I know that many of you have very expensive espresso grinders and will be appalled by what we drink at work. So... please accept my apology for the following question on semi-bulk GRINDING FOR DRIP. It's important to me: I need to buy a grinder, either new or used, for approx $350, that is capable of grinding 6-lbs of coffee at one time without overheating.

Here's some backup info so you'll know why:

I run the coffee club at work. It's private. The company does not subsidize for supplies or appliances. It's on a volunteer basis, so I do it on my own time and do not profit from it. The club has 50 members. We go through about 2-lbs per day. It's brewed with a Bunn airpot drip machine. That's the one thing provided by the company. They won't approve anything else.

For several years, the employees have been drinking pre-ground coffee that I've purchased from Costco. Most people didn't complain because they just wanted caffeine. However, as a treat, I recently bought some "Kirkland/Starbucks Blend" beans and ground them at Costco. People noticed the difference and really enjoyed it.

After that, I started buying (12) bags of beans at a time and grinding them at Costco. What a hassle! It also defeats the purpose of having "somewhat" freshly ground coffee since I'd grind about 2-week's worth at a time. Yes, I know - NOT FRESH - but it still beat the pre-ground stuff.

To further improve the employee's coffee experience, I'd like to buy a grinder that I can keep at home and grind 2 or 3 days worth at a time. That means the machine must be able to grind about 6 lbs at one time without overheating.

Yes, I do understand the "Rule of 15's" - but the employees have been SO far from that as to appreciate anything even remotely near it. That's why I will try to grind 2 or three days worth at a time. I can't bring a grinder to work to grind fresh beans before each pot and I'm not willing to commit to grinding 2-lbs every single evening at home.

Our budget is tight at about $350. I've considered both the Rocky doserless or an Ascaso I-1. Can either of those machines actually grind 6-lbs without overheating? If not, I'm open to suggestions, but I'm pretty serious about the $350 limit.

I'm willing to buy a used grinder, if necessary. I think a Bunn G1/2/3 would be great, but I don't know how to make sure I don't buy a machine that's been abused. It wouldn't do me any good to find a used G1/2/3 for $350, then have to put in new burrs for another $200.

Your suggestions & advice are appreciated.

Thanks!
Michael

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These old grinders have a motor in them like you would find in a small table saw. Basically, it is the older version of what is now found in Costco and Trader Joe's. Look at local restaurant supply houses. The one above weighs about 50 or 60 pounds I think, so shipping would be a deal-killer.

Bunn bag and filter basket grinders (G1 thru 3 & G9) are available on Ebay starting at around $175. Even with a burr replacement, you should be able to squeak in on budget if you're patient. A home espresso grinder is hopelessly unsuited for the task -- even the commercial espresso grinders I've seen configured as bag grinders have 80mm burrs at a minimum.

Note this same topic is cross-posted on CoffeeGeek.

Michael, many of our members frequent multiple coffee sites. Please avoid cross-posting your question, or mention the other site(s) with referral link(s) to avoid repetitive responses. Thanks.

Randy,

Awesome machine! It would look right at home next to an old, red coke bottle dispenser (GLASS bottles) from the 50's.

Jim (the other one),

I think you are right, I'd better find a bulk grinder used. Do you have any idea what the burr diameter is on a Bunn grinder? I've looked at the specs of the machines and of the replacement burrs with no luck. It's almost as if they are intentionally hiding that info. I wonder why?

Thanks!
Michael

HB,

Yup, also posted on CG. I actually posted that one first since they seem to deal with topics other than espresso. However, I liked the wealth of knowledge available here and decided there would be a chance of more feedback. No offense intended. No other cross-posting has occurred.

Michael

mailmanx wrote:However, I liked the wealth of knowledge available here and decided there would be a chance of more feedback.

Understood, but in failing to note your cross-post, you potentially waste the time of those who have taken the effort to help you. The rationale for this policy and more are covered in the site's Guidelines for productive online discussion. That said, I appreciate that it's a gray area of netiquette and consider the matter closed.

mailmanx wrote:Do you have any idea what the burr diameter is on a Bunn grinder? I've looked at the specs of the machines and of the replacement burrs with no luck. It's almost as if they are intentionally hiding that info. I wonder why?

The standard Bunn bulk grinder burrs are 81mm. For some reason they state this on their product literature for the LPG grinder, but fail to mention it on many of the other products. I think it's just an oversight -- most of their target market probably doesn't consider burr diameter to be a crucial stat.

I'm not recommending the LPG; the G-series fits your needs better. I called Bunn a few months ago to inquire and the LPG and the G-series have the same 81mm burrs.

portamento wrote:The standard Bunn bulk grinder burrs are 81mm. For some reason they state this on their product literature for the LPG grinder, but fail to mention it on many of the other products. I think it's just an oversight -- most of their target market probably doesn't consider burr diameter to be a crucial stat.

Thanks! That makes sense. Nice size for what I need.

mailmanx wrote:Randy,
Awesome machine! It would look right at home next to an old, red coke bottle dispenser (GLASS bottles) from the 50's.

I actually use that grinder. My brother gave it to me and I went through it and it works quite well. When I gift a batch of Hottop home roast for friends without grinders I just run the whole batch through.
I wrote a "review" of the beast with internal pics here:
http://home.surewest.net/frcn/Coffee/Coffee89.html