Recommend me a coffee grinder...

davis

So, a few coffee geeks here, and it looks like a reasonable way of getting decent coffee to our office out in the sticks is in 1Kg sacks of beans. I don't want a full bean-to-cup machine, so I think we're looking at getting a grinder. Amazon reviews seem to all more-or-less say "this one's amazing" and that's it.

I'm looking for a grinder which is well-built (easy to fix if it breaks, so would prefer screwed together rather than e.g. silly plastic clips) and relatively cheap... Does 20 GBP for a manual one sound like a reasonable budget? Most of the ones on Amazon have got some berk's name on and no indication of what it's made from. I'd guess we need some level of grind adjustment, but we don't tend to do espresso grind.

There's an electric Cusinart one (quite like Cusinart kit as it's actually built) but it's got mixed reviews and I don't think I need mains power.

UndercoverElephant

My Dad has an electric Krupps one, does a great job. Our manual one is largely ignored due to the fact it takes too long, and coffee is urgent.

Gussio

The Porlex hand grinder has a good reputation and costs around £30. Am looking to get one myself.

davis

Gussio wrote:

The Porlex hand grinder has a good reputation and costs around £30. Am looking to get one myself.

Thanks... but I forgot to say we need to grind enough for around 5-6 mugs of coffee - that one looks a little small. D'oh.

Mr Sworld

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Hario-Coffee-Mill-Ceramic-Slim/dp/B001804CLY/ref=pd_sxp_f_pt

This one, it is the best coffee grinder you will get for the price. I have one for my Areopress (which I also recommend) 8)

Gussio

Yup - would definately be too small. Only does around 20g at a time.

Mr Sworld

davis wrote:

Gussio wrote:

The Porlex hand grinder has a good reputation and costs around £30. Am looking to get one myself.

Thanks... but I forgot to say we need to grind enough for around 5-6 mugs of coffee - that one looks a little small. D'oh.

You won't get a decent ceramic burr to grind that much for under £100

However I'd like to be pleasently supprised...

davis

UndercoverElephant wrote:

My Dad has an electric Krupps one, does a great job. Our manual one is largely ignored due to the fact it takes too long, and coffee is urgent.

This one?. Did think I was after a manual, but you guys make a good point with grinding enough for 5 guys in need of caffeine.

UndercoverElephant

davis wrote:

UndercoverElephant wrote:

My Dad has an electric Krupps one, does a great job. Our manual one is largely ignored due to the fact it takes too long, and coffee is urgent.

This one?. Did think I was after a manual, but you guys make a good point with grinding enough for 5 guys in need of caffeine.

That's the very one! Seems a good machine.

Mr Sworld

Are you wanting Espresso or French Press? A blade grinder will be fine for French Press but Espresso need a much finer grind.

davis

Mr Sworld wrote:

Are you wanting Espresso or French Press? A blade grinder will be fine for French Press but Espresso need a much finer grind.

We're actually using a Chemex (paper-based drip filter). Quite like the simplicity really. Probably cafetiere-grind as espresso grind clogs the paper and comes out too acidic, even for me.

Mr Sworld

Have a look at this though. Makes perfect Esresso!

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Aerobie-AeroPress-80R08-Coffee-Maker/dp/B000GXZ2GS/ref=pd_bxgy_kh_text_b

rick_chasey

I too am in the hunt for a (not expensive) coffee grinder for espresso...

davis

UndercoverElephant wrote:

davis wrote:

UndercoverElephant wrote:

My Dad has an electric Krupps one, does a great job. Our manual one is largely ignored due to the fact it takes too long, and coffee is urgent.

This one?. Did think I was after a manual, but you guys make a good point with grinding enough for 5 guys in need of caffeine.

That's the very one! Seems a good machine.

Thanks UE. I shall see if I've got any Amazon vouchers etc.

SimonAH

+1 for the Krupps blade jobbie. Had ours for years, never failed. As said elsewhere, not up to an espresso grind - but then you're just after a percolator grind right?

DrLex

Another vote for the Krups bladed doo-hickey- bought one in '92 & it's still working.

davis

Thanks gentlefolk.

Greg T

The best coffee grinder in town is the girl from South Australia who works in Monmouth coffee.

I have a huge crush (excuse the pun) on her....

best coffee in London - they tell me - don't drink the stuff myself, just go to stare at her and growl a bit

JonEdwards

Blade grinders are a waste of time for coffee. They don't give any control over grind, and tend to mash the beans rather than actually grind them evenly - you end up with a whole range of particle sizes from dust throughto rocks, which leads to uneven extraction. The heat generated also tends to damage the beans further - leave the heat till they're being brewed up!

To do any kind of bean justice, you need a burr grinder. Best cheap one i've used has been the Dualit/Starbucks one. Doesn't go fine enough for espresso, but then that's not what you're after. Or try and find a secondhand Isomac Granmachino, which is much better built.

sketchley

http://www.johnlewis.com/230858168/Product.aspx

DrLex

JonEdwards wrote:

Blade grinders are a waste of time for coffee. [...]

A tad hyperbolic, methinks.

In addition to Sketchley's suggestion, John Lewis are selling a reasonably priced Krups burr grinder.