America's #1 Online Cigar Auction
first, best, biggest!

Last post 20 years ago by penzt8. 18 replies replies.
Coffee grinder recommendations
Jump to Bottom | Previous Topic | Next Topic
puskarich Offline
#1 Posted: Thu, Nov 13 2003, 8:05 AM EST
Joined: 01-04-2003
Posts: 2,143
Looking to retire my blade grinder and get a burr grinder. I dont need to grind large amounts of beans at a time, so I'm not looking for a grinder with a large bean hopper. Something small, but reliable, would suffice.

Any recommendations? Can a decent burr grinder be had for under $50?
AVB Offline
#2 Posted: Thu, Nov 13 2003, 8:51 AM EST
Joined: 05-21-2003
Posts: 995
This is a one year newer version than the one I use. On sale too. http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B00004RGAF/102-6449224-7913720?v=glance
Suppagus Offline
#3 Posted: Thu, Nov 13 2003, 9:15 AM EST
Joined: 07-08-2003
Posts: 40
I use a Braun burr grinder. It was highly recommended by my local roaster, who did NOT sell them and therefore had nothing to gain. I bought it at Target about 5 years ago for around $30 on sale. It's a great machine; use it every day and have never had problems. Also try www.cooking.com, look in the "small appliances" (or something like that) - I don't know what they have, but last time I looked they had several different kinds
RDC Offline
#4 Posted: Thu, Nov 13 2003, 9:22 AM EST
Joined: 01-21-2000
Posts: 5,874
Blade vs. Burr??

I have a Braun Blade and it does ok. What's up?
SteveS Offline
#5 Posted: Thu, Nov 13 2003, 9:26 AM EST
Joined: 01-13-2002
Posts: 8,751
My Kitchen Aid blade grinder meets our needs pretty well too, but apparently there's a quality difference that one gets by moving up to a burr grinder ... particularly, a more even grind and no "burn" on the grounds (which produces bitterness) ... the crazy thing is, I bought this unit less than a year ago and spent more $$ on it than I could've got one of these burr grinders for ... go figure.
bud451 Offline
#6 Posted: Thu, Nov 13 2003, 9:45 AM EST
Joined: 09-11-2010
Posts: 2,237
A little off the topic but for all who own a Braun or blade type grinder I found a really easy way to clean it. Just put in some fresh white bread pieces and turn it on, works great!
SteveS Offline
#7 Posted: Thu, Nov 13 2003, 9:57 AM EST
Joined: 01-13-2002
Posts: 8,751
how 'bout wheat bread? ... I don't remember the last time we had white bread in the house
bud451 Offline
#8 Posted: Thu, Nov 13 2003, 10:11 AM EST
Joined: 09-11-2010
Posts: 2,237
Yup...rye, wheat, italian any soft bread. I just said white because that's the only thing I use it for...I hate white bread.
SteveS Offline
#9 Posted: Thu, Nov 13 2003, 10:15 AM EST
Joined: 01-13-2002
Posts: 8,751
hey, Bud ... I had one of those really weird moments after opening this thread to see your first response ... I'd somehow expected to see Hubcap showing us how to clean the grinder using white bread ...
tailgater Offline
#10 Posted: Thu, Nov 13 2003, 12:28 PM EST
Joined: 06-01-2000
Posts: 26,185
I once used my blade grinder to make powdered sugar from regular granular sugar.
Added bonus?
Cleaned the bejeebies out of it.
Shined like new.
tailgater Offline
#11 Posted: Thu, Nov 13 2003, 12:29 PM EST
Joined: 06-01-2000
Posts: 26,185
Almost forgot:

Does the burr grinder REALLY make that much difference?
usahog Offline
#12 Posted: Thu, Nov 13 2003, 12:53 PM EST
Joined: 12-06-1999
Posts: 22,691
Did your Sugar taste like Coffee grounds??? LMAO!!!!

Hog
usahog Offline
#13 Posted: Thu, Nov 13 2003, 1:01 PM EST
Joined: 12-06-1999
Posts: 22,691
All Kidding aside... We own a burr grinder I think LOL
www.melitta.com has allot to offer... now for the Coffee maker.. nothing beats a Bunn... but I also have a ceramic perk pot I use for camping and sometimes stovetop cooking of a select group of coffee... (a Change) the finer the grind the better the roast...

Enjoy!!!
Hog
rayder1 Offline
#14 Posted: Thu, Nov 13 2003, 5:46 PM EST
Joined: 06-02-2002
Posts: 2,226
I've been using a Krups blade grinder for 15 years...still going strong.

Thanks for the cleaning tips.

Might give the burr grinder a try someday.
Mrs. Usahog Offline
#15 Posted: Thu, Nov 13 2003, 6:07 PM EST
Joined: 02-06-2003
Posts: 405
Here's the link to the grinder we have. Yes, Hog it is a burr grinder..LOL

http://www.melitta.com/cgi-bin/sgin0101.exe?UID=2003111323034319&T1=ME+BG8B

Mrs. Usahog
puskarich Offline
#16 Posted: Thu, Nov 13 2003, 6:54 PM EST
Joined: 01-04-2003
Posts: 2,143
Thanks for the suggestions! I put my espresso machine into retirement the other day and am in the market for a new one. Had it for 10 years and am noticing that it has seen better days.

As long as I'm getting a new machine, I might as well get a new grinder. Have had a Krups blade grinder for the past 11 years. Decent grinder, but cant get consistent grounds from it anymore. Heard some good things about burr grinders, so figured I'd give one a try.

Anyone have advice on espresso machines? I've been shopping around at WholeLatteLove.com and they had good selections. The Gaggia line of machines have caught my eye, but I'm not sold on anything particular yet. Trying to stay in the less than $300 range. Definitely nothing higher than $400 and wanting to go semi-automatic. That fully-automatic stuff aint for me. It takes too much away from the espresso making ritual.
usahog Offline
#17 Posted: Thu, Nov 13 2003, 7:18 PM EST
Joined: 12-06-1999
Posts: 22,691
http://www.bunn.com

try that one or the one I listed above.. good luck..

Hog
Slimboli Offline
#18 Posted: Fri, Nov 14 2003, 3:22 AM EST
Joined: 07-09-2000
Posts: 16,139
Blade vs. Burr

What's the difference between the two kinds of bean grinder?

Grinding your own coffee beans is a fairly easy way to ensure freshness in your cup of coffee. Grinders can be inexpensive, and some coffee makers or espresso machines even have them built in.

There are basically two different kinds of grinders: blade or burr.

---Blade Grinders---
Most inexpensive grinders use a metal blade to chop up the beans. The blade cuts up the beans, and you control the fineness by how long you let the grinder run. Unfortunately, the resulting coffee grounds can be uneven in size, leading to inconsistant brew quality. Another downfall, is that if you are grinding finely, and therefore leaving the beans in the grinder for a longer period of time, there can be significant heat created by the blades. This can give your final coffee a burned taste. These are fine grinders for basic use, but that's about it.

---Burr Grinders---
Burr grinders crush the beans between a moving grinding wheel and a non-moving surface. The positioning on the burr is what regulates the ground size, which allows for a more consistant grind. In the burr category, there are two different types.

Wheel Burr - The less expensive of the two burr grinders. The wheel spins very fast, and these grinders can be noisy. The higher speed rotation make these grinders more messy as well.

Conical Burr - The best grinders you can get are conical burr grinders. The burr spins slower than the wheel model, which makes them quieter and less messy. You can use a conical burr grinder for oily or flavoured coffees and it's not likely to clog, like the other kinds of grinders. These are the best type, but you will pay the price for them.

Here is a link to another equally good description of the two differnt kinds of grinders ...

http://www.ospinacoffee.com/occinfo/Process_05.htm

penzt8 Offline
#19 Posted: Fri, Nov 14 2003, 10:02 AM EST
Joined: 06-05-2000
Posts: 1,771
I have a grinder that's been in use for about 6 years. Think it's a Braun. It has a dial that you turn from course to fine depending on what you want. No idea if it's blade or burr but it sure grinds the coffee. In a pinch I've been known to throw the beans in a blender or use one of those hand held milk shake mixers. I never really noticed the difference in taste from one method over the other.
Users browsing this topic
Guest
Back to Top