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Need guidance on a purchase. - 2008/04/19 22:41Hello,
I spent 4 hours researching grinders and stumbled across this site. Thank god.
I am just getting into coffee beyond the gotta-stay-awake-Im-in-college flavour of drinking. So please forgive any ignorance I show.
Cost: I need a grinder for $200 or less, with the optimal range being $70-150.
Location: I live in Victoria BC and would greatly prefer to purchase locally.
Needs: I like espresso, but am more a fan of just the regular old cup of joe. So I need a good grinder for drip or press coffee.
EDIT: I would prefer a burr grinder. Electronic or manual doesn't matter to me.
Given the cost, location, and needs, can anyone make some recommendations for me?
I have looked into the Barratza models, the cheap stuff the local stores (read londondrugs, walmart, etc) carry, and a whole slew of reviews and recommendations from all over the net. I am sure I know what I want, but I have no clue where to find it! I am new-ish to Victoria and NOT a city person. That and I just don't know where I can buy quality coffee products here.
Cheers!
Ben
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Kevin R
User Senior Barista
Posts: 33
Karma: 6
Re:Need guidance on a purchase. - 2008/04/20 10:56Hello Ben, and welcome.
I grind about a pound of coffee a week, and have enjoyed good results for press through drip with my Baratza Maestro Plus. I think they're slightly beyond your maximum price, though -- they sell for $159 Canadian, I believe. As I've mentioned in a previous post, the Plus isn't up for espresso grinding -- just can't grind finely enough.
I can't vouch for its performance, but the entry-level Maestro would likely fit your needs nicely, and it sells for $109. Colin or another of the folks in Victoria will be able to give you dealer recommendations.
Too bad you're in Victoria... I'm looking to sell my less than year old Plus in favour of a grinder better able to support my growing espresso habit...
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colin
Admin Admin
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Re:Need guidance on a purchase. - 2008/04/20 11:35Kevin - did you want an Aeropress? Compliments of coffeecrew.com and Aerobie Industries?Colin is the Senior editor and creator of the CoffeeCrew.Com Website
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Irish
User Junior Barista
Posts: 16
Karma: 4
Re:Need guidance on a purchase. - 2008/04/20 14:18Thanks for the info Kevin.
The Maestro and Maestro Plus were on my list, but it will depend upon local prices.
I'm willing to spend the cash, but I dunno if my wife is willing to stand idly by and let me spend the cash! haha
I might have to do some serious pampering to distract her.
To be honest, I'd love to find a good hand grinder. From what I've read they are cheaper then going electronic, neater (in my opinion at least) and many reviewers have claimed they grind better.
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Kevin R
User Senior Barista
Posts: 33
Karma: 6
Re:Need guidance on a purchase. - 2008/04/20 20:10Hey Colin -- and yes to the offer of the Aeropress! I've been intrigued by them -- it'd be fun to take one for a test drive. I'm not based in Victoria, though...
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Kevin R
User Senior Barista
Posts: 33
Karma: 6
Re:Need guidance on a purchase. - 2008/04/20 20:25A hand grinder, eh? Now that's way out of my realm of experience. The only ones I've seen look like they belong in an early 20th century kitchen display at the local museum...
As for your wife -- does she drink coffee? If she does, then the promise of many a cup made from first rate, expertly roasted and freshly ground beans should do the trick!
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Irish
User Junior Barista
Posts: 16
Karma: 4
Re:Need guidance on a purchase. - 2008/04/20 20:56She reacts... well.. like a cat on catnip, to small amounts of coffee.
So we don't go there. heh
And yeah, I grew up with lots of old, nostalgic-type bits and bobs. My dad was always interested in trying things out without the electronics and whatnot. And if a hand grinder will give the same quality, for less, then great. But I don't know how feasible that is here.
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Kevin R
User Senior Barista
Posts: 33
Karma: 6
Re:Need guidance on a purchase. - 2008/04/21 22:47For curiosity's sake, I did a few Internet searches for muscle powered coffee grinders; it seems that Zassenhaus is a good brand to consider. There is a short FAQ about them on the Sweet Marias website that you might be interested in.
The writer there suggests that espresso grind is achieveable with a good hand cranked coffee mill; I wonder if anyone out there in CoffeeCrew land can confirm from personal experience if that is true or not.
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Irish
User Junior Barista
Posts: 16
Karma: 4
Re:Need guidance on a purchase. - 2008/04/23 00:26yeah I had a look at them, thanks for the help though.
Thing is, I need to know, hopefully from a local, where I can get a good grinder, electronic or otherwise.
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Irish
User Junior Barista
Posts: 16
Karma: 4
Re:Need guidance on a purchase. - 2008/04/24 19:36So no one local to Victoria can suggest a retailer who sells good grinders?
I'm gonna take a look at the kitchen/home place out by tillicum, but I really don't know Victoria welle nough.
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