NancyT Senior Member Joined: 19 Jul 2008 Posts: 4 Location: Coastal Mendocino County, California Expertise: I love coffee
Posted Mon Jul 21, 2008, 2:46pm Subject: vac-pot and aeropress grinder vs. dedicated espresso + second for coarse
Hello,
Background summary: I am buying an aeropress and likely a vac-pot/syphon coffee maker. I have a nice superauto that was a gift several years ago so for now, will use that until next year when a move will facilitate the room for a proper set-up (aside: I've spent days on this site over the past few months and think the Quickmill Anita and a Mazzer Mini or Macap M4 will suit me perfectly - hopefully next year and hopefully a nice used set-up). I mostly make americanos so the super is fine but is also in the shop. Hence, the alternative coffee makers. Inexpensive, and in the case of the aeropress - if all the reviews and claims are to be mostly believed - better than most coffee you'll find and easily portable. The syphon is just cool and appeals to my experimental sciences background :-)
Question(s):
I keep seeing reference to 'dedicated espresso grinder' in the various reviews and forums. I understand that if you buy a stepless grinder it would be tiresome to go back and forth between espresso grind (particularly once dialed in for a particular bean) and drip, for example. Is this always the case? I am considering just going ahead and buying the Mazzer or Macap if it would really be suitable for all my grinding needs.
If the answer is that a dedicated espresso grinder is what_must_happen, then please recommend a grinder (refurbished is great as it threoretically gets me a better quality for the $$$ but is not a requirement) for aeropress and vac-pot usage - and starting grind settings, please.
According to Mark's excellent How to Buy an Espresso Machine, he mentions that a Baratza is a decent investment because once one does move on to superior espresso grinders, the Baratza is handy for all the coarser tasks. Assuming there will be no espresso grinding, is the Maestro just as effective for my purposes as the Maestro Plus or Virtuoso?
Thank you for your time - looking forward to some answers so I can resume coffee making at home!
calblacksmith Moderator Joined: 25 Nov 2007 Posts: 5,671 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 Tue Jul 22, 2008, 5:54am Subject: Re: vac-pot and aeropress grinder vs. dedicated espresso + second for coarse
Nancy: I use a Mazer Super Jolly for espresso and a Solis Scalla for my drip and Vac pot. The Solis is set half way between drip and press pot for the Vac pot and at the normal drip setting for drip. There is ample adjustment for these brewing methods and this leaves the SJ alone for espresso. A used SJ is probably the best bang for the buck you can get. Used ones go for $300 and up, retail is about $650 new.
In real life, my name is Wayne P.
Feed the newbs, starve the trolls and above all enjoy what you drink!
pumpkinscastle Senior Member Joined: 10 Jan 2008 Posts: 247 Location: Cincinnati, OH Expertise: I live coffee
Espresso: Quickmilll Vetrano Grinder: Mazzer Super Jolly
Posted Tue Jul 22, 2008, 10:30am Subject: Re: vac-pot and aeropress grinder vs. dedicated espresso + second for coarse
I use my Mazzer Super Jolly for espresso most of the time. Occasionally, I'll make French press coffee. In that case I remember the previous position (easy with the notched dial) and then spin the dial to a very coarse setting. Returning to the espresso grind is easy as the Mazzer is very precise. When you go back to a certain notch, you'll have that certain fineness again. Others might disagree but I don't think it's too hard to use a Mazzer for multiple grinds. If you change the grind setting A LOT, then it might be a matter of convenience to get a dedicated coarse-grind grinder. But for me (95% espresso, 5% French press), my one grinder suffices.
Jasonian Senior Member Joined: 8 Aug 2005 Posts: 3,856 Location: Lubbock, TX Expertise: Professional
Posted Tue Jul 22, 2008, 2:26pm Subject: Re: vac-pot and aeropress grinder vs. dedicated espresso + second for coarse
pumpkinscastle Said:
I use my Mazzer Super Jolly for espresso most of the time. Occasionally, I'll make French press coffee. In that case I remember the previous position (easy with the notched dial) and then spin the dial to a very coarse setting. Returning to the espresso grind is easy as the Mazzer is very precise. When you go back to a certain notch, you'll have that certain fineness again. Others might disagree but I don't think it's too hard to use a Mazzer for multiple grinds. If you change the grind setting A LOT, then it might be a matter of convenience to get a dedicated coarse-grind grinder. But for me (95% espresso, 5% French press), my one grinder suffices.
Posted Tue Jul 22, 2008, 9:49pm Subject: Re: vac-pot and aeropress grinder vs. dedicated espresso + second for coarse
i use a mini-mazzer for espresso + press/vac/cold brew
after a while, you learn to switch, and how to switch easiest for you. somtimes i use a pencil if i really need to dial back in, other times i just know.
NancyT Senior Member Joined: 19 Jul 2008 Posts: 4 Location: Coastal Mendocino County, California Expertise: I love coffee
Posted Wed Jul 23, 2008, 8:25am Subject: Re: vac-pot and aeropress grinder vs. dedicated espresso + second for coarse
Thank you all for your descriptions and recommendations.
I find it frustrating not to be able to see the equipment in person and judge how well a feature suits or annoys me. Reading the reviews it is clear there is a lot of personal preference involved since quality seems to be unquestionable once you're looking at >$500 for a grinder. The same grinder [or espresso machine] can be lauded and highly regarded by some readers for a certain feature and criticized by someone else.
Ah, individuality!
At least I have access to good, locally roasted beans!
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