I use a baratza preciso and it works great, however, my other half is grinding flavored coffee (!!!) and I can't stand it since it taints subsequent grinds...so the question is...

should I get some sacrificial beans to run through it after or look for a cheap second grinder?

you can get about 36oz of eightoclock beans for about $15...a cheap burr grinder probably starts around $80 so that would put it at around 6 bags before I would be better off just buying an $80 grinder

I will probably start roasting more later in the year so my failure roasts could be sacrificial as well...

logically, I suppose two grinders is the better route...I guess I'm just trying to be cheap (not for my grinding of course)

Or you just roast such amazingly tasty coffee your other half has no choose but to switch sides... and problem solved

The flavors in flavored coffee give off such aromas that I suppose they must linger for some time. I hate then smell of that stuff....but swapping it for eight-o'clock smell is not all that appealing either,

i don't suppose either of you would wish to grind by hand? That would be a cost-effective solution that would produce superior espresso as well.

PC

Why not just try flavoring syrups? They work very well for the flavored coffee crowd (at least that's what I've found).

subq wrote:I use a baratza preciso and it works great, however, my other half is grinding flavored coffee (!!!) and I can't stand it since it taints subsequent grinds...

Wow, you're more patient/tolerant than I would be in this situation. I'd probably have a fit if the flavored beans du jour ever got near my Preciso! I'll vote for any two-grinder solution (though I agree syrups are a nice idea, too), but you've got me curious now: how long after flavored coffee is ground until you can't detect a trace of it?

My wife went from flavored coffee brewed in an auto pour-over and (mostly Torani "diet") syrups in the lattes I made for her, to unflavored lattes -- except when drinking coffee out. For as long as she used the pour over, which was hers -- as opposed to the espresso machine and press pots which were mine -- she had her own grinder.

We bought a new Cuisinart auto pour over with a built in grinder (her choice) at the same time we bought the new Espresso machine, and she hasn't used it once -- no, not even one single time -- in the 13 months since buying it. I think she derives comfort from it as a transitional object; but the La Cimbali has converted her, and she's not interested in drinking "regular" brewed coffee at all anymore, except when we're out. Then she still enjoys flavored coffees.

I've given up trying to understand women's tastes in general, and this woman's in particular, a long time ago. Not only am I only here to serve, but -- go figure -- enjoy drinking cafe de la olla (with cinnamon) at Jacalito's Sunday brunch (our usual) myself.

There are some very good syrups, they're what the "pros" use, and the bottles make a nice display. Start by trying them -- with the idea that it will take a little while to learn to balance sweetness and flavor to her tastes. It takes less syrup than you'd think.

If your woman drinks flavored espresso (ugh!), syrups won't work, and you can afford it, there are three best ways to go. 1) Get a new Preciso (new one goes to her); 2) Let her choose her own grinder; or 3) Move to the next step up for unflavored espresso and pass the Preciso on to her.

Hand grinders and hedge trimmers are tied for attractiveness to women. If you have an iota of self-preservative instinct, do NOT get a hand grinder unless you plan on doing ALL of her grinding, or you're going to use it for your coffee and leave the Preciso to her.

If she doesn't use the flavored beans for espresso, get a Virtuoso or a Breville Smart (trust me, I just did a lot of research and ended up with the Breville) for her. They each run around $200.

If the two of you can only afford a propeller grinder, take her somewhere there are choices (BB&B, e.g.) and let her choose the type and color. If you're slick, you can play it as a gift -- especially if you throw some earrings into the mix.

BDL

subq wrote:should I get some sacrificial beans to run through it after or look for a cheap second grinder?:wink:

That's what oatmeal is for. Trick is getting any prior residual out, as it sludges up the subsequent first extraction. Instant rice is somewhat grating for coupling to the best grind machines.

Two grinders - even if the flavored goes through a blade grinder.

Well, I won't try to understand her taste by any means...basically she has a custom coffee drink, it's like an americano but a bit weaker, with cocoa powder and cream...sweetened with stevia, no artificial or sugar sweeteners...that being said, it has a lot to do with the smell, for some reason she loves the smell of the flavored beans (over good beans) and that's why she likes to drink them...she is very sensitive to bitterness though...she doesn't seem to like non-espresso based drinks anymore...she tried to go back to FP and didn't like it...so that is that

I actually have a hario hand grinder (which was used exclusively for quite a while) and I bought the preciso to pick up the pace...I hinted at her using the hand grinder and she said no way.

I wouldn't be completely opposed to a hand grinder that wasn't as slow as the hario and was better than the preciso for espresso (for myself)...I suppose I am not completely opposed to buying a better espresso only electric grinder (for myself) either...but the preciso was the best bang for the buck that I found and did the whole range if needed so it's a keeper regardless...that being said, wouldn't want to spend the money of two of the exact same grinder.

Judging by the replies I'm guessing sacrificial beans don't work. ...regarding the question on how long until you can't taste it...I usually open the grinder and clean it since it is so simple on the preciso

funny story, I talked to her about all this and she said she will drink pretty much anything but she can't stand the smell of the current beans I'm using...she hasn't had any problems in the past other than a sample of ethiopian harrar I had...I generally go through a half to one pound of a coffee and then try something else...I like to clean the grinder in between different beans

personally, I think it smells fine (it's redbird btw)...she didn't have a problem with the redline that we had over the holidays