(Part 2) Reddit mentions: The best coffee grinders

What's your budget? That's going to make a difference in what gets recommended. If you can only spend $100 vs $500 there are going to be some compromises that you'll have to make, especially when it comes to the grinder.

Scale:

• This basic scale does not include a timer, but you could just use your phone or something https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004C3CAB8
  
  
• This scale comes with a timer and some advanced features https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01N3U7RKH
  
  
• The Acaia scales are the top-notch pro-level deal which don't really add much compared to the Brewista scale, but people like them. https://www.amazon.com/s/ie=UTF8&search-alias=aps&field-keywords=Acaia
  
  Burr Grinder:
  
  
• Most basic hand grinder that will give you the least amount of problems for the price: https://www.amazon.com/Hario-Skerton-Coffee-Grinder-Black/dp/B01MXJI90S
  
  
• Jump on up to the AerGrind, Feld2, Lido, Helor 101, Kinu M47, Commandante... these hand grinders are top-notch and a great value, giving the best quality grind until you hit the $500-600 price.
  
  
• If you want to go electric, don't get anything less than the Encore which you can get refurb for $100. It won't be as good of a grind as the better hand grinders, but it's a great grinder for the price.
  
  Pour over cone:
  
  
• I really can't recommend anything other than the V60. I don't see an advantage to the Wave or Chemex. They all make the same quality level of coffee, but the Wave filters can be annoying, the Chemex filters are extra thick and you may not care for it, and both Wave and Chemex are more expensive. Get the $5 plastic V60-02 and some white filters for $10 and you're set. Or you can get a fancier glass or metal one if you want. Get a server/carafe if you plan on making that much coffee but it can just sit on a mug. If you want to try the Chemex filters, they fit in the V60-02 or V60-03. If you want to try cloth or metal filters, there are options that fit in the V60's.
  
  Gooseneck Kettle
  
  
• Bonavita Variable Temp is perfectly fine but not amazing quality; mine has lasted a couple years just fine but I can't use my well water in it because it rusts it due to high sodium levels... also it tends to heat the water too much if I don't have at least a pint in it (I often don't). It's not too annoying though, just be aware it's not perfect but is good for the price https://www.amazon.com/Bonavita-BV382510V-Variable-Temperature-Gooseneck/dp/B005YR0F40
  
  
• The Oxo kettle would be the competitor at that price, which I haven't used but it's worth looking at reviews for it https://www.amazon.com/OXO-Adjustable-Temperature-Electric-Pour-Over/dp/B074KHPS7F/
  
  
• For a cheaper kettle option you'd have to go stovetop. Hario Buono is a good one for that.
  
  
• A desirable kettle if you can afford it is the Fellow Stagg EKG.
  
  
  Prioritize the grinder and make that the most expensive part of your setup. You can easily deal with a $10 scale, $5 pour over cone, $35 kettle, but a grinder that is $25 vs $50 vs $150 will make a huge difference in not just the taste quality of your coffee but the more expensive grinders will also reduce your frustration level by giving you less fines and more even grinds so it will be easier to hit the brew times, taste notes, and reduce the bitterness.

I think to best answer this request, we'll need a bit more info. Are you ok with a manual grinder, or do you prefer an electric grinder? Do you want a drip brewer or a pour over set up? Are you looking to get into espresso? And, what is your actual budget in your local currency?

And now for a guess at what might work for you...

A [Melitta Plastic Pour Over Dripper](https://www.amazon.com/Melitta-Ready-Single-Coffee-Brewer/dp/B0014CVEH6/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1527536804&sr=8-1&keywords=mellita) $5 to $6 (a lot of grocery stores carry these in stock)

A box of #2 Cone filters at your local grocery store $2

If you want an automatic drip brewer, and you are making smaller amounts for just you, the [Bonavita 5 cup](https://www.amazon.com/Bonavita-BV1500TS-Carafe-Coffee-Stainless/dp/B00SK5IXPQ/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1527537674&sr=8-4&keywords=bonavita+brewer) is wroth a look. it runs about $66. I have the 8 cup for the wife and I and we love it.

Filters can be purchased, again, at your local grocery store for about $2.

[Brewista SmartPour Kettle w. Thermometer](https://www.amazon.com/Brewista-Variable-Temperature-Kettle-BKV12S02NA/dp/B01CFBBUVY/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1527537033&sr=8-1&keywords=brewista%2Bsmart%2Bpour&th=1) $40. There are cheaper ones, but I personally have this one and have loved it.

[Scale](https://www.amazon.com/Jennings-CJ-4000-Compact-Digital-Adapter/dp/B004C3CAB8/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1527537139&sr=8-1&keywords=Jennings+CJ4000) This is a must. $30

[Bratza Encore](https://www.amazon.com/Baratza-Encore-Conical-Coffee-Grinder/dp/B007F183LK/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?s=home-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1527537371&sr=1-1-spons&keywords=baratza+encore&psc=1&smid=A302OQK4GZWXCC) Grinder is the default recommendation around here, and for good reason. It's high quality, and easily serviceable. New they run $139, but you can save $40 and pick up a [refurb](https://www.baratza.com/product/encore-refurb/) (still with the 1 year warrantee) for $99 direct from Baratza.

If you want a cheaper option, and don't mind a manual hand grinder, there are a few options, but the [Hario Skerton Pro](https://www.amazon.com/Hario-Skerton-Ceramic-Grinder-MMCS-2B/dp/B01MXJI90S/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1527537536&sr=8-1&keywords=hario+skerton+pro) is about the lowest cost / still decent quality grinders, grinder that most would recommend. It runs about $60, and personally, I'd spend the extra $30 on an Encore refurb.

Happy Mug Beans are a pretty great option. I really enjoy the Big Foot Espresso blend (despite it's name) as a pour over, and even like it in my drip brewer. The Inspirational Artist Blend is a great option too. But really just try them out and see what you like. Their bags (for 1lbs of whole beans) run $11 - $13

Hope that helps.

To answer your question, the strength of your coffee is mostly influenced by how much coffee you're using versus how much water. For a strong cup with your Keurig, go with the setting with the smallest amount of water. The Keurig is by no means the "best" method to make coffee, but it will make coffee. If you decide to get a manual brewer (French press, Aeropress, Kalita Wave, etc.) the brew time has some leeway, but I'd recommend just using more coffee than trying to push the recommended brew time too far. Coffee can/should be strong without being bitter, and keeping the water and coffee together too long will create bitterness.


What follows is everything you need to know about making great coffee. Warning, this may be overwhelming:

1. Freshly ground coffee is going to taste better. Consider coffee like bread. A loaf left on the counter will get stale faster if you slice it up. Freshly roasted is better, but it might be more expensive/harder for you to find and you might not want to dive that deep yet.
   
2. Conical burr grinders are better than blade grinders. The problem is that a decent automatic burr grinder is going to be ~$100 and that's a steep price for someone just getting into coffee. Many people will recommend the mini mill, Skerton, or something along those lines that is hand-crank. (Good non-name brand options: 1 and 2) Those are your best bet. Although I wouldn't necessarily recommend it, you can get an automatic blade grinder if you might have an issue with manual grinding/don't want to drop a lot of money. I will mention that darker roasts are easier to grind manually so there's less worry for your wrist. The problem with blade grinders is you get a bunch of differently sized bits, which makes it more difficult to get consistency and figure out a grind size/brew time you like.
   
3. Each method of brewing calls for a differently sized grind. This is pretty important. If it's too small, you'll get a bitter cup. If it's too big, you'll get a sour cup. The same goes for brew time. Too long will make a bitter cup, and too short will make a sour cup. However, there's some leeway on both of these to your taste.
   
4. There are a bunch of ways to make coffee that change how it tastes. Methods that involve filtering through paper make a cleaner cup, but you lose most of the oils in the coffee. Metal filters leave in these oils, but can also leave a lot of sediment/mud in the bottom of your cup. You might drink this if you drink that last sip, and it isn't really nice.
   
5. Weighing your coffee is much more accurate if you want to make a consistent cup. A tablespoon of a darker roast might be 5 grams while a tablespoon of a lighter roast might be 7 grams.
   
6. You'll need something to boil water in. If you have a kettle, great. If you don't, you can use a pan or you can buy a kettle. It doesn't need to be a fancy/expensive gooseneck-style one (1 and 2), but you might want one of those if you get into pourover methods.
   
   I would recommend a French press (1 2 3 4) or Aeropress for someone just getting into coffee. They're much more forgiving than pour-over methods, meaning you're less likely to make a bitter cup. They each have their own drawbacks, too. An Aeropress is easier to clean up, but can only make one cup at a time. A French press takes more time to clean, but can make about 3 cups at a time. (By cups I mean a standard 12-ounce mug.) Definitely get a grinder, too (see above). A scale (1 and 2) is optional but recommended. For beans, seek out a local roaster/coffee shop, but there are tons of online options available, too.
   
   Welcome to the wonderful (and sometimes crazy) world of coffee!

<--- Barista here! I second the Moka suggestion. Unless you have thousands to shell out on a shop quality espresso machine, this is the next best thing. A good grinder is key, and burr grinders are best. This is mine. Also, steaming wands on cheaper machines never work very well and are horrible to clean. All you really need to get that nice foam easily is one of these nifty milk frothers.




Most retail coffee "machines" aren't built to last and make mediocre drinks. Low-tech almost always produces a superior tasting beverage. I have a Chemex(for normal coffee), a french press(for stronger coffee), a Toddy(for iced coffee) and a Moka(for espresso).


Also, if you can, seek out a roaster that is local to your mother. They will direct you to their best beans for espresso, and it will most likely be very fresh. All the roasters I have worked with are always happy to help customers troubleshoot and tweak to their tastes as well. It's a really worthwhile relationship for a coffee enthusiast.


So, Moka, burr grinder, frother wand, a pound of beans, and you're set. She'll love it. If you have some extra cash, and she likes normal coffee, throw in that Chemex. 10 times better than an auto-drip, and uses less beans as well. :)

Step 1: Acquire an ibrik / cezve / džezva

If you can, I recommend going somewhere local. If you have a local international market, or market that sells Arabic or Turkish foods, that would be best. You'll get a decent price there. It really shouldn't cost more than $10 (and I think that's pushing it).

If you can't find a place to purchase it locally, buy online. You might be tempted to get a fancy one, but those are expensive and not easy to clean because of the shape. Something simple and cheap like this works just as well.

Step 2: Acquire coffee cups

If you already have espresso cups, you can use those. However Turkish coffee is traditionally drank out of special cups, about this size/style here. If you've found a local place to get the ibrik, you can likely find cups there too.

Step 3: Acquire Turkish coffee

There are two options here. #1 which I think is easier and better, is to buy ground Turkish coffee. Once again, if you're at a local store that sells it, buy it there. It will likely be freshest and cheapest. Sometimes they also sell small packages of it, which might be good if you're trying to see if you like it.

Your second option, is to go to a grocery store or market that sells ground coffee - pick the coffee you want, and when you use the grinder machine, select "Turkish". It is the most fine setting. The problem with this method, is that the machine will never grind it as well as "real Turkish coffee". If you're planning to host a dinner party to show off your new Turkish coffee skills, do NOT do it this way.

Technically there is a third option. You can buy a Turkish coffee grinder. This way you can choose the beans, and get the finely ground consistency of real Turkish coffee. But be warned, these make for better ornamental displays in your home rather than grinding coffee. Also, I've never figured out how to clean the inside...

Step 4: Cook the coffee!

Fill an empty cup (the Turkish or espresso style) with water, and dump it into your ibrik. Place it on the stovetop on high heat. Once the water has just begun to boil, take 1 teaspoon of coffee grounds and place it into the water and stir. Watch carefully, because within 10 seconds the coffee will begin to rise. Keep stirring to prevent the coffee from pouring over the edge. Once the coffee begins to rise, remove it from the heat and wait for it to drop, then return it to the stovetop and let it rise one more time. When it starts to rise again, turn off the heat and you're done! Pour the coffee into the cup. Wait for it to cool, and enjoy

If you like your coffee with sugar, you can add that while it's cooking or after you've poured it into the cup. Also, Turkish coffee is NOT typically drank with milk or cream.

Step 5: When you're done drinking, turn the cup upside down (optional)

I actually don't know how prevalent this is in Turkey, but in former Yugoslavia where people drink a lot of Turkish coffee, this is what they often do.

And sometimes for fun people will do fortune telling by looking at the grounds inside the upside down cup. I don't know much about it, but it's fun to watch people do it.

Mmk.

Let's ignore the espresso machine route, and go for something that will give you strong coffee. Either a moka pot, or maybe an aeropress. (I personally recommend the aeropress.)

As for the milk, the cheaper route would be to heat it up (microwave?) and then use a milk frother to blend air into it. You'll get these big bubbles as opposed to microfoam like you'd get at an actual coffee shop. OR. You can go for a stovetop steam wand like this. You'll need to invest some time/money into this to learn how to make microfoam, but the results will be worth it. I'm actually about to embark on this step :/ (Note, you don't HAVE to foam/froth your milk. It just makes it a little tastier.)

NOW. Back onto the coffee. So we have your "machine/maker" figured out. Let's talk about the ACTUAL coffee. Depending on what you've picked from above, you're in $30-$100+ deep. If you have a local roaster, that's great! Buy beans freshly roasted from them. Learn from them. Ask them to make recommendations. If not, there are a few online sources good for buying roasted coffee. Remember, buy what you can use in about 1-2 weeks. Longer than that and you'll have stale coffee.

If you can, you should buy whole coffee beans, and grind them yourself. The cheaper method is to buy a hand grinder. The Hario Skeleton/Skerton is always highly recommended. A few drawbacks to this, but you'll learn about them on your coffee journey. (Don't want to bombard you with too much information for now.) The Hario Mini Mill is also a great option, especially for travelling, but grinds less.

As for electric grinders, the Baratza Maestro is a good entry level burr grinder, but at a pretty steep price :/ Note: always buy a burr grinder, and note a blade grinder. Bear in mind that using the hand grinders is actually quite a lot of work, especially if you're not a morning type of person. The entire Baratza line of grinders are all highly recommended, but as always, the better the grinder, the higher the cost.

If you'd use a tortilla press, then you'll probably get a lot of use out of a citrus squeezer. I feel like the lever kind gets you the most juice, and the orange ones do lemon and limes just as well.

Microplane -- great for citrus zests, spices, ginger and garlic. I like to have one with slightly bigger holes for cheese as well --- the microplane makes really fine, fluffy cheese that basically disappears when it melts, and sometimes that's not what you want.

Seconding a cast iron skillet --- great for so many things, searing steak, frying chicken, bacon, stews.

Tongs --- tongs, a spatula and a wooden spoon and you can basically cook anything

Fine mesh strainer --- can use for pasta or whatnot, but it's also great for things like gravy or pan sauces where you want plup to get through but no chunks of stuff

probe thermometer --- super handy for meats.

Nice to have: Coffee grinder. Awesome for spices --- you can buy whole spices, which keep their flavor much longer and are way cheaper. The difference between, say, cumin from a jar and cumin seeds you toast and grind fresh --- it's ridiculous. Mortar and pestle, same deal --- there's some kinds of sauces, like mole or Thai curries, that you get much better flavor when you use a mortar and pestle. You can usually get them pretty cheap at Asian or Latin American groceries.

Take a look at Aeropress. It isn't true expresso, but it is really excellent coffee and only costs $35. My setup:

Aeropress

An electric kettle with temperature options like this: https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B07HT3FXCY

A simple manual coffee grinder like this: https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B010UJZ5XW

A manual and fun-to-use milk frother like this: https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B010E1ZQVC

Buy coffee from a local or mail-order coffee roaster: I like Dunn Bros. best in our neighborhood.

Actually, my setup isn't like these, it is these. My SO and I are enjoying latte's, Americanos, and mochas. It is fun to make, really delicious, and cheap.

The general opinion over on the Gaggia users' group is that it's not worth half what you'll pay for it. I've never used the MDF, but I believe the people there who have... if anything, the tendency of people on that group is to praise Gaggia equipment, not dump on it.

>it's the only viable grinder in it's price range

What are you defining as "its price range?" IIRC, it's generally around $250-$300. Other options that I think are likely to do a better job:

• Cunill Tranquilo (Google cache link because their site is flaky at the moment. Call them on the phone for the current price.) - This gets a lot of love on the Gaggia group and on CG's reviews page. I think the current price is $250-$275.
  
  
• Virtuoso Preciso - $275-$300 - Early reviews are extremely positive for this one.
  
  
• OE Pharos - $245 - Lots of people with a ton to say about this one. Most of it positive.
  
  I also hear the Breville Smart can do espresso if you get some shims for it from Breville. The SCG people seemed to like it anyway. I've never used any of these, but if I had to spend <$300 and had to have new equipment, I would go for any of them before I'd buy an MDF.
  
  When I wanted an espresso grinder to go with my Gaggia, I hit eBay for pulls from coffee shops. I found a Fama MPN for around $200 and new burrs from a repair shop for around $50. It was unsightly but very effective.

The cheapest reasonable set up for roommates who all drink lots of coffee would be something like this:

​

• An SCAA-certified machine (which mostly just means it gets the water hot enough), like this Bonavita 8-Cup machine ($100). That's about as cheap as you'll get for a larger SCAA-certified machine.
  
• A burr grinder. If you want good coffee, you have to grind your beans fresh; there's no way around that. The most popular recommendation, with good reason, is the Baratza Encore, but this OXO grinder ($80) should be fine for your needs and is about $50 less.
  
  ​
  
  That puts you at 180 for your grinder and machine, which isn't bad.
  
  ​
  
  For beans, Happy Mug is as cheap as you'll get for super freshly-roasted. Based on what you're saying you'd probably be just fine with a blend. Order two or three different ones and figure out what you like! $9 per 12 oz bag. The beans are nearly always roasted the same day they ship.
  
  ​
  
  It sounds like you aren't interested in taking on coffee as a "hobby" and instead just are looking for a better cup. Something like I recommended would be the cheapest and least "enthusiast" route to drinking much, MUCH better coffee than you are now.

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).

The general consensus here seems to be to aim for a Gaggia machine as the absolute minimum. Preferably a Gaggia Classic (~$388).

I've heard people recommend the lower priced Gaggia New Baby (~$300) to try out espresso and to help decide whether "to get a real espresso machine".

A step up from that, the recommendation seems to be the Crossland CC1, but that's in the $600+ range.

To save some money, you might do better finding a used machine or see if they're on sale at different sites.

If you want to go cheaper than that, people have recommended the MyPressi ($170), but I have not seen that in stock anywhere recently. There's some buzz regarding the MiniPresso (Preorder at $39), but that won't be out until 2015. So there won't be any reviews regarding it for a while.

As for grinder, if you're looking for cheap, you might have to make do with a hand grinder, either Hario Skerton (~$35) or Mini (~$26) or Porlex (~$43). The cheapest acceptable electric grinder seems to be the Baratza Preciso at $300.

This is the information I've gathered anyway. I don't have any personal experience with an espresso machine, but I hope this helps. If you decide to go with something, post your experience and help some people out.

Personally, I'm thinking of saving up for the CC1 and Vario (~$1000) combo...

Since I too recently came to be a fervent fan of the Aeropress I knew I needed to get a burr grinder. Now, I'm sure $100-$200 is going to get you something pretty nice, but if you're looking to keep your budget in check I actually went with the KRUPS GX5000 for only $30. I'm new to grinding my own beans but this one does a fine job, for me at least.

Congratulations on finding it in yourself to make a sound financial change - I, as many others here apparently, wish you well and hope your Aeropress helps you on that journey!

Sure

Rocky - poor adjustability, expensive at $355

Lelit P53 - stepless adjustability, great grind quality - super affordable at $229

Iberital Challenge - stepless high quality grind - $320 on that link, but can be found for less if you look around

Baratza Preciso - about 6-7x the number of steps of the Rocky, can be bought as refurb direct from Baratza for $239

Baratza Vario available as a refurb direct from Baratza for $360 ($5 more than the Rocky, but its a staggeringly better grinder).

I could go on. Add to that the ready availability of good quality used Mazzers for much the same price as the new Rocky and it is frankly staggering that anyone would choose to buy the Rocky these days. It only survives off the back of uninformed users and people reading decade old reviews on sites like coffeegeek.

As a general purpose grinder, it is expensive for what it is, but can certainly do a job. For espresso there are much better options for your money.

You'll definitely want to upgrade to a quality burr grinder. I've never made espresso with a blade grinder but I imagine it would be pretty difficult. To use a non-pressurized portafilter you'll really need a decent grinder like one of these: http://www.amazon.com/Baratza-Preciso-Coffee-Grinder-685/dp/B003JFCRN6

Grind is one of the most important things for espresso. Good grinders range from $100 all the way up to $2k and more. A Baratza Encore is about $120 and a great starter grinder and would work great with a pressurized portafilter. That is actually what I use at home.

31 days for Augustus.

August is amazing as on the 11th there of it I celebrate my having grace the world with birth. It is a beautiful day, celebrated by all. After all, the gift of Kim is the gift that keeps on giving.

Chemex, Bonavita kettle, skerton grinder, knock off scale

So you def pay a little bit for the Chemex aesthetic, but I think it makes a pretty smooth cup and is somewhat forgiving to beginners.

The skerton pro is an excellent hand grinder, when my electric broke I used the hand grinder every day for a semester and had absolutely no problem (I honestly enjoyed the process for a while).

The scale will feel like a knockoff because it is, I got a very similar one (but payed extra for a reseller to put a fancy label on it because I’m not the brightest) and while it works, you’ll def want to invest in something more if you catch the coffee bug

https://www.amazon.com/-/es/gp/aw/d/B074TB9L2D/ref=cm_cr_arp_mb_bdcrb_top?ie=UTF8

https://www.amazon.com/Chemex-Classic-Pour-over-Glass-Coffeemaker/dp/B0000YWF5E?th=1&psc=1

https://www.amazon.com/Hario-Skerton-Manual-Grinder-Ceramic/dp/B01MXJI90S

https://www.amazon.com/Bonavita-BV382510V-Variable-Temperature-Gooseneck/dp/B005YR0F40

Been using my Gaggia classic for about 2 months now, took a while to get it down but I love it now that I have my grinder dialed in.

Speaking of grinders, I never realized they were just as expensive as the brewers. I'm using a hand grinder my friend recommended years ago when I got my first french press, it seems to work really well for espresso. Eventually I'll be able to buy a real grinder.

Edit: Found my grinder on my amazon history. It has a few shortcomings (grind size is awkward to adjust because of the way the screw is set) but it works pretty consistently after dialing it in as I said above.

I've had this Oxo burr grinder for a few months, and I like it. It's about $100, but I think that it has a consistent grind and doesn't take up too much counter space. Cold brew is my favorite way to enjoy coffee, so I've been experimenting making my own for a little over a year now. I find that the 13 setting is great for cold brew. I occasionally will make a pour over if I want hot coffee, and have found the 5.5ish setting to work best for my v60.

I just got a french press as a gift. I decided I want to give grinding my own beans a try. When we moved into my house the old owners left behind [this cheap blade grinder] (https://www.amazon.com/Mr-Coffee-Electric-Settings-IDS77/dp/B000BRLXUI/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1498241629&sr=8-2&keywords=mr.+coffee+grinder). I used it this morning and was not impressed. I'm not looking to spend a lot on a burr grinder.

My question is: For someone who is only going to be doing a coarse grind for a french press will this Mr. Coffee Burr Grinder be good enough? I know a lot of the aficionados will shoot it down (I've done enough googling and reddit searching to know that). However, I'm just a guy with a french press that wants a nice cup of coffee. A lot of the reviews I read focus on its struggles with a fine grind, but I don't need that right now. I just want something that will grind better than a blade and will help make a good cup of coffee (better than pre-ground in a drip for example). I know there are cheap mechanical options, but my problem with those is most only seem to hold one or two cups at a time. I'd rather be able to grind the full 4 cups my press can make at once.

EDIT: Or if someone has tips on to make better use of the blade grinder until I can save up for one of the ~$100 grinders people recommend.

French press is my favorite (though I am by no means a well seasoned expert). It is pretty much a pitcher and a plunger so you cam make any amount of coffee as long as it fits just know your preferred ratio. I like 1:16 or 1:17.

As for a grinder most people here say plan to spend about $100 for a good one. I was looking at the hario skerton but found this one that looks pretty close to identical, it comes with the added upgrade stabilizer and it is just over $20. I figured I'd save my money to get a really good one later. I would also recommend a scale to weigh your coffee and water.

Premium Ceramic Burr Manual Coffee Grinder. Updated with installed Stabilizer Washer. Large 100g Capacity Coffee Mill. For Espresso, Pour Over, French Press, and Turkish Coffee Brewing. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B010UJZ5XW/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_utFzDbAP4Q4N6

You need to have room in your budget for a grinder. That being said, that would put the Astra out of your preferred budget. But it does seem like an excellent machine for the price point (no experience here).

If you're wanting to do primarily milk drinks, and concerned about ease, the Brevillle Double Boiler is <$1,000 now. But that leaves no room for a decent grinder - the Breville Smart Grinder Pro is about all that would fit into your budget. A nice upgrade on grinder to a Baratza Sette 270 will set you back another $200.

If you need to save money, consider the Breville Infuser rather than the DB.

Lots of folk will encourage you to look at more commercial duty machines that have simpler maintenance, and in the long run they're correct. But if you only have what you have, that's a pretty good bang for your buck. The machine will probably not be as long-lasting as one of the E61 HX machines, but there's not many out there in your budget. There are a few, like the Lelit Mara but that one doesn't have a very long history like some of the more commonly-recommended machines (that are also more pricey).

This is the grinder I was using. A lot of left over ground coffee on the walls and top piece as well. I would rinse it after every use because I thought leaving it on there might be bad for future cups. Not exactly sure what you mean by chafing, sorry.

I haven't actually checked how most coffee machines do it but I am assuming some kind of dripping system? When you mention clever or bonavita are you taking in consideration coffee machines or only manual methods? Just to be clear, you are saying that there are no extra performance/health benefits from doing it manually compared to letting a machine using Kcups do it for you?

Thank you very much for the reply and help, I really appreciate it!

For sure. I use this krupps grinder. It's the #1 seller on amazon, works like a boss. It can grind 2-3tbsp at a time. I think they sell it at stores like wal-mart, target, and dept stores.

I also had the bodum (bought it at whole foods for about $20) and it was great.

If you get a vitamix, I would recommend a refurbished model. I've bought 3 (2 for me and 1 for a friend) and they're all perfect, and like 5-6 years old. You can find discounts all the time, too, just search around for a code. Like this one. And FWIW, I bought mine for like $290 with some kind of code, and sold my previous model for like $250 on craigslist, so they hold their value really well. Basically upgraded from the old to the new model for $40!

Vitamix is definitely worth it. I waited a while to buy one because they were so expensive, but it's one of the few necessities in my kitchen now.

Since everyone else has covered the basics and the detailed know how, I will suggest this.

Don't be discouraged if you try something you do not like.

Whole bean and anything not in a can is going to be far superior.

If you want to get serious, get yourself a decent grinder. I have This.

As for a coffee maker use This.

It is simply the best. I have a coffee pot for when I have company, but the Aeropress makes the best cup of coffee I have ever tasted! It is just like a french press and is simply exceptional.

If you visit a coffee shop and they do not roast their own coffee or bring in fresh roasted coffee from somewhere local, leave.

In a typical grocery store it can be in a number of places, most commonly in the "health food" aisle or with the gluten-free flours. If you don't see it, ask someone who works there because it's one of those items that could fit into a number of different aisles.

The best place to get flax seed is in bulk stores. It's easy to find there and much cheaper than in grocery stores.

I grind mine with an electric coffee bean grinder that cost $10. Looks something like this. On a side note, electric grinders are also great for grinding spices.

I had one of those! My cat kept breaking it though, and after several times replacing the upper glass piece, I finally got rid of it. I did, however, pick up this thing a couple of weeks ago. One thing that I've noticed with the siphon brewer is that you can vary your extraction a bit by playing around with the grind size and the steep time. I usually do a smaller grind (bigger than espresso, 5 clicks on my Virtuoso as opposed to 0 clicks for espresso), and steep for 60 seconds.

As for your grinder question, I had a couple of inexpensive burr grinders that did an ok job. This seems to be the one that people like on here, but I have never owned one. I have hand grinded coffee a few times, and it takes several minutes to grind enough for a couple cups. I have owned this, which wasn't great, but worked well for medium sized grinds. I also had one of these, which performed about the same as the black and decker, ok for medium sized grinds. If you aren't going to be doing espresso, then a cheap-o burr grinder will probably get you by, since you aren't going to care about getting a really fine grind, but will be concerned with having a nice even medium sized grind. But, that's just my two cents.

1. I feel like you're just grasping at straws with this one
   
   
2. Coffee makers aren't heavy let alone a "single shot" coffee maker
   
   
3. -
   
   
4. He might be over glorifying the fact that he asked friends to help him? It's not uncommon. He's an engineer i'm sure he can get a lot of free help / cheap help / for beer help if he needs it
   
   
5. It brews an entire jug of coffee! not a single shot like this product and looking at the dimensions it isn't much smaller!
   
   6 / 7) I really don't see how this would be impossible. There is plenty of space in this device based on proportions in the videos and dimensions shown. It's just a tiny bit smaller than the one you presented but delivers a single cup not an entire pot.
   
   this Tiny thing can grind enough coffee for an 8 cup french press.
   
   
6. As he said in his video... the plastic parts are 3D printed in his basement. But even then I wouldn't say the design really changes at all throughout either video or the kickstarter campaign

Not sure why that person deleted their post, but a mini mill like that would be fine. Honestly, I spent years using a spice mill. It wasn't until I was going into a pour over competition that I upgraded to a legit coffee grinder, and even then it's a simple barratza encore. The spice mill I used was maybe $14 new at target. So check this out... not high quality mind you, definitely is in its price point, but this is better than pre-ground, or a spice mill.


https://smile.amazon.com/Hamilton-Beach-80365-Hands-Free-Platinum/dp/B000FBYRMQ/ref=sr_1_7?s=kitchen&ie=UTF8&qid=1473115693&sr=1-7&keywords=coffee+grinder


As for a pour over cone? My ceramic v60 was $12 on amazon, I have a melita cone, plastic that was $3 on amazon, and I have a kalita wave that was $1 at goodwill.

The French press (FP) is great, the grinder is not good. The grinder is what is known as a blade grinder which means that it kind of works like a blender where spinning blades will chop up the coffee. The problem is that it will chop up the coffee really inconsistently and you'll have big chunks, little chunks and dust all mixed together. If you keep it running, you will eventually have dust which is actually OK for Turkish coffee.

To brew a good cup of coffee, you want a relatively consistent particle size so that you can evenly extract the good stuff from the coffee without extracting the bad stuff. If you would use that grinder with an FP, you would end up with huge chunks that wouldn't really extract much coffee goodness and a lot of sludge in the cup.

I'm going to say that you'd probably be better off drinking stale preground coffee over using that grinder. The Hario Skerton is the cheapest grinder (here is a knockoff that appears to have identical burrs/mechanics and is currently cheaper) I'm aware of that is OK for FP although it is better for drip/Aeropress where a finer grind is required. You really want to look out for a burr grinder which is commonly thought to crush the beans but really cuts them into more consistent size.

The cheapest electric grinders that I'd recommend are significantly more expensive but you can sometimes find them cheaper. Capresso Infinity, Bodum Bistro and Baratza Encore are all good grinders but they all run significantly more.

I started with this entry level conical burr grinder and it's still working 3 months of daily grind later https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0001I9R8C/ref=yo_ii_img?ie=UTF8&psc=1

As for brewing, the aeropress makes good coffee for cheap but only 6-8oz cups at a time.

French press is the best brew I've had outside of an extravagant espresso machine.

Edit: ive heard of "cuppings" where a coffee house will brew the same coffee in a variety of grind sizes and methods to help you compare. I haven't found one yet. Perhaps more useful would be a coffee flight where you get eapresso-sized shots of many types of beans, not sure if those exist but they would likely break the bank. If you have a grocer with fill-your-own-bags then you could get a bunch of bean samples that way

Okay, so, quick and cheap. Done deal.

So, out of all the brew methods that are cheap and easy, well, the French press. I'm gonna assume you want dirt cheap and brand new.

1. The French press
   
   Option 1: $8.99
   
   French Press Coffee & Tea Maker with Heat Proof and Stainless Steel Filter, 11 Oz / 350ml https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00JK15COE/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_q7AXzb7AY716Z
   
   Option 2: $13.99
   
   Golden French Press (34 oz, 4 mugs) French Coffee Press With Double Filter And Stainless Steal https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01KN1VUZE/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_V9AXzbJQVB16J
   
   Now, you need a grinder, one that will give you the coarse grind you need for the French press.
   
   
2. Grinder
   
   Option 1: $13.30
   
   KRUPS F203 Electric Spice and Coffee Grinder with Stainless Steel Blades, 3-Ounce, Black https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00004SPEU/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_4-AXzb9S5J6SB
   
   It looks like the cheapest grinder I have ever seen, but, you wanted cheap, so, there you go. Few seconds pressed down and you'll get your coarse grind. That's the flaw as well, you can't set or dial in your grind, simply, grind a little bit more to get it finer.
   
   Option 2: $19.99
   
   Mr. Coffee 12 Cup Electric Coffee Grinder with Multi Settings, IDS77 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000BRLXUI/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_JbBXzb5P629BK
   
   Still cheap, but, you can adjust the grind size.
   
   Total cost: $22.30- $33.99, excluding shipping.
   
   Also, they have other sellers who sell it cheaper, or, used, but, that's up to you if you want to take the risk.
   
   I don't vouch for these grinders in any way, however, I feel once you go down this journey of brewing for yourself, you will become hooked as we all have. Have fun, explore, try different coffees. I know there's a journey for you in coffee. Welcome to the club. :)

Thanks! It's all lower-mid tier stuff but the best bang for the buck imo.

Espresso machine

Grinder (not the best, be warned)

French press

It may be below your budget, but I've been very happy with a Rancilio Rocky for espresso. I love that it can grind a single dose at a time, because I make 2-4 shots total on a typical day.

https://www.amazon.com/Rancilio-HSD-ROC-SD-Espresso-Coffee-Grinder/dp/B00H1OUW24

It's weighty and won't move around, and the grind settings are adequate.

Baratza pretty much has the middle of the household grinder market locked up. If all you're grinding for is drip, a Baratza Maestro will set you up nicely. I have a Virtuoso and use a Maestro (the old Solis one before Baratza bought it) fairly regularly at a friend's parent's cabin. The Maestro runs faster due to a lack of a reduction gearing, but runs very quietly, even in comparison to my Virtuoso. It lacks fineness and adjustability for espresso use, but for drip or press it'll work just great.

Well, I just moved for the first time in 7 years... I had been getting coffee at my local shop EVERY morning since they opened over the 4 years ago.

So, I am relatively new to brewing my own coffee-- around 2 weeks actually. I went out and bought the stuff for Father's day.

My setup.

Black & Decker Grinder - Not great, but it really works. I got it at a local store new for $22.

[Chefman Water Kettle] - Fucking amazing and quick - $39.99 same local store.

[Boodum French Press 8cup] - I love this thing - $21 at Target.

Wooden spoon for stirring & hand painted mug.

Wanted to get some feedback on mysetup. Apparently the grinder is not amazing, but it seems to be working just fine for me on the coarser setting.

If he's patient and really passionate about his coffee I recommend a vacuum brewer also known as a siphon pot. A safer option would be a nice burr grinder since using preground coffee is akin to buying peeled garlic.

For actual coffees I would echo the Intelligentsia recommendation and add PTs, Terroir - close to you, or Stumptown. I would exercise caution on buying really nice beans, though, since light roasted high acid/fruit African coffees are a far cry from the charred milky beverages most people are used to.

Thanks! Quite nicely. The shaft is supported along the entire length, and there's a spring that gently presses the burs apart. Way nicer than my old hand grinder, a shitty Hario Skerton clone, which had a bent shaft so the burs wobbled.
Edit: Found the Hario Skerton clone: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B008YK3IUM/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I use this cheap Cusinart grinder. Works great for spices as well as nuts. (I use it for grinding espresso beans, too, and I'm happy with the results, though most coffee geeks would probably not find this use acceptable.)

It has metal blades, not ceramic, and a very shallow bowl that's removable, so it's easy to clean. You want a small grinder for spices, because you usually grind only small amounts, and you want the blades to reach everything. Food processors are too big, even smaller ones like the NutriBullet.

Since you dropped quit a bit on a nice espresso machine the same kind of needs to hold true for the grinder. GRIND IS SUPER IMPORTANT. So a $100 grinder is out of the question in my opinion. I would try and budget another 100 or so dollars towards a grinder. Maybe a used or refurbished Rancilio

I got so sick of that, and the edges getting sticky and making it impossible to turn, that I switched to one of [these] (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B002SB8M0E/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_KQ5MybGJ9RXD0). It's awesome, I can grind like a full quarter at once if I want, and it can get super fine for vapes if you let it go longer.

This is what I have for grinding spices, and I really like it. I recently made my own sambar powder, and I was surprised at how easily it chopped up dry channa. You just push down on the top, so you can easily see how ground up everything is.

As for storing and labeling, I use plain jars with white electrical tape and sharpie. It peels off easily enough if you want to relabel without leaving sticker residue, and isn't too costly either.

They do make hand grinders specifically for Turkish coffee if you want to go the hand ground route. Here is a large one, and here is a small one. Reviews seem to vary, but there definitely are hand grinders for making Turkish coffee.

What's your price range? When you say "brew decent coffee at school" I'm imagining you brewing regular drip coffee and not espresso. I'm also imagining that you're either going to be in a dorm room or you work in some department at school which means that an expensive one is not an option (what with theft and abuse etc.).

That being said, a burr grinder in that price range will work no better than a decent whirly blade. Trust me, I've tried a few of the low cost ones and they either break after 30 days (black and decker) or are difficult to clean which results in the coffee being irregularly ground anyway.

For work, I went to Target (a big box store) and bought one of these. It's cheap enough and does the job well. It has to be the most well intentioned whirly blade out there -- it times the grinding so the base won't heat up to evaporate the coffee oils and the hopper pops off so you don't have to make a mess pouring the coffee into the filter basket.

It also has these little scraper thingies that you move back and forth that will scrape the bottom of the hopper bowl so you won't have coffee stink finger from running your finger over the bottom to get the stuck on bits (it's also more hygienic that way).

If you have your heart stuck on a really good burr grinder (and it just has to be a burr grinder) less than $300 USD then go on ebay and buy a used Zassenhaus hand cranked grinder. That will work far better than any electric burr grinder under the $200 mark.

Even a barebones setup that will be frustrating to use is something like this:

https://www.amazon.com/Gaggia-14101-Semi-Automatic-Pannarello-Cappuccino/dp/B0001KOA4Q - Gaggia Classic ($400)

https://www.amazon.com/Baratza-Sette-Conical-Coffee-Grinder/dp/B01G82WVZ0 - Sette 270 ($379)

Not exactly your $600 window, but not insanely far off.

While it's a decent first machine... the Gaggia Classic, IMO, is frustrating to use...but can make a good espresso shot here and there, but will, in general, not be able to make shots back to back or steam at the same time as making a shot (and honestly not even for a minute or so after very well) and the steam tip is not great...and the portafilter that comes with it is frustrating.

You can do some modifications to the Gaggia Classic to make it better - the ones that come to mind are the Silvia V1 steam wand, a bottomless pressureless portafilter, and a PID to reduce the temperature surfing. These all require more money, time, and skill on your part to mod your machine into something that is significantly better than the out of the box experience.

There's really no way around it that good espresso requires funding. Your local (good) coffee shop probably has a $1500-2750 grinder (or two) and a $9000-18000 espresso machine.... along with all the water filtration and miscellaneous hardware that goes with it.

Whole spices are great - they last for years, and if you buy them at ethnic groceries they tend to be dirt cheap. I keep 50 or so around and use this guy because I'm too lazy to grind them by hand.

I find that dried herbs are better in some applications. Fresh thyme and rosemary are great stuff, but if I'm using one of them in a sauce that's going to simmer for a long time I sometimes want the spicier, deeper flavor that you get from dried. And don't even think about trying to sprinkle fresh oregano on my pozole - that's just wrong. There are herbs that should never be dried (parsley, for example), but with others fresh vs. dried is like onions vs. shallots - they're similar but different, and there's a place for each.

Well, there is only one option that might be better than that on the rewards site. That would be:

http://www.amazon.com/KRUPS-Grinder-Selection-Stainless-Conical/dp/B0001I9R8W

Anything better than that gets higher up in points, and I don't have that many.

I know these gear posts are annoying, so I really appreciate your help here!

Bodum is a good beginner brand. I've had mixed results with some of their products, but the French press is solid. I would not recommend the basic coffee grinder as it does not produce uniform grounds. Their pourover is pretty good if you use a filter in addition to the metal one. If you're set on going with Bodum, check out your local Marshalls or HomeGoods. They always have Bodum coffee products for sale for cheaper than retail.

You need a grinder as well, the grinder is more important than your machine. The closest acceptable set-up for your budget IMO would be a Baratza Preciso and a Gaggia Classic (a fantastic machine once you get a Silvia steam wand which is not hard to install at all).

The Silvia is a great machine but it isn't worth almost twice what the Gaggia costs, unless you have lots of money laying around, in which case you should probably still get the Gaggia and just get a nicer grinder.

I use a spice and nut grinder that is awesome for grinding whole spices. It’s not overly expensive nor space consuming, but I did mainly get it for making indian food, that requires more fresh whole spice grinding, or for grinding things like toasted coconut flakes. I have also used it for grinding toasted nuts for desserts. It cleans up fairly easy with a damp wipe (for the non-dishwasher-safe parts).

I use a food processor for flakes, but bought this grinder from Amazon recently for fine grind and it works great for small batches, https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B001C2GWTI/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_U_N2SwDbYJZF553

This manual one by Cozyna is on Amazon for $20:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00U7WRUNQ/ref=cm_sw_r_other_awd_WjY8wbYC5Z09B

I've been using it at work for the past month or so and it's great. Very minimalist design but very well put together. I use it for Aeropress coffee so the grinding goes pretty fast, not sure how it compares in terms of speed to more expensive models.

Look, if you're a beginner, you really can't do better than a french press and basic coffee grinder. The coffee you'll get, while not as good as consistently ground coffee, will still be delicious. I think it's a great place to start and you can eventually graduate up to a higher quality grinder.

I know there will be plenty of differing opinions, but I used a basic coffee grinder with my french press for four years, and the coffee was still excellent.

French Press - Bodum Brazil

Basic Mr. Coffee Grinder

It is easy to use. Fill tank with water. Grind beans. Put grinds in coffee basket and tamp. Put basket on the unit and tighten down. Put cup underneath basket and turn the knob once. Wait for the green light to come on. Turn the knob again to dispense. Turn off when done.

And here is the tamper I use. It is excellent IMO. Cheap and useful AND sturdy. Can't beat it.

EDIT: Well here is the rest of what I use as well. Grinder. This is a bit cheap, you could do better but also do worse.

And the milk pitcher for frothing. It may seem silly to spend that much on a metal pitcher but I highly recommend it.

So for about $120 $140 plus shipping you can be all set up!

EDIT 2: Buy decent whole beans and keep them tightly rolled in the bag and put the bag in something like this. Grind just enough to make a cup when you are wanting one.

This is my hack for grinding lots of pepper. I'm not a fan of the twisty-top style pepper mills in the first place, but they're especially ill-suited for massive pepper needs. And if you're doing this regularly enough, get a coffee mill that's dedicated to taking care of spices and use that.

I believe this is the only local roaster, and they're super expensive: https://nmpinoncoffee.com/

Do either of these grinders seem okay? http://www.amazon.com/Mr-Coffee-IDS77-Electric-Cleaning/dp/B000BRLXUI/

http://www.amazon.com/Bru-Joy-Stainless-Aeropress-Compatible/dp/B012Q9RJN8/

Thanks for the advice!

Okay so which one would be better then?

KRUPS GX5000 Professional Electric Coffee Burr Grinder with Grind Size and Cup Selection, 7-Ounce, Black

Or

Cuisinart DBM-8C Supreme Grind Automatic Burr Mill

Gaggia Classic - $400 - One of the classic and best cheap espresso machines. Consider trying to find a refurbished or used unit to save money.

You might pair this with:

Baratza Preciso Eletric Grinder - $300 - A reasonable-quality grinder which loosely matches the Classic in budget.

After my partner used our coffee grinder to grind cloves, I absolutely agree that you should have separate grinders for spices and coffee beans.

I've been very happy with this manual burr grinder for coffee:
https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B008YK3IUM

But some people can't be bothered to manual grind, which I understand.

this is what i was talking about.
http://www.amazon.com/Cuisinart-SG-10-Electric-Spice-and-Nut-Grinder/dp/B001C2GWTI

It's awesome. Much better than a coffee grinder for large amounts, I can grind 500g of sugar in about 15 minutes.

I think that size would work for ribs and pork butt, as well. But it depends on your preference. Some people like a finer grind.

I would, however, highly suggest that you buy whole peppercorns rather than pre-ground black pepper. They will last many times longer in your pantry and you can always grind them however you see fit. And yes, I firmly believe that most people, if paying attention, can taste a big difference between freshly ground black pepper and ground black pepper that's been sitting for weeks or months.

You sure as hell wouldn't want to make steak au poivre, for example, with old pepper, and the same pertains to BBQ.

I use a burr grinder these days like this one.

/u/OliverBabish

Great episode. My only qualm is why you didn't use a burr grinder. I know you're on a budget, but a Hario hand crank is only $26 and you can get a nut and drill socket adapter for about $3 at the hardware store to make your drill into a motor to grind with.

If it helps, I love Unicorn Blood, and I grind my own using this grinder and I've never had an issue with taste.

I use a lower end electric burr grinder. Something like https://www.amazon.com/KRUPS-Professional-Electric-Grinder-Selection/dp/B0161Q2RUM/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1501705112&sr=8-4&keywords=electric+burr+grinder, maybe slightly better. Do you think it's time to invest in something more expensive if I want to continue exploring lighter roasts? Also thanks for the website suggestion, I'll check it out.

Does anyone have any experience with cheap brass grinders like this for Turkish coffee? I've found this and a few cheap vintage ones like it for under $20 online, but what I'm interested in is just getting something that will grind coffee find enough for an ibrik, under $20 (even if it takes a bit of work).

http://www.amazon.com/Hamilton-Beach-80365-Hands-Free-Platinum/dp/B000FBYRMQ/ref=sr_1_8?ie=UTF8&qid=1301365141&sr=8-8

I have that model hamilton beach blade grinder and I also agree with shaking it to improve consistency. I know it's not the best grinder but I'm under employed right now and can't afford better. As soon as I get a decent IT job a burr grinder will be the first lifestyle upgrade I'll purchase so this thread is being saved for future use.

I currently brew with a french press, an aero, a bodum mocha pot and a shitty drip brew. The mocha is my favorite, I just wish it was a bit bigger so I could get a full mug.

I read that blades are not as good as the Burr kind, I have this and used it for a year now. it's double the price but I know it does great.

Encore for $139 is a good recommendation people have made. For reduced static electricity design and coarse grind I'd also recommend Oxo's burr grinder. Normally $99 Amazon has it for Black Friday for $79, and if dissatisfied Amazon will let you return it. I've made several French Press coffees using this unit and it was a nice, uneventful, fairly quiet experience.

A coffee grinder does this much easier than a mortar and pestle. I have one similar (looks the same other than color) to this one. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002SB8M0E/ref=s9_top_hd_bw_bx8Bj_g79_i3

Also do you prefer flakes over ground? Seems like flakes are usually more popular... Any idea why? I don't grind my peppers into super fine powder but I grind mine at least as fine as your "ground pepper" Usually a little finer.

I live in NYC. There are many awesome espresso places here and probably more concentration of roasters than in most other parts of the US(?). However I can't find anything smaller than 12 oz bags.

Here is my setup:

• Nuova Simonelli Oscar Pour Over Espresso Coffee Machine
  
• I grind with the Rancilio Rocky
  
• I store my beans in a Coffeevac 1/2 lb

For a long while I was approximating a latte using pod espresso from a Nespresso Vertuoline and Aeroccino Plus. It made a serviceable drink; not cafe-quality, but quick and easy. Plus, the whole setup cost me less than $200 after a Black Friday sale a couple years ago. My biggest issue with this setup was that the froth from the Aeroccino isn't great and I found that it didn't get the milk quite hot enough. I also was getting sick of the same, limited variety of espresso pods available from the Vertuoline (as of right now, only two types).

Recently I decided to step up my coffee game a bit. For the last 4 months I've been making double lattes using a Breville Dual Boiler I bought off eBay for about $800. The first few weeks I was using a hand-me-down Baratza Encore, thinking that all warnings on /r/coffee about using the Encore for espresso were just people being finicky. I was wrong -- brewing espresso is straight-up EXTREMELY sensitive to grind. After upgrading to a Baratza Vario, I've been happily making single-origin espresso every morning. All told, I ended up dropping about $1500 on this setup.

After a lot of browsing I realized that there's an almost continuous spectrum of home-use espresso machines from low- to high-end. From my perspective, the Breville was was a nice compromise between price and features. It's not a Rocket or La Marzocco and I'm sure there's a significant difference in quality, but I'm still learning and it works well-enough.

Hope you find something that meets your needs!

All I can tell you is avoid the shit out of this Don't tempted by its affordability. It isn't really a burr grinder. I don't really know what the fuck it is, but it isn't really adjustable and its impossible to clean well. Both my mom and my mother in law got one for me for christmas last year when they heard I wanted a burr grinder, and it was the cheapest one at Target.

The problem with most entry level burr grinders is that their grind range is not all that great. The coarsest setting is too fine for a French press, and the finest setting is too coarse for decent espresso ... but there are a dozen totally useless settings in between, save for the single one you like for drip.

That being said, my Krups is juuust versatile enough to handle both extremes acceptably.

I've only had it for a year, but I expect it to last. My Krups blade grinder saw daily service for 25 years. It only gave up when a house-swap guest burned it out grinding dried chickpeas, because she wanted to make felafel and thought the ready-mix packet was too expensive.

Hi! My limited fact finding has led me to the conclusion that you should aim to use burr grinders rather than blade grinders. Burr grinders allow for an even grind on all beans as the particulate does not travel through the mechanism unless it is a certain granularity. With blade grinders you will often end up with fine grind and coarse, resulting in a bitter cup. Check this out - http://www.amazon.com/Kuissential-Manual-Ceramic-Grinder-Hand-crank/dp/B008YK3IUM

You can do all sorts of brewing with burr grinder - pour over works great I think!

I bought the OXO Grinder for $60 on amazon, you may need to wait for the price to come down, but it works really good for $60.

I'm happy with the Hario Skerton Pro which Amazon is selling for $53.50. The "Pro" fixes the stability problem of the vertical shaft on course grinds and improves the grind adjustment mechanism.

Thanks! Here you go!

Vario 886 Grinder

Pocket scale

Distributor

Dosing Funnel

Espro calibrated tamper VST 58.35 Flat

Grindenstein Knock box

Presto timer

18g VST portafilter basket

IMS E61 shower screen

E61 thermometer

I agree - you'd be better off with a cheaper single boiler machine (Quickmill has two single boiler PID machines with an E61 group. I have the Alexia and it's fantastic). You'll want/NEED to spend a lot more on your grinder than the one you posted. The grinder is always going to be the weak point in your system, and you'd do yourself a massive disservice getting a sub-par burr grinder.

Take a look at these, which are generally well-reviewed "entry" points into good grinders:

• https://www.chriscoffee.com/Fiorenzato_F4_Electronic_Espresso_Grinder_p/f4rdv2.htm
  
• https://www.seattlecoffeegear.com/mazzer-mini-flat-burr-espresso-grinder-v2
  
• https://www.amazon.com/Baratza-Vario-886-Ceramic-Portaholder/dp/B00LWFJ8V4/ref=dp_ob_title_kitchen
  
  The first two are bulletproof, the third is well-known for incredible grind quality while having a bit of a plasticy feel
  
  
  

I have a Bodum Bistro grinder, and it's great!

>conical burr grinder

Any reason why I should rebuy a grinder over the cheap grinder I have?

The only thing I wish it had was the ability to grind more beans at once since I do cold brew and each batch uses ~285grams of coffee.

Thanks! Is this the Vario that you're referring to? I can't seem to find a link on Amazon for one with steel burrs.

https://www.amazon.com/Baratza-Vario-Flat-Coffee-Grinder/dp/B00LWFJ8V4/ref=sr_1_5?s=home-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1539026183&sr=1-5&keywords=baratza+vario&dpID=41c7ucSO4EL&preST=_SY300_QL70_&dpSrc=srch

I've had this Mr. Coffee for 4 years or so and has worked perfectly without any issues.

Mr. Coffee 12 Cup Electric Coffee Grinder with Multi Settings, IDS77-RB https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000BRLXUI/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_sactDbYM9XH1D

I just went to Costco thus morning. I'm in the San Francisco area, they have the Krups Burr grinder for $30. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0001I9R8W/ref=cm_sw_r_other_awd_zp0BwbFSF554Q

This is the best home grinder I have ever used.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B07CSKGLMM?psc=1&ref=yo_pop_mb_pd_title

Thats the one I use and I love it. 100+ reviews with 4.5 stars and 99.99. It's also quieter than any grinder ive seen

how good of a deal? I have a price tracker monitoring the hario skerton waiting for it to dip below 10% so I can buy it. Was thinking about this knock-off that is reportedly a replica of it

https://www.amazon.com/Premium-Grinder-Capacity-Espresso-Brewing/dp/B010UJZ5XW/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1511236888&sr=8-1&keywords=simple+burr+grinder

You think the stabilizer upgrade with the pro is worth it. I can put up with re-adjusting, I think. never used one before.

bodum burr grinder?
https://www.amazon.com/Bodum-Bistro-Electric-Coffee-Grinder/dp/B0043095WW/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1487042949&sr=8-1&keywords=bodum+coffee+grinder

Or Bodum blade grinder?
https://www.amazon.com/Bodum-Bistro-Electric-Coffee-Grinder/dp/B0043073WQ/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1487042972&sr=8-2&keywords=bodum+coffee+grinder

If it's the blade grinder that's pretty standard.

You can get a pretty good hand grinder for $25, or a basic electric burr grinder for just over $30.

Neither are anywhere near top quality, but both will be a massive upgrade in grind quality over the blade grinder you're looking at, and are totally worth the extra few dollars. Grind consistency is extremely important for the flavor because a really inconsistent grind (which is unavoidable with a blade grinder) makes an even extraction all but impossible -- which will guarantee you some bitter and/or sour flavors that you'd otherwise be able to avoid.

(Edit: Literally five minutes after I posted, the burr grinder jumped to ~$40...)

I have this one and it’s been great for coarse grinds for my cold brew. Price drops to $89 frequently.

OXO BREW Conical Burr Coffee Grinder https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07CSKGLMM/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_uCNNDbCEN052M

Most cost effective burr grinder out there. $40 bucks at costco or on amazon.

I have had mine for 2 years- just keeps on grindin...

http://www.amazon.com/Krups-GVX1-14-KRUPS-Burr-Grinder/dp/B0001I9R8C

I used this when I was still in school and couldn't splurge on a nicer grinder. Its better than most blades and a snap to clean.

http://www.amazon.com/Kuissential-Manual-Ceramic-Grinder-Hand-crank/dp/B008YK3IUM/ref=lp_289750_1_14?s=kitchen&ie=UTF8&qid=1417360182&sr=1-14

Something like this. It's designed to smash the pieces until they fit through the hole. Gives a very tight particle size distribution, especially when compared to the blade grinders.

The smaller pours definitely sounds like the problem. It was the first time trying smaller pours and the difference was noticeable. I'm glad saying "dry" was enough! I took my first drink and felt like I had just trudged through the desert.

I put handground, but I am really using a cheap Mr. Coffee grinder I was gifted so that might not be accurate. But this time I was using a "medium" grind.

I picked up this one a while back for camping, and it worked really well. It slides into the Aeropress tube for easy packing.

Although it looks like that model might be discontinued now, there does appear to be many other grinders that use the same shape like this one but I cannot speak for it firsthand.

When you click the cheaper one it does not say infinity but all the others do look at the model number. The cheap one looks a lot like this

Hey man, save money and time, buy an electric coffee grinder. I got mine for 9 dollars and it saves me so much time. It also separates the kief really well! It grinds the herb into an almost powder like state.

This one is 15 bucks but still cheaper than most traditional grinders.

http://www.amazon.ca/Proctor-Silex-E167CY-Coffee-Grinder/dp/B002SB8M0E/ref=sr_1_22?s=kitchen-substore&ie=UTF8&qid=1414459477&sr=1-22

I personally recommend this one. The reasons I like it are:

• It can process a large volume, without 'gunking up'
  
• It's not electric (which I've heard is a bitch to clean), so it doesn't generate any heat (though, you could just pulse to get around that).
  
• Adjustable ceramic burr grinder.
  
• The actual mill fits the standard 'medical' containers that you get from dispensaries, so it's really easy to transfer from the hopper to label containers.

Personally, I would go with a French press over the Aeropress, and if you don't want to hand-crank your beans, you can get a half decent burr grinder (it actually mills beans instead of chopping them like a blade "grinder") for not too much. For example, I got this Black & Decker at Target several years ago for around $25-30. Since they have only used ones (no thanks, I think?), it may be discontinued, but they list several others on the page in the $35-45 price range. In my opinion, you can skip the scale and pick it up later if you want one. So my checklist would be: French press, burr grinder (manual or electric), and a way to heat up water.

I have a blade grinder and an entry level espresso machine. When they ship I'll be the proud owner of the new ZPM machine (that Kickstarter project).

My grinder is a Bodum:

http://www.amazon.com/Bodum-Bistro-Electric-Coffee-Grinder/dp/B0043073WQ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1331046738&sr=8-1

My machine is:

http://www.amazon.com/Cuisinart-EM-100-1000-Watt-Espresso-Stainless/dp/B000MX3HOQ/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1331046765&sr=8-3

I have this black and decker cheep burr grinder in a different house that I use occasionally for more than a year. It is better than a blade grinder and has not broken. I use it for pour over. It sprays some of the grinds in front of the container when I grind. I used it for french press a while ago and I don't remember that it was awful, there will be more small grains than with a better grinder.

Just fyi the hand grinder is kind of a pain in the ass. I got one, used it for a week, then dropped the dough for an electric one. It takes like 60 spins per cup and I was making about 4 cups every morning (2 for me, 2 for the wife).

I bought a krupps grinder for like 75 or something. Totally worth it.

Edit: it was only like $40

My favorite (inexpensive) burr grinders are a Cozyna portable and a Hario Skerton.

https://www.amazon.com/Cuisinart-SG-10-Electric-Spice-and-Nut-Grinder/dp/B001C2GWTI

This....this....this....THIS....

I've had this for about 8 years now and it still running strong. It worked so good I bought a second one to grind nugs in...that one's lasted for over 5 years. You will NEVER EVER use another grinder for nugs after this one.

> Baratza Encore

Is there something special about that one? I took a look and balked at the price... will I get similar results with this manual one? I'm using a cheap blade grinder now.

Here is my coffee setup. My inverter is so large because I also use an induction cooktop. You could get a 1kw inverter. I got pure sine wave. Not sure if it is needed for coffee equipment, it is for the cooktop.

Bodum BRAZIL Coffee Maker, French Press Coffee Maker, Black, 34 Ounce (8 Cup) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00430C92U/ref=cm_sw_r_other_apa_wvpXAbW92EBHZ

Bodum 11452-01US BISTRO Water Kettle, Electric Water Kettle, Black, 34 Ounce https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00851LSAC/ref=cm_sw_r_other_apa_XwpXAbDEAN6HY

Bodum BISTRO Blade Grinder, Electric Blade Coffee Grinder, Black https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0043073WQ/ref=cm_sw_r_other_apa_FypXAbQCNKFDN


Power TechON 2000W Pure Sine Wave Power Inverter 12V DC to 120V AC with 3 AC Outlets + 1 5V USB Port, Remote Switch and 2 Battery Cables (4000W Peak) PS1003 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0131NFWX2/ref=cm_sw_r_other_apa_BzpXAbZCE8T42

Why don't​ you just buy an electric burrr grinder such as:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0161Q2RUM/ref=mp_s_a_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1494669939&sr=8-2&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_FMwebp_QL65&keywords=electric+burr+grinder&dpPl=1&dpID=41VPWVS%2BlWL&ref=plSrch

It would save you a lot of time and effort, possibly cheaper in the end.

Before knowing much about grinders a few years ago, I bought this, not knowing about the Hario Skerton at all. Now it seems like there are even cheaper knockoffs (of the knockoff) below $20 on Amazon

I'm not in the diehard camp, it gets the job done.

I have a Krups GVX1-14 (Amazon US) that works well for everything I've thrown at it (mostly pour-over and french press), although I haven't tried an espresso grind. It's not available via Amazon UK, but its successor, the GVX231, is.

Oh, no I didn't get one of those I don't think. It looks like a really simple piece though, wonder why it's not just a standard part of the product if it helps so much.

Here's the one I just ordered;


https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B01MXJI90S/ref=pe_3034960_233709270_TE_item

It's a burr grinder although a cheap one: https://www.amazon.com/KRUPS-Professional-Electric-Grinder-Selection/dp/B0161Q2RUM thanks for the suggestions on those beginner machines I will look into them

Is this the 25 skerton you're referring to?
https://www.amazon.com/Premium-Grinder-Capacity-Espresso-Brewing/dp/B010UJZ5XW/ref=sr_1_6?s=kitchen&ie=UTF8&qid=1479422952&sr=1-6&keywords=hario+skerton

I just ask because this is the one that I've been mostly seeing.
https://www.amazon.com/Hario-Skerton-Ceramic-Coffee-Mill/dp/B001802PIQ/ref=sr_1_1?s=kitchen&ie=UTF8&qid=1479422952&sr=1-1&keywords=hario+skerton

What's the difference? Is the $15 worth the extra?

Cheap Burr Grinder:

I usually buy my coffee beans from Sprouts and use their grinder, except a while ago it's been grinding way too uneven and coarse and they haven't replaced it.

I don't have the money for expensive burr grinder.

These are some i've been looking at

ty

https://www.amazon.com/KRUPS-Professional-Electric-Grinder-Selection/dp/B0161Q2RUM

(I can get the Cuisine art one for $35 from a local store new) https://www.amazon.com/Cuisinart-DBM-8-Supreme-Grind-Automatic/dp/B00018RRRK


https://www.amazon.com/Mr-Coffee-Automatic-Grinder-BMH23-RB-1/dp/B004T6EJS0

Many grocery stores have an industrial grinder in the coffee section.

Or just buy one. Coffee is so much better fresh ground.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000BRLXUI/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_i94ODbDHRHJ79

I actually use a grinder meant for Greek/Turkish coffee. Picked one up in Athens, but you can get them on Amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B001B1AGCO/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?qid=1407539667&sr=8-1&pi=SY200_QL40

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B000WCRKHC/ref=mp_s_a_1_2?qid=1407539667&sr=8-2&pi=SY200_QL40

Manual Coffee Grinder with Ceramic Burr by Cozyna, Coffee Bean Grinder, Stainless Steel - Aeropress Compatible - Original https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00U7WRUNQ/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_VlMYBb7G2EBY7

This ones worked out ok for me

KRUPS GX5000 Burr Coffee Grinder, Electric Coffee Grinder with Grind Size and Cup Selection, 7 Ounce, Black https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0161Q2RUM/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_BbqyCbKPAATMD

I don't have one, but the Rancilio Rocky gets recommended a lot as one of the cheaper good espresso grinders. You can find them on ebay for cheaper sometimes.

Seconded. Peugeot mills are bulletproof.

Depending on the grind you want, you may find a Turkish coffee grinder useful - but only in the kitchen, it's unwieldy at the table.

I use this for my FP --http://www.amazon.com/Cuissential-Manual-Ceramic-Grinder-Hand-crank/dp/B008YK3IUM
My coffee really does taste better now, but it takes about 3-5 minutes to grind enough beans for 8 cups of coffee.

I was using this low cost Krups burr grinder http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0001I9R8W was very happy with the results when used with the ROK Presso. The Presso has the big advantange that you can control the pressure. If the shot is running to fast you can ease off the pressure, if it is too slow you have to work the muscles a bit.

Also I never had digital scales at the time of owning the Handpresso, but I seem to remember the basket was very small. I normally do around 18-20g of coffee in the Presso, don't think you could get anywhere near that into a Handpresso.

Minimum machine grinder dream setup machine grinder

Yep ! Or get one of these grinders

Hot Sale! Premium Ceramic Burr Manual Coffee Grinder. Large 100g Capacity Coffee Mill. For Espresso, Pour Over, French Press, and Turkish Coffee Brewing. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B010UJZ5XW/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_M6TVzbW9K003B


I plan on putting my dried Reapers in an old empty sea salt grinder however.

I've had my Krups grinder for a while now and use it for both. Works just fine.

IIRC you'll have to go with a manual at that price point. The starting point for a burr grinder is typically the Krups GVX for $40 from Amazon. I had one of these for almost 2 years before I moved up.

I used to use this one: https://www.amazon.com/Hario-Skerton-Coffee-Grinder-Black/dp/B01MXJI90S/ref=lp_289750_1_16?s=kitchen&ie=UTF8&qid=1539633391&sr=1-16

It worked great. I no longer use the french press method for brewing coffee because I broke my french press a while ago and haven't cared to get a new one since I have an aero press and a coffee machine as well.

i use this one https://www.amazon.com/Cuisinart-SG-10-Electric-Spice-and-Nut-Grinder/dp/B001C2GWTI. Not only does it grind spices well, but i use it to chop small amounts of herbs, puree a tomato or two, make small amounts of Indian chutneys, make garlic-ginger paste, and much more.

This is the one I purchased last time. Hario has an official Amazon store. Spend more through their store but they are authentic and not knockoffs.

Hario Skerton Pro Coffee Grinder,... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01MXJI90S?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

the grinder will 100% solve your problem, no matter how much you don't want to admit it. Coffee grinding is without a doubt the most important thing about making espresso. There's no way your preground coffee is fine enough for espresso and even if it was, there is a lot of finessing to do depending on how dark the beans are roasted and how long ago they were roasted. I'd recommend the rocky rancillio.

https://www.amazon.com/Mr-Coffee-Electric-Settings-IDS77/dp/B000BRLXUI/ref=sr_1_6?s=kitchen&ie=UTF8&qid=1484249370&sr=1-6&keywords=coffee+grinder


This is the one I use

Check out the skerton pro it fixed several issues the earlier models had with stabilizing the burrs.

It's a cheap Mr. Coffee electric grinder that has various grind times based on what type of grind and how many cups.

http://www.amazon.com/Mr-Coffee-IDS77-Electric-Cleaning/dp/B000BRLXUI/ref=sr_1_11?ie=UTF8&qid=1394897538&sr=8-11&keywords=coffee+grinder

Is the model I believe

PRECISO OR BUST

http://www.amazon.com/Glass-Stovetop-Coffee-Siphon-Syphon/dp/B002CVTKW4/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1393865731&sr=8-1&keywords=vacuum+coffee

http://www.amazon.com/Cuissential-Manual-Coffee-Grinder-Ceramic/dp/B008YK3IUM/ref=sr_1_9?ie=UTF8&qid=1393865405&sr=8-9&keywords=coffee+mill

It isn't a kyocera but a cuissential manual. Either way though, I ordered a Hario.

Rancillo Rocky grinder, preferably used

https://www.amazon.com/Rancilio-HSD-ROC-SD-Espresso-Coffee-Grinder/dp/B00H1OUW24

http://www.amazon.com/Mr-Coffee-IDS77-Electric-Cleaning/dp/B000BRLXUI/ref=sr_1_2?s=kitchen&ie=UTF8&qid=1459185754&sr=1-2&keywords=mr+coffee+blade+grinder

Got it at WalMart for 10 dollars

Hario Skerton Pro <$60usd

Edit: link

Machine:

https://www.amazon.com/Mr-Coffee-One-Touch-CoffeeHouse-Cappuccino/dp/B07CJ3CYF7/ref=sr_1_8?s=home-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1543416172&sr=1-8&keywords=cappucino+maker&refinements=p_72%3A1248915011

​

Grinder (Already own):

https://www.amazon.com/KRUPS-GX5000-Grinder-Electric-Selection/dp/B0161Q2RUM/ref=sr_1_4?s=home-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1543497479&sr=1-4&keywords=krups+burr+grinder

$15 for the future

I use this with good results

Mr. Coffee 12 Cup Electric Coffee Grinder with Multi Settings, IDS77-RB https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000BRLXUI/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_VZjvCb7T50DG0

So search for "spice grinder" instead? Unless this isn't what you're looking for.

http://www.amazon.com/Baratza-Preciso-Coffee-Grinder-685/dp/B003JFCRN6/

I would prefer to steer away from drip machines (as they don't seem to have longevity)... I have this coffee grinder

I use a coffee bean grinder which conveniently holds exactly one cup of oats. Such a difference..

You'll be on to something with steel burrs. https://www.amazon.com/Baratza-Vario-Flat-Coffee-Grinder/dp/B00LWFJ8V4/ref=sr_1_5?s=home-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1539026183&sr=1-5&keywords=baratza+vario&dpID=41c7ucSO4EL&preST=_SY300_QL70_&dpSrc=srch.

Used to have a Kurig, so insert pod into machine, press button, throw pod away.

But I hated how expensive and wasteful the pods were, so I traded in for a Ninja coffee maker, which has the nice property that you can dial in the amount of coffee you want it to make.

Me, I do a single 14 ounce container in the morning: three scoops of coffee in a #4 paper cone ground in a coffee grinder using coffee from these guys. The Ninja coffee is fundamentally a drip coffee maker, but it does some weird thing controlling the amount of water it pours over the beans, so the result is fairly good.

One teaspoon sugar and a squeeze (about a tablespoon) of sweetened condensed milk, because fuck it, I like my coffee sweet--I'm no purist.

Toss grinds (in a #4 paper cone) away, drink coffee until desire to murder people randomly goes away.

I also like the fact that by drinking their coffee, I'm helping an order of Carmelite Monks in Wisconsin.

----

Oh, and "instant coffee" is the work of Satan.

Which, really, doesn't bother me that much. Some of the stuff attributed to Satan can be pretty cool. But "instant coffee" is just the work of Satan when he was feeling depressed and sad.

[It was this one](OXO Conical Burr Coffee Grinder https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07CSKGLMM/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_oDXLBbE5N8940)

Not sure what issues you had but this one grinds better, makes less mess, makes less noise, holds more beans, makes much better coffee than our last burr grinder. Can't remember what kind so I don't want to guess and bash the wrong company but it was a real piece of shit lol

For less messy amazon links you can extract the part after "/dp/" in

https://www.amazon.com/Mr-Coffee-Electric-Settings-IDS77/dp/B000BRLXUI/ref=sr_1_6?s=kitchen&ie=UTF8&qid=1484249370&sr=1-6&keywords=coffee+grinder

and make it:

https://amzn.com/B000BRLXUI

Or via smile link:

https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B000BRLXUI

BEEP BOP

Plz send any recommendations via PM

Is this the one you are referring to: http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B000FBYRMQ/ref=pd_aw_sims_2?pi=SY115

The main issue I have with coffee grinders (besides the noise and need for a power source) is kief getting stuck in the nooks and crannies.

Y'know, that's not actually a Skerton. That's the knockoff made by Kuissential, which had a whole bunch of folks up in arms because a seller on Amazon was listing them as being Hario. There are some notable differences, like the white burrs, smooth glass (Hario's is ridged for grip), and the single-forked setting lock. One key difference may be that the Hario arm isn't actually compatible with yours. I've no idea for certain, but it's plausible that they're not interchangeable. Kuissential being essentially a no-name brand, you may have trouble finding a suitable replacement if they aren't compatible. You might try contacting the company directly however, they could have parts available for you to buy.

Right, I think most coffee grinders are a bit too small. I've cracked the plastic housing of one before by putting in a whole cinnamon stick - like an idiot.

Now I use this spice grinder, not quite powerful enough for heavy nuts grinding, but it easily replaces the mortar and pestle for dry spices (which I still use for crushing herbs and garlic).

Damn, was available this morning, oh well. So I was thinking of ordering these.

press ginder pot

Only thing I am unsure about is the grinder.

It looks like it uses the same burr as my $25 Black & Decker CBM210, which I don't use anymore. The video review shows the same issues I had with it, namely that the grinder generates a lot of tiny particles, and the static makes a horrible mess.

I'm a lot happer with my Hario Skerton, even though it takes manual effort and more time. The conical ceramic burr is a lot more consistent, even if it's hard to precisely adjust.

:/ cheap one

http://www.amazon.com/Hamilton-Beach-80365-Hands-Free-Platinum/dp/B000FBYRMQ/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1376327553&sr=8-2&keywords=Coffee+grinder

Ive also been using the second to coursest setting which could be another problem right?

I love coffee, but I don't have a lot of accessories. I got a French Press and a grinder for my wedding, but unfortunately we broke the grinder. I'm planning to buy this one some day.

My work has a Keurig machine, so I am always in search of k-cups. There are seasonal pumpkin ones that I would quite possibly kill a man for.

I'd love to try an Aeropress! What are your thoughts?