bschap Senior Member Joined: 2 Jul 2004 Posts: 11 Location: new york city Expertise: I love coffee
Posted Tue Jan 8, 2008, 6:21am Subject: best $300 grinder for press and drip?
a couple of years ago I was in this forum asking the same question...I ended up buying a rancilio rocky doserless grinder. it seems today that many people swear by their baratza (although I can find negative reviews on both rocky and baratza).
so, other than these two machines, are there any other contenders for the champion coffee grinder for press and drip?
Posted Tue Jan 8, 2008, 6:36am Subject: Re: best $300 grinder for press and drip?
Used Mazzer.
I had a SMP, Rocky and now a Mazzer Super Jolly and anything Rocky and up is great. The benefits of the Mazzer are easy to access grind exit chute rock solid construction and burrs that probably won't be worn out in regular home use (especially with press/drip grinding).
The Mazzers are such nice grinders regardless of brewing method.
Posted Tue Jan 8, 2008, 8:08am Subject: Re: best $300 grinder for press and drip?
Has something happened to your Rocky to cause you to be disatisfied with it? I think going from Rocky to Baratza would be a downgrade.
I agree with Tim that the used Mazzer SJ's that pop up on Ebay and Craigslist regularly are some of the best values around for top-notch grinding of any sort.
brewer3401 Senior Member Joined: 28 Sep 2007 Posts: 123 Location: Southeast Louisiana Expertise: Just starting
Grinder: Mini Mazzer - doser Roaster: Behmor
Posted Tue Jan 8, 2008, 12:25pm Subject: Re: best $300 grinder for press and drip?
I pulled the plug and got a Mazzer Mini. It's really nice.
I really don't like upgrading because it always costs more (the first one, then the one I reaaly wanted)
The doser on the Mini was odd the first few times I used it, but now I know how to quickly get the grinds out. (I do press pot at home, and drip at work)
Illy had a deal: $ 430.00 with free shipping and $ 31.00 worth of coffee (made nice X-mas presents)
JonathanSwan Senior Member Joined: 22 Oct 2007 Posts: 54 Location: Rochester, New York Expertise: Professional
Espresso: Nuova Simonelli Program V,... Grinder: Mazzer Super Jolley
Posted Tue Jan 8, 2008, 12:47pm Subject: Re: best $300 grinder for press and drip?
Rocky's are a great buy in the $300 level. A nice alternative to that grinder in that same level are the Lux grinders under many different manufacturer names such as Nemox and Pasquini. I happen to really like these grinders because they have infinite grind settings. They do a nice job with consistency, and are doserless. Their design is also nice for home use given that some models come with a grounds tray to capture those grinds that may overflow. I agree with everyone else in this thread though, if you're willing... a used Mazzer is a great option. Mazzer is paramount in the home grinder class.
bschap Senior Member Joined: 2 Jul 2004 Posts: 11 Location: new york city Expertise: I love coffee
Posted Tue Jan 8, 2008, 5:35pm Subject: Re: best $300 grinder for press and drip?
thank you all. very helpful. I am satisfied with the rocky, although I'm not 100% sure I'm getting the most even grind possible (the rocky is all I've ever had).
one last question - do you need to periodically change the burrs in these grinders? does it make a huge difference in grind consistency?
Posted Tue Jan 8, 2008, 6:17pm Subject: Re: best $300 grinder for press and drip?
Rocky's an awfully good grinder, and the Baratza's would be a downgrade. Espresso generally demands a more precise grind than drip/press and Rock is a legit espresso caliber grinder. Is there something wrong with your drip/press coffee that you want to improve? Yes the blades do need to replaced eventually. I'm not sure what the Rocky's blades are rated at, but my guess is that it's several hundred pounds of coffee (I know the Mazzer Mini is rated at 300kg). I've heard some say that you should change your blades far more frequently (e.g., 1/3 as much coffee), but it's hard to imagine that a Rocky is falling apart after only a couple of years of home use.
Posted Tue Jan 8, 2008, 8:46pm Subject: Re: best $300 grinder for press and drip?
The other grinders for $300 that may be better than a used Mazzer would be a used Ditting or similiar commercial grinder meant for press, drip etc.
These would be hard to find for $300 but possible if you can wait for the right deal to come along. They would have other drawbacks also like the very large size.
I think the Rocky or Mazzer would be better if you were to have only one grinder....you could develop possible espresso desire later.
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