fabchef Senior Member Joined: 27 Feb 2007 Posts: 64 Location: mtl Expertise: I love coffee
Posted Fri Dec 21, 2012, 6:03pm Subject: bodum coffee grinder for espresso machine...is it good?
Hi everyone how are you? a while back we received a bodum coffee grinder. It has an espresso setting, but wanted to know if any of you have used this grinder on your electric machines? does it work well? thanks fabs
qualin Senior Member Joined: 30 Jun 2012 Posts: 464 Location: Calgary, AB Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Izzo Alex Duetto 3 Grinder: Mazzer Mini Elect. Type A Vac Pot: Looking to buy Drip: Manual Roaster: Considering?
Posted Mon Dec 24, 2012, 7:44am Subject: Re: bodum coffee grinder for espresso machine...is it good?
I think you deserve a better explanation to Jason's reply. :-) Not to mention, I'm feeling a little talkative.
I'm not sure which Bodum grinder you are talking about, but if you are talking about the Bodum Bistro coffee grinder, then not really. Let me explain why.
Unfortunately, just because a grinder has an espresso setting on it doesn't mean that it actually can grind properly for an espresso machine. A lot of cheaper espresso machines on the market use pressurized baskets so they can be used with grinders like this one. The coffee these machines produce can be quite strong, but it isn't true espresso. I found that the "Espresso" setting on my very cheap blade grinder is good enough to grind coffee for a moka pot, but I wouldn't dare use it with an espresso machine.
Most of us prefer to use unpressurized baskets, which requires that the coffee grinds are consistent and are precisely ground fine enough.
In order to do this, The grinder must have a large selection of grind types (Steps) or be infinitely variable (Stepless) so that the grind can be minutely tweaked to obtain the correct desired dose. 14 steps isn't going to cut it! Imagine driving a car in rush hour traffic with 14 different settings on the accelerator. :-)
Espresso is a finicky drink. It has a smoothness that can be felt with the mouth. You can't replicate that with a very cheap grinder and a moka pot.
Simply put, The Bodum Bistro can't grind precisely enough or consistently enough to produce coffee grounds suitable for use with an espresso machine using an unpressurized basket.
CMIN Senior Member Joined: 14 Jun 2012 Posts: 508 Location: South FL Expertise: I like coffee
Espresso: Crossland CC1 Grinder: Baratza Preciso
Posted Mon Dec 24, 2012, 8:31am Subject: Re: bodum coffee grinder for espresso machine...is it good?
Not even close, but like said above if you have a lower end machine with a pressurized basket in the portafilter, then it'll be ok as the pressurized baskets negate the ability to grind fine enough. Won't be like espresso from a nice machine and grinder, but better than nothing lol
calblacksmith Moderator Joined: 25 Nov 2007 Posts: 5,683 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 Mon Dec 24, 2012, 10:15am Subject: Re: bodum coffee grinder for espresso machine...is it good?
Espresso requires a grinder able to grind properly for espresso. Many low end grinders have a "setting for espresso" but they are woefully unable to grind for espresso. The Bodum is one of those. So to echo Jason,
NO!
In real life, my name is Wayne P.
Feed the newbs, starve the trolls and above all enjoy what you drink!
DShef Senior Member Joined: 24 Oct 2012 Posts: 4 Location: Guelph, Ontario Canada Expertise: I live coffee
Espresso: Rocket R58 Dual Boiler Grinder: Macap MC4 Drip: Bodum French Press. No Drip...
Posted Thu Dec 27, 2012, 12:10pm Subject: Re: bodum coffee grinder for espresso machine...is it good?
I have the bodum bistro grinder which I normally use for my French Press. I have a Macap MC4 grinder for my espresso machine. One day I was out of my "good" coffee and had to buy some local roast until my next order of espresso came in. The local roast is too oily and I was afraid to put it in the Macap. To my surprise, after grinding the dark oily beans in the Bodum grinder on its finest setting I was able to brew a drinkable shot which came out in about 26seconds. (60ml.) Long story short, it may work in a pinch with the right bean, but I was at its limit as to how fine it could go. If I had to adjust to a finer grind I would have been out of luck. I think it works great as a backup grinder for emergencies and an excellent French Press grinder. But I would not buy it for the purpose of espresso only. It will limit you.
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