physicistjedi Junior Member Joined: 8 May 2008 Posts: 3 Expertise: I love coffee
Posted Thu May 8, 2008, 9:14am Subject: Grinder suggestions for Aeropress
My current favorite brewing method is Aeropress and I would like invest on a burr grinder. I am sure there is some info in the humongous Aeropress thread but I could find it, so I decided to open a new one for grinding discussion.
In my case I can not pay more than $200 on my student budget and of course cheaper the better. Two contenders so far are KitchenAid ProLine ($160) and Breville Ikon ($100). Baratza Virtuoso ($200) might be an option as well.
So I would like to get your opinion. What do you use for your Aeropress? Which grinding settings? Any suggestions for what to purchase?
CoffeeRoastersClub Senior Member Joined: 6 Jul 2005 Posts: 1,947 Location: Vernon Expertise: Professional
Espresso: Bialetti Brikka Grinder: KitchenAid ProLine,... Vac Pot: Vintage Silex Drip: Aeropress, French Press Roaster: "EL SUPREMO" w/QuikSPIN-CRC...
Posted Fri May 9, 2008, 10:56am Subject: Re: Grinder suggestions for Aeropress
physicistjedi Said:
My current favorite brewing method is Aeropress and I would like invest on a burr grinder. I am sure there is some info in the humongous Aeropress thread but I could find it, so I decided to open a new one for grinding discussion. ...snip...
Dooglas Senior Member Joined: 12 Mar 2005 Posts: 383 Location: Portland, OR Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Expobar, La Pavoni Grinder: Ascaso, Solis Drip: Cuisinart CBC, Bodum press Roaster: GeneCafe, Caffe Rosto
Posted Sun May 11, 2008, 10:47am Subject: Re: Grinder suggestions for Aeropress
My opinion is that the Baratza Virtuoso is head and shoulders a better machine for this application than the other two you are considering. Baratza is also well known for excellent customer service. Check the Baratza site for refurbished machines if you want to save some money (the current model Virtuoso is available for $149).
Posted Sun May 11, 2008, 1:20pm Subject: Re: Grinder suggestions for Aeropress
Hi physicistjedi,
I recommend any of the Baratza grinders, including the Solis Maestro for the AeroPress. I find their quality of grind well suited to the AeroPress and I like the fact that the residual hold is only about a half gram.
I tested a Kitchen Aid Proline and found that it's grind had a lot of dust and the resulting AeroBrew strength was weak. It also had five grams of residual hold.
physicistjedi Junior Member Joined: 8 May 2008 Posts: 3 Expertise: I love coffee
Posted Tue May 13, 2008, 9:56am Subject: Re: Grinder suggestions for Aeropress
Thank you all for the suggestions. I've decided to get a refurbished Virtuoso ($165 including shipping). I still would like to hear about your settings. Alan wrote elsewhere that he uses 3-7 on the Virtuoso. I can't wait to get the machine and try.
Posted Tue May 13, 2008, 10:12am Subject: Re: Grinder suggestions for Aeropress
physicistjedi Said:
Thank you all for the suggestions. I've decided to get a refurbished Virtuoso ($165 including shipping). I still would like to hear about your settings. Alan wrote elsewhere that he uses 3-7 on the Virtuoso. I can't wait to get the machine and try.
I too recommend the Virtuoso. Depending on how many cups I'm making, I'll grind slightly differently. For a 2-cup brew, I use a setting of 3, but for a 1-cup-- which I often do if I'm using my last bit of roasted beans and don't have any others-- I'll use a setting of 1 to get more flavor. My theory is that more fine grounds makes the press more difficult, but if I'm short on beans the smaller amount compensates for that. Just realize that my theories aren't scientific, and that the AeroPress allows you to control almost every aspect of the brew, so you can find your own sweet spot of variables settings.
The Virtuoso is also very good when you start expanding your brew methods into other areas. It does everything from Aeropress to moka pot to vac pot to drip to French press very well. Just don't try to use it for espresso, it won't give a fine enough control over the results.
physicistjedi Junior Member Joined: 8 May 2008 Posts: 3 Expertise: I love coffee
Posted Fri May 16, 2008, 1:46pm Subject: Re: Grinder suggestions for Aeropress
Just reporting that I received my Virtuoso and very happy about it so far. Grind seems very consistent, no dust or static. Thanks for all the suggestions.
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