C-man wrote:
Both grinders set at the same setting should produce much the same grind quality, but the easiest way to pick the difference is to ask him to make a grind size adjustment of 0.01mm on the Lido.
Not sure that anyone would would want to make a grind size adjustment of a hundredth of a millimetre! I do know I can make grind adjustments on the Lido that are small enough, in fact I can make adjustments so small that I cant detect any difference in the pour for an espresso.
Adjustment accuracy and repeatability is the key feature of the Rosco grinders. They can be dismantled completely and reassembled to produce the exact setting. This is because the Rosco's are all machined concentric and to correct size (not laser cut), and there are grind size graduations machined around the body.
Its certainly not a feature lacking on the Lido, I can grind for the Aeropress, change to espresso for the Caravel and back again with out issue. The adjustment is achieved differently on the Lido, and the Rosco adjustment may well be more user friendly.
The OE guys do state the limitations, and it appears that it was not designed to produce the repeatable grind accuracy needed for high end espresso. They made it for french press and the like, and I'm sure it does a great job for the price.
Thats a bit disingenuous, and a pretty selective interpretation of the design. Yes it was primarily designed to be a premium grinder for various brew methods, to say that it therefore was not designed for high end espresso is a form of strawman argument. Given the burr set it was always going to be capable of grinding for high end espresso. I am equally sure the Rosco does a great job, although if price is a concern there are alternatives that are less costly.
The Rosco's also have a flat area beneath the cutter to limit grind retention and make cleaning between shots easier and quicker, they both use ball bearings top and bottom to minimize movement and required design clearance, the burr set can be replaced.
I havent had any issues with grind retention with the Lido, and given the service, speed and loads, ball bearings wont provide any meaningful advantage over the brass bushes used in the Lido. I am not aware of any grinder where the burr set cant be replaced. Again, I am not suggesting the Rosco is not a very competent grinder, well designed and manufactured, what I do challenge is the notion that it is somehow significantly superior to the only other hand grinder in its class, the Lido. I also think the Rosco looks better and I admire the passion and effort that has gone into its design, but potential purchasers who have a limited budget should be aware that there is a cheaper alternative that offers the same in the cup. I have come very close to picking up a Rosco myself, but with 2 Lidos, a Pharos, a Wega 8.6, a K10, and an HG-1 on the way, I have so far resisted the temptation!!
