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Newbie looking for a grinder (Grinder theory 101)

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  • Newbie looking for a grinder (Grinder theory 101)

    Hi all! Im on the hunt for my very first coffee grinder and Ive been reading through this part of the forum on and off for a few weeks now. The conclusion: Im confused

    Basically, to cut a potentially long story short (I tend to ramble) Im trying to decide between cheap and not-so-cheap. The cheap being the Sunbeam EM0480 and the not-so-cheap being...something else. When I get the to something else things tend to get a bit confusing for me because my knowledge level still isnt all that great.

    Im pretty sure I want doserless unless there is any tremendous reason, other than there being less mess to clean up, to get a doser grinder.

    To be honest, at this point, Im mainly looking to expand my knowledge and learn what I need to look for. Although Ive read reviews and comments I dont yet understand what can and does make a difference to each grinder.

    Background: Ive never owned a coffee machine or grinder. My decision to possibly become a coffee freak comes from having cafe coffee that ranges from *almost* nice except for x to OMG they burned the beans (Gloria Jeans normally)! to Hmm, I paid more for this and it tastes exactly the same as the cheaper one. What it comes down to is I think I could do better with some effort and practice

    So, help me learn what I need to look for in a coffee grinder so I can pick the right one

  • #2
    Re: Newbie looking for a grinder (Grinder theory 1

    For my mind the next step up from the Sunbeam would be the Iberital Challenge. A number of the site sponsors sell them so would be best to pm them to get an idea of the price. I bought mine when I bought my machine so wont hazard a guess. There are reviews on the Iberital in other threads which also discuss other grinders as well. So well worth a search.

    Depends on what you intend to use the grinder for though as well. French press? Espresso? Both?

    That will see you get better advice and maybe also your intended budget. Generally it is better to buy the best grinder you can as it will most likely serve your purposes as you upgrade brewing equipment.

    Comment


    • #3
      Re: Newbie looking for a grinder (Grinder theory 1

      Hi Halo and welcome to CoffeeSnobs...

      Grinders.... probably the most important piece of hardware and one of the most confusing...

      First rule.... you get what you pay for.... a cheap grinder - is - well - cheap for a reason....

      Sunbeam should be OK but some users are having problems with the setting slowly creeping and the grind becoming less consistent... neither of which is a good thing...

      What you need is:

      a grinder which will comfortably (not at the lowest setting) grind coffee the size required for espresso....

      a grinder which has fine adjustments either stepless (my preference) or small steps....

      a grinder which produces uniform size grounds with no dust in the grounds!!

      either an espresso only grinder (has a worm drive giving very fine adjustment) or a combined espresso / plunger / whatever grinder ( has steps which can be quickly selected).... I prefer the espresso only - use another el cheapo grinder for plunger

      Dose or doserless... as you said less mess with doser models but they also break up the clumps of coffee..... but are more fiddly to use as you need to "grind through" the doser (kinda like using it like a doserless)... but that is a matter of personal choice.....



      So what would I buy.... (other than the La Cimbali I own - $1200 :)

      If money wasnt a big concern- a Mazzer grinder.... doing it on a budget Id go for an Iberital Challenge....

      Hope that helps- if you would like any further queries answered just post them and we will see what we can do.

      Comment


      • #4
        Re: Newbie looking for a grinder (Grinder theory 1

        Depends on what you intend to use the grinder for though as well. French press? Espresso? Both?
        Both but I intend on starting with a press.

        Ideally, the budget would be around $300. Though I might be convinced to go a bit higher depending on the reason.

        Comment


        • #5
          Re: Newbie looking for a grinder (Grinder theory 1

          Originally posted by Halo link=1169641778/0#3 date=1169643529
          Depends on what you intend to use the grinder for though as well. French press? Espresso? Both?
          Both but I intend on starting with a press.

          Ideally, the budget would be around $300. Though I might be convinced to go a bit higher depending on the reason.
          Well the challenge fits your budget but is really an espresso only grinder... it has a worm drive which takes f....o.....r.....e....v.....e.....r to go from press to espresso,,,,, so although its a great and reasonably priced espresso grinder.... its probably not the best for you

          Comment


          • #6
            Re: Newbie looking for a grinder (Grinder theory 1

            From my experience with the Iberital Challenge it is great for espresso. It would be great for plunger but not for switching between both. It takes a lot of turns to get a significant change in grind. Which is great for espresso because you can get the exact setting you want. But if you will just use it for the french press until you get an espresso machine than I would highly recommend the Challenge. It is a great grinder for the money. The next price category from there would be a Rocky but than that goes beyond the 300 dollar limit.

            Comment


            • #7
              Re: Newbie looking for a grinder (Grinder theory 1

              I guess its wouldnt be *so* bad. I intend on starting with a press and eventually getting a machine. Once I had a machine Id more than likely just use that. But then, I have neither and so dont know what my habits would be

              Is there anything more I need to know about grinder theory? Ive read about flat and conical burrs in a few threads; and the worm drive was mentioned here.

              Comment


              • #8
                Re: Newbie looking for a grinder (Grinder theory 1

                Well if you can live with lots of turns to go from press to espresso the Iberital is probably the best value for money grinder.....

                For espresso you need to make very small changes to the grind size and that is very easy with the adjustment mechanism on that grinder (far, far more important to be able to make small changes with espresso than any other type of extraction).....

                If you got a grinder which is more suited to the press it wouldnt be very good for espresso (unless you are prepared to spend a lot more... and then there are other options which can do both)....

                Or you can do what Ive done... buy an el cheapo for the press/plunger and then buy the Iberital for espresso when you get the machine...

                Freshly ground, freshly roasted beans in a press make VERY nice coffee!!

                Comment


                • #9
                  Re: Newbie looking for a grinder (Grinder theory 1

                  Welcome Halo (Youre not a paratrooper are you ),

                  Have you read through the guide at the top of the opening page of "Grinders"? Lots of practical info in there along with a pricing guide that could be helpful to you also. All the best mate,

                  Mal.

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    Re: Newbie looking for a grinder (Grinder theory 1

                    Halo have a read of this thead ... http://coffeesnobs.com.au/YaBB.pl?num=1167626020

                    I had the same problem but I only use my grinder for espresso. I think a Gaggia MDF would suit you fine. It is stepped which you need for switching between espresso, plunger etc and is around $300 and has good reviews

                    Comment


                    • #11
                      Re: Newbie looking for a grinder (Grinder theory 1

                      Halo

                      The MDF is a capable grinder (and in your price range) but many have found the steps are too large to adequately track the bean ageing.

                      Whether it will suit your needs depends on how much of a perfectionist you intend to be with your espresso. Ideally you make small changes in the grind as the bean ages and as the humidity changes to maintain the 60ml in 25 seconds from a double basket. Some dont bother- but if you do wish to, then the steps are too large.

                      There is a solution - it can be modded to make it stepless- see:

                      http://coffeeaspirations.blogspot.com/2006/07/barista-guild-of-america-and-how-to.html

                      But that would void the warranty.

                      There is also a good thread on modding the MDF here:

                      http://coffeesnobs.com.au/YaBB.pl?num=1167433239/0#0

                      Its really down to personal taste, and what compromises (if any) you are prepared to make.

                      Comment


                      • #12
                        Re: Newbie looking for a grinder (Grinder theory 1

                        Ola Halo!

                        The MDF is indeed a capable grinder although it has some details that can make you go insane. You can do simple modifications to make it better, although if you are not a DIY person, you might wanna think about another grinder.

                        Cheers,
                        dsc.

                        Comment


                        • #13
                          Re: Newbie looking for a grinder (Grinder theory 1

                          The importance of the grinder cannot be under-stated! The better quality your grinder, the more surface area your coffee will be exposed to, thus extracing more of the desirable flavours and less of the those unpleasant ones - bitterness & caffeine, etc. It also means your machine will be less likely to over-extract some grinds, while under-extracting others...

                          Do NOT skimp on your grinder, save up for a bit if you have to until you can buy a high quality grinder.



                          Comment


                          • #14
                            Re: Newbie looking for a grinder (Grinder theory 1

                            Welcome Halo,
                            I was in the same situation as you not so long ago, you are doing it better by buying a good grinder first.
                            I still have my Sunbeam and it is not a bad start at all, but you wont be happy eventually.
                            Switching from press to espresso NEVER returns you to the exact same grind you had before.
                            I upgraded my grinder to a Macap MC4, a doserless and stepless model and I am very, very happy with it.
                            Some people here persuaded me to write a review (??) which I will do in the next few days, as soon as I find
                            out how to attach pictures as well.

                            Switching between press and espresso is not a problem, I found a good tool to do this in another forum.
                            I can switch back and forth in around 10 seconds with utmost accuracy!

                            The problem will be your budget, it is right up there with the Mazzer.

                            Cheers,

                            dickwyn


                            Comment


                            • #15
                              Re: Newbie looking for a grinder (Grinder theory 1

                              Originally posted by dickwyn link=1169641778/0#13 date=1169721475
                              Switching between press and espresso is not a problem, I found a good tool to do this in another forum.
                              I can switch back and forth in around 10 seconds with utmost accuracy!
                              Do please enlighten us.

                              Comment

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