davemocha0 Senior Member Joined: 16 Dec 2011 Posts: 4 Location: U.S. Expertise: Just starting
Posted Fri Dec 16, 2011, 7:00pm Subject: Grinder <$250 for Manual Pour-Over
Hi All,
I'm relatively new to the coffee arena. I've started making coffee for my coworkers every Friday and we've all been really enjoying it. However, I currently have a very low-end grinder and am looking to upgrade. I'm not into espresso, I'm just into doing the manual pour-over technique for plane old coffee.
I've been looking at different grinders out there and have become overwhelmed. I like buying high quality products which offer good value. I'm really looking for something durable, long lasting, and something that will be consistent. I'd really like to stay under $250, unless someone tells me that by jumping up in price a little the jump in value is significant. Any recommendations?
So far I've looked at Mazzer, Rocky, Baratza, and Gaggia. They all seem to have a following, but also seem to get some negative reviews.
Dave, you are looking at dedicated espresso grinders. Well, certainly the Mazzer, the Rocky, and the Gaggia all are. Whether the Baratza is or not depends upon which specific Baratza grinder you are considering. You do not want a grinder that is designed for espresso if what you are brewing is not espresso . . .
Here are some grinders within your price range that will suit your needs:
davemocha0 Senior Member Joined: 16 Dec 2011 Posts: 4 Location: U.S. Expertise: Just starting
Posted Sun Dec 18, 2011, 5:55am Subject: Re: Grinder <$250 for Manual Pour-Over
Hi,
Thanks for the reply and the welcome!
I actually had originally decided on the Baratza Virtuoso and then started reading some reviews on this website about it. While there were several positive reviews there were also several negative ones which started to make me nervous.
Is Baratza really a good company and will this be a purchase that lasts a long time and isn't something where in 6 months I'll want to upgrade to something better?
hankua Senior Member Joined: 29 Aug 2009 Posts: 204 Location: Jacksonville, Florida Expertise: Just starting
Espresso: Salvatore One Black Grinder: Pharos,Rossi RR45OD, Lido,... Drip: CCD Roaster: Yang-Chia 800n
Posted Sun Dec 18, 2011, 6:28am Subject: Re: Grinder <$250 for Manual Pour-Over
I have a baratza refurb, the Starbucks barista at work and it's doing fine although the first one arrived DOA. It did require a bit of break in, and I had to take it apart and adjust the grind setting. There are other similar grinders out there and with a coupon you might find a deal. Baratza is a site sponsor, and has good customer service so folks like to buy their products. The basic Baratza grinders are fine for drip if your looking to save a few bucks.
So I'd say baratza refurb or used bunn/grindmaster in good condition.
JasonBrandtLewis Senior Member Joined: 9 Dec 2005 Posts: 6,100 Location: Berkeley, CA Expertise: I live coffee
Espresso: Elektra T1 - La Valentina -... Grinder: Mahlkönig K30 Vario -... Vac Pot: Yama 5-cup Drip: CCD, Chemex Roaster: No, no, not another...
Posted Sun Dec 18, 2011, 7:03am Subject: Re: Grinder <$250 for Manual Pour-Over
davemocha0 Said:
Is Baratza really a good company and will this be a purchase that lasts a long time and isn't something where in 6 months I'll want to upgrade to something better?
I have never had a problem with my Baratza Vario (different model), but Baratza has one of the finest reputations of any vender in terms of customer service after the sale and anyone with any problem has always reported here that Kyle and the Baratza team took care of anything and everything quickly and to the complete satisfaction of the customer.
I wouldn't hesitate -- and don't! -- to recommend a Baratza grinder to anyone.
tjkoko Senior Member Joined: 28 Oct 2007 Posts: 701 Location: Somewhere in the swamps Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Bialetti Moka Pot Grinder: Baratza Preciso and Turkish... Drip: Meiltta filter with cone Roaster: Whirlypop Stovetop Unit,...
Posted Sun Dec 18, 2011, 7:15am Subject: Re: Grinder <$250 for Manual Pour-Over
At ebay I got a Baratza Preciso brand new for $250 and the next week they increased in price by $50 from the exact same seller! If I were you I'd spend $50 more and get the Preciso because the micro adjust lever makes all the difference in grind quality and selection.
Can you explain why? Do espresso grinders not work well for drip or would the buyer simply be paying more than they need to for drip?
By the way and for what it's worth, Baratza claims in their grinder-comparison chart that the Virtuosa is the only one of their grinders that is not "very good" for "manual" coffee. It only gets a "good".
An ideal grind for drip would be even and regular with all the ground coffee particles being as close to the same size as possible, around a single distribution peak, for an even extraction.
Espresso grinders typically produce a wider spread of grind size typically, often over two separate distribution peaks. This variation in particle works for espresso because the finer particles slow the passage of the water through the brew but it's not ideal for drip or any other brew method.
People use espresso grinders for drip, but usually espresso is their preferred method of brewing though many also have a separate grinder for drip. By choice for drip or any other brew method it's probably better as well as cheaper to go for a non espresso grinder. I use a Maestro Plus though the Baratza Preciso looks very interesting.
JasonBrandtLewis Senior Member Joined: 9 Dec 2005 Posts: 6,100 Location: Berkeley, CA Expertise: I live coffee
Espresso: Elektra T1 - La Valentina -... Grinder: Mahlkönig K30 Vario -... Vac Pot: Yama 5-cup Drip: CCD, Chemex Roaster: No, no, not another...
Posted Mon Dec 19, 2011, 4:20pm Subject: Re: Grinder <$250 for Manual Pour-Over
Al "got it in one," as they say . . .
Nothing "below" the Preciso from Baratza is really good for espresso (at least in the real world). Since, as Al points out, my preferred method of brewing is espresso, I normally will use my Baratza Vario -- regularly used for either decaf espresso or for SO -- for drip, press, or siphon. No point in having three grinders at home. ;^)
FWIW, I actually do have three grinders at home, but one is a "travel" grinder, a La Pavoni PA, and as I'm presently in Mexico, that's what I'm using. Drip only.
I have a Maestro, which is entirely satisfactory (IMHO) for pour-over. The Virtuoso ought to be a wee bit better. I think if you go for a grinder in this class, your "bottleneck" will no longer be the grinder, it will be beans, or roast quality, or water, or something not-the-grinder. If you are, or become, a fanatic, you might turn to a Bunn or Ditting grinder some years from now, but the Virtuoso will get you to that exalted level in style. It's much more likely that you'll use the Virtuoso for the foreseeable future.
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