Posted Wed Feb 8, 2012, 10:38am Subject: Small electric grinder for French press at work
While I am impressed with the grounds I get from this manual grinder that I bought for making French press at work, it does take a bit too long to grind the amount of beans that I will use on a regular basis. It also looks pretty bizarre to operate this item (and I work in a pretty progressive atmosphere). I am interested in a more practical, electric grinder for making daily French press coffee at work. Something small and relatively cheap would be ideal. This Bodum blade grinder seems like it might suffice.
I am coming to French press coffee from experience with brewing espresso, which uses much finer grinds that cannot be obtained from a cheaper grinder. But, would this product suffice for a French press? Is there a better product that comes to mind?
Posted Wed Feb 8, 2012, 3:35pm Subject: Re: Small electric grinder for French press at work
Any blade grinder is going to be a bad choice for French Press as they create lots of dust & fines. The Capresso Infinity will do a decent job for press & drip for $89.
Posted Sat Feb 11, 2012, 1:26pm Subject: Re: Small electric grinder for French press at work
Please note that I intend to use this grinder solely for French press at work (I already have a Macap M4 for espresso at home).
Anyway, after some research I think I have narrowed my choices to the Bodum Bistro or the Baratza Maestro Plus. It seems that the Bistro is somewhat more thoughtfully designed, with a glass grounds container (vs. plastic, so less staticky?) with a rubber seal. I do, however, like the Maestro's grind control design of twisting the hopper vs. an extra button, but I suppose that's a merely aesthetic observation.
Can anyone comment on the quality of these products with respect to brewing French press coffee? My press can make about 4 or 5 cups at a time, and I would like to be able to grind enough beans in one go. I am concerned that some of the reviews on Amazon talk about the Bodum Bistro having a 20-second maximum grind time, which might not be long enough to fill my press.
Posted Mon Feb 13, 2012, 12:35am Subject: Re: Small electric grinder for French press at work
My guess is that you will have to go way north of $100 to beat that Zass. If you are getting good results with it my suggestion is to get a decient battery operated drill and what it takes to chuck a 1/4' drive hex socket in it. Then get a socket to fit the nut on top. Leave the handle in place. The agitation you get from it will help the beans drop from the bean hopper to the auger. I do this very thing with a Zass Knock - off which I got at a thrift store. The gap at the start of the auger in mine is too small so I have issues with the beans dropping into it. The agitation which I get with the handle in place to some extent mitigates the faulty auger design.
Phil
davidrivers Said:
While I am impressed with the grounds I get from this manual grinder that I bought for making French press at work, it does take a bit too long to grind the amount of beans that I will use on a regular basis. It also looks pretty bizarre to operate this item (and I work in a pretty progressive atmosphere). I am interested in a more practical, electric grinder for making daily French press coffee at work. Something small and relatively cheap would be ideal. This Bodum blade grinder seems like it might suffice.
I am coming to French press coffee from experience with brewing espresso, which uses much finer grinds that cannot be obtained from a cheaper grinder. But, would this product suffice for a French press? Is there a better product that comes to mind?
EricBNC Senior Member Joined: 22 Jun 2010 Posts: 1,500 Location: North Carolina Expertise: Just starting
Espresso: QM Silvano Grinder: K30, Preciso, KyM Vac Pot: Want One Drip: Bonavita BV-1800 Roaster: Me
Posted Mon Feb 13, 2012, 1:04am Subject: Re: Small electric grinder for French press at work
PJK Said:
My guess is that you will have to go way north of $100 to beat that Zass. If you are getting good results with it my suggestion is to get a decient battery operated drill and what it takes to chuck a 1/4' drive hex socket in it. Then get a socket to fit the nut on top. Leave the handle in place. The agitation you get from it will help the beans drop from the bean hopper to the auger. I do this very thing with a Zass Knock - off which I got at a thrift store. The gap at the start of the auger in mine is too small so I have issues with the beans dropping into it. The agitation which I get with the handle in place to some extent mitigates the faulty auger design.
Unfortunately that Zass isn't very good for French press - too many fines when adjusted for coarse grinding (do like the drill idea though) unless the grinder is modified. The photo below shows the lower bearing I added for consistent coarse grinding. It is similar to the design found on the Peugeot mills which generally are nice for French press.
(Click for larger image)
I chew coffee beans with my teeth while gargling with 195 F water to enjoy coffee. What is this "coffee brewing" device you speak of?
Posted Mon Feb 13, 2012, 5:21am Subject: Re: Small electric grinder for French press at work
Just to clear something up, the Maestro Plus has a plastic grounds container but does not have any anti static buildup. My Gaggia MM has the worst static and grounds container that I've ever seen, and the Maestro has no issues in that regard.
ve3tiz Senior Member Joined: 6 Feb 2012 Posts: 2 Location: Windsor, ON Expertise: I love coffee
Posted Mon Feb 13, 2012, 7:21am Subject: Re: Small electric grinder for French press at work
My Bodum Bistro grinds enough beans in those 20 seconds for my 8-cup press with a few seconds to spare. Not a problem. And yes, the glass cup just takes a couple taps to release most grind clinging by static (although static is not a big issue).
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