Help Please: Bean coffee grinder: which one ?

[mr.espresso]

Since you can't afford the Encore I probably would recommend going with a hand grinder. Espresso can be sensitive to grind size and consistency (each machine is somewhat diff obviously) so a good grinder is key. Shadow is our resident hand grinder expert... hopefully he will pop in this thread.

Good recommendation. As I have already said, I had not considered a manual grinder due to ignorance, but after Shadow's words and yours, now I do consider it. Thanks !!!

now I just have to find a good option that fits my budget.

doing a quick search on Amazon I found this: https://www.amazon.es/dp/B01LXZACFB. do you have references?

[shadow745]

Wow !!! Thank you very much for delighting us with that dose of wise words.

I had definitely not considered the option of a manual grinder. From my inexperience, I thought that they were older machines or with worse results than electric ones, but I see that I was wrong.


This makes me rethink whether a manual grinder is more suitable for me. I don't mind doing the work myself or taking longer time, so it may be the best option.


As for the price, unfortunately right now I do not have the budget to buy one of those high quality machines that you mention. Could you recommend a manual grinder for tighter budgets?

Thank you soooo much

Depending on your area there could be used hand grinders at good prices. A quality hand grinder will last indefinitely and going that route is usually a safer bet than something like an electric grinder. I know the Timemore brand is mentioned often as being decent and a bit cheaper. Generally speaking it's difficult to find a really good grinder on the cheaper end of the spectrum unless it's used, somebody really wants to part with it, etc.

Regarding older hand grinders, my first one was a KyM and based on what I was told by the rather popular seller that once refurbished lots of hand grinders it's from the 1950s and still grinds quite well. Yes it's seen a TON of use and has some slop in the bearings as well as the burrs being a bit less than great, but it was a quality made piece and has held up and still performs. Now it is common to see constant listing for 'antique' coffee grinders that are like a dime a dozen with lousy construction, sloppy tolerances and just aren't suited for precise grinding.

[mr.espresso]

Depending on your area there could be used hand grinders at good prices. A quality hand grinder will last indefinitely and going that route is usually a safer bet than something like an electric grinder. I know the Timemore brand is mentioned often as being decent and a bit cheaper. Generally speaking it's difficult to find a really good grinder on the cheaper end of the spectrum unless it's used, somebody really wants to part with it, etc.

Regarding older hand grinders, my first one was a KyM and based on what I was told by the rather popular seller that once refurbished lots of hand grinders it's from the 1950s and still grinds quite well. Yes it's seen a TON of use and has some slop in the bearings as well as the burrs being a bit less than great, but it was a quality made piece and has held up and still performs. Now it is common to see constant listing for 'antique' coffee grinders that are like a dime a dozen with lousy construction, sloppy tolerances and just aren't suited for precise grinding.

I didn't know anything about the Timemore brand. I've been reading a bit online and I've seen that the best-selling model is the Timemore C2 with very good reviews. However, experts point out that the finest grind is not valid for espresso, so I'll keep looking.

[Musicphan]

This may be helpful to you - I think Prima does a pretty decent job at reviews:

https://prima-coffee.com/blog/a-comp...e-and-espresso