Coffee grinder recommendations

[JamesA]

Just about to order a Chemex and it occurred to me that getting a grinder as well would be a good idea, if i want to get the best out of it. Any recommendations for a reasonable, entry level grinder?

[Sligub]

What's your budget?

Entry level burr grinder(really what you want)

Dualit 75015 is about ?60-?70

Cheaper but nowhere near as good blade grinder


Krups KM 75 (?20-?30)

[monkey66]

Would agree on the burr grinder if you can stretch to it. Blade grinders effectively 'smash' up the beans rather than cut them, there ok of filter but burrs are better.

There is not much between the Dualit and a big jump to ?2-300 for more substantial machines.

The Dualit will be fine for filter but not up to espresso (regardless of what it might say on the marketing). My advice would be to look for a good warranty provider (Amazon, John Lewis etc.) as it is not uncommon for lower end grinders to fail.

On the positive with a Chemex, the Dualit, some decent beans and a little practice you will be making some stunning filter coffee.

Some good info here:

http://vimeo.com/2643633

[JamesA]

Great vid Monkey, thanks for that!

Thanks for the grinder input chaps. Any opinion on the Krups GVX231? About ?40 and looks pretty functional, would fit my budget too

[JamesA]

Just thinking, is another option a hand grinder? Its only me who likes 'proper' coffee so im only going to be grinding enough for 1 or 2 mugs at a time.

[monkey66]

Yup, some nice ceramic hand grinders out there that will do the job fine.

Sent from happy, clappy, tappy.

[ChimpsInTies]

Look on youtube at the hand grinders. Personally I'd find them too much work. You really do have to give it some welly to get stuff out. Admittedly it'll be a bit easier doing a more coarse grind for a pour over than for an espresso but it still seems like a chore when you can simply press a button.

There's quite a step up from budget grinders to grinders that are considered "good" for brewed coffee, you're talking ~?50 then a jump to ~?150 then a jump to ~?500+ for great grinders.

Personally I think if you're just starting out and only wanting brewed for now then one of the ones you're looking at will be fine.

[daniel2001]

I got a Bodum burr grinder for ?39 in John Lewis (now ?79) and have found it spot on for my coffee needs, seeing as how I don't have a proper espresso machine (have a Nespresso).

Been using a stovetop quite a lot recently and find the Bodum does the job... For now.


Sent from my iPhone using Siri

[modem7]

I've got a Rancilio Rocky at the moment. Does me absolutely perfectly for both my Aeropress and my Gaggia Classic. Albeit quite expensive.

[JamesA]

Hmm, im tempted to spend a little more on the grinder now and hold off getting the chemex. There are some nice looking and cheap stove top pots on ebay and ive just ordered a little gizmo that lets me use my own coffee on my Senseo. Someone can buy my a Chemex for christmas

Shame that Bodum grinder went up so much Daniel, looks the business!

[modem7]

Hmm, im tempted to spend a little more on the grinder now and hold off getting the chemex. There are some nice looking and cheap stove top pots on ebay and ive just ordered a little gizmo that lets me use my own coffee on my Senseo. Someone can buy my a Chemex for christmas

Shame that Bodum grinder went up so much Daniel, looks the business!

General rule of thumb is don't spend less on the grinder than you do on the coffee machine. I'd rather get an aeropress and a decent grinder, than a Rocket R58 and a blade grinder.

I'd say something like the Iberital MC2 would be a great first start.

http://www.happydonkey.co.uk/hd0865-iberital-mc2.html

or doserless if you want to save a few pennies

http://www.happydonkey.co.uk/hd0866-...-mc2-auto.html

In regards to coffee machines, why not go for a Gaggia Classic? They are going for about ?80 on Ebay right now. And parts are dirt cheap if you ever need to repair it.

Or if you want to spend a bit more, maybe a Rancilio Silvia.

[ChimpsInTies]

I 2nd the Classic. Great machine.

[JamesA]

Just remembered that i was given a coffee machine as a wedding gift 9 years ago. I seem to remember using it a few times and producing pretty good brews, but it was awhile ago! Its a Haden 5425 like this one: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Haden-Napoli.../dp/B0000ABC0Z

Worth bothering with or not would you say?

[KidKimura]

I saw a Krups burr grinder for ?40 in debenhams today, would've been temped by it if I wasn't so very very skint :-(