Grinder Buying Guide - Part 3 of 3

[PJohnny76]

Excuse me sir, how much is the silver grinder? :-)

[SeattleCoffeeGear]

@PJohnny76 Well, prices change; you can look up the current cost on our site by searching for the grinder in question (not sure which one you mean by 'silver') - Kat

[maskof]

Man, all your equipment is like a coffee geek's wet dream. (picture Homer Simpson drooling)  :-}>>>

[SeattleCoffeeGear]

@maskof Hahahaha -- I would if we were a Duff factory ;) - Kat

[joeldamianicigan]

I think I'm going to buy the Vario due to the ease of adjusting from course to fine. I really like the cheaper Rocky adjustment wheel but can't seem to find that on a more expensive Mazzer?? Why would these manufacturers make a machine that's so difficult to adjust. lol

[SeattleCoffeeGear]

@joeldamianicigan Stepless is preferred because you can dial in the shot more finitely, which you can't with a stepped grinder. The lower end grinders use stepped functionality because it's cheaper to manufacture, all high end grinders are stepless to allow for improved calibration and, theoretically, a better shot in the end. - Kat

[ottoi]

Since this video seems to be about highlighting the importance of getting a grinder for espresso, what about something like drip coffee?

How important is it to get a burr grinder for drip coffee?

Some people say its just as important, but I've read just as many people counter that burrs don't make that big of a difference for drip even though it will for espresso.

Have you tested drip coffee side by side with coffee from a burr grinder vs. a blade grinder?

[SeattleCoffeeGear]

@ottoi We haven't tested this, but that's a great idea -- will put it on our to-do list. Evenness of particle size is important regardless of your extraction method, and I sat through an incredibly detailed presentation from the leading brew scientist at Bunn during last year's SCAA which convinced me that drip coffee is definitely no different ;) - Kat

[ottoi]

@SeattleCoffeeGear I know that people recommend burr grinders over blades cause burrs give you more consistent particle sizes. But, I thought I remembered reading something that you don't want particles to be exactly the same size either.

Can you explain the difference?

[SeattleCoffeeGear]

@ottoi I don't believe that to be true; particle consistency is huge in coffee preparation as having varying sizes results in a combination of over/under/just right extraction, which will account for sour and bitter notes in the resulting cup. The grinder, in my opinion, is the most important piece of equipment and investing in one that has measurable consistency will improve all your preparations without you changing anything else in your coffee/setup. - Kat

[ottoi]

@SeattleCoffeeGear "Anyone who has ever played with sieves will realise that espresso does not work with a uniform grind, it either gushes or chokes depending on where your peak lies. Sometimes it does both as the initial resistance is eventually eroded.

A two peak grind (where the vast majority of the coffee grounds are two sizes, one much larger than the other) is best suited to espresso as this facilitates extraction using the design of the machines that we use(e.g. 9 bars, 58mm, 93c etc.)

[ottoi]

@Kat

I got that quote from a coffee blog by Colin Harmon, a Dublin Barista.

I don't know if I'm reading it correctly, but it seems like he's arguing you don't want your grinds to be the same particle size.

[SeattleCoffeeGear]

@ottoi You could experiment with his theory, then. It's totally up to you :) From my extensive practical experience, the shots get better as the consistency improves. - Kat

[ottoi]

@SeattleCoffeeGear

Nah, I'm not even into espresso. To test it out, I'd have to get a fancy shmancy grinder and espresso machine.

But, I was just curious since that wasn't the first time I've heard of something like that and Colin Harmon brings a authority to the subject because he's the 2X representative for the WBCs for his country.

[SeattleCoffeeGear]

@ottoi Feel free to go with his suggestions then :) - Kat

[klarinetta]

It's really strange: I'm looking at the Compak K3 grinder and if I choose their USA site it is presented standard with the 0.6lb hooper but If I choose their UK site hey are presented with 1.75lb hooper which is too large to fit under my kitchen cabinets. I see though that UK retailers have the smaller hooper available for 40₤ extra. Also all other countries are presented with the larger hooper as standard with the smaller as an option.

Would be interesting to know the reason for this.

[klarinetta]

@klarinetta Also when I select all other countries you get measurements for height with both hooper sizes but on the USA site they only list the measurements for the smaller one like the larger one isn't available in USA.

[siggevid]

hey kat and gail!

i find your videos exceptionally helpful. im just wondering... what's the name of that "big bad boy" grinder at 2:30?

[SeattleCoffeeGear]

@siggevid That is the Compak K3 Touch :) - Kat

[siggevid]

@SeattleCoffeeGear alright! thanks for the quick response. keep up the good work!

[SeattleCoffeeGear]

@siggevid Thanks :) we'll try! - Kat

[exc123]

Can you explain why anyone would prefer flat to conical?????

[SeattleCoffeeGear]

@exc123 On lower end grinders, conical burrs do not grind as consistently as flat burrs. They also tend to heat up more and so heat the coffee. Much higher end grinders that use conical are using higher grade burrs. - Kat

[exc123]

@SeattleCoffeeGear Thank you so much

[SeattleCoffeeGear]

@exc123 you're welcome :) - kat

[eyebrows4]

I see you have a crew review of the mazzers, I am currently debating between the mazzer min and the macap m4. I am sure im not alone as i have heard this same debate from others. Would it be possible to do a video dedicated to the two. This video is great however its more of a brief overview. I love the videos thanks.

[SeattleCoffeeGear]

@eyebrows4 Sure, I'll put it on the list -- will be a few weeks, though. - Kat

[ezuniga612]

@SeattleCoffeeGear Hey, Kat. I, too, would love a more in depth video comparing the mini to the m4 so that I can make another purchase with SCG. Those two grinders are the big dogs for the high end home set up, and I think everyone trying to get there would benefit from such a video. I think you guys have the Macap next to your Rocket set up in the store. Should we interpret that as the SCG crew's grinder preference?

[SeattleCoffeeGear]

@ezuniga612 yep, the comparison is on the list, so it will happen. I don't think we have a preference, really, that's just where we setup that particular grinder (it's a solo model in our store whereas we have several Mazzers that we have grouped together). I do like the grinder adjustment on the Macap better than the Mazzer but that's not enough of a difference to account for a full on preference. I don't actually know which I prefer, honestly - so we'll find out :) - Kat

[Zedveron]

How do you rate a Kitchenaid Artisan burr grinder in relation to these?

[SeattleCoffeeGear]

@Zedveron We don't sell that grinder, so I can't be positive how it performs. However, we did have a customer bring in his grounds from his Kitchenaid grinder (not sure which model) and it worked OK with the Rocket Giotto. Sorry I can't provide more insight on its fineness/consistency :( - Kat

[therealFranzpan]

Thanks for taking the time to do all theese guides and reviews, i rushed in and bought a cheap espresso machine but am looking for a good quality grinder now which should last me forever. Thank you!

[SeattleCoffeeGear]

@therealFranzpan Cool! Let us know if you have any questions as you're researching your choice -- always happy to help. - Kat

[toucandiy]

Good video - I like the format of two people talking back and forth to each other.

[SeattleCoffeeGear]

@toucandiy Thanks! Glad you enjoyed it :) - Kat

[lpmkb4]

What is the brand of the one by itself on the left that has the tap dosing feature? Thanks!

[SeattleCoffeeGear]

The Compak K3 Touch. - Kat

[clintflippo]

Hey! i love the videos! watched them all drinking coffee =)...i want to buy a new grinder but i generally am only a french press kinda guy,, may go occasionally to drip...and make only enough for one person...so what would be good without over doing it? thanks in advance!

[SeattleCoffeeGear]

My favorite for this purpose is the Baratza Maestro -- great particle consistency. - Kat

[SeattleCoffeeGear]

Pretty sure you don't need a grinder for that ;) - Kat

[Simongdg11]

What kind of grinder do I need for Turkish coffee?

Thank you in advance

[SeattleCoffeeGear]

I would recommend one of the stepless types -- the stepped versions (including the Rocky) don't go fine enough, based on some customer reports. Look into the Macap or the Mazzer for that level of fineness. - Kat

[Simongdg11]

Thank you, Kat for the advice and kindness. I'll make my homework

[SeattleCoffeeGear]

Any time - let me know if you need any other assistance as you're finding the grinder that's right for you :) - Kat

[FarrahB1]

What is doserless and stepless grinder?please.......can anybody reply me .......Thx

[SeattleCoffeeGear]

Please see my answer on the other video and let me know if you have any more questions - thanks! - Kat

[FarrahB1]

thx i also wanna know more about the mazzer mini grinder

[gewow]

very helpful, thanks. you should do a review of the mazzer mini...there's nothing like a video review.

[SeattleCoffeeGear]

I will put it on our to-do list :) - Kat