agrinc Junior Member Joined: 27 Sep 2009 Posts: 4 Location: PA Expertise: I love coffee
Posted Sun Sep 27, 2009, 5:08pm Subject: Best Burr Grinder uner $100?
I have been looking around the forums and the reviews for a burr grinder. I have a french press and am considering getting an Aeropress so I need something that'll do coarse and fine. I only make two cups at a time, so I don't know if there is a minimum some can grind...
I can't spend above $100 and would prefer to stay below $65, I know you can't get a great one for that (and maybe not even a very good one) So for my high end purchase I feel like the Bodum Antigua Electric Burr Grinder ( Click Here (www.amazon.com) ) But for my lower end I feel like the Krups GVX2 Burr Grinder is my best choice ( Click Here (www.amazon.com) )
Does anyone have an experience with these two? Is it worth it to splurge and get the Antigua?
Sorry if this has been posted before, I searched and couldn't find anything
agrinc Junior Member Joined: 27 Sep 2009 Posts: 4 Location: PA Expertise: I love coffee
Posted Sun Sep 27, 2009, 5:24pm Subject: Re: Best Burr Grinder uner $100?
Sorry about that, I didn't notice the espresso, just read grinders.
Thanks for pointing me to the refurb, it seems like a good deal. Since I don't do espresso, should I stick to the Maestro (non-plus) since it seems like the only differences are the pulse (which it seems to be for espresso) and the 60 second timer?
Posted Sun Sep 27, 2009, 5:44pm Subject: Re: Best Burr Grinder uner $100?
agrinc Said:
Since I don't do espresso, should I stick to the Maestro (non-plus) since it seems like the only differences are the pulse (which it seems to be for espresso) and the 60 second timer?
Neither of the Maestro grinders really seem intended for espresso, so I don't see the pulse and timer features as espresso-related. In the end I guess it comes down to your use and preference.
I think the Maestro (non plus) would be fine for Aeropress, GFrench Press, and drip brewing.
agrinc, I have a nice used Capresso Infinity (metal bodied version) that I'd be happy to part with for a fair price. It is in really good shape overall and grinds very well. Shoot me an e-mail if interested. Later!
I bought the maestro refurb a few weeks ago, also. It has, in the short time I've had it, proven itself good for moka, french press, and steamtoy use. Not sure about espresso (I thought no espresso at the time I bought it, and now I might have changed my mind as I found good $50 machines ARE out there). IMO, although people say the maestro isn't an espresso grinder, I can't justify $200+ grinder on a <$50 machine, and hand mills aren't an option for me.
I say, go with the maestro. I've heard good things about the infinty, but mostly bad reports on thier C.S. BTW, I ordered the Maestro, and the Maestro Plus showed up at my door. There was a note saying they were out of the maestro refurbs so they sent me a plus instead, boy was I shocked!
I have a ~$40 Tonic espresso machine and I can pull some decient shots with it and my Rocky. When the big two group Rio at work crapped out I took the Tonic in and pulled some real nice shots with the SJ. I would say that a $50 espresso machine with a grinder north of $200 makes more sense than the other way around.
All that said, the Baratza machines or the Infinity are fine for drip and press.
Phil
mattlplanet Said:
I bought the maestro refurb a few weeks ago, also. It has, in the short time I've had it, proven itself good for moka, french press, and steamtoy use. Not sure about espresso (I thought no espresso at the time I bought it, and now I might have changed my mind as I found good $50 machines ARE out there). IMO, although people say the maestro isn't an espresso grinder, I can't justify $200+ grinder on a <$50 machine, and hand mills aren't an option for me.
I say, go with the maestro. I've heard good things about the infinty, but mostly bad reports on thier C.S. BTW, I ordered the Maestro, and the Maestro Plus showed up at my door. There was a note saying they were out of the maestro refurbs so they sent me a plus instead, boy was I shocked!
I am upgrading from my Cuisinart grinder (that is so loud that I have to put my fingers in my ears when it is grinding) to the Capresso Infinity. It is at the upper end of your 100 dollar limit but research on this forum shows it to be a decent grinder for a range of grinds and noise. Larry
Without question, the greatest invention in the history of mankind is beer. Oh, I grant you that the wheel was also a fine invention, but the wheel does not go nearly as well with pizza.
Just to clear it up, when I said $50 machines I was referring to the espresso machine, not the grinder. I'm sure a better grinder will give better shots w/ a cheap machine than a cheap grinder would, but how else could you get an espresso setup for <$150? At that budget you can't even get an electric "espresso" grinder (ignoring manuals now), much less add the machine in. Comparing the maestro refurb and $50 used gaggia to a SJ and $40 tonic is an unfair in my book, $125 total budget vs ~$700 total. I bought the grinder NOT planning on espresso, but have since found I can get a decent espresso machine for cheap.
agrinc , I'm not trying to hijack your thread. In fact I was in the same boat as you, using a french press (although I occasionally used a steamtoy). I looked at the aeropress, then thought it might be worth a shot asking around about the cheap espresso machines.
I did all the research you have, but had set my cap at $90. The only two grinders that had consistently good reports (excluding espresso from people that have used $200+ grinders, of course) were the Baratzas and the Infinity. I went for the Baratza refurb, and it truly is good as new. I don't usually go for refurbs as it meant something was wrong with it, but from reports Baratza replaces a machine that has any sort of issue, hence all the refurbs out there. As a plus, the Baratza is cheaper than the Infinity or the Bodum.
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