Where some of the ultra high end grinders are awesome, they all have flaws too. I didn’t want the weber as it is too slow and can stall, something I hated on my Ceado (the stalling, that thing is fast).
Currently use the Philos and MK e65w, not extreme but a good enough balance with the Micra at about 1:1 costs grinders vs machine.
I would have loved an actual dream model like the Sanremo x-one but it doesn’t fit my kitchen and it is a bit of a hard sell at 8k+
Grinder is a hard ask, perfect grinder technically would be a Sanremo X-One, but it is huge and financially only good sense for a shop (it replaces 3 grinders so at about 8000€ not too bad), coupled with a Sanremo espresso machine and a RO with remineralizing filter for water. Told my misses about this one and she was a little concerned I was contemplating it.
Keeping home aesthetics and size in mind and if I would only want one grinder I’d probably get an EG-1 or Monolith flat Max. Currently have two grinders though, one with hopper (83mm burr) and one single dose for my decaf/specialty drinks. Which I would be unlikely to drop as single dosing I won’t do for groups or in the morning, a large burr gbw grinder would be my choice.
For the espresso machine, a Sanremo you or LM GS3 would offer everything I would want, but honestly a simple flat profile machine with good pid and dual boiler like a LM Mini R or a Micra is good enough for me already. Micra does come with some short comings, the reduced height is a little annoying at times. Mini r was too big for my counter though.
Sanremo You, linea mini r or a synesso
and a EG-1 with core burrs.
Especially if you switch between different beans regularly the stepped dial of the eg-1 is fantastic and the core burrs are probably the best jack of all trades burrs that cover all roast levels.
Also the mentioned machines are the best looking ones if you are into modern, clean industrial look
Buy the best looking grinder iyo in the highest end category. Honestly the incremental gains are the high end are v diminishing. Bought an eg1 and haven’t had upgraditis since.
Get a few brewers to play with and a few nice cups. Somehow there’s always space for new brewers and cups.
Sort out water if where you stay has terrible water.
Use the rest of the money for good coffee. This is imo the most underrated recommendation. Find roasters you like and splurge on beans.
I thought about this question countless time and here’s how I’ll spend it if I were you
Weber eg1: 4200$
Basically the ultimate end game grinder with a couple of burr options
Timeore 078 700$
A grinder focused on clarity and juiciness for light roasted coffee
Acaia scale roughly 300$
Basically the best out there
All kind of droppers (emersion, flat beds cones…etc) ≈500$
Decent quality kettle ≈ 250$
Water equipments 100$
A couple of vacuum sealed coffee containers ≈300$
And I’ll spend the rest on premium coffee beans
Blacktip75
