Newbie looking for decent first machine... - Page 2

[jesawdy]

Did you say a blade grinder?!? That's it, release the dogs!

Well, they did say that they were going to heed advise, and go Mazzer Mini or Mazzer Mini E (or Macap). So, at least they're listening. Plus, that blade grinder makes a nice nut chopper!

[HB]

Yes....I did say blade grinder.

I was joking of course, everyone has a few skeletons in their closet...


Early days of HB's Bench (more true confessions)

[JR_Germantown]

Yes....I did say blade grinder. However, it is actually not so bad a thing as A) I don't have the cash for a real nice grinder right now. B) Inexpensive. C) I guess I now know the value of grinding immediately before making the coffee. Whether or not its a blade grinder, its still much better than preground coffee.

But it's not a grinder. It's a chopper, slicer, a whacker--anything but a grinder.

Get your best kitchen knife out and try "grinding" with it.

Jack

[miKe mcKoffee]

Yes....I did say blade grinder. However, it is actually not so bad a thing as A) I don't have the cash for a real nice grinder right now. B) Inexpensive. C) I guess I now know the value of grinding immediately before making the coffee. Whether or not its a blade grinder, its still much better than preground coffee.

Don't take it personal, seems you're just early in your coffee enlightenment journey! Many if not most here quite likely used a whirly chop coffee grinder at some early stage of their journey, I know I did. Absolutely whirly chopped freshly ground fresh roast vastly superior to pre-ground, just don't even dream of using a whirly chop for espresso extraction! Later in your journey you may be surprised in the further improvement in your Press Pot cup going from whirly chop to quality burr grinder. But baby steps.

Oh about whirly chop blade grinders not being a grinder, seems to me burr grinders are really just a bunch of precisely angled, shaped and placed very small cutting blades or edges. It's not like burr grinders are a grinding stone or something. I suppose if ones knife skills were advanced enough they could grind coffee with a quality chef knife, though I'm not about to go there. A good rough stone mortar & pestle would likely work just as well and mucho easier.

Though I've been using a burr grinder of one form or another for a couple decades I still have a whirly chop grinder. Though it's only purpose in life is herbs and/or spices for rubs.

[gtrman]

I suppose if ones knife skills were advanced enough they could grind coffee with a quality chef knife, though I'm not about to go there.

I think I'll try this some day when I have some time on my hands.

I think I've picked out a grinder for certain, the Macap M4 stepless. As for the machine I still don't have much of an idea. I know that the price for the machine must be $1500 or less (preferably less), and counterspace is not an issue; if I see something good I'll find space for it. The heat exchanger and the amount of variables with flush volume and rebound times and things of that nature. Having said that, the lever machines are also appealing with the extra variables and reduced cost. So I guess I'm looking for a lever action semi-auto heat exchanger. Specific models I've been trying to read up on are the Quickmill Anita, Andreja, and Vetrano. A reservoir is a must, for now at least as I'm not sure if the location will be permanent at first. Once I find a permanent location I'll think about adding a direct fill line. Lastly the capability for hot water, ideally just a few degrees F shy of boiling, is also going to be a deciding factor as I also enjoy tea and hot chocolate and regularly hot cereal. I hate to be a PITA and ask again, I'm sorry if I am, but does anyone have suggestions for a machine with these specs? Any suggestions on smaller, less expensive single boiler machines would be greatly appreciated just in case after more number crunching I find I cannot spend so much.


Thanks
Jeff