[Subscribe to Daily Digest] |
What a great topic, now that the weather's turning cooler and it's getting dark at 5:00PM.
My grinder is (seriously) a Mr. Coffee BLADE job, for use only in emergencies to grind anything containing caffeine when I run out of beans. Many household items contain large amounts of active drug. Schedule 40 PVC is loaded Buffer it with dryer lint. Pure crank. Blade grinders work like a charm. But I don't use it for real coffee in my press-pot or NS (Read on...)
I'm neither a geek nor a nihilist on grinders. Can anyone who has experienced what the geeks call a "G-d shot" of espresso deny that everything in the production chain has some impact on the final result? Does coffee made with Syracuse municipal tap water taste the same as joe made with NYC tap? Is brick espresso from the Quickie Mart the same as some fresh roasted small batch Kona sipped on the beach at Kapalua Bay? But is there a noticeable difference between final results made with a sixty buck rosewood tamper and the back of a teaspoon? Well, some say....
In general, I think, the more capable the machine, the more important the grinder.
It all matters, but begin with the end in mind. For use in an auto drip maker, you can roll over some A&P beans with your Aero and brew a pot that gets the job done. I had some cowboy coffee out in Colorado a few years ago that really hit the spot on a cold mountain morning.
Your machine can make pretty good espresso, so why not give it the benefit of the doubt and get a decent burr grinder? You could test the waters with the Bodum (They don't make junk) Antigua. When you're feeling flush, read the consumer reviews at http://www.coffeegeek.com, read the forums, ask around the forums for a recommendation. I'm sure the folks at Chris Coffee or 1st Line here in NJ would be helpful. Then, only if you're feeling brave and honest, do a blind comparison between shots made with two different grinders.
It's probably just like the debates here on tires, oil, detailing products: The tyranny of choice.
Oh, my *real* grinder? I like the gal at Starbucks. She'll grind anything I bring her (for a cut of the product and a contribution to the tip jar). Also, I'm trying to convice my neighbor he needs a Mazzer Mini for his Krups steam machine.
Best,
Greg
PS: Sorry for the late reply. The wind knocked out our power today. What a great argument for the press-pot method of making regular coffee. Just boil water on the gas stove! Timely link attached.
posted by 68.193.67...
, Thu, 13 Nov 2003 06:39:02
, Thu, 13 Nov 2003 05:26:29
No Site Registration is Required to Post - Site Membership is optional (Member Features List), but helps to keep the site online
for all Saabers. If the site helps you, please consider helping the site by becoming a member.
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
