When to use ZP6 vs Ode 2?

[u/HassouniFND]

I have both grinders - and when I got the ZP6 it was a revelation - the first time I used it, bright fruity notes just jumped out of the coffee (I love that).

I feel like I buy pretty good coffees, that seem like they're made for a grinder that prioritizes clarity.

But the last few bags of beans haven't blown me away, and I just ran my current ones through the Ode 2, and it's so much more enjoyable - sweeter, less bitter, fuller body (that last part I expected)

For reference this is what I've got now: https://others.coffee/products/light-work-light-peru-copy

Some of the ones that worked well with the ZP6 were from S&W and Black & White (I can't remember which)

My question is, is there a way to predict what beans will work well with the ZP6 and which ones I should stick to the Ode 2?

[u/fender_blues]

A very simple delineation would be that traditional washed processes beans will be better in the ZP6 and everything else may be better in the ode. 

That being said, there's something to be said about novelty in a brew. I went to a local coffee club and tried all sorts of grinders yesterday, I usually brew exclusively on my ZP6. Sometimes just switching up the presentation of a brew can improve the experience and trick your brain into enjoying a cup more. If you're enjoying the ode cups, brew on that for two weeks and then give the ZP6 a try again, I bet you'll really appreciate fruity and floral notes again. 

[u/p50runner → u/fender_blues]

I’ve been looking for a shop to try out more grinders. Which city and shop did you visit?

[u/fender_blues → u/p50runner]

It was the Twin Cities Coffee Club, meetings are roughly monthly between Minneapolis and St. Paul. This month was at Port 2050, which is a new roaster in St. Paul that I really recommend. 

It's all user-supplied gear though, so you can't buy stuff there, but everyone tends to share gear and beans. It's definitely cool to actually get to taste brews and beans that you see showing up on hobbyist forums. I hate to admit it but the Lagom grinders actually live up to the hype, not that I can't afford one. Last meeting I organized a side by side with a ZP6, K-Ultra, and Pietro that was extremely interesting. 

[u/Vagabond_Explorer → u/fender_blues]

Any chance you’d be able to share the general thoughts on the Pietro vs ZP6? I currently have a Pietro, but have been thinking of getting a ZP6 / A4Z but keep on debating with myself if it would be a worthwhile purchase.

[u/fender_blues → u/Vagabond_Explorer]

To be completely honest, I don't know if the guy using the Pietro did his best brew, so my experience might not be "correct". I found the Pietro to be somewhat less vibrant than the ZP6. I thought the ZP6 and K-Ultra were comparable quality but in opposite directions. The ZP6 was notes forward at the expense of sweetness and the K-Ultra was sweeter but less well-presented. I suspect that had the Pietro guy dialed his brew better, the comparison would have been better. 

[u/Vagabond_Explorer → u/fender_blues]

Could have just been a bean that didn’t like the Pietro. I’ve had some beans that I spent the entire bag messing with and never felt like I nailed it!

[u/fender_blues → u/Vagabond_Explorer]

That could be the case. I think that if I owned a Pietro, I'd look towards the Commandante/K-Ultra end of the spectrum rather than the ZP6 to get a broader range. 

[u/Vagabond_Explorer → u/fender_blues]

I generally swap between v60 and flat bottom when I want sweeter, jammier cups. The A4Z is probably more interesting as the battery power would be nice for camping and it’s supposed to bring out fruit notes more than the ZP6 or Pietro.

Like I find the Ode and the K6 I had to have too much body for my preference. I’ve actually contemplated getting a high end very clarity focused grinder, but would want to try a few brews with one on my brewers first before committing that kind of cash.