Coffee grinder question

E

evan

Well-known member
I have to have my double latte in the morning so I make espresso on a regular basis (every day!).

Up till now, I have bought grinded coffee but I got this great deal on coffee beans yesterday. A deal I couldn't pass up, to be honest. So I bought this four pound bag (!) of coffee beans and now what....Can I use a regular grinder, or do I need a grinder with an "espresso" setting?

The grinder I have now is an elecric grinder (Krups) like this one:

http://www.google.com/products/catalog?hl=en&sugexp=pfwe&cp=9&gs_id=y&xhr=t&q=coffee+grinder&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_qf.,cf.osb&biw=1058&bih=464&wrapid=tljp1334304317751016&um=1&ie=UTF-8&tbm=shop&cid=9113490192118023734&sa=X&ei=Rd6HT9HROoe4hAfUpKXICQ&sqi=2&ved=0CE8Q8wIwAA#

Somehow I think this grinder will grind the coffeee too fine to be used in my espresso can. Any tips or ideas?

http://www.google.com/products/catalog?hl=en&sugexp=pfwe&cp=9&gs_id=y&xhr=t&q=coffee+grinder&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_qf.,cf.osb&biw=1058&bih=464&wrapid=tljp1334304317751016&um=1&ie=UTF-8&tbm=shop&cid=9113490192118023734&sa=X&ei=Rd6HT9HROoe4hAfUpKXICQ&sqi=

 
We have the same grinder, and I'm sorry to report that it doesn't have enough oomph

to get an espresso grind. smileys/frown.gif It works for Turkish coffee, and it's ok for drip, but when I've tried to run it long enough for espresso, I start to wonder if the motor will burn out. (Plus, I think the blades just aren't sharp enough for espresso grounds.)

I'd go grovel at the store where you bought the bag of beans and see if you can grind it in their grinder. smileys/wink.gif

 
We have a Cuisinart Burr grinder with 15 different grind selections

It also lets you select how much coffee to grind.

We like it alot with the exception of two issues:

1. It's noisy while running. I leave the house at 5:45 am and can't possibly grind fresh beans without waking up Lar.
2. The removable cannister is made of a heavy plastic which generates static. This means there is always a little bit of coffee grind dust when you transfer from cannister to brewing pot (we use an Ikea french press). If they had made it out of glass, this wouldn't be an issue.

Sounds like you might end up spending your "coffee deal profit" on a new grinder.

PS: I now use my old Braun coffee grinder for spices.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/customer-media/product-gallery/B00018RRRK/ref=cm_ciu_pdp_images_2?ie=UTF8&index=2

 
My advice: First, open one of your bags of ground espresso. . .

Reach in and take a pinch and feel the size of the ground beans (the size of the grind). YOu need your grinder to get it that fine.

Take the Krups and place a couple of tablespoons of whole beans in it, cover and grind for a count of 15 or so. Now feel that grind. Is it the same as your pre-ground espresso? If not, cover and try grinding again for a smaller, smoother grind. If you cannot get a grind as fine as your pre-ground, you will need a different grinder, and the burr mills really work the best at this.

If you try the above and get what you think is a fine enough grind, try it in your espresso machine. If it is too watery, the grind is not fine enough; too-coarse coffee cannot be packed firmly enough to stand up to an espresso machine's pressure, if you are using a 9-bar machine. If it is running too slow, well your espresso is too finely ground. And if it runs "just right" you will gobble it up like Goldilocks did the bear's porridge.

Basically, monkey around with the grinder you have.--Unless you are hunting for a good reason for a new grinder! (I know that feeling well!)

 
and adding: If you really, reeeeely want a new grinder, go with the burr grinder and . . .

clean up your old grinder and use it to grind spices!

 
I have the same Cuisinart grinder and really like it. It replaced a similar

machine made by Capresso, but I like the Cuisinart so much better! Same static issues, but the coffee catcher, for want of a better word, fits the grinder much better and doesn't make the mess I often ended up with the old one Definitely go with the burr grinder!!! It doesn't generate the heat the blade type does, which can burn your coffee beans.

 
I could take the beans back to the store but then I wouldn't have the luxury of

having coffee with freshly grinded coffee every day, and that was kind of my goal here.....Mistral, how on earth would you think I'm fishing for excuses to but another kitchen gadget........uh??? smileys/bigwink.gif (Okay, I guess you know me too well smileys/wink.gif

Erin, that's what I was thinking too. The Krups grinder lacks oomph. Lot's of oomph! smileys/wink.gif

I have checked on the burr grinders and they are really expensive. How long do you think it will last? I mean, I make coffee every day. If it lasts for 10 years, it'll probably be a good deal anyhow, know what I mean?

 
I knew that because it is EXACTLY what I would do! As for burr grinder expense. . .

you are worth it! And for a really good cup of coffee every time you make one, you are worth it and so is a burr grinder!

 
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