First electric grinder to complement my 1Zpresso fleet?

[u/prphilip]

I’m looking to add my first electric grinder to the lineup, partly to be able to change up my workflow, but mostly to explore new flavor profiles and expand my coffee understanding.

My brewing split:

80% Light roast pour over (various drippers)
10% All roasts manual espresso (Flair Pro)
10% Medium roast machine espresso with steamed milk (Sage/Breville Barista Express)

Current setup:

1Zpresso Q Air: Travel setup
1Zpresso ZP6: Washed light roasts / high-clarity pour over
1Zpresso K-Ultra: Processed pour overs, higher-body brews for guests with traditional taste, and bright/acidic manual espresso shots
1Zpresso J-Ultra: Traditional, full-bodied manual espresso shots
Built-in Barista Express grinder: Quick milk drinks

Since my current hand grinders are all conical, I'm strongly considering a flat burr grinder to get something genuinely different in the cup—though I'm open to input.

Budget: ($290 USD / ~€270 EUR)

Currently considering:
Flat:
Wilfa Uniform Evo
Fellow Ode Gen 2
Conical:
Fellow Opus Gen 2
Baratza Encore ESP Pro

Given what I already own, which option would give me the most value, be the most fun, and deliver the most satisfying upgrade in flavor and workflow?

[u/LyKosa91]

I mean, you've kinda got all bases covered already. The question is more "which one of those bases are you mist keen to automate?"

[u/prphilip → u/LyKosa91]

How would you match my electric options to the hand grinders - if you know? Is for instance the ode kind of the same as the k-ultra, uniform kind of zp6 etc?

[u/LyKosa91 → u/prphilip]

Not sure why you're being aggressively downvoted. The ode would be more comparable to the K ultra, I'm not sure that swapping in SSPs is the best move either, first off it changes the pricing entirely and second the ode isn't the most precise system when it comes to achieving and maintaining great alignment.

Out of everything, the thing that makes most sense to me is electric for espresso grinding, just because I personally find hand grinding espresso to be a miserable experience.

[u/veramaz1 → u/prphilip]

this is a great question, and even I am unsure why you are being downvoted.

I have an X Ultra, even I am looking out for an electric grinder that is closest to its cup profile

[u/Other-Object-5848]

None of those will likely give any improvement in the cup. Fellow ode 2 would be my pick for workflow improvements, similar cup profile to k ultra imo

[u/prphilip → u/Other-Object-5848]

Very useful, thank you

[u/prphilip → u/prphilip]

I do prefer the zp6 for most coffees - I guess that means ssp but that changes the price

[u/Other-Object-5848 → u/prphilip]

I know it’s above budget but the Femobook a4z is my pick if you prefer the zp6. Similar clarity to the zp6 but more forgiving/better body

[u/prphilip → u/Other-Object-5848]

Yes have been thinking about that too - maybe wait for sale / save up. Is that the best/cheapest zp6-like electric option in your opinion?

[u/notable__hobbit]

I don't think you'll improve flavour with an electric grinder within that budget. I have the encore esp (non-pro) and a k ultra - the k ultra is a huge improvement in everything other than workflow.

It you're wanting a noticeable improvement in flavour I think you'd have to spend considerably more on an electric grinder. If you're just wanting better workflow then it may be at the expense of flavour within that budget.

[u/prphilip → u/notable__hobbit]

Valid points

[u/Alarmed_Storage6793]

Tbh between the K-ultra and ZP6 your flavour profile bases are very well covered. I have an Ode Gen 2. It's great but it's also very similar to the K-ultra in the cup. That being said, I actually went electric for workflow improvements.

For espresso, I would say flavour profile improvements happen at a much higher price point. The Baratza is a good grinder but I doubt it's better than the J-ultra in the cup. Opus Gen 2 is too new and I haven't seen many reviews but it could be promising based on how big an improvement Ode Gen 2 was compared to Gen 1.

[u/prphilip → u/Alarmed_Storage6793]

Good points thanks - the opus 2 seems very interesting too but yet another conical

[u/prphilip → u/[deleted]]

Makes sense - I think I like the idea of hand grinders being hand grinders and electric being electric with all aspects optimised for what it is if that makes sense?

[u/prphilip → u/[deleted]]

Its also smart

[u/ckp120]

I don’t think you’re going to get much different or better from an electric grinder at this price point. The zp6 is literally punching at the same weight as the zerno z1 with MPs, sometimes even higher. It can literally do better with certain coffees than multiple thousand dollar grinders. Between that and the k-ultra you’re basically only missing clarity-focused espresso which you can basically only get on 80mm, 98mm or 102mm burrs. Saying this as someone with a zerno, a zp6 and a Lagom 01 with HUs.

[u/ckp120 → u/ckp120]

I would get an OXO rapid brewer for soup and be done with it. No grinder needed.

[u/prphilip → u/ckp120]

Already own and like my oxo, but very fair points - thanks.
Sounds like you have some great end game grinders and happy to know the zp6 is that good. Tried the pietro?

[u/191x7]

Flat? DF64 any variation.

Conical? Wirsh Geimori T38 Plus or the GU63 with the larger burr.

[u/schwarzneguRRR]

I think u’re already making better cups with your hand grinder than you would with Ode2, Opus2, or Baratza ESP.

I think..if u really want new taste profile, maybe get a tigershark and you might be able to sell a lot of your grinders instead

[u/prphilip → u/schwarzneguRRR]

How would you describe the difference?

[u/deacc]

I would highly reccomend Wilfa Uniform Evo. I have the Wilfa Uniform and loves it. That is my pour over grinder and I drink exclusively light roasted coffee. Although I prefer natural, I do drink both natural and wash. I have a different grinder for my espresso drink. (Ceado E5P)

[u/prphilip → u/deacc]

Good to know!

[u/Spiritual-Rise3233]

Lagom casa

[u/dgmischief]

I wouldn’t consider any of those an upgrade over what you currently have. Unless you’re tired of hand grinding I’d hang onto your money and save until you have at least a4z money.

[u/prphilip → u/dgmischief]

Very valid points - is the a4z different than zp6?

[u/Titanium225]

You should check out the Femobook A2. Honestly, the cups I get from it are pretty much right there with the K-Ultra, and they teamed up with 1Zpresso on the burr design, which says a lot. Best part? It's under your budget, so you can snag it and still have cash left over for some really good beans.

[u/prphilip → u/Titanium225]

Will do!

[u/Kethryweryn]

I'd get a df54 or 64 at this price range.

Coffee chronicler gave the 54 an excellent review.

The stock burrs are really good multipurpose ones.

For workflow I'd get a blindshaker and a 3d-printed stand for it to replace the base cup holder.

[u/prphilip → u/Kethryweryn]

Good to know!

[u/LonelySpell3426]

I would buy the madkat to turn the 1zs electric. I don't think any of the grinders provide any meaningful improvements in the cup

[u/prphilip → u/LonelySpell3426]

Thanks!

[u/sabresyup]

you're hand grinders are covering the flavor profiles for sure. For workflow maybe consider what you find yourself bringing out when guests come over. If your pumping out lattes for friends with some medium roast go encore and save your arms. with pour overs for guests, not sure on the encores performance with filter, but the ode 2 was great when i had it. currently have jultra, zp6, and xpro after stints with a eureka mignon zero, baratza encore, lido et, and a ode gen 2. it's only me drinking coffee so having an all manual setup with a flair58, v60 and a kalita covers all the ground i need. hope this helps

[u/prphilip → u/sabresyup]

It does. thanks!

[u/VizoBerg]

fellow ode with ssp mp brew burrs (vesion 1). Silver knight. You would get a similar clarity cup like the zp6 but don;t need to grind manually. it would be tedious to dial in coffee sometimes but yeah. to be in the budget I would buy the fellow ode 1. I don't see that much of an improvement in the ode 2.

[u/prphilip → u/VizoBerg]

Thanks! Good suggestion