweetmarias.com/mailman/listinfo/homeroast">http://webmail.netscape.com/homeroast mailing listhttp://lists.sweetmarias.com/mailman/listinfo/homeroast |
On 7/4/01 6:11 AM, Irene and Lubos Palounek wrote: <Snip> Steve, Send them the instructions already. John Blumel homeroast mailing listhttp://lists.sweetmarias.com/mailman/listinfo/homeroast |
I've tweaked both the Solis166(Barista) and the Antigua...the Antigua was easier, in my opinion... Ciao, Angelo I also have a Bodum Antigua at work. Piece of junk. Uses the same burrs as the Solis, but a different motor that is REALLY loud, and the fit and finish isn't as good. Also, it would take surgery to the grinder to be able to adjust it fine enough for a good espresso machine. Out of the box, any setting above espresso produced boulders of coffee. It's better than a whirly blade, but I'd spring for the Solis. | | Chris | homeroast wrote: | > | > I am new to this list -- so perhaps this question has been answered here | > before. We will appreciate any help. | > | > We need an affordable electric home coffee mill. We use mainly vacuum | > brewing, espresso machine, and French Press. Rarely a manual or electric | > coffee filter method. We are leaning towards Solis mills. What is the | > better choice: Solis 166 or Solis 177? | > We have heard about people who are happy with the 166 and other people | > unhappy with the 177. We know that the 166 runs slower and the 177 range | > can be adjusted. It seems that the stones are the same in both machines. | > | > The USA importer has some refurbished 166 mills. Also, *$ stores sell them | > as Barista mills; we have heard that the quality of the *$ - branded version | > is lower as compared to the "real" 166; is that true? | > | > Thanks for your help -- Lubos. | > | > | > | > homeroast mailing list | >http://lists.sweetmarias.com/mailman/listinfo/homeroast| > | | Get your own FREE, personal Netscape Webmail account today athttp://webmail.netscape.com/| | | homeroast mailing list |http://lists.sweetmarias.com/mailman/listinfo/homeroast">http://lists.sweetmarias.com/mailman/listinfo/homeroasthomeroast mailing listhttp://lists.sweetmarias.com/mailman/listinfo/homeroast |
The 166(as well as the Barista) can be adjusted, as well. There are instructions for this floating about. Not very difficult, as I remember. Ciao, Angelo | We know that the 166 runs slower and the 177 range | can be adjusted| | homeroast mailing list |http://lists.sweetmarias.com/mailman/listinfo/homeroast">http://lists.sweetmarias.com/mailman/listinfo/homeroasthomeroast mailing listhttp://lists.sweetmarias.com/mailman/listinfo/homeroast |
Yes, the Antigua is easy to work on, but it will only adjust about 4 clicks before you run out of room. Any more and the hopper won't go on and off properly. That 4 click adjustment barely got it to a nice fine vac pot/drip grind. Forget about espresso. homeroast wrote: <Snip> Get your own FREE, personal Netscape Webmail account today athttp://lists.sweetmarias.com/mailman/listinfo/homeroast">http://webmail.netscape.com/homeroast mailing listhttp://lists.sweetmarias.com/mailman/listinfo/homeroast |
<Snip> I guess it depends on the application. Never tried a Solis, but I am very happy with my Antigua. I use it to grind for vac pot, french press and drip. There was a great reduction of dust in the french press cup when I changed from a whirly blade to the Antigua. Don't know how an Antigua would work for espresso, but that is what the Rocky is for. I did notice a large amount of "bolders" until I turned the grind down a bit. Grinding fine enough for a 2 minute infusion in the french press looks like a pretty even grind to me. And no static at all! Is a bit loud.homeroast mailing listhttp://lists.sweetmarias.com/mailman/listinfo/homeroast |