Coffee Grinder

[caudio51]

So I need to get a new grinder. The whirl grinder is cutting it anymore. I had someone reccomend the Capresso Infinity or the Solis Maestro. I'd like to keep the price around $100 but preferablly less.

What do you guys reccomend?:dunno:

[jasontp]

Are you looking to grind just for coffee or are you diving into the world of espresso?

[caudio51]

Just coffee via french press

[jasontp]

Solis Maestro (http://coffeetea.about.com/gi/dynamic/offsite.htm?zi=1/XJ&sdn=coffeetea&zu=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.kqzyfj.com%2Fclick-1763737-10379236%3Furl%3Dhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.cooking.co m%252Fproducts%252Fshprodde.asp%253FSKU%253D182916 %26cjsku%3D182916)

Conical burr grinder. . . the only way to go!

[stogies&hoagies]

Solis Maestro (http://coffeetea.about.com/gi/dynamic/offsite.htm?zi=1/XJ&sdn=coffeetea&zu=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.kqzyfj.com%2Fclick-1763737-10379236%3Furl%3Dhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.cooking.co m%252Fproducts%252Fshprodde.asp%253FSKU%253D182916 %26cjsku%3D182916)

Conical burr grinder. . . the only way to go!

Yup, I agree

[caudio51]

Where can I pick this up?

[Black Dog]

I upgraded from a whirly blade to a Capresso Infinity. Most folks were recommending the Solis Maestro and I don't remember exactly why I went with the Infinity but I've been happy with it so far. It's worked great for drip, press and Moka pot.

[caudio51]

What's a moka pot? I will be using it for everyday drip and then for the french press where I will drink my good beans.

[Black Dog]

A moka pot makes what some people call "stove top espresso" although I don't think it could really be called espresso by today's standards. I have heard that this is a standard piece of equipment in Italian homes though. It does IMO make a good cup of fairly strong coffee that is much different from drip. I also use it to make espresso type drinks like latte's. It's a stainless steel or aluminun contraption that has three parts. The water goes into the bottom chamber, then the ground coffee goes in a basket on top of that. Finally the pot itself is screwed on top. As the water heats it is forced up through the coffee by the pressure of the water heating up. It goes from the coffee grounds to the top pot through a tube and then dribbles down into the pot itself. It's good stuff. Take a look at them here. http://www.sweetmarias.com/prod.brewers.mokapot.shtml Also, here is the link where I got my Infinity. http://www.1st-line.com/machines/home_mod/capresso/560565.htm

[caudio51]

Good price on that infinity too

[Black Dog]

I got the polished chrome model. The zinc diecast body makes it a heavy sumbugger. It weighs in at 6.1 lbs. as opposed to 3.3 lbs. for the black plastic model. I don't know if there's any truth to it but I've heard the metal housing creates less static than the plastic. I know static hasn't been a problem with mine. There is a small amount of static but I don't have grounds flying out of the machine.

[caudio51]

I never thought that static would be a problem. Who knew!?

[Cigarbarr]

i second the solis burr grinder

[djs134]

Tom, I have the Infinity and it works great for drip, vac and press. The other grinder that is suggested for this use is the Bodum Antiqua. Although, I've never used one.

[Wasch_24]

I just ordered this one (http://www.aabreecoffee.com/Capresso/ca_burr_grinder_select.cfm) yesterday.

[caudio51]

I STILL haven't chosen one yet!

[Black Dog]

My God man! Do it!

[caudio51]

I know, I started researching and then stopped. Now I'm back at square one....

[texas_stang]

What's a good espresso machine for less than $300?

[CWS]

Solis Burr grinder...Finest kind... Mele perpetual coffee maker... off the charts

[Kingston]

What's a good espresso machine for less than $300? This One (http://www.wholelattelove.com/Gaggia/carezza.cfm)

[caudio51]

Solis Burr grinder...Finest kind... Mele perpetual coffee maker... off the charts

Is that one stepless?

[CWS]

http://www.miele.com/usa/cva/product.asp?model=59&series=27&subcat=&cat=5&bhcp=

I dropped the i...This is the best machine in the world for coffee fanatics. It will practically replace your girl friend or wife.

[caudio51]

http://www.miele.com/usa/cva/product.asp?model=59&series=27&subcat=&cat=5&bhcp=

I dropped the i...This is the best machine in the world for coffee fanatics. It will practically replace your girl friend or wife.

They have a store or offices right by my office. Looks like one hell of a machine!

[caudio51]

I've finally decided on the Capresso Infinity Burr Grinder.

Now to find the cheapest place for the brushed chrome. All see to be at the 139 mark though.

[DocLogic77]

I have an el cheapo grinder and it works fine.

[caudio51]

The grind makes all the difference in the world

[DocLogic77]

The grind makes all the difference in the world

You could be right. I grind it fine to get a caffeine buzz that's about all I know. I know I like to grind my own beans, but that's as far as I have gotten. Love coffee but haven't gotten into it like cigars.

[caudio51]

You could be right. I grind it fine to get a caffeine buzz that's about all I know. I know I like to grind my own beans, but that's as far as I have gotten. Love coffee but haven't gotten into it like cigars.

There are a few of us who could help you with that problem. :widemouth

[DocLogic77]

There are a few of us who could help you with that problem. :widemouth

I bought a new espresso, coffee machine. I am looking for some advice on how to better my coffee.

[caudio51]

http://www.coffeegeek.com

Where most of my info came from.

Check out french pressing. Once you get a quality grinder, brewing a good cup is very easy.

http://www.coffeegeek.com/guides/presspot

[DocLogic77]

http://www.coffeegeek.com

Where most of my info came from.

Check out french pressing. Once you get a quality grinder, brewing a good cup is very easy.

http://www.coffeegeek.com/guides/presspot


I appreciate the heads up. With anything I enjoy I'm about quality. I'm suprised that the grind is such a big issue.

[caudio51]

Such a huge issue. If you ever have any more questions the two coffee geeks that I know about here are windowrx and djs134. I've had djs134's home roast and it is fantastic!

[djs134]

What a good grinder will give you is consistency. You want your coffee ground to a uniform size so that it extracts evenly. If you get “dust and boulders” you will have some coffee being over-extracted (bitter) and some under-extracted (sour).

Once you get to a “Prosumer” espresso machine you will want a fine grind. Most mid level grinders can not grind to a quality necessary to bring out the best in your $ 750 and up machine.

[Black Dog]

I bought a new espresso, coffee machine. I am looking for some advice on how to better my coffee.
The first and most important consideration is using a good quality fresh roasted coffee. Most of us coffee folks agree that coffee begins to lose flavor and the oils begin to turn rancid about two weeks after roasting (anything you find at a grocery store and even many well known coffee shops will be much older than that). If you're doing drip, vacpot or presspot, any time after the rest period (12-24 hours after roasting) up to two weeks will give you the best flavor. However, if you're making espresso many folks recommend that the beans be about a week old to produce the best flavor and crema. You may want to try coffee beans from unclebeanz.com, intelligentsiacoffee.com or panthercitycoffee.com for fresh roasted.

Second, as has been discussed here, a good burr grinder is important. Especially for espresso. That's been pretty well covered by the brothers so I won't go into that except to say the higher end grinders like Mazzer Mini are excellent but you may want to start with something like the Infinity. Much more affordable and does a good job until you decide if you want to go full coffeegeek.

Next, water. Fresh and cold. Treated city water sucks for coffee. The chlorine makes it taste mediciny (is that a word?). If you have good soft well water that'll do but I prefer to use spring water. Some folks are pleased with the results they get using city water filtered through a Brita or similar system.

I also believe the filter is important. I use a cone shaped SwissGold filter because I feel it lets all of the essence of the coffe come through. Paper filters absorb the oils that give coffee it's best flavor so it never makes it into your cup (IMO). If you decide to go the gold or stainless steel filter route you can expect to have some "mud" in the bottom of the pot. That's no big deal for me. The flavor of the coffee is worth it.

Finally, water temperature. Many home brewers heat the water to 175-185 degrees which is not hot enough for proper extraction. 195-205 degrees is the accepted range for brewing. Higher end coffee makers like Tom's Presto Scandinavia or the Techivorm or even my Capresso MT500 will all get you the right brew temp.
If you're using a coffee press make sure you take the water off the heat just prior to it boiling. Boiling water releases much of the oxygen and gives coffee a flat, harsh taste.

For espresso, tamp & grind is a science. I'd recommend many hours surfing the forums at coffeegeek.com or homebarista.com

What did I miss?

[caudio51]

Great post Brian. That could be a sticky for the forum for coffee. Basic but a hell of a lot of great info!

[AZsteelman]

please don't come to my house for my lousy ass coffee...I'm ignorant and don't know any better...

[DocLogic77]

Ok, I'm officially out of my league here...lol. My family is pretty impressed that I grind my own beans. Great post window. Thanks a whole lot you have now started me on another expensive addictive hobby. :)

[cvm4]

please don't come to my house for my lousy ass coffee...I'm ignorant and don't know any better...

:smokingbo I'm right there with you Randy!

I just realized we need a coffee smiley! :computer:

[djs134]

Good post, Brian!

[caudio51]

Ummm yea so I finally got the Capresso Infinity in the polished chrome. It should arrive today from 1st line.

[pdonlin]

Nice! I am very happy with my purchase of a quality, solid grinder.

[caudio51]

Nice! I am very happy with my purchase of a quality, solid grinder.

I can't wait to get home a press a pot :blob: :blob: