Bentwood Vertical 63 - Dark Horse of Home Grinders?

[@spektrograf]

Fantastic and crazy thorough review, as always. Nicely done, thank you! It's a beautifully designed grinder for sure with a lot of thought put into the design. BTW, love that you lit your kitchen balanced against the outdoors. Love seeing the snow fall through the window behind you. 😊

[@lilteyang]

Looks like the perfect weather for an espresso!

[@DaddyGotCoffee]

Hahahahaha sure was!

[@bitcoins3212]

I suspect the Zerno Z1 was inspired by the Bentwood. Your thoughts from a home user perspective on which one you prefer and why? $1250 vs $2600 is a significant price differential.

[@LanceHedrick]

It was! Vel, who created it, told me my review on the bentwood inspired him in a few ways including making a super smooth and micron based dial and the prebreaker

[@DaddyGotCoffee]

Yup, even the shape of the pre breaking chamber in the zerno is extremely close to that of the v63! I like the size of the Z1, and the cost for home users. BUT, even if you jump on the wait list now you’re gonna be waiting a while, and the taste of the bentwood is distinctly bentwood! Both excellent grinders though for sure

[@bitcoins3212]

@@DaddyGotCoffee I agree on the long wait but I'm glad my Z1 is coming in June/July '24 so not too much longer.

[@GabrielGGabGattringer]

Micron scale on a grind setting dial - YES! That´s what I´ve been wanting since I got into speciality coffee many years ago. I just wish I had the cash to buy the V63. And I wish more grindermanufacturers would use a micron scale for grind setting.

[@homecafecharlie]

Looks awesome!

[@DaddyGotCoffee]

Thank you Charlie!

[@d-rock7489]

I'd like to hear your thoughts of a side by side comparison between the Bentwood and the Zerno please? There's a difference in price but other than that they seem very similar in configuration and burr size etc. Thanks! Reply

[@deathbert]

Thanks! I’d like to know how this compares to the Zero since both have blind burrs

[@DaddyGotCoffee]

That one will TOTALLY depend on the burrs loaded into the Zerno. So far I’ve only used the Zerno with HUs - working on that tho!

[@greysuit17]

I want this alongside my ek43s in my home.

[@DaddyGotCoffee]

I have to admit, I have had a LOT of fun with that combo

[@madskongensgaard1066]

Compared to the Philos, taste wise on espresso and filter?

[@DaddyGotCoffee]

Great question. This is MY answer and could easily swing depending on someone’s tastes. The 200’s in the philos are amazing on filter (I prefer them to the v63 personally) and the espressos are excellent as well. However, they are definitely a clarity forward burr and lacking body. Not as much as an MP but still, most days I like a LITTLE more body in my spro - depending on the spro. (In most spros - there are exceptions). As for the 189s, they are a great burr and the stainless do have some positive differences vs standard, I prefer the filter brews on the v63 to these. It’s a pretty nuanced answer and a tight race. Both are excellent grinders and I think this one comes down to taste by individual.

[@madskongensgaard1066]

⁠thank you for a thorough answer. I'm really looking forward to tasting the D200, and experiencing the Philos all together. The design and the 'bean-demolisher' is a great base, and then I can always swap out burrs if I would, like you, prefer more body. Thanks again. The Benwood is out of my price range - looking forward to hear what you feel about the production model Philos, if you get it 👍

[@kauailaw]

Would you please consider reviewing the WW Key mk2? I really want to know your opinion on filter coffee from it.

[@skatcat31]

Haha I have one and it sits right next to my MFM2. Its usch a unique and balanced taste that I cannot get rid of it. Its just... You will miss it good.

[@LarryLeung-f4g]

Do you know of any Greater Toronto Area coffee shops using this grinder?

[@DaddyGotCoffee]

Pilot on Ossington is (I believe) using one on pour over. Not sure if they are pulling shots with it or not but you could always ask! I haven’t been to all their locations, only wagstaff and union, didn’t see one at either of those

[@DaddyGotCoffee]

instagram.com/reel/C43GqRZr0vs/?igsh=bGp5ODVlN3FhYzRh

[@LarryLeung-f4g]

Thanks! I'll have to find my way down there. It's rare for me to go that way living in Ajax but as the coffee hobby/enthusiast level grows so I take more steps. Haven't invested in an electric grinder yet. Likely something from DF but taking my time. I do like watching these types of videos even if I have no intention to purchase soon.

[@LanceHedrick]

🎉🎉🎉

[@DaddyGotCoffee]

Thanks Lance! ☺️☕️

[@jackgtravis]

You left the DRAFT on lol

[@DaddyGotCoffee]

Lol TY

[@philindeblanc]

How is it possible for a mechanical function of a grinder be able to do great filter and great espresso? It sounds like other burr designs are simply inferior, specially when you give so much positive on the espresso taste. And the driving reason for the sales. Why arent other grinders trying to get the same burr design? If the espresso is that good, I dont mind getting filter coffee grinds. BUT, I lso would not spend so much for a grinder. If you are spending this much for a grinder, and giving the space for this size, you may as well have a coffee bar dedicated in the home so another grinder with larger burrs or profile would be no issue. Maybe niche but thats all everything points to. Maybe made for shops and coffee YTers like yourself :-)

[@JonFairhurst]

Ask your contacts at Eight Ounce to loan/give you a Kaffelogic Nano7. They are the Canadian distributor for the NZ roaster. I’ve had mine for nearly a year. And definitely get the BOOST kit. The product is perfect for home use. You can experiment with roast profiles with precision, and once you have a recipe, you can hit “play” and get about 160g roasted in 15 minutes while you tend to other things. I can adjust a test roast by +/- 1C or +/- 20 seconds and get predictable taste differences when working with a new bean, so it’s got this amazing balance between a tweaker’s obsession device and a press-play-and-walk-away consumer-friendly roaster. Size and weight are reasonable, and it works great on a range top, with its tall design getting the odors near the exhaust hood. I have no financial interest in the company. I’m just a happy owner. If all of my coffee gear disappeared. This is the one product that I would replace with the exact same model. Financially, it makes much more sense than a boutique grinder or machine. It can cut your bean cost by a factor of three or four. There’s a learning curve to really dial things in, but it’s so easy to use when replicating a roast. Yes a better grind makes a difference, but when you can tailor a roast to your personal preference, it makes a first order difference to the experience. Cheers!