Hi Guys,
I’m in the market for a value-for-money coffee grinder to use with my French press. I typically make around two coffees a day and would also like to use it for grinding small amounts of spices occasionally. Given my small kitchen, I’m after something compact and portable that can be easily stored after use. Any recommendations would be much appreciated. Thanks in advance!
Best Value for Money Coffee and Spice Grinder (Electric)
OziShopper on 20/10/2024 - 15:07
Last edited 20/10/2024 - 15:47
Last edited 20/10/2024 - 15:47
Comments
Thanks, any electric options you recommend? (Also changed in title)
Here's a great selection of manual grinders in one article. I'd suggest spice grinding isn't as critical so use another device for that, save having to clean your coffee grinder all the time.
Thanks, any electric options you recommend? (Also changed in title)
How much are you thinking?
$50 or thereabouts.
@OziShopper: DO NOT get a cheap chopper (uses a blade, it's a chopper, not a grinder).
Whatever you select MUST have burrs, to be a grinder. Get a hand grinder or you need to budget more - as they say the poor man pays twice! i.e buy crap & you will be buying again soon. Even with french press, which I used for years and can be decent with proper technique - uniform grind size matters.
These are superb hand grinders for the $$$ - wait till the montly sale and grab one, takes no time at all either - and I've used a half dozen plus hand grinders through the years - including this one:
Timemore Chestnut C2
Or slightly cheaper but looks about on par OPTION2
@Daniel Plainview: C2 is great- got one.
The Hario that I started with was the most amazingly badly executed POS excuse for a hand grinder imaginable. It was about as uniform, and about as easy to use, as bashing the beans in a mortar and pestle.
@Daniel Plainview: +1 for the C2 if you can stretch your budget a little.
Electric grinders at this price range are either choppers, or very cheaply made and will likely break. Steer clear of spice choppers please, but if you insist on buying one make sure you use the blend'n'shake method to try and get a more even grind (I would never do this for espresso, but you might get away with it for French press).
My partner bought a spice grinder for French press, and the result was always a gritty muddy river water. Bought this for her, and the French press she brews with that is great! It's not a particularly high end hand grinder, but can do espresso reasonably well. Personally, I'd now spring the little extra and buy the C2.
@OziShopper: Only $1,449 short of a Niche Zero which would have been my suggestion for electric burr grinder priced at whatever it takes
@sumyungguy: Bit overkill for french press, no? :)
Also thought it was a bit old news these days, with too many complaints about it not really being zero retention.
@rumblytangara: Seriously though, for two coffees a day a zero retention grinder has its appeal. I certainly respect coffee is an engaging hobby for many and everyone has their own preferences. I hadn't picked up an any bad reviews. It's the grinder on my shortlist if and when I do my next espresso machine upgrade.
@sumyungguy: I know there's that semi-humorous adage about the grinder costing two or three times as the espresso machine, but OP's talking about a french press, which probably costs around $50 max.
(iirc there's been complaints even on this forum about NZ retention and the company basically telling the owner it's acceptable.)
@rumblytangara: Sure, not my preference. But I know people with every kind of low cost brewing device who love their burr ginders.
@OziShopper: And also consider switching from French Press to Stovetop - similar level of effort, equipment cost, time to cleanup but MUCH better brew result (IMHO) - again technique matters for both but slightly different styles of results aside I find Stovetop the 'bang for buck' champ when done properly for coffee at home on an overall budget (time, $$$, storage space etc).
Oh, on the subject.
Ditch the French press for an aeropress. It's essentially the same production method but without the horrible cleanup mess.
The only reason to use french press imo is if you're making some huge amount of coffee in one batch. Not for two cups a day.
Unless you want to stretch the budget out for a Breville Smart Grinder Pro, hand grinder is the way to go. I have one like the below link, it's really well made and ergonomic, and surprisingly easy to clean.
https://baristawarehouse.com.au/products/porlex-mini-coffee-…
IMO a hand grinder seems the perfect thing, so long as you're fine grinding it by hand. Easier to clean when switching between coffee and spices and good for small amounts.
Hario make a bunch for every size and budget, you don't need to go fancy as french press is more forgiving than espresso.