Coffee Grinder Recommendations?

I'm looking to step up my coffee game and in the market for a grinder. My budget is in the $200 range, and primarily used for french press, auto-drip, vacuum siphon, cold brew, quick cold brew, drip - basically not espresso. Espresso grinding would be nice for future proofing, but I don't currently have a machine, and there are too many other kitchen tools that are ahead of it in the queue to say that it's a necessity at this point. The Breville BCG800XL Smart Grinder, the Gaggia 8002 MDF, and the Baratza Virtuoso are in the running at the moment, but I'm willing to consider other options as well. Wondering if anyone here (@jimseven?) has experience or thoughts around them?

Find more posts tagged with

What About Tools?

Comments

Brandon_34695

Good thread, I was wondering exactly the same thing. A cool feature of the Breville is that you can pick up the whole hopper and neatly unload the beans through the bottom, if you wanted to switch. The videos from Seattle Coffee Gear are helpful, but they don't seem to recommend one product over the other often.

reub_50398

I've been pretty happy with the Virtuoso for the same set of tasks for the past couple years. I haven't compared it with more recent models, but if I were buying one today I'd strongly consider the version with the built in scale.

Let us know what you pick.

Johan_Edstrom_5586

I have the Virtuoso - make sure you get the newer model with micro calibrations.

Manfred_18311

I suppose

all three are good and do their work. Breville has a flashy display design and

gives you 25 grind settings, Baratza Virtuoso even 40, in fact having more

grades than 25 is “a nice to have” but daub full there is a measurable value in

taste difference from grade 34 to grade 35. Anyway they are nice if you have rather

more often espresso.

If you decide

for one of the mentioned electrical grinder make sure it gives manual control of

the grinding duration. Grind in short repeating intervals to prevent any heat

development in the grind material it would affect the coffees oils, scent/taste aroma negatively.

If you want

to grind Coffee the way purists consider the best, if not perfect method it is

…yes, the hand crank coffee mill your grandmother used.

Manfred_18311

Hand crank coffee mill

I am doing just fine with the Zassenhaus Guatemala.

Or get the custom made OE Pharos from orphan espresso

crimsonfancy

That OE Pharos is a neat looking machine and first I've seen it. Couldn't quickly find a cost though.
I've owned a couple Breville tools and I guess I've been fairly happy. Digital display ended up giving me trouble in a countertop convection oven a few years ago after the warranty expired, but I guess for the price it was ok...
otoh and in hindsight, I don't think I'm sold on Breville. Even with Heston doing promotion, when I needed an immersion blender a couple months ago, I went with an upper-end Kitchenaid instead, and am very happy.
Sorry if off topic somewhat; just wanted to share my Breville brand experience.

Mike_Minh_Truong_54120

I've been using my blendtec blender to grind my coffee weekly. I honestly can't taste the difference between the ones grounded professionally and the ones I grind at home in my blender. Also, keep in mind that this is coming from a person who only drinks drip coffee or french press 99% of the time. The type of grinder might matter for other applications, but if you're a drip coffee kind of guy, I would resort to your blender and save yourself some dough.

Mark_99143

The Virtuoso is among the highest recommended among professionals for the home. We use it at home and get very good results.

anthony_673232

Go check Ovente Coffee Grinder