Two-part question about coffee grinders

January 26, 2019, 12:18 PM

I have a Rancilio Rocky burr grinder, bought it approx. 15 years ago. It is the doserless model, using a chute to dispense the grinds into the filter directly. About 12" tall, I have replaced the burr blades once, I'll need to do it again in the near future. Never had a single issue. I expect it to last another 15 years.

January 26, 2019, 12:28 PM

Dbltap

quote:
Originally posted by TMats:
quote:
Water source, hard well water absolutely not.

Bet you a dollar that our “hard well water,” tastes better than whatever you have.

Touché, your aquifer ain't my aquifer. There's enough iron in our mid Ga well water to turn your teeth orange. My point being that the source of your water can impart undesirables in the finished product

January 26, 2019, 12:34 PM

TMats

quote:
Originally posted by whanson_wi:
It's definitely worth it. I have a blade grinder, but when I gave a grinder as a gift, I got them a burr grinder.

quote:
Bet you a dollar that our “hard well water,” tastes better than whatever you have.

I have very hard well water, but it tastes wonderful. The water does impact the outcome, so if your tap water sucks, you should buy bottled.

We lived in a small community in W Colorado for several years. Our water came from a community water system, and it was not good. We had the best luck with a water filter on the kitchen faucet; ours happened to be from Pur. Bottled water (which we tried for awhile) tastes “dead” to me.

January 26, 2019, 12:36 PM

mod29

quote:
Originally posted by Watergoat:
We have two Kitchenaid grinders, one maybe 15 y.o, the other maybe 20. Have had a number of others before that, various brands. Tne KA's are the best yet. Haven't looked at new ones for a long time, no need.

I've had my Kitchenaid grinder for probably 10 years or so. Very solid machine, completely reliable and doesn't get clogged grinding dark roast beans. Worth every penny.

I returned an expensive grinder that I had purchased prior to the Kitchenaid model because it would get clogged using darker roast beans.

The Kitchenaid unit was less expensive and hasn't let me down yet.

January 26, 2019, 12:44 PM

Hobbs

You're missing something if never experienced perfect home roasted from green beans, just (burr) ground and fresh brewed coffee.

That said, and while I still have all the accoutrements, I've pretty much given up that hobby for the time being and last couple of years have enjoyed the convenience of Amazon Colombian or Community Coffee Cafe Special brewed one cup at a time in a Technivorm One Cup Moccamaster. It's satisfactory but the more I drink, the more I lean toward hauling out all the coffee stuff again ... maybe.

January 26, 2019, 01:35 PM

ensigmatic

quote:
Originally posted by Hobbs:
... brewed one cup at a time in a Technivorm One Cup Moccamaster.

Technivorm Mochamaster Cup-One Brewer: $220.00!

Man, they saw you coming from 1.6 km off

January 26, 2019, 03:17 PM

Hobbs

quote:
Originally posted by ensigmatic:
quote:
Originally posted by Hobbs:
... brewed one cup at a time in a Technivorm One Cup Moccamaster.

Technivorm Mochamaster Cup-One Brewer: $220.00!

Man, they saw you coming from 1.6 km off

I paid 'bout $50 less than that for it. Waited for a sale but would have gotten it regardless. I already have a full size Moccamaster, so I knew I was getting something that would never need replacement as long as I lived and it was the best money could buy. I just didn't need to make 8-10 cups a day anymore after retirement. ... and I can name your tune in one note

Ever pay $700 to $1000 OR MORE for a (Sig Sauer) pistol? ... they didn't even have to climb the Alps to see you coming

Yodel-Ay-Ee-Oooo

January 26, 2019, 03:51 PM

houndawg

As mentioned many times already, burr is better than blade. Ground coffee goes stale within minutes, whole bean goes stale within a week or so. The best is fresh roasted and rested for a day. Grind and brew immediately.

January 26, 2019, 04:29 PM

ensigmatic

quote:
Originally posted by Hobbs:
quote:
Originally posted by ensigmatic:
quote:
Originally posted by Hobbs:
... brewed one cup at a time in a Technivorm One Cup Moccamaster.

Technivorm Mochamaster Cup-One Brewer: $220.00!

Man, they saw you coming from 1.6 km off

I paid 'bout $50 less than that for it.

I was just messin' with ya

We all have hobbies or interests upon which we spend amounts of money that seems... "execssive" to others.

(Like the > $1k I spent on a pair of hedge trimmers, last summer, for example.)

January 26, 2019, 04:40 PM

Hobbs

quote:
Originally posted by ensigmatic:
I was just messin' with ya We all have hobbies or interests upon which we spend amounts of money that seems... "execssive" to others.

(Like the > $1k I spent on a pair of hedge trimmers, last summer, for example.)

It's all good and truth be known, my (ceramic) Melitta pour-over makes just about as good a cup as the Moccamaster ... with a little care.
Simple French Press is good too, but stains my teeth and dentures too badly ... same with espresso.

January 26, 2019, 06:52 PM

egregore

Thanks for the replies.

Other things have dibs on my paycheck right now, but definitely worth considering.

January 26, 2019, 07:04 PM

OKCGene

quote:
Originally posted by Hobbs:
quote:
Originally posted by ensigmatic:
I was just messin' with ya We all have hobbies or interests upon which we spend amounts of money that seems... "execssive" to others.

(Like the > $1k I spent on a pair of hedge trimmers, last summer, for example.)

It's all good and truth be known, my (ceramic) Melitta pour-over makes just about as good a cup as the Moccamaster ... with a little care.
Simple French Press is good too, but stains my teeth and dentures too badly ... same with espresso.

I too have a pour over. One trick to know is to pour the hot water in gradually, over a set time period, to get the very best coffee flavor.

January 26, 2019, 07:39 PM

Dreamerx4

quote:
Originally posted by Wino:
Yes.

After much research I settled on the OXO BREW Conical Burr Coffee Grinder.

https://www.amazon.com/OXO-Con...rinder/dp/B07CSKGLMM

https://www.amazon.com/OXO-Bar...710100/dp/B00YEYKK8U

Never bought anything from OXO before, so have no brand loyalty to them. This combo makes for an impressive cup of joe without breaking the bank for some of the super high end coffee appliances.

This is my exact setup, I think it is an unbelievable value, and so easy to use, clean etc. Grounds are extremely consistent, and grinder is so much quieter that my old Cuisinart.

I have looked at technivorm, not programmable, are you kidding me? Tried a friends with same grounds... zero taste difference. 197-204 degrees, is same regardless. And, the oxo feels nicer and more substantial on the plastic components, much more accessible to clean as well.

Kohls sells it as well, and always has coupons. I think I paid 149 for coffee maker.

January 26, 2019, 07:57 PM

signewt

so I've been looking long enough I've grown rather overwhelmed on the new grinders out there....

finally ordered https://www.amazon.com/OXO-Con...rinder/dp/B07CSKGLMM

we'll see come "Monday" ;

the old blade grind mill we've had for going on 30 years has finally annoyed me for the last time....

January 26, 2019, 08:15 PM

Hobbs

quote:
Originally posted by Dreamerx4:
I have looked at technivorm, not programmable, are you kidding me? ... the oxo feels nicer and more substantial on the plastic components, much more accessible to clean as well.

Programmable isn't a deal breaker. Plug into a timer if need be. Never been a concern whatsoever for me and the Moccamaster and hey, that'll never break LOL. Plastic is plastic and likely neither one will have a problem there, even the Chinese plastic of the OXO. The OXO looks more sleek and modern on the outside. It's what's on the inside and how it's made that counts (handmade Netherlands vs China). More accessible to clean? ... yeah no, the whole (one piece) brew basket of the Moccamaster lifts right off the front for quick and easy filter dump and rinse out. The simple metal water conduit pops right off for occasional care. That leaves just the water reservoir and neither maker has any advantage one over the other there for cleaning. https://www.amazon.com/OXO-Bar...s#reviews-filter-bar

January 26, 2019, 09:22 PM

OKCGene

^^^^^^^ And all parts, as well as service and repairs, are easily available for a Technivorm. I’ll dare say and wager that is will true for many decades. I can’t say this about any other brand.

January 27, 2019, 08:39 AM

Wino

quote:
Originally posted by signewt:
so I've been looking long enough I've grown rather overwhelmed on the new grinders out there....

finally ordered https://www.amazon.com/OXO-Con...rinder/dp/B07CSKGLMM

we'll see come "Monday" ;

the old blade grind mill we've had for going on 30 years has finally annoyed me for the last time....

Hope you enjoy it!

With a little trial and error, the timer can be used to grind just the right amount for each batch. For instance, 15 seconds of grind gives me the perfect amount for 7 cups in our OXO drip. YMMV

I generally don't bother to measure anymore.

January 27, 2019, 08:46 AM

Wino

quote:
Originally posted by Hobbs:
quote:
Originally posted by Dreamerx4:
I have looked at technivorm, not programmable, are you kidding me? ... the oxo feels nicer and more substantial on the plastic components, much more accessible to clean as well.

Programmable isn't a deal breaker. Plug into a timer if need be. Never been a concern whatsoever for me and the Moccamaster and hey, that'll never break LOL. Plastic is plastic and likely neither one will have a problem there, even the Chinese plastic of the OXO. The OXO looks more sleek and modern on the outside. It's what's on the inside and how it's made that counts (handmade Netherlands vs China). More accessible to clean? ... yeah no, the whole (one piece) brew basket of the Moccamaster lifts right off the front for quick and easy filter dump and rinse out. The simple metal water conduit pops right off for occasional care. That leaves just the water reservoir and neither maker has any advantage one over the other there for cleaning. https://www.amazon.com/OXO-Bar...s#reviews-filter-bar

I received mine for Christmas and have none of the drip issues mentioned in this review with nearly daily use.

My only complaint is the carafe lid, while a nifty design with how it mixes the coffee, is a bit difficult to clean.

Frankly, I just spray the carafe, lid, and basket with the sink sprayer water only daily. Weekly soap and scrubber.