redefined_cycles wrote: ↑Sun May 31, 2020 12:56 pm
Since most of the coffee snobs would at some point browse this here thread, I think I'll ask here.
I find myself, afyer having invested in a Hario (older version of the mini mill) wanting something more snobby. Am thinking to sell a few more bike bits and buy one kf them semi snobby £100 grinders. Am I being totally unreasonable or will it really change my life for the better. Spent around 7 minutes yesterday grinding for 2 cuppa coffees in espresso mode (the cheap £7 grinder).
Am wondering whether the £100 grinder will be remarkably tastier (sibgle origin coffee roasted a week or 2 earlier) that the £30 grind
It’ll make a difference if you buy good coffee and are particular about controlling variables of whatever brew method you use. It also depends if your palette is that fussy... are you already someone who goes to a specialty cafe with a rotating guest roaster and gets enjoyment (or displeasure) from trying a new coffee? Are you fussy enough that some of those coffees taste bad, while others excite you? If yes, then you’ll get pleasure out of being able to produce a better coffee at home, for which a good grinder is an essential tool (and if you use manual brew methods - eg v60, cafetière, aeropress... it’s the only tool that Should be expensive - home espresso is an outrageously expensive world, however).
But if you’re more of a “coffee tastes like coffee” person, and your preferences come down to strength, then a better grinder will only make life easier in it being a lot easier to grind with, but you likely wouldn’t notice a large improvement in the taste.
Basically... it makes a difference, but only if you’re already inclined to notice those differences and seek to improve them.
In terms of manual grinders, the Made By Knock Aerspeed or Aergrind are the best in the sub £100 range, and are a small Scottish company. Availability is hit and miss though. There’s another grinder picking up a good reputation, by 1zpresso. I believe it’s an aliexpress company.
There’s a noticeable difference in quality of grind and user experience in the ~£50 hario grinders and the cheaper ones. There’s a very noticeable step up in quality from the £50 hario grinders to the MBK grinder (steel burrs, not cheap plastic parts) for only £30-£50 more. There is another step up in quality from the £80-100 MBK grinders to the £150-£300 price range - but the differences are a lot less pronounced. To me, the MBK represents the best value for someone willing to spend a little money. The hario, for someone on a tight budget (but they should really consider saving a couple more weeks pocket money), and the cheaper models are generally unpleasant to use in my experiences.
For what it’s worth, my MBK takes 20-25seconds for 17g if coffee ground for my aeropress. An espresso grind would be slower as it’s finer, but it wouldn’t be 3.5minutes as you experienced. 17g is also about average for a double shot of espresso (16-18g is the standard for a double).
All this said, I don’t think I’d recommend a hand grinder for a home espresso set up. Espresso is a complicated beast of a drink, and grind quality is a huge part of that. A good barista will spend at least 15 minutes “dialing in” their £2000+ grinder each morning - which constitutes grinding quite a lot of coffee trying to fine tune the grinder it until it tastes good (there are other variables adjusted, but grind is the keystone). I wouldn’t want to do that with a manual grinder - but I also think trying to recreate high quality espresso at home is a fruitless task. Cafes have often £20,000+ invested in a grinder, machine and water system, and good cafes employ very experienced staff. It’s a time consuming thing to learn and get right. Manual/non-espresso brew methods are a lot more achievable and affordable.
That’s not to say one can’t make espresso at home - but if you’re particular about your espresso you’ll either develop an expensive obsession or find you’re better off becoming friendly with a good barista who might slip you a few freebies.