Coffee grinder rec?

[jostenmeat]

I need a new one. This is for 100% french press, so an ability to make a consistent yet coarse grind is needed. I see some highly satisfactory machines for the money, but happen to produce only very fine grinds, which is undesired by me. I am not a connoisseur of fine coffee; I usually base my decisions on caffeine content. I don't want to spend much on this, and I will take reliability over the perfect grind. However, I'm all ears. Thanks guys.

 

[avaserfi]

I don't personally have one, but I have heard great things about Baratza Maestro as a reliable, low cost grinder that will do pretty much anything but espresso grind.

You can get them referbished direct from the factory here: http://www.baratza.com/refurb.php

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

I second Baratza rec. They are really good and cost new starting 200.
Im rrly surprised refub is so cheap..

Another is Braun Burr-Grinder KM-30 - I bought it for work's Drip machine - It's much more consistent then old cheat blade grinder.

 

[jostenmeat]

Thanks guys. TBH, that is considerably more than I was thinking, but maybe I should treat myself. After all, I drink coffee almost everyday. Hmmm. I was thinking about $20 really. I'll think about that refurbed unit.

 

[avaserfi]

I don't know any remotely decent grinder that cheap. I used to have a Cuisinart DBM-8, and from what I have seen, the Maestro is far superior. The DBM-8 did a decent job, and could do a good job with french press on a smaller budget, but it is still $40 new.

 

[bandphan]

I need a new one. This is for 100% french press, so an ability to make a consistent yet coarse grind is needed. I see some highly satisfactory machines for the money, but happen to produce only very fine grinds, which is undesired by me. I am not a connoisseur of fine coffee; I usually base my decisions on caffeine content. I don't want to spend much on this, and I will take reliability over the perfect grind. However, I'm all ears. Thanks guys.

I like the dcx2496

and on a serious note corn is great French presses are 2nd..... Ive got one Ive had for 20 years.. it just doesnt make beer

 

[jamie2112]

The xtrafabuloussuperdupernumber1dopestkillergrinder is my favorite but they cost like a bazillion dollars.............
this is the one I have and I have had it for 10 years http://www.amazon.com/Krups-203-42-Touch-Coffee-Grinder/dp/B00004SPEU

 

[Alex2507]

I've got Andrew's $40 Cuisinart that I use with that Aeropress and milk frother toy with the totally awesome stand regardless of what Adam says about it. What's cool about it is that it is that it makes pretty much the best cup of coffee anybody around here has ever had and it is the thing that I get to contribute at any given occasion.

My only piece of advice is to take Andrew's advice.
When I was little my mother use to tell me that I would grow a tale if I drank coffee.

 

[chris357]

costco has that cusinart burr grinder for 29.95 new

it does a pretty good job and has alot of gind settings

 

[sholling]

I use a Cuisinart DBM-8 and it's about the cheapest burr grinder that does a good job. You need a burr grinder for a french press. A blade grinder just wont do the job.

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

" This unit does suffer from the static issues, in that the collection bin is made of plastic and causes the ground coffee to stick to the walls and will make a mess when you open the lid to pour out the coffee..."

This is from Amazon review of Cuisinart DBM-8, Cheap Braun grinder I mentioned above suffers from exactly same issue...
So cleaning would be annoying, luckily this machine is at office kitchen so no one cares

 

[chris357]

yeah thats about the only complaint is that it is messy and the coffee stickes to the sides.. i mean its 30 bucks... eithe rthat or get the kitchen aid for 170 ish? or that other one for 200 plus....

i'd rather buy something for my stereo

 

[Alex2507]

Give the plastic housing a couple of knuckle wraps. Remove the lid slowly and place it clean side down. Use a scoop to remove the ground coffee and heaven help you if you can't wipe up some ground coffee up with the damp sponge that is within arms reach. Sheesh.

 

[Jon Lane]

Also seconding the Baratza Maestro - it's is a good entry-level grinder. I was once gifted one by a friend who had done more research on such things than I ever would. Works like a champ three years later.

 

[chris357]

Give the plastic housing a couple of knuckle wraps. Remove the lid slowly and place it clean side down. Use a scoop to remove the ground coffee and heaven help you if you can't wipe up some ground coffee up with the damp sponge that is within arms reach. Sheesh.

actually I let the grounds build up over a week or so and then collect them and make coffee with them

things are tight lol

 

[jliedeka]

I would agree that you want at least a Baratza Maestro. The grinder is the most important thing in making good coffee. I've been using a Rancilio Rocky for years and wouldn't use anything less now. Big burrs make all the difference for a consistent coarse grind.

I've also started weighing my beans before grinding. I'm not sure of the proper ratio for French press but I use roughly 1.45 grams per ounce of water for drip coffee.

Jim

 

[jostenmeat]

So, I think you guys have sold me on the refurbed Maestro. I've tried ordering, but the security certificate is expired when I try to check out. Should I call instead? Sorry if this sounds like a dumb question. I just want to make a secure transaction is all.

I look forward to a burr ground french press.

 

[jliedeka]

I'd call them. If you can accept the expired cert, there probably isn't any real risk there. Does the checkout go through Baratza or are they using a third party? If it's a third party, I'd be more cautious.

Jim

 

[jostenmeat]

So guys, I've been using the refurbed Maestro for a few days now! It's great! With the same amount of beans, it's richer, and that's even with a coarser grind overall. Trippy. It also seems to me that I don't have to let it wait as long for it to be strong and/or flavorful. I also don't have to hold the button down anymore. So, thanks again to you all.

Question: I added, for $7, the 3 pack of cleaner tablets (just grind the tablet, and then do a run of coffee grinding to get rid of residue). How often am I supposed to clean the grinder? Let's say that I grind roughly 2 oz worth of beans every day . . . I want to take care of this thing so that it may last a while . . . Cheers!

 

[jostenmeat]

oh btw, the beans I normally use are rather oily, if that changes things much. Not always, but usually.