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Main
Date: 27 Nov 2006 01:29:16
From:
Subject: Low cost compact UK grinder?
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I've got my new Gaggia arriving this week, and now desperately need a
grinder as I suspect that pre-ground Illy just won't cut the mustard
anymore!
Only there are a few problems. I'm UK based, so not all grinders are
available to me, I have a limited budget (=A380 / $150 MAX), and SWMBO
had dictated that it must either be small, or a thing of beauty - so no
ex-commercial grinders for me.
Current thoughts are:
1) The infamous Dualit Burr aka Solis 166 aka Starbucks Barista - =A358
with a chance of getting a Starbucks one on special offer.
2) Bodum Antigua - =A357 direct from Bodum, possibly less from one of
their Outlet stores.
3) The ellusive Aerolatte stainless steel grinder (aka Nemox Lux) =A380
assuming it can still be found.
4) A used MDF or similar of indeterminent abuse from eBay.
Any thoughts on the relative merits (or unsuitability of each option).
I'm only interested in espresso (with the extremely rare cafetiere aka
French press). Will be used daily, but only for a couple of
double-shots, so doserless may have it's merits. Finally it needs to be
not too noisy as the first cup of the day is usually taken before the
rest of the family is awake, and should probably remain that way.
TIA - Rufus.
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Date: 27 Nov 2006 21:40:17
From: Danny
Subject: Re: Low cost compact UK grinder?
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RufusA@gmail.com wrote:
> I've got my new Gaggia arriving this week, and now desperately need a
> grinder as I suspect that pre-ground Illy just won't cut the mustard
> anymore!
>
> Only there are a few problems. I'm UK based, so not all grinders are
> available to me, I have a limited budget (£80 / $150 MAX), and SWMBO
> had dictated that it must either be small, or a thing of beauty - so no
> ex-commercial grinders for me.
>
> Current thoughts are:
>
> 1) The infamous Dualit Burr aka Solis 166 aka Starbucks Barista - £58
> with a chance of getting a Starbucks one on special offer.
> 2) Bodum Antigua - £57 direct from Bodum, possibly less from one of
> their Outlet stores.
> 3) The ellusive Aerolatte stainless steel grinder (aka Nemox Lux) £80
> assuming it can still be found.
> 4) A used MDF or similar of indeterminent abuse from eBay.
>
> Any thoughts on the relative merits (or unsuitability of each option).
>
> I'm only interested in espresso (with the extremely rare cafetiere aka
> French press). Will be used daily, but only for a couple of
> double-shots, so doserless may have it's merits. Finally it needs to be
> not too noisy as the first cup of the day is usually taken before the
> rest of the family is awake, and should probably remain that way.
>
> TIA - Rufus.
>
New Gaggia MDF on Ebay - BIN £99 + £19 postage. It's also available
from best-of-italy website for £107 in white + £10 postage (VAT included).
--
Regards, Danny
http://www.gaggia-espresso.com (a purely hobby site)
http://www.malabargold.co.uk (UK/EU ordering for Malabar Gold blend)
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Date: 27 Nov 2006 16:59:41
From: Steven C
Subject: Re: Low cost compact UK grinder?
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Have a think about the Iberital MC2 at £99, it's very well thought of on
the toomuchcoffee.com forums. Can be ordered from happydonkey.co.uk
On Mon, 27 Nov 2006 01:29:16 -0800, RufusA wrote:
> I've got my new Gaggia arriving this week, and now desperately need a
> grinder as I suspect that pre-ground Illy just won't cut the mustard
> anymore!
>
> Only there are a few problems. I'm UK based, so not all grinders are
> available to me, I have a limited budget (£80 / $150 MAX), and SWMBO
> had dictated that it must either be small, or a thing of beauty - so no
> ex-commercial grinders for me.
>
> Current thoughts are:
>
> 1) The infamous Dualit Burr aka Solis 166 aka Starbucks Barista - £58
> with a chance of getting a Starbucks one on special offer.
> 2) Bodum Antigua - £57 direct from Bodum, possibly less from one of
> their Outlet stores.
> 3) The ellusive Aerolatte stainless steel grinder (aka Nemox Lux) £80
> assuming it can still be found.
> 4) A used MDF or similar of indeterminent abuse from eBay.
>
> Any thoughts on the relative merits (or unsuitability of each option).
>
> I'm only interested in espresso (with the extremely rare cafetiere aka
> French press). Will be used daily, but only for a couple of
> double-shots, so doserless may have it's merits. Finally it needs to be
> not too noisy as the first cup of the day is usually taken before the
> rest of the family is awake, and should probably remain that way.
>
> TIA - Rufus.
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Date: 27 Nov 2006 16:49:01
From: Danny
Subject: Re: Low cost compact UK grinder?
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RufusA@gmail.com wrote:
> I've got my new Gaggia arriving this week, and now desperately need a
> grinder as I suspect that pre-ground Illy just won't cut the mustard
> anymore!
>
> Only there are a few problems. I'm UK based, so not all grinders are
> available to me, I have a limited budget (£80 / $150 MAX), and SWMBO
> had dictated that it must either be small, or a thing of beauty - so no
> ex-commercial grinders for me.
£80 for a new, small grinder is barely enough. If you've read the
group much, you'll have noticed that the grinder is more important
than the espresso machine, and it's no joke. Also, financially, it
makes sense to get the best grinder you cannot afford, since it will
outlast many machine upgrades, if the correct decision is made first
time. However:
The Bodum Antigua can grind for espresso (see the tweak on Ken
Wilson's page:
http://www.kwilson.fsnet.co.uk/grinder_tweaks.htm
The Bodum can occasionally found for £50 or so.
Any grinder can usually be re-fettled, with new burrs at least, so
provided the various plastic bits are present, an Ebay used grinder
can be good value. Just make sure it's a burr grinder, and no worse
than the MDF. You might also find an Iberital MC2, which I used in
the past. It's small, quite attractive, and unassuming.
--
Regards, Danny
http://www.gaggia-espresso.com (a purely hobby site)
http://www.malabargold.co.uk (UK/EU ordering for Malabar Gold blend)
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Date: 27 Nov 2006 12:27:11
From: Bill (Adopt)
Subject: Re: Low cost compact UK grinder?
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In article <1164619756.776484.224020@h54g2000cwb.googlegroups.com >,
<RufusA@gmail.com > wrote:
> I've got my new Gaggia arriving this week, and now desperately need a
> grinder as I suspect that pre-ground Illy just won't cut the mustard
> anymore!
You are correct.. :)) Pre-ground anything no matter how
expensive isn't as good as even Tesco's cheapest (and
usually very fresh when you can get them) blended roast
beans - then freshly ground.
> Only there are a few problems. I'm UK based, so not all grinders are
> available to me, I have a limited budget (£80 / $150 MAX), and SWMBO
> had dictated that it must either be small, or a thing of beauty - so no
> ex-commercial grinders for me.
Thoughts on this difficult problem at the end... ;'))
> Current thoughts are:
> 1) The infamous Dualit Burr aka Solis 166 aka Starbucks Barista - £58
> with a chance of getting a Starbucks one on special offer.
> 2) Bodum Antigua - £57 direct from Bodum, possibly less from one of
> their Outlet stores.
> 3) The ellusive Aerolatte stainless steel grinder (aka Nemox Lux) £80
> assuming it can still be found.
> 4) A used MDF or similar of indeterminent abuse from eBay.
> Any thoughts on the relative merits (or unsuitability of each option).
Oh boy! Where to start... ;))
My own first, (and not necessarily widely experienced
thoughts), would be to opt for Nr.4, the Gaggia MDF,
providing it's not worn out. Not only are the parts
immediately available and cheaply in the UK - but you
will have even the Gaggia Centres - among many others
who will give you all the assistance you can take
onboard. The Gaggia MDF is a serious espresso grinder.
> I'm only interested in espresso (with the extremely rare cafetiere aka
> French press).
As 'espresso' comes in the fineness of the grinding of
the coffee bean - and can only be made with a pumped
machine with a nominal pressure of around 9psi at the
output - the extremely rare(!) Bodum cafetiere will jsut
not 'do'.. ;))
It will produce, however, tasteful fresh ground coffee,
which will be entirely and easily with the range of your
Gaggia MDF Grinder - as it is within the range of almost
any grinder.
Be aware that your grinder needs to be adaptable enough
to compensate for matters such as the weather, kitchen
humidity, the bean type et al. Hygroscopic, the beans
continually absorb and emit water vapour - and this can
change the grind level/consistency, even as you use the
beans, from one measure to the next. So a good range is
essential.
The Gaggia MDF has such a range - whereas the pretty
little Kitchenaid, for instance, does not.
> Will be used daily, but only for a couple of
> double-shots, so doserless may have it's merits.
There's pros and cons in each, doser or doserless.
However, those (I found out by pure luck), who started
with a doser have found no problem in using one. In
fact, there is a decided advantage in having a doser
if a number of people suddenly descend, all looking
for a caffeine fix.. ;))
Basically, with one or two shots a day, I measure
in the beans and grind freshly to order... so doser
or doser-less makes absolutely no difference. I
don't store the beans in the hopper ..but airtight,
normally in the freezer - but, very occasionally,
just resealed in a nearby cupboard when using again
soon after...
As a very slight aside, I don't bother to defrost
the beans before grinding. There's little point,
as there's not a whole lot to freeze anyway - and
any 'coolness' and 'moisture' content only assists
the grinding process, importantly helping keep the
freshly ground coffee cool and static/dust free as
each bean hit's the much tougher grinding plates...
> Finally it needs to be
> not too noisy as the first cup of the day is usually taken before the
> rest of the family is awake, and should probably remain that way.
Mmmm... You will not get any grinder that is,
essentially, 'quiet'.. They will all emit some
level of 'noise', although, of the ones you mention
its possible that the MDF will be the 'quieter'...
It is a 'proper' grinder, rather than an ultra rapidly
spinning, heat generating, coffee destroying, noisy,
high-pitched whining toy.
You could stick a tea cosy on top of your grinder,
or fashion a bespoke cut down water tank jacket -
or perhaps just close the door.
You might even wish to use the grinder to wake the
family up and get them started!
However, as regards your wife's 'demands' about
no 'commercial' grinders such as a /very/ successful
and cheap(!) refurbished ex-commercial Cunill CT1,
have you thought of refurbishing your wife first?
A couple of new jewel-endowed silver-mounted grinding
plates to wear across the top of a svelt and stunning
new cocktail/opera cover should help.. :))
...it might even allow you to smuggle a commercial CT-1
into the garage - or garden shed - to go alongside the
brand new 'I-Roast 2' or Alpine roaster that you are about
to purchase, thus completing your coffee experience as a
trist par-excellence...
;))
Bill (Adopt) or ZFC!
e&oe..!!
--
Adoption InterLink UK with -=- http://www.billsimpson.com/
Domain Host Orpheus Internet -=- http://www.orpheusinternet.co.uk/
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Date: 27 Nov 2006 04:02:45
From: Dave2012
Subject: Re: Low cost compact UK grinder?
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>'ve got my new Gaggia arriving this week, and now desperately need a
>grinder as I suspect that pre-ground Illy just won't cut the mustard
>anymore!
Nah it won't - the difference, as long as you get fresh-roasted coffee,
will be like the step-up from instant to Illy :) (to someone who'd
never drunk espresso before in his life, this was huge btw)
>Only there are a few problems. I'm UK based, so not all grinders are
>available to me, I have a limited budget (=A380 / $150 MAX), and SWMBO
>had dictated that it must either be small, or a thing of beauty - so no
>ex-commercial grinders for me.
You're gonna get told this over and over again so I'll get it started:
do not skimp on your grinder. The better the grinder the better your
coffee, and as you upgrade espresso machine your grinder will travel
with you.
>Current thoughts are:
>1) The infamous Dualit Burr aka Solis 166 aka Starbucks Barista - =A358
>with a chance of getting a Starbucks one on special offer.
>2) Bodum Antigua - =A357 direct from Bodum, possibly less from one of
>their Outlet stores.
>3) The ellusive Aerolatte stainless steel grinder (aka Nemox Lux) =A380
>assuming it can still be found.
>4) A used MDF or similar of indeterminent abuse from eBay.
>Any thoughts on the relative merits (or unsuitability of each option).
>I'm only interested in espresso (with the extremely rare cafetiere aka
>French press). Will be used daily, but only for a couple of
>double-shots, so doserless may have it's merits. Finally it needs to be
>not too noisy as the first cup of the day is usually taken before the
>rest of the family is awake, and should probably remain that way.
>From the ones you listed, I have the Dualit. A lot of people say this
grinder won't grind fine enough for espresso - in my
experience it does, but not fine enough for ristretto, if that's what
you're after. However there is a hack for it on the 'Too Much Coffee'
website if you search for "How to adjust dualit grinder" which enables
it to grind finer than the store-released version, but it is very much
AT YOUR OWN RISK. I have yet to try it. There you'll also find a .wav
file to show you how loud it is. It looks good on the counter top,
quite small, and hey it has the Dualit brand on it and people here tend
to associate that with =A3130 toasters so those who don't know better
will be impressed!
I was unable to get hold of the aerolatte. You can try ebay but you
might need to replace the burrs when you get it. I'm not sure any
grinder is as quiet as you want except the Zass hand-grinder, again
ebay-only I think, but very rare and a lot of work to grind
Next level up is the Gaggia MDF and from what I've read the quality
difference is worth the extra outlay. I would have gone for this but
just could not afford it.
Any of them will do FP.
G'luck,
Dave
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Date: 27 Nov 2006 03:58:08
From: Dave2012
Subject: Re: Low cost compact UK grinder?
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>'ve got my new Gaggia arriving this week, and now desperately need a
>grinder as I suspect that pre-ground Illy just won't cut the mustard
>anymore!
Nah it won't - the difference, as long as you get fresh-roasted coffee,
will be like the step-up from instant to Illy :) (to someone who'd
never drunk espresso before in his life, this was huge btw)
>Only there are a few problems. I'm UK based, so not all grinders are
>available to me, I have a limited budget (=A380 / $150 MAX), and SWMBO
>had dictated that it must either be small, or a thing of beauty - so no
>ex-commercial grinders for me.
You're gonna get told this over and over again so I'll get it started:
do not skimp on your grinder. The better the grinder the better your
coffee, and as you upgrade espresso machine your grinder will travel
with you.
>Current thoughts are:
>
>1) The infamous Dualit Burr aka Solis 166 aka Starbucks Barista - =A358
>with a chance of getting a Starbucks one on special offer.
>2) Bodum Antigua - =A357 direct from Bodum, possibly less from one of
>their Outlet stores.
>3) The ellusive Aerolatte stainless steel grinder (aka Nemox Lux) =A380
>assuming it can still be found.
>4) A used MDF or similar of indeterminent abuse from eBay.
>
>Any thoughts on the relative merits (or unsuitability of each option).
>
>I'm only interested in espresso (with the extremely rare cafetiere aka
>French press). Will be used daily, but only for a couple of
>double-shots, so doserless may have it's merits. Finally it needs to be
>not too noisy as the first cup of the day is usually taken before the
>rest of the family is awake, and should probably remain that way.
>From the ones you listed however, I have the Dualit. A lot of people
say this grinder won't grind fine enough for espresso - in my
experience it does, but not fine enough for ristretto, if that's what
you're after. However there is a hack for it on the 'Too Much Coffee'
website if you search for "How to adjust dualit grinder" which enables
it to grind finer than the store-released version, but it is very much
AT YOUR OWN RISK. I have yet to try it. There you'll also find a .wav
file to show you how loud it is. It looks good on the counter top,
quite small, and hey it has the Dualit brand on it and people here tend
to associate that with =A3130 toasters so those who don't know better
will be impressed!
I was unable to get hold of the aerolatte. You can try ebay but you
might need to replace the burrs when you get it. I'm not sure any
grinder is as quiet as you want except the Zass hand-grinder, again
ebay-only I think, but very rare and a lot of work to grind
Next level up is the Gaggia MDF and from what I've read the quality
difference is worth the extra outlay. I would have gone for this but
just could not afford it.=20
Any of them will do FP.
G'luck,
Dave
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