All I can focus on during that video is why the guys sleeves are so long!
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Espresso Enthusiasts
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All I can focus on during that video is why the guys sleeves are so long!
I finally bought a burr grinder today. After months of deliberating back and forth, mainly due to the cost vs amount of use factor, I decided on the below, with the help of our espresso (coffee) guru, Shrink.
I know this isn't the best grinder and it's probably a bottom-class grinder, but we spoke about it and based on my needs and the price, this seems like the best option for me, right now.
I'll be using it mostly for regular coffee (drip) and some espresso-based drinks.
There was a Gaggia that I looked at which was on sale for $100 off, but it had a doser and not something I needed, especially for regular coffee making.
Plus I bought this cool portafilter adapter to go with it. Normally it uses a bin to catch the grinds, great for regular coffee, but I can swap it out for this adapter when I want to grind for espresso. I also threw in the order a kitchen scale.
Baratza Encore Coffee Grinder
Baratza PortaHolder for Portafilters
EatSmart Precision Pro - Multifunction Digital Kitchen Scale w/ Extra Large LCD and 11 Lb. Capacity
I know this isn't the best grinder and it's probably a bottom-class grinder, but we spoke about it and based on my needs and the price, this seems like the best option for me, right now.
I'll be using it mostly for regular coffee (drip) and some espresso-based drinks.
There was a Gaggia that I looked at which was on sale for $100 off, but it had a doser and not something I needed, especially for regular coffee making.
Plus I bought this cool portafilter adapter to go with it. Normally it uses a bin to catch the grinds, great for regular coffee, but I can swap it out for this adapter when I want to grind for espresso. I also threw in the order a kitchen scale.
Baratza Encore Coffee Grinder
Baratza PortaHolder for Portafilters
EatSmart Precision Pro - Multifunction Digital Kitchen Scale w/ Extra Large LCD and 11 Lb. Capacity
Congratulation, Mate!
You are slowly sliding down the slippery slope of coffee insanity.
Slowly, with remarkable control...but it's happening.
Congratulation, Mate!
You are slowly sliding down the slippery slope of coffee insanity.
Slowly, with remarkable control...but it's happening.
Is it sliding down the slippery slope or is it climbing up the ladder to enlightenment?
Is it sliding down the slippery slope or is it climbing up the ladder to enlightenment?
In some cultures, the insane are seen as having a gift...touched by great spirit!
Perhaps they are both the same...
Congratulations. I had wondered how long you would manage to hold out, or resist, but concluded that the citadel of resistance would fall to the logic of Shrink's sustained and passionate argument in favour of burr grinders. Now, we shall expect a detailed review and expert commentary when you have managed to tame the thing.
For, when I have returned to more congenial surroundings, it is a purchase I shall doubtless find myself contemplating in due course.......aided and abetted by a few of this thread's stalwart denizens.....
Thank you!
I certainly will give my commentary about it after I use it for a little while. As far as it being "expert" commentary, I don't know about that!
I rely on folks like you, Shrink and Kissaragi for the real good commentary.Glad you finally got a grinder. Baratza are a good brand and although your at the lower end of their product line, it will serve you very well for drip and hopefully be ok for espresso. You may have to recalibrate the burrs to grind fine enough for espresso tho.
The scales will make a massive difference to you in consistency. If anyone tried to take my scales things would get ugly!
I found a small no hair loss house painting brush with the bristles cut down half way to make them stiffer makes a fantastic brush for cleaning your burrs.
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How do you recalibrate the burrs?
Thanks for the tip on the brush, I will get one and do the same.
That's funny, I'm still on the fence and look out for a new grinder myself. Hope yours will serve you well!
And no kidding, but just today I was searching the web and its forums on said topic (birthday is near) without visiting this thread until now. Still partial about the doserless models, though. Have one in my mind but will wait for your field report first.
And no kidding, but just today I was searching the web and its forums on said topic (birthday is near
) without visiting this thread until now. Still partial about the doserless models, though. Have one in my mind but will wait for your field report first.
I have the same scale SBG just bought, which I use for large measurements, such as weighing out green beans for roasting. It has a 1 gm resolution, which is fine for weighing out the 240GM dose for my roaster. Certainly weighing fairly large amounts, such as the dose for drip coffee, it is more than fine.
For finer weighing tasks, such as weighing the 17 GM dose for my grinder, I think a better resolution works for me. With a 1GM resolution, you really have a range of 17.0-17.99GM range of weight. I have a scale for that has a 0.01GM resolution. The scale comes with calibration weights, and let's you know if re-calibration is necessary. Because the retention of my grinder ranges from 0GM to up to 1/2-3/4 GM, depending on the humidity level of the room (since I have forced hot air heating, during the winter the humidity is at Death Valley levels, increasing static electricity and increasing grinder retention), I wanted a scale with a finer resolution.
The scale below is not very expensive...equivalent in cost to most scales with .5GM resolution.
That's funny, I'm still on the fence and look out for a new grinder myself. Hope yours will serve you well!
And no kidding, but just today I was searching the web and its forums on said topic (birthday is near
For what it's worth, I completely agree that a doserless model is far superior to the doser. The set that SBG bought allows for both using a bin for larger volume grinds (for drip method grinds), and has that insert that allows for doserless method. I had a Rancilio Rocky, and since I knew nothing at the time I bought it, I dumb lucked and bought the doserless model...and was very happy with it until I bought my current grinder.
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I know, think I found one (reviews seem trustworthy) which is doserless and don't mess around because of static charge and looks somewhat fine. I have to admit that size - not too large - and look are also important aspects for me - as is the price. Read that for casual usage (as in 1-2 cups a day), doserless would be preferable. Is that right? I only drink coffee at home during the week-ends, so that are more or less 4-5 cups an average week I'm speaking about.
I also read a neat thread about your HG1; did understand only half of it but still very interesting. There is a little, devilish voice telling me not to buy a 'middle class' model for $200 and just to be happy with what I've got...and to save up for the king grinder.
I know, think I found one (reviews seem trustworthy) which is doserless and don't mess around because of static charge and looks somewhat fine. I have to admit that size - not too large - and look are also important aspects for me - as is the price. Read that for casual usage (as in 1-2 cups a day), doserless would be preferable. Is that right? I only drink coffee at home during the week-ends, so that are more or less 4-5 cups an average week I'm speaking about.
I also read a neat thread about your HG1; did understand only half of it but still very interesting. There is a little, devilish voice telling me not to buy a 'middle class' model for $200 and just to be happy with what I've got...and to save up for the king grinder.
I think doserless is the way to go whether you are grinding 4-5 a day, or 4-5 a week. I just don't like the doser configuration for a bunch of reasons, and that whatever your espresso grinding needs...doserless is a much better choice.
As for the HG-one...ah...I better not say too much, Kissaragi gets upset with me if I spout off about my grinder.
I can't begin to tell you what a great grinder it is!
...ah...I better not say too much, Kissaragi gets upset with me if I spout off about my grinder.
Team NZ had the best grinders on the bay,
KGB
How do you recalibrate the burrs?
You might not need to if it grinds fine enough already so its best to wait and see.
If you do find you cant get a fine enough grind then theres a guide here
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I am in the club and joing this thread.
Welcome!
Bear in mind that many who regularly post on this thread are certifiably insane (at least when it comes to coffee)...and it's catching!
I, of course, am one of the only truly sane regulars...just watch out for those other folks!
I am in the club and joing this thread.
Welcome aboard! Don't mind Shrink, he likes regular supermarket brand coffee....
Welcome aboard! Don't mind Shrink, he likes regular supermarket brand coffee....
Foul calumny!
Libelous mendacity!
Fatuous sophistry!
I never drink supermarket coffee. Nothing less than very high quality, freeze dried, gourmet instant!
Foul calumny!
Libelous mendacity!
Fatuous sophistry!
I never drink supermarket coffee. Nothing less than very high quality, freeze dried, gourmet instant!
Gasp! Did I say something erroneous or incorrect?
That's the model I'm thinking about right now. Eureka Mignon mct
From what I understand they changed/redesigned the output (?? thingy where the coffee comes out, lol) in 2009 to make it less messy or easier to handle. Also having the timer at the bottom right side now, which I honestly don't think I need and it looks kinda ugly. Former mode had its timer placed under the machine (!) which I guess most if not all people found uncomfortable to use - I wonder why. But since I don't need it, I would prefer the older model. Not sure about the 'output', though.
From what I understand they changed/redesigned the output (?? thingy where the coffee comes out, lol) in 2009 to make it less messy or easier to handle. Also having the timer at the bottom right side now, which I honestly don't think I need and it looks kinda ugly. Former mode had its timer placed under the machine (!) which I guess most if not all people found uncomfortable to use - I wonder why. But since I don't need it, I would prefer the older model. Not sure about the 'output', though.
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Very nice looking grinder. A bit later on, I'm going to take a look at the specs. If you get it, be sure to post a review so all of us can learn about it.
Enjoy!
You will be punished for that pun!
And you're not alone...there is an excellent site for espresso stuff called Whole Latte Love.