Comments on: Grinder Guidance http://dethroner.com/2006/12/12/grinder-guidance/ Where every man is king. Thu, 20 Nov 2008 14:10:12 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.2 By: Vintage Coffee Grinder http://dethroner.com/2006/12/12/grinder-guidance/#comment-98697 Vintage Coffee Grinder Thu, 31 Jul 2008 10:52:56 +0000 http://dethroner.com/index.php/2006/12/12/grinder-guidance/#comment-98697 hand crank mills are the best but you have to find some good quality mills that dont screw up your coffee beans. hand crank mills are the best but you have to find some good quality mills that dont screw up your coffee beans.

]]> By: Carlos http://dethroner.com/2006/12/12/grinder-guidance/#comment-14535 Carlos Fri, 05 Jan 2007 20:04:56 +0000 http://dethroner.com/index.php/2006/12/12/grinder-guidance/#comment-14535 Hey Tonx, did you hear back from the burr expert? Hey Tonx, did you hear back from the burr expert?

]]> By: stevinski http://dethroner.com/2006/12/12/grinder-guidance/#comment-13219 stevinski Wed, 03 Jan 2007 17:51:04 +0000 http://dethroner.com/index.php/2006/12/12/grinder-guidance/#comment-13219 i wandered and wondered in the wilderness until if found the javagrind. the electric machines were soulless, the many hand crank mills i tried were either soley decorative or impossible to grind to espresso needs. (i still think there must be a good one out there, but i haven't found it. i want the grinding mechanism of the javagrind in a more conventional hand crank package.) the javagrind is the perfect mate for my piston espresso machine. it has an excellent grinding set, spring loaded and made of ceramic not metal. it is possible, with this, to grind way too fine. it is a bit excentric. without a catcher it requires a bit of dexterity to hold it and grind at the same time. its hopper could be steeper, it requires a shake to get the last few beans to the burr. the handle lifts off as part of its storage option, but if you grasp the handle to lift, you get the handle sans grinder. i wandered and wondered in the wilderness until if found the javagrind. the electric machines were soulless, the many hand crank mills i tried were either soley decorative or impossible to grind to espresso needs. (i still think there must be a good one out there, but i haven’t found it. i want the grinding mechanism of the javagrind in a more conventional hand crank package.)
the javagrind is the perfect mate for my piston espresso machine. it has an excellent grinding set, spring loaded and made of ceramic not metal. it is possible, with this, to grind way too fine.
it is a bit excentric. without a catcher it requires a bit of dexterity to hold it and grind at the same time. its hopper could be steeper, it requires a shake to get the last few beans to the burr. the handle lifts off as part of its storage option, but if you grasp the handle to lift, you get the handle sans grinder.

]]> By: Tonx http://dethroner.com/2006/12/12/grinder-guidance/#comment-12194 Tonx Sat, 30 Dec 2006 04:10:40 +0000 http://dethroner.com/index.php/2006/12/12/grinder-guidance/#comment-12194 that is an 83mm conical burr from the 3-phase 220v Mazzer Robur - the monster truck of espresso grinders. that is an 83mm conical burr from the 3-phase 220v Mazzer Robur - the monster truck of espresso grinders.

]]> By: Jerry http://dethroner.com/2006/12/12/grinder-guidance/#comment-11171 Jerry Thu, 28 Dec 2006 05:30:06 +0000 http://dethroner.com/index.php/2006/12/12/grinder-guidance/#comment-11171 What grinder is the opening picture from? What grinder is the opening picture from?

]]> By: Tonx http://dethroner.com/2006/12/12/grinder-guidance/#comment-4695 Tonx Thu, 14 Dec 2006 22:29:34 +0000 http://dethroner.com/index.php/2006/12/12/grinder-guidance/#comment-4695 Humberto - that sucks to hear. I've bought three of these in the last year (long story) and I still find the first one I bought produced the cleanest grind. I keep wondering if there are any third party commercial burrs that can be adapted to this grinder. I'm sending email today to a burr expert I know to get his thoughts. Humberto - that sucks to hear. I’ve bought three of these in the last year (long story) and I still find the first one I bought produced the cleanest grind. I keep wondering if there are any third party commercial burrs that can be adapted to this grinder. I’m sending email today to a burr expert I know to get his thoughts.

]]> By: Humberto http://dethroner.com/2006/12/12/grinder-guidance/#comment-4674 Humberto Thu, 14 Dec 2006 20:18:03 +0000 http://dethroner.com/index.php/2006/12/12/grinder-guidance/#comment-4674 I bought that KitchenAid grinder a few months ago and was struck with buyer's remorse pretty soon afterwards. I keep telling myself that I am going to call them up and see if something can't be done to sharpen up those burrs but I never seem to have the time...I've found that if I actually tighten the grind I get less fines, funny huh? My theory is that it wobbles less...Anyhow, it's a big disappointment to me because I see so much potential with the overall design of the thing, especially the straight path through the grinder aspect. You can have a different coffee each time with negligible "cross contamination" (which was a major reason I bought it in the first place). I bought that KitchenAid grinder a few months ago and was struck with buyer’s remorse pretty soon afterwards. I keep telling myself that I am going to call them up and see if something can’t be done to sharpen up those burrs but I never seem to have the time…I’ve found that if I actually tighten the grind I get less fines, funny huh? My theory is that it wobbles less…Anyhow, it’s a big disappointment to me because I see so much potential with the overall design of the thing, especially the straight path through the grinder aspect. You can have a different coffee each time with negligible “cross contamination” (which was a major reason I bought it in the first place).

]]> By: Covert7 http://dethroner.com/2006/12/12/grinder-guidance/#comment-4396 Covert7 Wed, 13 Dec 2006 23:01:11 +0000 http://dethroner.com/index.php/2006/12/12/grinder-guidance/#comment-4396 I hear ya man. I'm waiting on the thing to break at some point so I can justify spending a touch more and getting something a bit beefier. But honestly it does a fine job for me making one or two cups daily and the occasional time (like this past weekend) where I've got to make more for parties or groups. I hear ya man. I’m waiting on the thing to break at some point so I can justify spending a touch more and getting something a bit beefier. But honestly it does a fine job for me making one or two cups daily and the occasional time (like this past weekend) where I’ve got to make more for parties or groups.

]]> By: Tonx http://dethroner.com/2006/12/12/grinder-guidance/#comment-4395 Tonx Wed, 13 Dec 2006 22:55:54 +0000 http://dethroner.com/index.php/2006/12/12/grinder-guidance/#comment-4395 Covert7 - I had a delonghi that I paid $29 for that served me really well for a year. I'm just a little timid about recommending them (or any in that price range) too strongly as friends seem to have had mixed results. I think if you're gentle enough with them they're a really good value. Its very frustrating to coffee evangelists that there isn't a knockout performer yet in that lower price range. Covert7 - I had a delonghi that I paid $29 for that served me really well for a year. I’m just a little timid about recommending them (or any in that price range) too strongly as friends seem to have had mixed results. I think if you’re gentle enough with them they’re a really good value. Its very frustrating to coffee evangelists that there isn’t a knockout performer yet in that lower price range.

]]> By: Covert7 http://dethroner.com/2006/12/12/grinder-guidance/#comment-4388 Covert7 Wed, 13 Dec 2006 21:53:19 +0000 http://dethroner.com/index.php/2006/12/12/grinder-guidance/#comment-4388 I have the DeLonghi mentioned above in the "cheapy" category and I have to admit that I really do like it quite a bit, especially for what I paid (~$60). Of course it does have it's drawbacks, but I've been using it for almost 2 years now and getting good ground coffee out of it. I use it for a drip machine, so nothing too demanding. I'll agree that it's a great "gateway" gadget especially considering the reasonable entry fee. :) I have the DeLonghi mentioned above in the “cheapy” category and I have to admit that I really do like it quite a bit, especially for what I paid (~$60). Of course it does have it’s drawbacks, but I’ve been using it for almost 2 years now and getting good ground coffee out of it. I use it for a drip machine, so nothing too demanding. I’ll agree that it’s a great “gateway” gadget especially considering the reasonable entry fee. :)

]]> By: Tonx http://dethroner.com/2006/12/12/grinder-guidance/#comment-4357 Tonx Wed, 13 Dec 2006 21:22:46 +0000 http://dethroner.com/index.php/2006/12/12/grinder-guidance/#comment-4357 Carlos - we haven't tried pulling shots off the KitchenAid but its been pretty clear this last week just examining the grounds and from watching the brewing on a Chemex that the KA is putting out more fines than a similar grind on the Virtuoso. The difference in burr quality is really dramatic. I think if you wanted a dual purposes brewed/espresso grinder in the under $200 class you can't do much better than the Virtuoso, in spite of its ergonomic shortcomings. Carlos - we haven’t tried pulling shots off the KitchenAid but its been pretty clear this last week just examining the grounds and from watching the brewing on a Chemex that the KA is putting out more fines than a similar grind on the Virtuoso. The difference in burr quality is really dramatic. I think if you wanted a dual purposes brewed/espresso grinder in the under $200 class you can’t do much better than the Virtuoso, in spite of its ergonomic shortcomings.

]]> By: Jimbo http://dethroner.com/2006/12/12/grinder-guidance/#comment-4351 Jimbo Wed, 13 Dec 2006 20:47:17 +0000 http://dethroner.com/index.php/2006/12/12/grinder-guidance/#comment-4351 No need to spring for the Mazzer for normal coffee needs. The Mazzer is ideal for espresso and it excels at producing a very consistent espresso grind but is major over kill for regular grind coffee. A good quality burr grinder can be had for $100-150... don't waste your money unless you also have a quality espresso machine, but then again, if you do you probably already own (or want) a Mazzer. Want to learn more than you thought you ever needed to know about coffee, go to CoffeeGeek. www.coffeegeek.com No need to spring for the Mazzer for normal coffee needs. The Mazzer is ideal for espresso and it excels at producing a very consistent espresso grind but is major over kill for regular grind coffee. A good quality burr grinder can be had for $100-150… don’t waste your money unless you also have a quality espresso machine, but then again, if you do you probably already own (or want) a Mazzer.

Want to learn more than you thought you ever needed to know about coffee, go to CoffeeGeek.

http://www.coffeegeek.com

]]> By: rocketdyke http://dethroner.com/2006/12/12/grinder-guidance/#comment-4344 rocketdyke Wed, 13 Dec 2006 19:05:17 +0000 http://dethroner.com/index.php/2006/12/12/grinder-guidance/#comment-4344 Wow, Tonx reads this blog too! I can't wait to get my hands on a good burr grinder. I have some suggestions on my Christmas list for my family. Thanks for listing the info in such a nice fashion for everyone! Wow, Tonx reads this blog too!

I can’t wait to get my hands on a good burr grinder. I have some suggestions on my Christmas list for my family.

Thanks for listing the info in such a nice fashion for everyone!

]]> By: Tonx http://dethroner.com/2006/12/12/grinder-guidance/#comment-4332 Tonx Wed, 13 Dec 2006 17:42:12 +0000 http://dethroner.com/index.php/2006/12/12/grinder-guidance/#comment-4332 Jonathan - The Javagrind is the real deal. Adjustable ceramic burrs, folds up reasonably compact, weighs very little. I bought one as an impulse purchase at REI and it was just kind of a novelty in my kitchen - but at Burning Man this year I used it every day, getting a pretty good work out grinding enough beans to do coffee for all my campmates. It got easier after the first couple days. Jonathan -

The Javagrind is the real deal. Adjustable ceramic burrs, folds up reasonably compact, weighs very little. I bought one as an impulse purchase at REI and it was just kind of a novelty in my kitchen - but at Burning Man this year I used it every day, getting a pretty good work out grinding enough beans to do coffee for all my campmates. It got easier after the first couple days.

]]> By: Jonathan Harford http://dethroner.com/2006/12/12/grinder-guidance/#comment-4330 Jonathan Harford Wed, 13 Dec 2006 17:09:56 +0000 http://dethroner.com/index.php/2006/12/12/grinder-guidance/#comment-4330 Is that GSI JavaGrind for realz? It looks like the obvious choice! It doesn't take up much space and using it'll make me look like some sort of coffee bad-ass. Any reviews? Is that GSI JavaGrind for realz? It looks like the obvious choice! It doesn’t take up much space and using it’ll make me look like some sort of coffee bad-ass. Any reviews?

]]> By: Spiney Norman http://dethroner.com/2006/12/12/grinder-guidance/#comment-4328 Spiney Norman Wed, 13 Dec 2006 16:51:31 +0000 http://dethroner.com/index.php/2006/12/12/grinder-guidance/#comment-4328 Kyle, Add $200 and why not just buy the Mazzer Mini? The Capresso is reasonably priced and works well as long as you aren't completely mechanically challenged (yes, the plastic pieces need to be treated like cheap plastic pieces) and don't feel the need to handle the appliance like Godzilla; its conical burr grinder yields a nice even regular grind for about $150. That's 15 lbs of good coffee or so; a reasonable luxury for anyone that's willing to give up "the Sleazy Mermaid" for something better. Kyle, Add $200 and why not just buy the Mazzer Mini? The Capresso is reasonably priced and works well as long as you aren’t completely mechanically challenged (yes, the plastic pieces need to be treated like cheap plastic pieces) and don’t feel the need to handle the appliance like Godzilla; its conical burr grinder yields a nice even regular grind for about $150. That’s 15 lbs of good coffee or so; a reasonable luxury for anyone that’s willing to give up “the Sleazy Mermaid” for something better.

]]> By: Carlos http://dethroner.com/2006/12/12/grinder-guidance/#comment-4324 Carlos Wed, 13 Dec 2006 16:30:29 +0000 http://dethroner.com/index.php/2006/12/12/grinder-guidance/#comment-4324 Tonx, did you ever try adjusting the burr settings in the Kitchenaid for a proper espresso grind? Tonx, did you ever try adjusting the burr settings in the Kitchenaid for a proper espresso grind?

]]> By: Craig Borysowich http://dethroner.com/2006/12/12/grinder-guidance/#comment-4321 Craig Borysowich Wed, 13 Dec 2006 16:08:48 +0000 http://dethroner.com/index.php/2006/12/12/grinder-guidance/#comment-4321 I can also recommend the Krupps burr style grinders - they have controls on both the fineness of the grind and the amount of beans ground on a per cup basis. I also suggest that you go as fine as your filter will allow without making the coffee muddy and tune the amount of coffee in the filter to your brewer. If you have dry grounds in the filter after a brew - you are using too much! I can also recommend the Krupps burr style grinders - they have controls on both the fineness of the grind and the amount of beans ground on a per cup basis.

I also suggest that you go as fine as your filter will allow without making the coffee muddy and tune the amount of coffee in the filter to your brewer. If you have dry grounds in the filter after a brew - you are using too much!

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