Coffee Grinder

[The Amish Tyrant]

I'm a simpleton when it comes to coffee. It's really just a vessel for caffeine and I'm a caffeine junkie. Like my women, I don't discriminate. Cold, thick, and bitter is fine by me.

Normally, I buy pre-ground coffee. Chock Full of Nuts comes in a large tin canister, is cheaper, doesn't need preparation, and gets the job done.

However, I ended up with a few bags of whole beans and don't want to waste them. The nicer grinder we had in storage was broken (although I may be the reason we can't have nice things, I didn't do it this time - seriously) and I'm in no rush to pay what I'm told is $100-$150 to replace it.

Any recommendations for a decent coffee grinder that isn't high end? Knowing myself, unless the difference of grinding my own beans is leaps above pre-ground (making it worth the additional cost, time, annoyance, and frustration), this will be a one and done purchase that goes back to storage (where I get blamed for breaking it once it emerges again from hibernation after 7 years).

Suggestions from the think-tank are appreciated.

 

[dsturg369]

I got this and am happy with it.

Mr. Coffee Simple Grind 14 Cup Coffee Grinder, Black Amazon.com - https://a.co/d/5ut5jmH

 

[mso489]

I always buy ground coffee, but my wife says she's never been to a yard sale where she couldn't buy a coffee grinder that works for less than five bucks.

I'm the breakfast cook, so I don't want to stop to grind the beans.

 

[bullet08]

Any blade grinder for less than $30 at Target. If you are looking for burr grinder, sky is the limit. Decent burr grinder coffee snob wants seems to go $400 or higher. One built in my espresso machine does everything I want, but most says it sucks. Finding out most of what they complain about doesn't seem to be the issue. I guess it's just cheap for their taste.

 

[edger]

I use a Hario MMCS-2B manual burr grinder. Inexpensive and does a good job if you don’t mind the arm workout!

 

[woodsroad]

I vote for the yard sale.

That said, I’ve been grinding my own since 1982, and if you buy fresh beans (or roast them yourself) the flavor difference is akin to smoking McClellands instead of Ralph’s Fairly Good RYO.

My current grinder, which I’m happy with, although I had to add a timer switch:

Baratza Encore Conical Burr Coffee Grinder (Black) Amazon.com - https://a.co/d/0ThWJ7Z

 

[shanez]

A Kaffe burr grinder is $40 on Amazon.

It has almost 20,000 ratings and still has a 4.3 (out of 5) star overall rating.

Personally I like the Cuisinart model but it's $20 more.

Either of these plus a decent French press will get you some of the best coffee possible.

Anything more than that is bs snobbery.

 

[woodsroad]

A Kaffe burr grinder is $40 on Amazon.

It has almost 20,000 ratings and still has a 4.3 (out of 5) star overall rating.

Personally I like the Cuisinart model but it's $20 more.

Either of these plus a decent French press will get you some of the best coffee possible.

Anything more than that is bs snobbery.

The difference between an inexpensive grinder and pricer one can be more than snobbery. I’ve owned several cheap burr grinders, although not the one you recommended, and my observations are that the model I bought produces a more consistent grind. Much less dust, to be specific. That makes a significant difference, since the dust is what clogs coffee filters and also contributes to bitterness, IMHO.

 

[TheIronMonkey]

The difference between an inexpensive grinder and pricer one can be more than snobbery. I’ve owned several cheap burr grinders, although not the one you recommended, and my observations are that the model I bought produces a more consistent grind. Much less dust, to be specific. That makes a significant difference, since the dust is what clogs coffee filters and also contributes to bitterness, IMHO.

I would have to agree with Dan. Sometimes you get what you pay for—a good, consistent grind from a high quality grinder probably makes a bigger difference than the brewing method. Although not cheap, a Rocky Rancilio delivers the goods. There are better grinders specifically for espresso, but a Rocky works well for every kind of grind and is money well spent. It's a workhorse and will deliver for years to come.

 

[shanez]

The difference between an inexpensive grinder and pricer one can be more than snobbery. I’ve owned several cheap burr grinders, although not the one you recommended, and my observations are that the model I bought produces a more consistent grind. Much less dust, to be specific. That makes a significant difference, since the dust is what clogs coffee filters and also contributes to bitterness, IMHO.

I would tend to agree if I drank enough and cared enough about coffee. Then I would pony up for the Baratza but at more than double the price I can't given my coffee habits at the moment. (Most of my coffee is K-cup stuff. )

I've had my Cuisinart for aver 15 years and have been very happy with it. I'd recommend it to anyone interested in getting into whole bean. Save the money and spend more on better beans. (Unclebeanz or Stumptown are excellent sources. )

 

[woodsroad]

I would tend to agree if I drank enough and cared enough about coffee. Then I would pony up for the Baratza but at more than double the price I can't given my coffee habits at the moment. (Most of my coffee is K-cup stuff. )

I've had my Cuisinart for aver 15 years and have been very happy with it. I'd recommend it to anyone interested in getting into whole bean. Save the money and spend more on better beans. (Unclebeanz or Stumptown are excellent sources. )

I’ve really liked some of the k-cup coffee I’ve had.

 

[shanez]

I’ve really liked some of the k-cup coffee I’ve had.

Green Mountain Dark Magic and Peets Major Dickson's blend are my usuals.

 

[jpmcwjr]

A good quality burr grinder can't be beat. The Baratza I just bought grinds to espresso size, 19 grams, in 5 seconds!

 

[RustiePyles CPG]

I have a Braun, this model isn’t made any longer and even used ones go for near $200. But the current Braun burr mills are still pretty highly regarded.

 

[jpmcwjr]

Above reminded my I have a Bunn grinder that does good work for medium to coarse grinds. 40+ years.

 

[woodsroad]

I have a Braun, this model isn’t made any longer and even used ones go for near $200. But the current Braun burr mills are still pretty highly regarded.
View attachment 246005

I had that grinder for years until it gave up the coffee ghost.

 

[RustiePyles CPG]

I had that grinder for years until it gave up the coffee ghost.

I’ll be pretty sad when this one dies, it’s a great mill.

 

[onestrangeone]

I’ve gone through several of the cheap burr grinders over the years, the Cuisinart and Mr Coffee were the best of the bunch and for entry level grinders are decent, the Cuisinart is a bit better built Imo, I’ve been using the Baratza Encore for a while now, it’s worth the extra money.

 

[Frog Snacks]

I buy the cheap 10$ blade grinders, everyone says I need a burr grinder but the cheap blade style ends up making the same damn thing as far as I'm concerned and when I used to smoke weed it would grind my weed just fine too. Also as far as making the coffee goes I like those melita pour over funnels, my towns got really hard water and it tends to destroy coffee makers so I boil a kettle on the stove and then use the pourover with a permanent filter.

 

[bullet08]

It's not that there aren't good grinders. I can tell the taste of good coffee now. I know how to tell a good grinder from bad one. But! I'm cheap, and I know the good and bad coffees aren't that far off from each other. Would I spend the coins for that slight a difference? Heck no. For drip brew, blade grinder and Mr Coffee gives just a fine cup. If you start going into a rabbit hole, there are hand grinders that's less expensive, but gives super results. And they are not the ones from 90's.