(Part 3) Reddit mentions: The best burr coffee grinders

Completely off topic, but I just noticed your username. Do you work in the medical field? I'm a lab tech working nights in a smaller hospital.


The budget is going to get gnarly, especially if you buy things new.

I can tell you that setup I see recommended most often are the Baratza Vario (not W), the Crossland CC1, and a good scale, which is also probably one of the cheapest ways to do it. My wife and I also pretty much only use the same bean over and over again, so tuning it in between batches is pretty simple.

The scale in the grinder is a nifty feature, but it ends up giving your dose +/- .2 grams, whereas if you if you tune it in with a scale and the built in timer, you can get it down to smaller than +/- .1 gram. It may not seem like a big deal either way, but I use the same bean with the same dose over and over and over... So I feel like the added feature kind of goes to waste.

You can try different grinders like the Baratza Sette, which uses conical burrs vs the flat burrs of the Vario, but is new and unproven. There is also the Baratza Forte which is the older brother to the Vario and is supposed to resolve some of the flaws with the Vario. Your other grinder options are stepless (preferably doserless) grinders like the Fiorenzato, [Mazzer Mini]http://www.mazzer.com/en/grinder-dosers/mini/) (La Marzocco sells Mazzers, so there is that) and others that I can't remember at this point.

At the top of the home espresso machine market price wise is La Marzocco. Honestly, I think the only reason to get one of these would be to piss people off. Breville Dual Boiler(BES920XL), Rocket anything I guess, Rancilio Silvia + a PID kit, and others. I think a PID is a must have feature for any espresso machine.

I am by no means an expert in this topic, I'm just in the middle of researching an upgrade. I'm currently considering the Fiorenzato (because the name sounds cool. No really, I don't have a good reason for this. My Vario is more than sufficient, it just annoys me from time to time) and the Breville Dual Boiler (it's chock full of features and it has a bigger portafilter).

Apologies for the wall of text.

For various reasons I have had to mostly give up soda, beer, etc etc. I can still have coffee however, and find myself drinking more of that. I know I want a better cup of joe, as I can appreciate a good cup at the local shop.

Trouble is on trying to research what to do I'm getting overwhelmed pretty badly.

What I have :
https://www.amazon.com/Pavoni-PA-Burr-Coffee-Grinder-White/dp/B00004S9GN which i feel gives a really inconsistent grind and I think it's time to replace it .
A Hario v60 size #2 pourover
A decent bodum french press - one large and one small.
A standard drip maker I rarely use anymore. (it's only here in case I have several people over at once).
And a digital kettle that is variable, but not gooseneck.

What I like:
pourover is my standard go-to these days but I love espresso (can't make at home yet) and cold brew (haven't tried). I haven't tried a chemx or aeropress and not sure I will.

What I want/Questions I have:

I want to make a better cup of pourover. I'm not sure if my main problem is beans (i dont think so given the variety of local roasts I have available and like) or grinder (I'm suspecting so), or method (well probably so related to grind too). Same grinder ideally would cover french press, and cold brew.

I know it doesn't make sense to have one grinder for both espresso and other brew methods but I am interested in also being able to make espresso at home. Cost isn't a huge hurdle, I'm a senior software engineer and bust my ass and had to give up beer ...whatever this can be my new expensive snobbery.

1. What grinder makes sense for pourover, coldbrew, and french press? I'm questioning the Encore, the Virtuosos, the Vario, a hand grinder like the skerton + the upgrade, and just get lost in the reviews. I'm not opposed to spending anywhere from $10-$500 on a grinder, but I will say if I spend more than $100 i want the darn thing to last a good long while. I'm skeptical of the Bartaza's on that grounds but they keep getting recommended.
   
   
2. Do Ya'll weigh your coffee and if so, what thoughts on scales?
   
   
3. Do i need to get another kettle that's gooseneck, or is what I have alright? I have no idea how much difference this makes it seems to me water at a temp is water at a temp but I might be missing something. If I do need to upgrade does it need to be digital/variable temp or does it just need to go to boiling? I like the digital variance for tea frankly as burned jasmine tea is the worst but, is that needed for coffee?
   
   
4. For larger groups of people (4-6 ish) and making pourover - should I get a hario v60 size 3 and a carafe, or should i get a chemex? I see references as if Chemex isn't pourover and i get wholesale lost at that point i thought it was a way to do pourover? I'm lost as to how this all scales up or if it does at all.
   
   
5. What espresso machine makes sense for a beginner? - again in the mind that I don't have to start cheap but I don't want to screw myself with something I can't possibly learn on. I'm treating this a lot like good shop tools I own - there's no point in getting a cheap tool that I have to replace when I can get a better one that does a good job at all levels. $2-3 grand is the budget here roughly although I'm not getting it immediately (#1 is a more pressing issue). I know these things can get up into 5 figures and that's just not happening. Obviously, what grinder makes sense here too. Should I wait until I master the other methods better before going near this idea?
   
   

With only 4-5 people and a budget of 1k I definitely agree with vjack11 about their choices for a good home grinder and automatic coffee maker.

The reason the sidebar's sparse on that aspect is that there are other resources. E.G. for automatic home brewers we pretty regularly just defer to the Specialty Coffee Association of America's list. The coffee brewer vjack11 recommended is a larger version of the top home brewer, a bigger version specifically designed for small offices.

$1k is a relatively consumer setup for coffee unless you buy used. Going any more into commercial gear and you're looking at something like a Bunn or Fetco batch brewer, which range from $400 up to $3k for the big Fetcos that do two 3 gallon batches at once. The Moccamaster will also probably make better coffee than the Bunns, though not necessarily the Fetcos but those start at ~$800. That doesn't include the vessel the coffee is served from, an airpot that's anywhere from $20 for one that pours like a normal coffee pot to $200+ for one with a spigot.

The cheapest commercial grinders are also Bunns, the kind you see in grocery stores. They retail for $800+ and don't have the settings of the Vario-W. The Vario's great for an office environment because it allows you to leave the hopper full, set a dosage, and when you're ready to brew a batch just hit a single button and the right amount of coffee gets ground. The "commercial" variant of the Vario is the Forte, which is almost $1k by itself and it's predominantly an increase in build quality.

From Season 3: Weekend Brunch

TESTING NOTES


**


WINNER
Rated as RECOMMENDED:

• Capresso Cool Grind, Model 501 - $19.99
  
  > Has large capacity and a deep cup, the features we value most in a blade grinder. Some large pieces of bean were left after grinding, however.
  
  Amazon Link
  
  Three others were also rated as RECOMMENDED:
  
  
• Krups Fast-Touch Coffee Mill, Model 203 - $19.99
  
  > No cord wrap, but excellent fit between lid and base. Grinds fine, yet does not create excessive amount of coffee dust.
  
  Amazon Link
  
  
• Mr. Coffee Coffee Grinder, Model IDS55 - $13.99
  
  > Nice deep lid prevents the (unevenly) ground coffee from spilling. No cord wrap
  
  Amazon Link
  
  
• Braun Aromatic Coffee Grinder, Model KSM2B - $20.18
  
  > Tended to grind on the fine side, rarely leaving large chunks of bean. Did create a noticeable quantity of coffee dust, though.
  
  Amazon Link
  
  **
  
  NOT RECOMMENDED:
  
  
• Proctor-Silex Fresh Grind Coffee Grinder, Model E160B
  
• Cuisinart Coffee Bar Coffee Grinder, Model DCG-20BK
  
• Starbucks Barista Blade Grinder
  
• Braun Coffee/Espresso Mill, Model KMM30
  
• Capresso Burr Grinder, Model 551

I have a home setup that works great for us:

For under $200, you can buy the Cuisinart 15-bar espresso machine, and a decent burr grinder, and Terry's tamper is worth the $6 + s&h.

Also, as others have mentioned, the Aeropress makes great strong coffee that can make great mochas and such.

Naw. It's expensive and super-wasteful. I'd suggest getting a thermal carafe drip coffee maker, and a very nice burr grinder. DO NOT store your coffee beans in the freezer; just get an air-tight container, and store them in a cool, dry place.

A French press is nice, but it's definitely more time consuming, especially if you want to heat the water precisely. Espresso is just 'meh', IMO; it was what got me hooked, but it's not my preference anymore. I've never tried making Turkish coffee at home, but I've loved it when I've eaten out at Turkish places.

Aeropress gives you a lot of freedom on the taste of your coffee, so I recommend that. There is also no need for a lot of additional equipment with it unless you want to get info coffee more in the future. Quality of your coffee is equally as important as your method, so you don't have to break your bank, but try to get your hands on locally roasted single origin beans. (Best result is if you can buy your own grinder to make the freshest coffee, but if your budget doesn't allow for that, then ground coffee will do).

Aeropress - $35

Electric grinder - $37 (decent, takes no time at all)

Hario Skerton hand grinder (more reliable, takes some time, don't cheap out on the $15 dollar amazon version if you want a decent grind) - $39

If you go this route I also recommend looking at the World Aeropress Championship recipes and following in their lead to emulate a world-class cuppa joe.

Wow, nobody has suggested the aeropress yet. Unbreakable. Paired with a small hand-crank grinder, you can take amazing coffee anywhere. This is my exact setup:

http://www.amazon.com/AeroPress-Coffee-Espresso-Maker-Filters/dp/B001HBCVX0/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1375100557&sr=8-3&keywords=aeropress

and grinder:

http://www.amazon.com/Hario-MSS-1B-Mini-Coffee-Grinder/dp/B001804CLY/ref=sr_1_8?ie=UTF8&qid=1375100557&sr=8-8&keywords=aeropress

Of course, if you're making coffee for more than one person, it's a huge pita and the Chemex is good advice.

The thing is, the brew method isn't even that important. The more important thing is the grinder and freshly roasted beans. If you're up for spending some money there's this:

http://www.amazon.com/Baratza-Vario-W-Coffee-Grinder-985/dp/B0058J1XMC/ref=sr_1_6?s=home-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1375100733&sr=1-6

If you have a nice grinder, you can by a 5-10 dollar "dripper" and be in business. Or even just a large glass mason jar (cold brew), or "cowboy coffee" and you'll be drinking some damn good coffee.

The "standard" version of the Bodum Bistro Burr Grinder for $40 could be an option if you're unable to spend more than $50. It appears to have the same steel burrs as the "premium" version, just without a few features (glass ground container, timed grinding, friction clutch, color options). The absence of the friction clutch could be problematic because I believe that it's there to help prevent damage to the gears. If a stone or something finds its way into the grinder, the burrs will catch on it and the teeth of the plastic gears can strip. If there's a friction clutch, it should slip to prevent that from happening. I doubt you'll find a better electric grinder under ~$100 though unless you're lucky enough for one to go on clearance.

If you want a manual grinder and a Porlex is too much at ~$60, the Hario Skerton Pro or Mini Plus might be the best options.

I started with a regular Hario Skerton myself and definitely wouldn't recommend it for coarse grinds like for french press. I upgraded to the "premium" Bodum burr grinder when I found one on clearance. The "standard" version didn't exist when I bought it. It's definitely better than the Skerton but if you were willing to spend its regular price I would highly recommend saving up a bit more to get a Baratza Encore instead. My Bodum has lasted around two years so far, but I won't be surprised when it goes. With the Encore, you can buy parts to fix it yourself on the off chance that Baratza won't assist you. With Bodum you will be SOL outside the return period if anything other than the outer burr or glass grounds container breaks.

It looks like I actually have a cheaper version of the grinder that swroasting linked, this is it.

http://www.amazon.com/Capresso-559-04-Coffee-Burr-Grinder/dp/B004DAYHXO/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1406425653&sr=8-5&keywords=capresso+infinity+burr+grinder

I paid a bit less than that for it though.

If anyone else posts recommendations, disregard the $75 limit. After looking around on Amazon I'll raise that to a soft $150 limit, and consider grinders higher than that if they have a feature or quality that makes them really worth the added price.

After looking around on Amazon I really like the look of the Capresso Infinity swroasting posted, and this looks good too. http://www.amazon.com/Baratza-Encore-Conical-Coffee-Grinder/dp/B007F183LK/ref=sr_1_9?ie=UTF8&qid=1406425785&sr=8-9&keywords=burr+grinder

Any thoughts on which of those would be better for the price?

Uhh it's not the one your thinking of. It's a good grinder but doesn't have very many adjustments. There's a way that you can fit mazzer burrs on it as well. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00XPRQZJ0/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_sbj0Bb5Z844D7

Thanks for the excellent ideas.

Here is the model that I mean.

Thanks for the tips so far guys! Unfortunately these are way out of my budget, the most I could justify would be $50 or so, I should've stated that originally. What I usually do is just buy coffee at the store and grind it there - for that reason I don't know if I can justify $100+ on one since I can keep using the store grinder. I have a good quality manual burr grinder, it just takes too long and doesn't hold enough.

Edit: here's another budget one from a amazon with decent reviews, thoughts?

Top Rated Bellemain Burr Coffee Grinder with 17 Settings for Drip, Percolator, Steam or Pump Espresso, French Press and Turkish Coffee Makers https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01FSZAWZY/ref=cm_sw_r_other_apa_mZihybXYVCVZG

this was very affordable. The finest setting could be a little bit finer for espresso but it's still quite fine, the grinds are all consistent and its easy to clean.
I mostly us it for auto drip (medium grind) and fine for espresso, no problems with it so far.

Would this one work? Kinda limited in the free studs I can get haha.

http://www.amazon.com/DeLonghi-Stainless-Grinder-Selector-Quantity/dp/B002LVUHWM

I recently purchased the Technivorm Moccamaster and Baratza Sette 30 Conical Burr Grinder as replacements for my worn-out Cuisinart grinder and Brew Central coffee maker. So far, I am very pleased with the improvements in taste and quality of coffee I’ve brewed.

Technivorm Moccamaster KBT 79112 Coffee Brewer, 40 oz, Polished Silver https://www.amazon.com/dp/B002S4DI2S/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_wfa9BbNMGHNFG

Baratza Sette 30 Conical Burr Grinder https://www.amazon.com/dp/B075G11F9N/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_uga9BbFVB7F7T

I actually just ordered this Cuisinart today. It seems to be about on par with the other "mid tier" grinders folks recommend.

Edit: Downvoted for ordering a grinder. This sub is truly in the upper echelons of elitist self-fellating cocksuckery.

Thanks for the realistic advice. You're right that the Aeropress is volume-limited, but probably that won't be an issue.

As to grinders, I suspected what you said would be the case. The Baratza Preciso looks great, but it's a good deal pricier than I'd hoped. Any alternative suggestions that won't make a huge mess?

To answer your questions, I'm currently using a Capresso Burr Grinder, an earlier generation of this one. The main problem is that when you pull out the plastic box to get the grinds, ground coffee goes everywhere. Another problem is that after four years of service, the wheel for adjusting coarseness will no longer turn or, when it does, no longer adjust coarseness. My drip machine is an earlier generation of this Gevalia POS, which my parents got for free with some other purchase. Probably if I cleaned it more often the coffee wouldn't be so bad, but even then the ergonomics are crap and it doesn't get the water very hot.

>Xeoleo

Hi! Thanks again. I hadn't much time the last days, so I couldn't check all the info on your post.

I looked into the Xeoleo and find it interesting. Is that the one, right?Do you know how would it compare with a comandante for pour overs?

(by the way, I have that cup with a filter but I only use it sometimes when I use the Kalita)

Start with whole bean, dark roast coffee - I like the coffee they sell here at Dancing Goats.

This burr grinder on finest grind setting and the aeropress.

Or rougher grind and french press.

https://www.amazon.ca/Bodum-Bistro-Electric-Coffee-Grinder/dp/B00430AXLE/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1469227031&sr=8-1&keywords=bodum+bistro

Is this any good ? Price on the bodum website is 120$ seems fair. The baratza I cant find refurbished since they wont ship over 3pounds packages

The green one is on the Amazon CANADIAN site for $99.95 CAD now!

http://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B00430AXLE/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A3DWYIK6Y9EEQB

The Infinity will do what you need, and your elbow won't hurt. Extreme coarseness is not as important as particle size consistency and lack of fines. I prefer a medium grind for my French press, as it promotes a quicker, more even extraction. Someone posted the Cuisinart CBM-18 in the past few days, which spec-wise, looks to be awfully similar to the Infinity.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004DAYHXO/ref=oh_details_o02_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

There's a 1 star gap between OP's linked grinder and its cheaper younger brother. Anyone here use/own the 559? This would be my first Burr grinder.

$100, couldnt find a model but here is the link:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00430AXLE?vs=1

I've been using this electric burr grinder and an Aeropress to make my coffee. The difference in quality and flavor is night and day, since I got rid of the Keurig. It only takes about 5 minutes from start to finish, including cleanup.

It's not the best. It's a Cuisinart CBM-18.
https://www.amazon.com/Cuisinart-CBM-18N-Programmable-Conical-Burr/dp/B001NGO28Q