busteddread Senior Member Joined: 4 Dec 2012 Posts: 5 Location: FL Expertise: I love coffee
Posted Tue Dec 4, 2012, 5:03pm Subject: French Press Grinder for $200 - $550
I'm only making French Press coffee these days. My old, inexpensive, no-longer-in-production burr grinder still works "sort of" but is a constant reminder of the rapid decline of a poorly constructed tool (not unlike myself).
I'm looking for a better instrument for the job. I've read a great many postings here where the chief goal is discovering a cheapish grinder that functions sufficiently well . . . and another smaller set of postings pursuing the ideal +$1,000 monstrosity. My desires fall somewhere in between.
I make a 1 liter pot of French Press coffee for myself every day. Lately, I've been purchasing whole beans from a premium online site - so naturally I don't want to ruin them with a grinder that mauls them or crushes them into a fine powder. It would also be nice not to suffer thru the anguish of grinder shopping every 1 to 3 years because of poor craftsmanship/design/production.
The $200 - $550 range is meant to cover anything from the Baratza Virtuoso, including the Rocky, and up to the Macap 4M (I hear there's a 2M?) as well as any other makes that fall between these boundaries. I am only interested in electric grinders. My standards are limited to these factors:
minimal dust or fines
consistent grind size (for a French Press)
little or no anti-static problem
good build quality/longevity
Naturally, I would feel like spending higher within my price range for machines that excel in one or more of these categories. I don't have unlimited funds, but I might splurge a bit for something that performs well and could possibly hang with me for the rest of my natural life.
This is my first post on the forum. I am - and probably always will be - a novice so I welcome all guidance as well as criticism.
dorkroast Senior Member Joined: 3 Oct 2012 Posts: 78 Location: CA Expertise: I live coffee
Espresso: Gaggia Classic Grinder: Mazzer Mini Roaster: Popcorn Pumper
Posted Tue Dec 4, 2012, 6:46pm Subject: Re: French Press Grinder for $200 - $550
French press really isn't demaning on a grinder other than the fact that you'll want a consistent grind. Any of the names bantered about on this site would do the job for you without problems. I'd stay away from super cheap burr grinders or whirley bird grinders.
Any of the Baratza's would do the job for you as far as I know. In the price range you listed you could but a Mazzer Mini brand new, or find a Mazzer SJ used- overkill for french press, but fine grinders. The Breville smart grinder is nice, user friendly, and has a decent price.
Best of luck, let us know what you get. I'm sure any of the above would make you a happy french press user.
Posted Tue Dec 4, 2012, 7:12pm Subject: Re: French Press Grinder for $200 - $550
I can personally vouch for the Baratza Preciso (well, step down to the Virtuoso 586 with the same burr set if you're not doing espresso) and Orphan Espresso LIDO (hand grinder) for coarse grinding. I'd have to disagree with the above post in the sense that (a) Mazzers are not known for a consistent coarse grind, which (b) is harder to come by than I used to think. Enjoy!
emradguy Senior Member Joined: 31 Mar 2011 Posts: 1,724 Location: Houston Expertise: I live coffee
Espresso: Izzo Alex Duetto II Grinder: MacapM4T, Macap M4, OE Lido,... Drip: Espro press; Aeropress Roaster: internet
Posted Tue Dec 4, 2012, 9:19pm Subject: Re: French Press Grinder for $200 - $550
^+1
I love my Lido for coarse grind, but not being electric, it's sort of out for you. Having said that, I saw on OE's site today, that they offer an electric drill attachment.
I have used Rocky and Macap M4. Hands down, the Macap far excels the Rocky in all of your criteria -except that I've never used it for coarse (only espresso). Build quality and outliving you...definitely Macap, maybe Rocky, unlikely Baratza.
If I were in your shoes, I'd seriously check into how people like using Lido with a drill. It's an awesome grinder!
IMAWriter Senior Member Joined: 4 Jul 2002 Posts: 5,464 Location: Brentwood, TN Expertise: I live coffee
Espresso: Nothing at the moment Grinder: Vario-W,Preciso-Esatto/KyM... Vac Pot: Adcraft SS, Yama 8 cup Drip: Brazen.Chemex, Hario, Clever... Roaster: Behmor 1600, CO/UFO combo
Posted Tue Dec 4, 2012, 10:38pm Subject: Re: French Press Grinder for $200 - $550
dorkroast Said:
French press really isn't demaning on a grinder other than the fact that you'll want a consistent grind. Any of the names bantered about on this site would do the job for you without problems. I'd stay away from super cheap burr grinders or whirley bird grinders.
Any of the Baratza's would do the job for you as far as I know. In the price range you listed you could but a Mazzer Mini brand new, or find a Mazzer SJ used- overkill for french press, but fine grinders. The Breville smart grinder is nice, user friendly, and has a decent price.
Mazzer grinders are NOT particularly suited to grinding coarse. They are designed as ESPRESSO grinders, and do a fine job with that task. You needn't spend tons of money. Either the baratza Encore, or better still, the Baratza Preciso would be perfect for your needs. The bonus is that the Preciso does a wonderful job with drip/vac/French press. A 'refurb" can be had on the website for the low end of your budget. new, In believe they are $299. There is a fine "First Look" style review from this site's owner, Mark Prince. "Baratza Virtuoso Preciso"
emradguy Senior Member Joined: 31 Mar 2011 Posts: 1,724 Location: Houston Expertise: I live coffee
Espresso: Izzo Alex Duetto II Grinder: MacapM4T, Macap M4, OE Lido,... Drip: Espro press; Aeropress Roaster: internet
Posted Wed Dec 5, 2012, 8:06am Subject: Re: French Press Grinder for $200 - $550
Just to add more about Baratza from my initial reply above...
Although one probably won't last the rest of your "natural life", (as you put it), due primarily to there being a LOT of plastic. They ARE well built. Baratza has a great reputation here and their grinders are highly recommended by many people on this site (including myself), because of their quality. They offer excellent (or should I say superior) customer service/support and stand behind their products...even the refurbished ones.
...and along with what Rob (IMAWriter) said about the Mazzer Mini...well, the Macap M4 is on par with the Mini (i.e., likely only good for espresso as well). I don't know much about the M2...but from what I've read, it seems to be an attempt by Macap to make a slightly smaller cheaper espresso grinder. The fact that it's stepped makes it more adjustable between fine and coarse than their stepless grinders...though I don't know how the coarse quality is.
calblacksmith Moderator Joined: 25 Nov 2007 Posts: 5,684 Location: Riverside, Ca, U.S.A. Expertise: I live coffee
Espresso: ECM Veneziano A1 Grinder: Many different commercial Vac Pot: 40s era Silex Drip: Milita, Bunn&Curtis... Roaster: Cast iron pan, gas burner
Posted Wed Dec 5, 2012, 8:30am Subject: Re: French Press Grinder for $200 - $550
Just to clarify things, the 1L of press coffee you make, it isn't all at the same time is it? You don't make 1L then put it in some sort of device to keep it warm do you? I am just asking as a press is so easy to use, there is no good reason to drink stale (brewed OK but stale in the pot) coffee. Just asking!
In real life, my name is Wayne P.
Feed the newbs, starve the trolls and above all enjoy what you drink!
busteddread Senior Member Joined: 4 Dec 2012 Posts: 5 Location: FL Expertise: I love coffee
Posted Wed Dec 5, 2012, 9:48am Subject: Re: French Press Grinder for $200 - $550
Well, I suppose I was secretly hoping someone would tell me to run out and buy something big, shiny, and metallic. And I still might if I heard something like, "I have a Macap M4 stepped doserless [or insert any other pricy model] and its FP grind is a thing of gut-wrenching beauty and it will outlive your offspring." Sounds like thats not gonna happen, partially because many have not tried a coarser grind on a "deluxe" machine - for entirely understandable reasons.
I had considered the Lido at one point. But I think my morning routine is too harried and slap dash to attempt just yet.
In the Baratza lineup, as was mentioned, there's not much need for the Preciso's fine-tuning if I'm not making espresso. The Encore is perhaps sufficient but I'm concerned that it may not last very long. So the Virtuoso appears to be the obvious choice there. [Or maybe the Vario with metallic burrs? :)]
I'm sure I should be grateful to keep a few $$$s in my pocket at this time of the year.
In response to a previous post, I pour off the whole 1L into a thermos. I drink it 30 to 45 minutes later when I arrive at work.
Thanks for everyone's replies so far . . . very helpful.
Dooglas Senior Member Joined: 12 Mar 2005 Posts: 685 Location: Portland, OR Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Expobar HX, La Pavoni lever Grinder: Ascaso, Baratza Drip: Bonavita, Bodum press Roaster: GeneCafe, Behmor
Posted Wed Dec 5, 2012, 10:09am Subject: Re: French Press Grinder for $200 - $550
busteddread Said:
In the Baratza lineup, as was mentioned, there's not much need for the Preciso's fine-tuning if I'm not making espresso. The Encore is perhaps sufficient but I'm concerned that it may not last very long. So the Virtuoso appears to be the obvious choice there. [Or maybe the Vario with metallic burrs? :)]
You are overthinking this a bit. We are talking about a job that a Maestro Plus has been doing daily on my counter for the past 7 or 8 years without missing a beat. Either the Encore or Virtuoso ought to be a fine choice for your application. Doesn't sound like money is the issue. Get a Virtuoso. It even looks good IMO. (Vario with metallic burrs?, sit down, take a few slow breaths, and drink a fresh pressed coffee)
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