Another Grinder Advice Thread

victorb

So I'm ready to buy a grinder. I don't have one now, nor have I ever. But I want a good one. I've been lurking here for a while to get some advice, but I reckon asking will be easier. My budget is < €200.

I have a french press and a moka pot. I want the grinder primarily for french press but I'd like to option to switch to finer grinds if I get an espresso machine or just get sick of the press.

The 3 best I've seen so far are:

Iberital MC2 from happydonkey.co.uk. This will be about €150, am I right?

Gaggia MDF from italy-outlet.co.uk for €175

Isomac Macinino also from italy outlet for, also for €175

Currently I'm leaning towards the Iberital as happydonkey have a great customer record around here and it looks like an excellent grinder. Can anyone tell me if I'm missing out on some other appropriate grinders? Advice on the pros and cons of the above machines would also be appreciated.

Doodee

Well ideally you don't want to be switching between grind settings too much.
If you are grinding for French press then I'd say a Bodum blade grinder would probably suffice. Switching from a coarse to fine grind with something like the MC2 is not recommended from what I have read.

I myself have a Kyocera Hand grinder. It's a lot more effort but well worth it in the cup. Switching your grind settings on a hand grinder is a bit easier, but I still find myself just leaving it on Espresso and using a different grinder for anything French Press related.

Clinker

The adjustment on the MC2 is very fine: you'd drive yourself mad going back and forth from espresso fine to very coarse, and it'd take you a few shots before you got back to the right setting for espresso. My current solution: two MC2s, one for espresso one for FP. (But watch this space!)

Happy Donkey charged £99 + £16 p&p for the second one, that works out about €135.

Laphroaig52

I hope victorb won't mind if I piggyback on his thread and add another factor to the decision making....

Doser or doserless?

In fairness, I don't think any grinder discussion is complete without this factor anyway!

Having considered the advantages and disadvantages of both, it seems to me that doeserless is the way to go if it will be mainly used for French press.

if victorb and I invest were to invest in a doserless model today, would we be regretting it in a few years if we want to make lots of espresso shots?

Why does it have to be such a big decision anyway? I mean why can't the manufacturers design a model with an optional, removable doser that could be clipped on and off as required?

victorb

I'm not planning on doing much back and forth though. I'm more looking for an espresso grinder for the future that will make great french press now. The MC2 seems to fit that bill.

Mr Magnolia

victorb wrote: »

I'm not planning on doing much back and forth though. I'm more looking for an espresso grinder for the future that will make great french press now. The MC2 seems to fit that bill.

The MC2 would suit your plans if you're not planning on any back and forth when you do start on the espresso grind.

Flyer28 wrote: »

I hope victorb won't mind if I piggyback on his thread and add another factor to the decision making....

Doser or doserless?

In fairness, I don't think any grinder discussion is complete without this factor anyway!

Having considered the advantages and disadvantages of both, it seems to me that doeserless is the way to go if it will be mainly used for French press.

Yes, doserless for french press, there's nothing to be gained with a doser for this application.

if victorb and I invest were to invest in a doserless model today, would we be regretting it in a few years if we want to make lots of espresso shots?

Well I use a doserless grinder for my espresso (macap mc4). I decided before I bought that I wanted the doserless, no regrets here.

Why does it have to be such a big decision anyway?

Cost. No point spending hundreds on the wrong type of grinder.

I mean why can't the manufacturers design a model with an optional, removable doser that could be clipped on and off as required?

Cause that'd make life easy on us.

Slaphead07

Flyer28 wrote: »

I mean why can't the manufacturers design a model with an optional, removable doser that could be clipped on and off as required?

That's what my La Pavoni 'Jolly' does. Good grinder too (although I'm open to correction 'round here):rolleyes:

stimpson

Slaphead07 wrote: »

That's what my La Pavoni 'Jolly' does. Good grinder too (although I'm open to correction 'round here):rolleyes:

Excellent grinder

RE*AC*TOR

Doodee wrote: »

If you are grinding for French press then I'd say a Bodum blade grinder would probably suffice.

Not really. If you don't mind **** coffee, I suppose a hammer would suffice.

Slaphead07

stimpson wrote: »

Excellent grinder

go 'way outta that, you couldn't wait to get rid of it!


ps: @Stimpson, I had only casually read the "English via Italy" manual and while I thought I was adjusting the grinder really I wasn't (or not much anyway). I was about to give up on the whole wonderfully variable world of lever powered coffee when I copped. Grind is now good and the caffine addiction is coming along nicely.

victorb

I've decided on the MC2 Auto. I'd rather buy more expensive now, cheap later than the other way around.

I contacted the site with regards to being in Ireland a couple of days ago. How long to they typically take replying?

Mr Magnolia

Normally a day but it is holiday season. Did you submit your question through the website? You could try info@happydonkey.co.uk too.

victorb

Thanks, I'll try that.

Laphroaig52

victorb wrote: »

I've decided on the MC2 Auto. I'd rather buy more expensive now, cheap later than the other way around.

I contacted the site with regards to being in Ireland a couple of days ago. How long to they typically take replying?

Best of luck with that. It sounds like the right choice if you won't be adjusting too often.

For me, I can see a time when I will want both French press and espresso so I'm looking for something easier to adjust.

I'm thinking that the Rocky Rancilio might be my best bet. Any other suggestions experts?

victorb

Grinder ordered.

I've picked up some cheap beans. Any tips on setting things up when it arrives? Just chuck them in and fiddle around?

RE*AC*TOR

Some tips:

For French Press - use the cheap beans to get your grind around the coarseness of normal table sugar. (Starting point)

Then **** out the cheap beans..

Buy good beans and brew good coffee.