1Zpresso Q2 Pentagonal and Heptagonal quick look and basic differences

[@LJ-wo1wf]

I recently got a Q2 heptagonal, and I'm very satisfied. I think I got a bit lucky, too, in that the click plate can be oriented so that "0" is the touch point of the burrs. The plate can be oriented in two positions on the driveshaft, right - so I learned that in one position, when the knob is tightened to the burr touch point, the knob points to "5"; but if I put the plate on the driveshaft 180 degrees the other way, the knob will point to "0" when tightened. So I've used a magic marker to mark the tip of the driveshaft and click plate so that I can remember the correct orientation. (the magic marker wears off over time, so I might use a Dremel to make little permanent divots)

[@mightymightyironhead]

I totally agree, the Q2 Heptagonal is an excellent little grinder, its miles better than the Pentagonal and its only really the smaller capacity that hold it back. When i first got a JX grinder, the one that i got also had the 0 number in the starting position, i even uploaded a video showing how to change the position by changing the dial around 180 degrees, but then i realised that not all adjustment dial are the same after testing with a few other Q2 and JX grinders, so i took the video back down. For some reason when they are casting the dials in the factory, the numbers and the metal peg that fits into the surface of the burrs are not always the same, so i do thing that you are lucky to get one that is set to 0.

[@chn-liujr]

I have both of the two Q2 grinder and C40,Lido,K47 1z Je pro.... but I most like Q2 as it is easiest to use.

[@mightymightyironhead]

All of the other grinders that you have are pretty good grinders also, you have a pretty good collection. The Q2 Heptagonal is a very nice little grinder, the 7 core burrs give it a nice flavour profile and its pretty quick to grind. The only limitation is the small capacity, but for the price its excellent. I personally don't think that the C40 is worth the price, its a great grinder and the flavour (Pour over) is very good, but the grinder is a little dated now and there are just as good, if not better grinders that are just as good, for far less then the C40. The Kinu grinders are also excellent, very well made and the almost step less adjustment is very useful for Espresso. I personally found that the Kinu did produce slightly more fines at the Pour over level because of the very fine microns, but it was never an issue for me, but i kind of miss my Kinu classic.

[@mercedes1990221]

Have you compared the C40 to the Q2? I have 1z Kmax and I want to get a second grinder for pour over. Some review said the Q2 is very closely to the C40, is that true?

[@mightymightyironhead]

@@mercedes1990221 yes i did do a quick Q2 and C40 comparison test using a couple of naturals and washed beans at light and medium roast for Pour over. The flavour profile for the Q2 Heptagonal is very close. Its quite difficult to say what is the best (that actually tells you a lot about how close the burrs are) maybe a little more clarity from the C40, but not so much that i would want to pay an extra $150 -170USD. The two main things that are going to effect the grinders and draw the comparisons with the Comandante are the size and type of burrs and the micron size. The Q2 has 38mm Heptagonal burrs and 25 microns and the C40 30mm Heptagonal burrs and 30 microns, so the flavour profile is pretty close and i think that the slight difference in flavour or clarity is down to the smaller microns maybe producing a slightly finer grind size overall. The Q2 is (in my opinion) not really any faster or slower to grind than the C40 and at a medium roast for Pour over the grinding is pretty quick (noticeably faster than the Q2 Pentagonal). Obviously light roasted beans can be hard work to grind because they are still hard and dark roasted beans can also take more time and effort if you want to grind them finer for Espresso, but no more than any other grinder of this micron and burr size. Obviously there are a couple of other things that you need to take into account between these two grinders. The C40 is bigger with a bigger capacity and the fact that you can upgrade the burrs for Espresso if you want to pay the extra money on top of the $150 -170USD. If you want a budget grinder that give you a very decent flavour profile and you dont mind the smaller size and smaller capacity, the Q2 Heptagonal is an excellent little grinder.

[@mercedes1990221]

@@mightymightyironhead Thank you so much for your explain. Actually I‘m finding a budget grinder and I don't care about the smaller capacity. For espresso I have the K-max which has good performance for espresso. Also I want to use them separately for espresso and pour over to avoid them taste each other. The price of C40 is almost treble than Q2 in my area(this is also a main factor which I consider） . I will give you the feedback for Q2 when I received it.

[@mightymightyironhead]

@@mercedes1990221 honestly the Q2 Heptagonal is really worth the $100USD its an excellent little grinder. Those 7 core Heptagonal burrs really push this grinder forward and i personally think that its got the best flavour profile of all the budget grinders.

[@fredswanepoel2425]

I am thinking of buying this grinder for making French press coffee,how even are the granules on a coarse grind using the heptagonal burr on this grinder?

[@mightymightyironhead]

Hi Fred. The Q2 Heptagonal is a lot better than the Q2 Pentagonal, so i highly recommend that you go for the Heptagonal version. The Heptagonal obviously has the 7 core burrs, with the cutting edges all the way up the sides of the blades, so its faster to grind and its also got a very nice flavour profile at the medium grind range for Pour over. The Q2 Heptagonal burrs shaft is very secure and does not suffer from any kind of movement or wobbling over time, so i would say that its got about the same consistency at the course range as the bigger 1Zpresso grinders that also have the 7 core Heptagonal burrs, like the K series grinders and the X-Pro. The only limitations are grinding light roasted beans can take a little effort, or grinding Espresso fine can take a little more time, also the slightly smaller capacity 15 - 20g and the micron size (25 microns) that limits its use for proper Espresso. But other than that, its actually an excellent entry level grinder and a steal at the price.

[@vitormonteiro747]

Excelent video!! How many clicks would you use in a 1Zpresso Q2 Heptagonal for a Picopresso shot?

[@mightymightyironhead]

Hi Vitor. The Q2 Heptagonal can be a little tricky to dial in a decent shot for the Picopresso because the Q2 has pretty big micron adjustments (25 microns) it does not have decent fine adjustment between steps. Technically it can grind for the Picopresso with a little work. The grind reference chart does not state that the Q2 has any grind settings for Espresso and the first brew type starts at 12 and is Aeropresso/Moka pot/Drip coffee. However that leaves another 11 numbers to use for Espresso. 0 . 02 . 04 . 06 . 08 . 1 . 12 (Aeropress) remember that the dots between the numbers on the grind reference chart are actually numbers also (01, 03, 05, 07, 09 and 11, but on the physical adjustment dial on the grinder, these dots are fine adjustments (clicks). I can get a decent shot using 18g of coffee powder between the numbers 3 and 4 ( . 04 on the dial) using medium dark roasted beans (darker roasted beans work a little easier than lighter roasted beans. However it does depend on what beans you are using, so i recommend that you go between setting 3 or 4 but be prepared to dose up or down a little (Picopresso uses between 16 - 18g and dosing up or down half a gram or one gram can help you if your grinder does not have good fine adjustment) Also make use of the fine adjustments that the Q2 has between each number, there are only three, but these can also help you to dial in the grind. Anyway sorry i can not be more specific and give you the magic number, but with a little work you should get a pretty decent shot.

[@xenodrake4008]

Hey! Did you figure it out? I would try 10 clicks!. Also, the steps are smaller than what the data suggest cuz 1zpresso measures differently. So compared to others, each click is actually 13-14nm, wich is perfect enough for espresso. Like a comandante with red clicks or even a bit better. I would try between 10-15 clicks from the true zero (the point where the handle doesnt fall by itself)

[@vitormonteiro747]

@@xenodrake4008 Hello! I have been working with 21~22 clicks from zero (0) = 1 full turn (30 clicks), returning (-) 8 or 9 clicks. It has worked well for 18gr, one thing that I think needs to be assessed by touch is the pressure exerted by the tamper. If you use the funnel level as a reference, I suggest doing it thinner (21 clicks), if you use pressure with your fingers (not pressing too hard) I suggest 22 clicks. Below 21 clicks I can't even pump, as the pump resistance is huge. I've been making great espressos in this reference with the 1ZPRESSO Q2 and Picopresso!

[@eliskapudova]

Hi, which one is better for filter coffee? 😊

[@mightymightyironhead]

Hi Eli. Actually they are both pretty good for filter coffee. However the Q2 Heptagonal has better burrs. So its easier and faster to grind, also the flavour profile is better. I personally would suggest that you pay a few dollars more and get the Q2 Heptagonal.

[@johny1721]

Have you tried Q2 heptagonal on picopresso? I am using timemore C3, the micron adjustment in that grinder is almost useless.

[@mightymightyironhead]

Yes the Timemore C3 is not really suitable for Espresso, unless its Espresso using a pressurised porta filter. I actually had a customer today asking me if the Timemore Grinder Go is suitable for the Picopresso and that grinder is a joke, its about two step sizes more course than it should be right across its grind range, even with the E&B from the higher range Timemore grinders, the Go is shockingly bad and i think that the finest it can grind is about Moka pot grind size and that's really not even as fine as you would need Espresso using a pressurised porta filter, however i have seen this grinder advertised as an "Espresso grinder". John I actually did a few tests with cheaper entry level grinders and the Picopresso, i even did one with the Hario Mini slim and the Picopresso kzbin.info/www/bejne/g6uyqoKngsmZY80 I honestly don't recommend the Q2 Pentagonal or the Heptagonal for use with the Picopresso 25 microns leaves you will a very small window to play with and it can be pretty frustration dialing in the grind size. The Low flow coffee basket (designed to allow for a more course grind size) with the Picopresso can be a little more forgiving with beans that are roasted darker, but medium roasted and lighter roasted beans tend to need a finer grind size anyway so that can cause issues. These entry level grinders are really best suited for Pour over, Drip, Moka pot, Aeropress and Espresso using a pressurised porta filter, but Espresso using a Low flow basket or a precision none pressurised basket can be a problem. If you already had the Q2 Heptagonal, i would recommend that you give it a try, you can get a decent shot with the Picopresso if you work a little harder. You could also drop the dosage down (Wacaco recommends between 16 - 18g) so you can adjust the dose to compensate for the grind size being either too fine or too course, this can also be used for the C3, so its worth trying that first. If you don't already have the grinder and you are looking at a grinder that will work with the Picopresso and other Espresso machines that use the none pressurised porta filter, but also still give good results for Pour over (finer microns produce more fines) i would recommend the 1Zpresso JX-Pro or the X-Pro, both have 12.5 microns and will give you a decent grind range for serious Espresso and both work pretty well with the Picopresso. Also the X-Pro has the same 7 core Heptagonal burrs as the Q2 Heptagonal (and the Comandante C40) so its got a very good flavour profile at the Pour over grind range.

[@johny1721]

@@mightymightyironhead Thanks for your detailed answer. I think I will go for 1Zpresso X-Pro when I don't want to play with my C3 anymore. btw, I am doing exactly what you suggest by adjusting dose size to compensate the grind size limit. As you know, there are only around 3 click spots for espresso in this grinder, it always turns out either too coarse or too fine. For entry level grinder, one brand with 25 microns per click while the other one with 83 microns per click, even better model like Nano or Slim still has similar micron range per click. Just checked, the closer model should be chestnut ESP (pentagonal burr with 29 microns per click) but you can already pick a better grinder like X-Pro with that price. I can only say Timemore really know how to do marketing 😄

[@mightymightyironhead]

@@johny1721 i absolutely agree. These companies rely on people not understanding the difference between Espresso using a pressurised porta filter and proper Espresso using a none pressurised porta filter. Technically when they state that their grinder is able to grind for Espresso, what they are really saying is that it can grind for basic Espresso using a pressurised porta filter (pretty much the same grind size as Aeropress or Moka pot) but that even for that basic Espresso, you will only have a sweet spot of maybe 1 -2 numbers. They very rarely, if ever post the micron size and thats the most important thing to consider when you want a grinder for Espresso fine grinding (and pour over to an extent, too fine results in more fines at the medium and course end). Too be fare to Timemore their manual grinders are ok for the price and do a reasonable job. Their burrs are quite decent and i like that they do try to update their burrs, but l find it strange why they don't produce a grinder with smaller microns for proper Espresso. The X-Pro is a great little grinder. Its kind of like the Q2 Heptagonal, but with smaller microns for proper Espresso, its also got a slightly smaller capacity than the larger JX-Pro JX and K series grinders. Also its got the very useful quick release adjustment dial and thumb nut, so its very quick to disassemble and reassemble and you can calibrate the X-Pro in seconds.

[@r.ferdian3116]

so, what the main difference purpose of made two type of burr? can anyone explain me the conclusion?

[@mightymightyironhead]

There are a few reasons why there are two Q2 grinder with different types of burrs, apart from the obvious manufacturing cost with producing the two different burr sets. The regular Q2 is an entry level stainless steel burr grinder and the burrs are a cheaper 5 (Pentagonal) core conical burr set, similar to the burrs that you get in other cheaper entry level grinders like some of the Timemore range. These burrs are decent and do a decent job of grinding, but they are usually quite slow to grind, especially lighter roasted beans, because they have less cutting edges (cores). This can lead to the grinder producing more heat when grinding, it can also produce less uniform particles in the ground coffee with more fines, this then can affect the flavour of the brew. The Q2 Heptagonal burrs are quite a lot better than the Pentagonal. They have a 7 cutting heads and are differently designed than the Pentagonal burrs. The Heptagonal burrs are faster to grind and the ground coffee is more uniform, with less fines. These burrs are very similar to the burrs that you find in the much more expensive Comandante C40 grinder and they produce a very similar flavour profile to the C40.

[@ebikecnx7239]

@@mightymightyironhead the burrs are same as Commandante C40 and it's a great compact grinder, mine is a Heptacore and they are only $75 here in Thailand on Shopee. Hate to think what they cost in UK. Mine grinds espresso almost as good as my K Plus. By the way it's called "Easy-presso" not "one zed presso"!!

[@gregthomas6637]

@mightymightyironhead What do you think about Kingrinder K4 vs K6 ?

[@mightymightyironhead]

Hi Greg. The Kingrinder are pretty decent grinder overall, as far as i know they are manufactured in the same factory as the 1Zpresso grinders. K4 and K6 are pretty decent grinders. The style and build of both grinders are pretty much the same. They both have 16 microns, so that not too bad for proper none pressurised Espresso. They both have the same 30 - 35g capacity, so no difference there and they are pretty consistent when grinding. The main difference between these two grinders are the type of burrs that they have. The K6 has the standard 7 core Heptagonal burrs that you often find in grinders like the Comandante C40 and the 1Zpresso K series grinders amongst others, so you will get a similar flavour profile as those other grinders. The K6 outer burrs are slightly sharper so slightly more precise and uniform (they slice the beans a little more rather than crush the beans) this will also effect the flavour profile. (Bear in mind that the C40 uses a high alloy metal, these are regular stainless steel) The K4 has 6 core coated burrs, so slightly longer before the burrs wear out. The K4 outer burrs are slightly rounded, so slightly less precise and uniform than the K6 (these rounder burrs crush the beans a little more rather than slice the beans) so this will also effect the flavour profile. It kind of depends on what you want to use the grinder for? I would argue that the K4 is better suited for Espresso (the amount of fine grind settings over the amount for the K6, also the type of burrs and the coating) and the K6 is really more for V60 and Pour over. As an alternative to the 1Zpresso grinders, they are really not that bad, some of the internal parts that you get with the Kingrinder products actually fit into the 1Zpresso grinders. The quality is also pretty good, but again i would argue that they are just not as good quality wise as the 1Zpresso grinders, but they should be cheaper to buy and that drop is not really reflected in the quality. Its just a personal thing, but if you have the budget to stretch to an 1Zpresso grinder i would recommend that you go for an 1Zpresso grinder. If you are really strapped for cash, the Kingrinder K4 and K6 are honestly very decent grinders and not that far behind the 1Zpresso grinders.

[@gregthomas6637]

@@mightymightyironhead Wow ! Now that was the best answer in this topic ! Basically I want to buy a Flair 58 and using for that, but now wanna using for a Brikka. Kingrinder was my idea for a "concical-burr" grinder, because later I want to get a DF64 flat ginder. This answer was super ! Now I can feel the difference depends on your answer ! Seriously helped a lot ! Can not say enough as thank you so much for your very correct and quick answer ! Cheers !

[@MuhammadAamir1]

Can heptagonal grind for espresso?

[@mightymightyironhead]

Hi Muhammad. Its really down to the micron size if the grinder can grind for Espresso. Espresso grinding typically needs smaller microns, so you have better control over fine adjustments for dialing in your Espresso shot. The size and type of burrs will help with speed of grinding and consistency, also the flavour profile of the brew will change according to the burrs that you have in your grinder. The Q2 Heptagonal can grind quite well for a more basic Espresso machine that uses a pressurised porta filter, but its not recommended for a more professional Espresso machine that uses a none pressurised porta filter, because you really need good fine adjustments for that. There are three 1Zpresso grinders that i recommend for Espresso. The X-Pro (12.5 microns) the JX-Pro (also 12.5 microns) and the J-Max (8.8 microns).

[@MuhammadAamir1]

@@mightymightyironhead do u think a grinder with 48mm burrs and 40 clicks per rotation with each click about 18microns ll be good for espresso with non pressurised basket? Thanks for all the help

[@mightymightyironhead]

@@MuhammadAamir1 yes it is possible to get a good shot for Espresso using a none pressurised porta filter with 18 microns if you are prepared to work a little harder. A grinder with 18 microns will obviously be easier to dial in than a grinder with bigger micron adjustments (25,28 or 30 microns these micron sizes are what i would say are typically for Pour over) and you will have a small amount of range to use (maybe 1 or 2 numbers). It wont be perfect and each type of bean and different roast levels can mean that you need to slightly adjust the grind size accordingly, so that can also cause problems if you don't have a lot of adjustment range. If you already have a grinder and it has 18 microns (maybe a Kingrinder K2,K3, or K5?) then its worth testing out the best grind size for your Espresso, with a little practice you will soon get used to what limited grind range you have and what works best for your beans. If you dont yet have a grinder, i personally would look at something else that does have smaller microns (as small as your budget allows for) the 1Zpresso X-Pro and JX-Pro have 12.5 microns and the J-Max has 8.8 microns. The Kinu grinders have step less adjustments so thats a massive help for Espresso. I mentioned the Kingrinder grinders earlier. They are pretty decent grinders and quite cheap, they are actually manufactured in the same factory as the 1Zpresso grinders, so the quality is also good. Even the cheapest Kingrinder model the K0 has 18 microns and for an entry level grinder thats excellent. Their K4 model has 16 microns and coated burrs, that is also excellent and worth considering. Anyway i hope the information helps.

[@MuhammadAamir1]

@@mightymightyironhead thanks so much. U r knowledge is appreciable. U guessed right. I was interested in kingrinder and ended up ordering k2. My budget doesn't allow me anything else atm. I ll keep in touch with u for further help. Thanks again.

[@mightymightyironhead]

@@MuhammadAamir1 No problem you are very welcome. Honestly the K2 is a decent grinder for the price. Those 18 microns wont have any problem with Espresso using a pressurised porta filter, they will also allow you to use a slow flow basket and have a small grind range so that's a bonus. Its only when you come to serious Espresso using a none pressurised porta filter that you will need to work a little harder. But with a little practice to find the grind range (maybe a 1 or 2 numbers) the grinder will work. Also you can try dosing up or down to help with the pressure and extraction,. Anyway good luck and please let me know how its going.

[@fhmcoffee]

How fast this grinder for grind medium light coffee for espresso?

[@mightymightyironhead]

The Q2 Pentagonal is pretty slow for grinding anything finer than medium fine grind size, those 5 core burrs are not designed for grinding lighter roasted beans that are still quite hard. I would say that grinding medium/light beans with the Q2 Pentagonal would take you about 3 minutes and would be hard work. Please remember that the Q2 is not an Espresso grinder, it can grind quite fine, but it does not have the fine grind adjustments for dialing in Espresso. The Q2 Heptagonal is a lot better, the 7 core burrs make grinding lighter roasted beans easier and i would say that it would maybe take half the time to grind the medium/light beans that the Q2 Pentagonal takes.