onceinthemorning Senior Member Joined: 8 Apr 2012 Posts: 18 Location: Vancouver Expertise: I love coffee
Posted Sun Apr 8, 2012, 9:02am Subject: Need help choosing a grinder
Hello coffee aficionados!
I've finally made the move to purchase whole beans! Now the task is to find the grinder to get the similar commercial grind I'm used to get for my espresso machine (good ol' nearly 10 years old Starbucks Barista!) I just made the mistake of buying the Bodum Bistro Electric Burr Coffee Grinder, while a nice unit it just didn't grind espresso to my satisfaction and expectations, despite numerous reviews claiming that it could. I am returning it.
So here I am confronted with the difficult task to find the grinder that will consistently do a nice espresso grind. My needs: Espresso grind is what I need (I do not need the unit to be versatile and perform well at all other grinds as I don't have a need for them) My usage: I make coffee once a day Budget: I'm willing to pay for quality and durability, I'm not geeky about it to the point of paying just for a brand or to be in the crust of the wave. I just want the job done and not have to worry if I'm going to get a good coffee or not! So $350 would be the max I'd be willing to..."spoon" out for this! (although a $5000 commercial grinder would be slick on my counter! hehe)
I did further research and here are the models I'm currently considering. Breville BREBCG800XL Smart Grinder Baratza Virtuoso Grinder with Preciso Burrs KitchenAid Pro Line Burr Grinder KPCG100
I'd love to hear any advice on these and help in choosing the best one for my needs or perhaps other models that I should also be considering. Finally I'm hoping to make a purchase asap, so availability is also a consideration. I'm in Vancouver.
TonyVan Senior Member Joined: 24 May 2010 Posts: 268 Location: Pacific Northwest Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: GS/3, La Pavoni Grinder: Macap M7K, Rocky Drip: Kone
Posted Sun Apr 8, 2012, 10:26am Subject: Re: Need help choosing a grinder
Marc, you're doing the right thing and any one of these will be a huge step in the direction you want to go.
I'm not sure which of these is the best - or the very best value - but I've seen recent threads (sometimes several, pretty sure) about all of these grinders recently here and over on H-B, with a great deal of information. Since your request here is likely to elicit the same kinds of opinions and responses, but just from fewer people, your best bet is to read these existing threads and then come back with any specific questions you might have remaining while you wait. I suspect that the information you'll get from these dozens and dozens of existing posts on these three grinders will give you more information (and a lot faster) than waiting for new posts to trickle in. Good luck!
Posted Sun Apr 8, 2012, 12:02pm Subject: Re: Need help choosing a grinder
You could get a used Super Jolly for that price, or maybe even a Major if you're very lucky. Both of those will probably outlive you, but they're huge and definitely not intended for home use. You might need to buy new burrs, though. If you have space constraints, you could probably get a used Vario for around $350. Any of the grinders I just mentioned will be far superior to the ones you're looking at for espresso. Also- none of this is going to matter unless you're buying freshly roasted beans.
Edit: I somehow forgot the Pharos. It's a hand grinder that offers grind quality on par with electric grinders 5x its price.
cappuccinoboy Senior Member Joined: 27 Jun 2009 Posts: 789 Location: MILANO Expertise: Professional
Espresso: Milano pod, Milano fully... Grinder: grind on demand
Posted Sun Apr 8, 2012, 12:47pm Subject: Re: Need help choosing a grinder
onceinthemorning Said:
Hello coffee aficionados!
I've finally made the move to purchase whole beans! Now the task is to find the grinder to get the similar commercial grind I'm used to get for my espresso machine (good ol' nearly 10 years old Starbucks Barista!) I just made the mistake of buying the Bodum Bistro Electric Burr Coffee Grinder, while a nice unit it just didn't grind espresso to my satisfaction and expectations, despite numerous reviews claiming that it could. I am returning it.
So here I am confronted with the difficult task to find the grinder that will consistently do a nice espresso grind. My needs: Espresso grind is what I need (I do not need the unit to be versatile and perform well at all other grinds as I don't have a need for them) My usage: I make coffee once a day Budget: I'm willing to pay for quality and durability, I'm not geeky about it to the point of paying just for a brand or to be in the crust of the wave. I just want the job done and not have to worry if I'm going to get a good coffee or not! So $350 would be the max I'd be willing to..."spoon" out for this! (although a $5000 commercial grinder would be slick on my counter! hehe)
I did further research and here are the models I'm currently considering. Breville BREBCG800XL Smart Grinder Baratza Virtuoso Grinder with Preciso Burrs KitchenAid Pro Line Burr Grinder KPCG100
I'd love to hear any advice on these and help in choosing the best one for my needs or perhaps other models that I should also be considering. Finally I'm hoping to make a purchase asap, so availability is also a consideration. I'm in Vancouver.
Posted Sun Apr 8, 2012, 11:05pm Subject: Re: Need help choosing a grinder
i'm assuming your starbucks barista machine is still using the pressurized portafilter. in that case, pretty much all of the grinders, including your bodum bistra, should be adequate. this also will result in subpar espresso with faux crema(pressurize portafilter)
if you're planning on getting a un-pressurized portafilter, you will be best off with these higher end grinders that people are bringing up. personally i'd recommend the Preciso, Vario or Super Jolly like the others have brought up. if you wanna go hand grinder, the OE Pharos is the one to get. *i noticed that the OE Pharos isnt available for sale on the OE site, though. hmm
worknhard Senior Member Joined: 12 Sep 2009 Posts: 2 Location: Denver Expertise: I live coffee
Espresso: Brasilia Lady Grinder: Cunill
Posted Mon Apr 9, 2012, 5:56am Subject: Re: Need help choosing a grinder
If you want a dependable/durable grinder that gives a consistent grind day-in and day-out look at the Cunill Tranquilo. It's not the prettiest beast around, but as quality grinders go, it's hard to beat... especially under $300.
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