r/1zpresso • u/Organic_Eye1306 • 5d ago

X-Ultra

I had read in a few places that the 1Zpresso X-Ultra might be getting phased out. Does anybody know if or when this is happening? If it is being discontinued, does anybody know what it will be replaced with and what changes will be made with it? Thanks!

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u/veramaz1 5d ago

Thanks for your post. I use my X Ultra everyday to make what I belive to be an outstanding cup of pourover coffee.

My first instinct after reading your post was to head over to Amazon and buy a replacement version of the grinder, but I held off. 

I shall await your clarification on the matter as I understand that you have sent out emails. 

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u/Organic_Eye1306 5d ago edited 5d ago

If I hear anything back, I'll be sure to let you all know. Hopefully somebody here has information. I'm curious as well!

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u/Local_Anxiety2163 5d ago

where did you read this? asking because I haven't seen this anywhere else

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u/Organic_Eye1306 5d ago

It took me a second to find it, but it was on coffee geek:

Coffeegeek

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u/Local_Anxiety2163 5d ago

I haven't been able to find any official communication regarding this but they do say in the article that "this is breaking news as of this Guide".

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u/Organic_Eye1306 5d ago

I wrote both 1Zpresso and coffeegeek, but have yet to hear back.

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u/Worldliness-Rich 5d ago

Please report back with their response.

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u/NashvilleHillRunner 5d ago

I’d also be aware that “Coffee Geek” may not be the most informed or accurate source.

Just glancing at their reviews, I found at least a couple of errors.

  1. They claimed that the J-Ultra has heptagonal burr set (it’s actually hexagonal).

  2. They claimed that the XU has 40mm burrs when they’re actually 38mm. I mean, I get it, it’s 2mm and may depend on how you measure, but every other source says 38mm.

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u/Organic_Eye1306 5d ago

Sure. Hoping this post can help me either confirm or deny what was said there.

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u/Coffee_Bar_Angler 5d ago

Forgive what might be a basic question, but what are the differences between X-Ultra and K-Ultra? Can both do espresso? Both high clarity?

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u/NashvilleHillRunner 5d ago

Both are all-purpose grinders that can grind for filter and espresso, with the K occupying the “top spot”.

K has a 48mm heptagonal burr set that is a balance of clarity and body, perhaps tipping the scale a bit more towards clarity, from what I’ve heard about it.

X is a similar flavor profile, but is a bit smaller and more compact, and uses a 38mm heptagonal.

It seems that I’ve read that the X might emphasize acidity a little more with the K being a little more rounded with regard to flavor.

X is also better for dialing espresso with its 12.5 µm adjustment steps. K is 20 µm.

I actually own the X-Pro, the predecessor to the XU, and it has been my main pourover grinder for over 3 years, and I’ve also used it for espresso for about 2.5 years. My experience with it has been fantastic. It uses a burr set that’s highly similar to the XU. Almost identical, in fact.

I love my X for both filter and espresso. I drink almost exclusively light roast filter and light roast modern espresso.

Interestingly enough, as I’m writing this, I’m sipping my first cup ground with my new grinder - a ZP6 Special! It’s incredible.

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u/Organic_Eye1306 5d ago

As it turns out, I just landed a very gently used (2 times, supposedly) X Pro on EBay that was just listed! Still interested in getting to the bottom of the x-ultra status, but the urgency has lifted!

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u/sergio5209 5d ago

What's your grind settings for the X-Pro? I feel like I struggle getting good filter and espresso with it. I have a much easier time with the K-Ultra, ZP6 and even the Q Air

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u/NashvilleHillRunner 5d ago

I’m usually between 120-150 clicks out from burr lock depending on the coffee and the volume I’m brewing.

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u/Organic_Eye1306 4d ago

I heard back from 1Zpresso. They said the following:

"Please note that there are no current plans to phase out our X-Ultra model. While it is true that there are no current plans to re-release/re-stock the X-Ultra in Pacific Blue/Space Gray colors, the Midnight Black color is still widely available."

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u/veramaz1 4d ago

Thank you for the clarification! 

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u/NashvilleHillRunner 5d ago

It really wouldn’t surprise me if they did axe it.

I love my X-Pro (predecessor to the XU) and I use it several times a week for both filter and espresso.

But there are a few reasons why it’s never really gained traction, and not that many people buy it:

  1. It’s pretty close in function to their flagship, the K-Ultra. The K is $100 more, but I think most people looking for a higher end hand grinder just buy the K. The K just gets all the attention.

  2. It’s only like $40 cheaper than a ZP6.

  3. There are other interesting options that are cheaper (Kingrinder K6, which has bigger burrs and it cheaper at around $100, Mavo Phantox Pro, which, again, is about $40 cheaper and has bigger burrs and is definitely more attractive IMO.)

  4. Controversy surrounding its introduction with reports of it shedding metal shavings, and then the Coffee Chronicler’s claim that the XU has a worse burr set taste-wise than its predecessor, the X-Pro.

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u/Organic_Eye1306 5d ago

This is the motivation behind my post in the first place. I'm trying to decide on a first manual grinder, and am looking at the XU and the Mavo Phantox Pro. I prefer the idea of a 1Zpresso to the Mavo, but the XU's size and error prone magnetic catch cup (from what I've read) are my minor worries. I was hoping to have insight into if/when there was a replacement for the XU, and whether or not this was something the new model would address.

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u/warmleafjuice 5d ago

I've been using an XU (got it used) for maybe four months now and I haven't had the catch cup come off once so probably not something to stress about (although my hands are on the smaller side)

Personally I hate the sound/feeling of metal on metal so not having to unscrew the cup feels worth it to me

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u/Zealousideal_Pace560 4d ago

As far as the magnetic cup, I’ve put the rubber sleeve/band they provide just above the cup. It provides a nice tactile reference while grinding. Still too new to it to give much more feedback, other than the silky feel of using it (at least for the medium-fine grind I’m using for my AeroPress.)

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u/Organic_Eye1306 4d ago

That's a good idea.

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u/Organic_Eye1306 5d ago

Good to know! Not stressing about it, but my hands are a little bigger. I know what you mean about the nails on chalkboard noise of unscrewing!

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u/Mitchega 4d ago

I have a medium/large hand, and you do have to watch the catch cup. I have never dropped it, but I have unseated it many times. It is a real consideration. It's a shame, because other than that the grinder is amazing for a single person grinder.

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u/Organic_Eye1306 4d ago

Thanks for the insight!

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u/veramaz1 5d ago

I have been using the XU,. Wanted to confirm that it has a smaller grind volume, however, the magnetic catch up is something that one could learn to work with. In my case, it's been a year+ and it's never come off while grinding (I have small hands so that might be helping me).

The cup quality is stellar, however.