This article is mainly about pods, but it does present some interesting general information about grinding. Roller Grinders? Pareto effect for grind size?

http://www.mpechicago.com/coffee/TechIn...0Grind.pdf

And just in case you thought roller grinders were solely for use in industrial applications...

http://www.melg.com.br/en_moinho_4r_60.asp

OK so it's a bit over the top - but if you have the space, why not?

There seems to be some adjustable roller mills on the home market... some mention of them here but not many reports. Anyone think something like this would be any good? http://www.survivalunlimited.com/flakerroller.htm

Believe it or not, but I've got one of these. I use it for grinding oats. I've never tried it with coffee, but I'm sure I could give it a go.

OK so I'm having a slow afternoon. I gave it a try. I passed the coffee through the flaker twice (and would show pictures if I knew how). It seemed to be quite coarse, even after the second "flake". Once in the Bacchi, I was not hoping for much, but, as it turned out, the grind was so fine it doubled the extraction time. I should add that I was using stale(ish) beans. What I mean is, using the Eureka Mignon grinder, I was not able to get much out of them, other than a "not bad" espresso.

So anyway double the extraction time: I pretty much knew I was going to get a bitter sink shot. What happened was I got hit over the head with a rubber mallet, cartoon style. The subdued, past-its-best-ok-ish coffee was alive and kicking. Weirdly it was not bitter. At all. Vastly improved body and given the extraction fail, damned good to boot. I mean I will remember this for a long time.

Is this a one off - maybe. But the difference between this shot and what I've been getting these past few days is dimensionally of a different order. I know this needs further work.

Interesting, please keep us posted!

Anyone have any idea how to post pictures?

Please see Posting images on HB.

What coffee beans look like once they've been through the flaker.[img]

I've done a few tests using the flaker, and the long and short of it, is don't try this at home. That first shot was lucky, I guess. The flaker just is n 't adjustable enough to make any kind of consistent grind. Too bad.