seer Senior Member Joined: 17 Sep 2009 Posts: 13 Location: Älmhult Expertise: Just starting
Posted Sun Dec 30, 2012, 1:15pm Subject: Mid-Budget Grinder Choice
There is noone's opinion I count on more than the knowledgeable people here :) (ass-kissing helps right?)
But I could really use your help! My no-name stepless grinder went poof after about 3 years and thus I am now without good coffee!!! I need a new one pronto, but at the same time finances are tight (of course!).
I am in Sweden and to save you the pain of currency conversions / swedish pricing etc, lets say my budget is in the Gaggia MDF / Rancilio Rocky range which equates to the 2000 - 3000 swedish krona mark.
I don't fancy the Rocky as it is stepped, and the Gaggia screams "I WILL BREAK SOON" at me, but of course you get what you pay for.
I love the look of the Mazzer Mini, but that costs 5750kr .... approx double my budget, the Baratza/Mahlkoenig Vario is a possibility I guess at a real push (4195kr) but I would need to be absolutely convinced of its quality and durability.
Like I say, money is tight, I would like minimise the cost to 3000kr or less, have a great, consistent, espresso grind, and something I would not worry about in terms of durability. (I know, I want it all, for nothing right? :) )
I make 2-5 drinks a day, don't care whether it has a doser or not, just a good value for money grinder!
I'm a novice so this could be completely wrong but I spent all day yesterday researching a grinder and did not want to pay a lot. Multiple people told me the lelit PL53 did just as good of a job grinding and is stepless. They just said it wasn't as durable as others. I couldn't find another one that cheap like that. IT also gets great reviews here on this site. I just ordered one and don't have it yet so I'm hoping it's the right one for me.
“It takes a big man to cry, but it takes a bigger man to laugh at that man.” - Jack Handy
Thanks for all the suggestions! The Eureka Mignon was in budget, but had trouble enough finding anyone who sold it in Sweden (let alone someone who could service it in the future), and the others were a little over budget for me.
In the end I went for the Baratza Virtuoso Preciso after reading this rather glowing review Click Here (coffeegeek.com)
It was at the very top of my budget (3400kr), and whilst technically not stepless, with 3-400 steps it's pretty close to it!. After reading that review and the reputation Barazta seems to have for service, it seemed a sensible choice.
Should be here in the next day or two, and I'll pop back in a month to give my impressions.
But thanks again for your input and Happy New Year to you all!
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