coffee grinder advice (please be gentle)

[Shannoncita]

I am quite new to this espresso making thing, I have always used a moka pot with preground illy espresso, but recently I have bought a pump machine and now I need some grinder advice.

Please be keep in mind that I am still an espresso "baby" and not yet ready to step out into the "grown-up" espresso world with the rest of you.

After reading up on the web it has become apparent that I need to start grinding my own beans. Any advice? I have to say that the usual suggestions (mazzer mini, etc...) seem a bit big and bulky for my super tiny London flat. Is there another (more compact) solution?

Many thanks

Shannoncita

[phil]

The Isomac grinders coming in around the £100 mark are tiny compared to the commercial-style grinders that comprise the "usual suggestions". I've not used one myself, but several TMC members have and they apparently grind well enough for the price, albeit I think Simon did find his less than robust even for domestic use.

Some folks also use Zassenhaus (hand) grinders for espresso, although there is some debate about whether they're up to the task.

Also the Rancilio Rocky is *much* smaller than the Mazzers etc, albeit somewhat larger than the Isomacs.

I'm not a big expert on smaller grinders, having two full size commercial grinders myself. Anyone else got any recommendations please?

Phil

[Gouezeri]

Shannoncita, some good advice from Phil there.
It does kind of depend how serious you are about your espresso and how much you are willing to "invest." What kind of budget are we looking at, and what kind of usage (just espresso or some cafetiere use as well?)?
If you are in London we should be able to recommend places to go and see most styles of grinder... though forget actually trying them, most places that stock grinders wouldn't have a clue how to use them!
So, with a little more info we should be able to have you spending money in no time (we're good at that round here )
Dom

[simonp]

The smaller Iberital grinders and (it looks like) the Aerolate one use the same burrs as the Isomacs, and I think are rather cheaper. The Isomacs do have a stainless steel casing though. The Iberital is good for espresso as it has a worm adjuster giving mucg finer tuning ability. For that bit of extra cash though, the Rocky is very good, and not too big.

[Shannoncita]

Well as I have spent all of my money on the machine itself, my budget it not great. I would like to eventually buy a good grinder (I could spend around £200) but for now just something to get by with, it will get used for my espresso machine and also my moka pot. I suppose I am asking for permission to buy a small blade grinder..., I know, I know, I can hear the gasps of shameful disbelief now!

I just bought the machine last week and decided just to buy some preground espresso to practise with, but I am having difficulty getting the right pressure, it's been aound 10bars or slightly above but I am getting too much coffee for my 25 seconds. I think my dosage and tamping are okay..., I think.

Shannocita

[phil]

I really wouldn't bother with a blade grinder for espresso, Shannocita. It'll only end in tears. You might get away with it for a little while for press pot or the like, but not for espresso. Really.

Maybe you could try eBay for a grinder if funds are tight - there are often a few around.

[simonp]

Absolutely, a blade grinder will probably give worse results than you get with the pre-ground Illy. You could buy from a reputable fresh coffee roaster and get them to grind for you maybe as an interrim. What espresso machine do you have?

[Gouezeri]

Ok, in order of importance...
Don't buy the blade, you'll ruin any effort in trying to get good beans. If you are in london, I reckon it would be better to buy your beans at Monmouth and have them grind a weeks worth, rather than use a blade grinder!
So, if we're talking less than a hundred quid, I can only think of two "reasonable" options. Either try and get ahold of a solis/dualit/starbucks 166/Barista for around 40 quid (look for a starbucks with a sale) and think of it as temporary option. Or be prepared to put some work in and get a Zassenhaus, which should give you a better grind and would be worth keeping in the future.
I've not tried the Gaggia or Briel grinders under £100, so can't comment on those... but someone round here might be able to.

Next step up is the £100 pound mark, but to be honest, if you're going to spend that it would be better to wait and get something like an Innova or a Rocky. Otherwise, as Phil says, grinders are a good buy secondhand... just make sure you budget for a new set of burrs as well (often around 50quid).

Espresso making is kind of a chain, where the result is only as good as your weakest link and good grinding is one of the more important links.

Feel free to post any other questions you might have...

[Shannoncita]

Thanks guys,
I live withing walking distance of Monmouth coffee so having them grind for me could be a good temporary solution.

On the subject of my pressure problems, do you think it is down to the coffee I am using? Is it a usual problem with supermarket espresso?

Goodness, you people are so delightfully helpful!

Shannoncita

[Gouezeri]

Monmouth are probably as good as you can get for a place where you can buy beans "off the shelf" I'm not sure how often they roast though. So there could be better options such as buying freshly roasted but pre-ground from a micro-roaster (wouldn't want to recommend anyone in particular so see the links). The advantage of using monmouth is, over a couple of trips, you should be able to get them to adjust the grind so that it is just right. Bit of an expensive option though (we'll soon have you home roasting! ).

The difference between buying your beans at Monmouth or at the Supermarket is essentially the same as buying your bread at a specialist baker or at the supermarket, but even more marked than this. Most people here will tell you they use their beans well within 2 weeks of them being roasted... try and find a supermarket that puts a roast date on their beans.

Did you see that Phil? Some people think I'm helpful... at least it didn't say that the last comment excluded me

[jumper]

on the grinder, if your ready a innova is a decent home grinder for a good price(at least in the netherlands)
on the pressure , what kind of machine are we talking about? i doubt it has too do with the coffee u use but anythings possible.

cheers mark

[Guest]

For under £100 have a look at this one http://www.hasbean.co.uk/catalog/produc ... cts_id=304

Also the Iberital is sub £100 so worth a look.

Both will be much better than the Solis/Dualit one.

[phil]

I take it that's the Aerolatte? It looks remarkably similar to the Isomac "in the metal". I must ask Steve how well it grinds for espresso although he may not know for sure - he uses a La Spaziale Lusso, like me.

[Steve]

I have used it and its as good a grind as I got from the rocky, it will do a good (as a kind customer always asks for) talcum powder grind

Steve

[Gouezeri]

Yeah, but the last rocky you tried had been used for grinding rocks (mentioning no names)

My recommendation of the solis/dualit/starbucks is only with the proviso of a ~40 quid price from Starbucks (and as a temporary option). It's definitely not worth the sixty quid plus some places charge with the dualit "badge." The Isomac/Aerolatte's cost and are worth double the price. Whilst they might not look it, the important thing are the burrs inside. If you want to "see" what these are like, Selfridges used to have them downstairs in their espresso dept. But, I'd always support the "community" and buy from somewhere like anothercoffee or hasbean (better after sales too). Beyond this I'd jump straight away to the Innova at around 140 quid (but it's only for single usage; tricky to adjust).
Right, with all the comments here, that should get you going
Dom