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-   -   Grinder question (http://www.cigarasylum.com/vb/showthread.php?t=53415)

forgop 02-14-2012 12:40 PM

Grinder question
 
I am contemplating a grinder purchase. I drink either cold brewed, French press, and keueig on occasion, so everything I drink in a coarse grind. Is there any reason why I need an expensive grinder? It seems like the reason for a higher dollar grinder is for finely ground coffee, which is what I don't need. Thanks.

Savor the Stick 02-14-2012 01:06 PM

Re: Grinder question
 
It's more of a consistent grind size of the particle. Espresso is a little finicky with grind size. I use a French press almost exclusively but used a Moka Pot also. and having a consistent size for french press helps with better extraction of flavor/oils.
IMHO---YMMV

macsauce13 02-14-2012 01:12 PM

Re: Grinder question
 
Duane, a decent $30-50 BURR grinder will do the job just fine. No reason to go crazy expensive unless you get VERY serious about your coffee.

The crucial part, is getting a burr grinder.

awsmith4 02-14-2012 01:52 PM

Re: Grinder question
 
You would probably be fine with even a whirly blade grinder but I still like the burr. The Capresso Infinity Burr Grinder I have does a decent job across the board and doesn't break the bank. You can get it at Bed Bath and Beyond for $89.99 and BBB is always sending out 20% off coupons and that is how mine was acquired for around $75 after tax.

http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/prod...p?SKU=14902422

Savor the Stick 02-14-2012 02:54 PM

Re: Grinder question
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by awsmith4 (Post 1559888)
You would probably be fine with even a whirly blade grinder but I still like the burr. The Capresso Infinity Burr Grinder I have does a decent job across the board and doesn't break the bank. You can get it at Bed Bath and Beyond for $89.99 and BBB is always sending out 20% off coupons and that is how mine was acquired for around $75 after tax.

http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/prod...p?SKU=14902422

:tpd:

+1---Great Grinder!

BSB 02-14-2012 04:10 PM

Re: Grinder question
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by awsmith4 (Post 1559888)
You would probably be fine with even a whirly blade grinder but I still like the burr. The Capresso Infinity Burr Grinder I have does a decent job across the board and doesn't break the bank. You can get it at Bed Bath and Beyond for $89.99 and BBB is always sending out 20% off coupons and that is how mine was acquired for around $75 after tax.

http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/prod...p?SKU=14902422

+2! Great grinder, LOVE mine.

forgop 02-14-2012 05:33 PM

Re: Grinder question
 
Kinda looked at the calypso and bodum bistro electric grinder thus far for a modest grinder.

Chainsaw13 02-14-2012 06:16 PM

Re: Grinder question
 
I have the Bodum grinder Duane. I use it mostly for a FP grind which it does well. I do get some fines inthe cup, but nothing that bad. It does pretty well too for a fine grind for my Moka pots.

forgop 02-23-2012 02:38 PM

Re: Grinder question
 
I decided to buy this one to see how it does. No more coffee than I drink, I opted to go the cheaper route.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...ag=dealnewscom

Chainsaw13 02-23-2012 02:50 PM

Re: Grinder question
 
Wow, excellent price. I wish I'd seen that model when i was looking.

forgop 02-23-2012 03:15 PM

Re: Grinder question
 
Already ordered 7 bags of Seatle's Best Level 3 Whole Bean bags to test it out. Best coffee I've had outside of the Jamaican Blue Mountain I believe.

BSB 02-23-2012 04:32 PM

Re: Grinder question
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by forgop (Post 1569777)
Already ordered 7 bags of Seatle's Best Level 3 Whole Bean bags to test it out. Best coffee I've had outside of the Jamaican Blue Mountain I believe.

:confused: Are you serious??

forgop 02-23-2012 04:41 PM

Re: Grinder question
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by BSB (Post 1569853)
:confused: Are you serious??

To me, it's the only coffee I've had that I can drink with the least amount of creamer/splenda. I don't drink much other stuff out there outside of Starbucks that I get from Sam's Club. I'm sure there are plenty of other great blends out there, but I just don't feel like paying a whole lot more for it.

BSB 02-23-2012 05:28 PM

Re: Grinder question
 
Ya, it's true, you get what you pay for.
Really good, fresh roasted coffee has SO much to offer. It is the most complex food on the planet, over 700 different flavors have been identified. Just for comparison, wine, about 180.

floydpink 02-23-2012 05:35 PM

Re: Grinder question
 
and besides being fun, a roaster will pay for itself in a short time once you start paying half for green beans as you do for Seattle's Best roasted beans

forgop 02-23-2012 06:53 PM

Re: Grinder question
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by BSB (Post 1569929)
Ya, it's true, you get what you pay for.
Really good, fresh roasted coffee has SO much to offer. It is the most complex food on the planet, over 700 different flavors have been identified. Just for comparison, wine, about 180.

Honestly, I find a lot of coffee to be much too bitter for me to enjoy it, thus I have to load it up with enough creamer and splenda to really cover up the taste. With cold brewing, I've found that it's not nearly as bitter and is pretty much the only coffee I drink now. It's not as though I've tried numerous blends from some of the regular suppliers frequently recommended on this board. That said, the Seattle's Best has been the one I've encountered from a hot-brewed basis that I like with using the least amount of creamer/splenda. I'm down to just 1 of each and may just gradually work my way to drinking it black.

As far as fresh roasting, I've thought about it. I've heard a tiny bit about the modified popcorn popper for roasting at home. Doubtful I'll look into it until I'm done being a student in May.

mmblz 02-23-2012 07:49 PM

Re: Grinder question
 
why on earth would you buy a burr grinder or roast your own if you use creamer and splenda???
you might as well save a lot of trouble and just buy this:
http://www.amazon.com/Nescafe-Instan...f=pd_sim_gro_1

ApexAZ 02-23-2012 07:50 PM

Re: Grinder question
 
See if you can find a local roaster who has beans that have been roasted recently (like less than 7 days). Tell them exactly what you told us and see if they can recommend something for you. That way you can test it without going all in on all the equipment.

I haven't had seattles best but I can tell you that after having fresh coffee there is nothing else like it. I will still drink starbucks, mcdonalds or dunkin' if I must, but I won't like it. I can quite literally taste charcoal in the starbucks.

smitty81 02-23-2012 08:36 PM

Re: Grinder question
 
I have a $30 black and decker?

It has fine, medium and coarse.

Consistand bean gring and the fine works for espresso grind too.

floydpink 02-23-2012 09:11 PM

Re: Grinder question
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by smitty81 (Post 1570211)
I have a $30 black and decker?

It has fine, medium and coarse.

Consistand bean gring and the fine works for espresso grind too.

I use a Krups grinder for my wife's drip as adjusting my Macap M4 from espresso to drip on a worm drive is a hassle. (more than 30 turns)
I think it was under $50.

Those grinders will do the job fine for drip and moka, but if you think it's ok for espresso, you're kidding yourself.

smitty81 02-23-2012 09:57 PM

Re: Grinder question
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by floydpink (Post 1570231)
I use a Krups grinder for my wife's drip as adjusting my Macap M4 from espresso to drip on a worm drive is a hassle. (more than 30 turns)
I think it was under $50.

Those grinders will do the job fine for drip and moka, but if you think it's ok for espresso, you're kidding yourself.

it makes the grind just as fine as what I buy espresso grounds in the can or bag. In fact, I have an espresso machine and the grounds work great in it.

Maby mines better than yours. :r

floydpink 02-24-2012 08:27 AM

Re: Grinder question
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by smitty81 (Post 1570272)
it makes the grind just as fine as what I buy espresso grounds in the can or bag. In fact, I have an espresso machine and the grounds work great in it.

Maby mines better than yours. :r

Maby....

I'll have to give some of that preground stuff a try.

smitty81 02-24-2012 08:30 AM

Re: Grinder question
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by floydpink (Post 1570734)
Maby....

I'll have to give some of that preground stuff a try.


It's not to bad...........

floydpink 02-24-2012 09:52 AM

Re: Grinder question
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by smitty81 (Post 1570737)
It's not to bad...........


but what will I do with all this fancy equipment if I fall in love with the stuff?

Is it best to just buy it in bulk and store it in a Tupperware container in my fridge?:confused:

Now I'm really getting mad at all those posts I read on coffeegeek that led me to believe I needed a roaster, commercial grinder, and an E61 grouphead on my espresso machine.

smitty81 02-24-2012 10:03 AM

Re: Grinder question
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by floydpink (Post 1570819)
but what will I do with all this fancy equipment if I fall in love with the stuff?

Is it best to just buy it in bulk and store it in a Tupperware container in my fridge?:confused:

Try the Cafe Bustelo and the Starbucks Espresso grounds.

The cafe bustelo is more of a deep rich espresso and the Starbucks is a lighter kind of sweet espresso.

Both can be found at Walmart. As for storing them, read on each container as I believe they tell you how to properly store them.

http://c3.soap.com/images/products/p...b-8263b_1z.jpg

floydpink 02-24-2012 10:11 AM

Re: Grinder question
 
I'm just messing with you, so please forgive me.
I actually drank Bustello and Pilon for a long time before going OCD about coffee a few years ago, and enjoyed both a lot.

I'm married to a Brazilian and it reminds her of the coffee they drink there.

You still see many of the Cuban coffee shops serving both in Miami.

I think it's a lot like cigars in the respect that you should drink or smoke what you like.

Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to tweek my grinder to add another 3 seconds to the extraction and will be observing it through my naked portafilter...;s

icehog3 02-24-2012 12:56 PM

Re: Grinder question
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by smitty81 (Post 1570824)

Gee, that's a big picture.

mmblz 02-24-2012 01:07 PM

Re: Grinder question
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by smitty81 (Post 1570824)
Both can be found at Walmart. As for storing them, read on each container as I believe they tell you how to properly store them.

Well it says "Siempre Fresco" so I guess you don't have to do anything special in terms of storage :D

floydpink 02-24-2012 01:34 PM

Re: Grinder question
 
FYI:

Bustello is Spanish for bust your ass grinding fresh beans.

Garbandz 02-24-2012 07:00 PM

Re: Grinder question
 
Try to find the Bustelo Supreme,comes in a brown package and is enough better to make it worth the search.

I have a friend who brings it back from New Orleans,probably widely marketed.........

CoreyD 02-24-2012 11:25 PM

Re: Grinder question
 
I've been eyeing this. http://www.burmancoffee.com/miva/mer...ategory_Code=G
It is around same price as some blades but a step up.

BSB 02-25-2012 10:02 AM

Re: Grinder question
 
I never had any luck with the smaller burr grinders. Take forever to grind, get hot, burn up. Sure have been happy with my Capresso. I'm done here.

thebayratt 02-26-2012 10:09 AM

Re: Grinder question
 
Im using a $25 Black and Decker blade grinder from Lowes for about a year now. No issues with it except for the one foot cord.

RevSmoke 02-26-2012 06:12 PM

Re: Grinder question
 
OK, tell me why burr grinder over whirling blades. What's the reason. Seriously. I have been grinding with whirling blades for over 20 years. I have home-roasting for over 10 years. Had a cheaper burr grinder, didn't see a difference in flavor.

So, what is really the reason to go burr grinder?

If it is consistency of the grind, I do mine so fine it is consistent.

Give me another reason.

mkarnold1 02-26-2012 06:15 PM

Re: Grinder question
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by RevSmoke (Post 1572791)
OK, tell me why burr grinder over whirling blades. What's the reason. Seriously. I have been grinding with whirling blades for over 20 years. I have home-roasting for over 10 years. Had a cheaper burr grinder, didn't see a difference in flavor.

So, what is really the reason to go burr grinder?

If it is consistency of the grind, I do mine so fine it is consistent.

Give me another reason.

I have heard that crushing and grinding the beans brings out more of the natural oils. I have never done a side by side taste test, but I do like just pushing the button and grinding the same amount to the same size every time.

floydpink 02-26-2012 08:09 PM

Re: Grinder question
 
For me it's about proper extraction.

If it's not taking about 30 seconds to pull a 2 oz espresso shot, it's extracting too fast and won't taste right for me.

I need a very fine and consistent grind and careful tamp to get what I consider an acceptable shot.

I made a couple grinder errors thinking I could get the right grind without spending in the close ballpark of 500 bucks on a grinder.

With the exception of (maybe) the Rocky, I believe this to be true.


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