The Coffeehouse.... Baristi, Barista, Bariste

[Tim]

Well there's a wide variety of coffee and roasters out there Jules, so it could take awhile, but it's an enjoyable journey

Can't recommend getting a burr grinder enough though (not a wizzy blade), this is a pretty solid buy at the moment if you don't want to spend hundreds - Wilfa Svart Grinder. Seen it for under 100 if you Google around.

Trust me, it really is worth it. Lots of good hand grinders around at similar price points too.

A grinder and an Aeropress and you're golden . . . Go on, treat yourself for Christmas



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[julesd68]

That grinder looks excellent Tim - they even have an aeropress preset!

I reckon I could make space for it on the worktop as I’m chucking out my old (and broken) Gaggia.

It’s going on my wishlist …

[Tim]

I know I must sound like a broken record when it comes to a grinder and buying whole beans but here's an example. I know those Tesco Columbian Supremo beans very well, Alex of old from here got me into them about 6 years ago and they have been my go-to bean outside speciality roasters since then, so I know how they taste. I have on occasion bought the ground version when travelling light away from home (always take my Aeropress when travelling), but it doesn't even taste like the same coffee. I don't do it anymore and always take my Porlex grinder.

Anyhoots, enjoy your quest for the perfect Brazilian roast.

Is that a Gaggia Classic pre 2015? If it is, don't throw that away even if broken, that's a coffee modders machine and they sell for parts even when broken. Very easy to work on and parts are readily available. You'll sell that on both eBay or Gumtree even as a non runner. The PL12D or Lenco of the coffee world

[struth]

if you can stretch to it a lido 3 is probably the best hand grinder available.. top notch. Ive got one, and as long as your not making lots of coffee it will grind you fabulous coffee every time. its hard work tho so be aware, especially espresso fineness. if doing a lot or you dont fancy the hard work then the sage smart grinder is a great option and actually cheaper than the hand grinder.
https://www.coffeehit.co.uk/lido-3-h...e-grinder.html lido3
and
sage

[struth]

My new shot glass

[Tim]

Oooo, she's perdy

[struth]

like molten brown sugar

[julesd68]

I know I must sound like a broken record when it comes to a grinder and buying whole beans but here's an example. I know those Tesco Columbian Supremo beans very well, Alex of old from here got me into them about 6 years ago and they have been my go-to bean outside speciality roasters since then, so I know how they taste. I have on occasion bought the ground version when travelling light away from home (always take my Aeropress when travelling), but it doesn't even taste like the same coffee. I don't do it anymore and always take my Porlex grinder.

Anyhoots, enjoy your quest for the perfect Brazilian roast.

Is that a Gaggia Classic pre 2015? If it is, don't throw that away even if broken, that's a coffee modders machine and they sell for parts even when broken. Very easy to work on and parts are readily available. You'll sell that on both eBay or Gumtree even as a non runner. The PL12D or Lenco of the coffee world

No it's a plastic effort which I can't be bothered to repair as I'm not really drinking much cappuccino any more ... Going to the recycling centre.

I don't doubt at all what you say about beans - I was looking at the Porlex but prefer the Wilfa you linked to; I could grind three cups worth at the beginning of the day and then I'm sorted.
Looks very fuss free.

Do you store your beans in one of those vacuum canisters?

[Tim]

Looks very fuss free.

Do you store your beans in one of those vacuum canisters?

That's its strong point, it's a fuss free grinder, designed to be solid and easy for a home user. It's not an espresso grinder like Grants Lido though, which is excellent.

I have a Friis coffee canister for everyday use and recently I bought a vacuum sealer for bulk buys of 1kg, sealing in lots of 150g. Once vacuum sealed you can freeze them. Lot's of opinions on freezing but the hard core geeks on coffee forums swear by it, as long as you vacuum seal and store away from things like fish. My experience is it keeps beans fresh for longer and is much better than shelf storage. Of course if you only buy 250g bags, it's not an issue.

[Svend N]

Well there's a wide variety of coffee and roasters out there Jules, so it could take awhile, but it's an enjoyable journey

Can't recommend getting a burr grinder enough though (not a wizzy blade), this is a pretty solid buy at the moment if you don't want to spend hundreds - Wilfa Svart Grinder. Seen it for under 100 if you Google around.

Trust me, it really is worth it. Lots of good hand grinders around at similar price points too.

A grinder and an Aeropress and you're golden . . . Go on, treat yourself for Christmas



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+1. Good advice.

Julian, whatever grinder you buy, do get one with machined burrs rather than cheap stamped burrs. The latter just mash the beans as they have dull cutting edges, giving you very uneven grind; whereas the former actually cut the beans with sharp machined edges -- far superior result, very even grind. All better grinders "should" have machined burrs, but it's worth making sure. If the product pics don't show it, find one in a shop and take it apart to have look at the burrs.

And if you really want to get nerdy about it, read the coffee geek's debates about conical burrs vs. flat burrs....(sigh ).

Hope you find a good one.

Cheers,
Svend