Boring Coffee

[KevinM]

I only used my blade grinder for 2 years, it was definately better than nothing, and grinding by hand in one of those small grinders was a tiring pain (though now that I consider it, it's possible to just hook an electric drill to it, like Alton Brown did for his pepper grinders.) You may want to check that out, especially if the manual grinder is cheaper and you have an electric drill around.

Still have it though. I mostly use it for grinding down salt for popcorn, or sugar for ultrafine sugar. I, on occasion, will use it for spices. I prefer a mortar and pestle too, have a ceramic one that's about half a foot tall, but it's a pain to take 15 minutes to bring out and unwrap it, just to use for 5 seconds when the blade grinder is just right there in the small appliances.
Sometimes, depending on the spice, I'll break it down in the blade grinder then put that into the mortar. Dried citrus peels are one of those that I'll grind first, then mortar, unless I'm grinding it with the salt/sugar.

[Austin]

Originally Posted by KevinM

I only used my blade grinder for 2 years, it was definately better than nothing, and grinding by hand in one of those small grinders was a tiring pain (though now that I consider it, it's possible to just hook an electric drill to it, like Alton Brown did for his pepper grinders.) You may want to check that out, especially if the manual grinder is cheaper and you have an electric drill around.

Still have it though. I mostly use it for grinding down salt for popcorn, or sugar for ultrafine sugar. I, on occasion, will use it for spices. I prefer a mortar and pestle too, have a ceramic one that's about half a foot tall, but it's a pain to take 15 minutes to bring out and unwrap it, just to use for 5 seconds when the blade grinder is just right there in the small appliances.
Sometimes, depending on the spice, I'll break it down in the blade grinder then put that into the mortar. Dried citrus peels are one of those that I'll grind first, then mortar, unless I'm grinding it with the salt/sugar.

I've read other reviews lambasting blades. I'm not for it.

You have to learn to crawl before you walk, walk before you run. I see it as a stage in a persons coffee evolution.

Grinders start unlocking the flavors otherwise not found in pre-ground and starts an infatuation with coffee gadgets, which is a great thing.

I have a small Cuisinart for spices though, the thing works wonders.

[KevinM]

Agreed, better than nothing and cheap to boot. But between taste tests, I like the more consistent grind from a burr grinder. I did use mine for 2 years after all.

[Austin]

There's little comparison, the Burr is the best, but I think if someone needs proof of a difference it's pretty easy to see it in blade over store ground sitting on the shelf for some time.

[KevinM]

That's true. There's a difference there too though. If you plan on buying 1-3 pounds of coffee and grinding it at the store, I'd definitely say get the blade grinder.

However, if you get 3 ounces every other day from a place that roasts their own and get that ground at the store, I don't think it's quite as bad. It's just a matter of location and distance though. I'd walk to whole foods for exercise, so I was right there to do that. I'd pick up and grind some coffee that was roasted that day, just enough to drink for a day or two since it was just myself and a french press. If I had to drive a few miles to do this, it wouldn't be worth it.

[Austin]

It you're going boutique style I would say forgo the grinder as well, but at that point you're not saving any money.

[KevinM]

Its not so much the frequency as it is the infrequent changeup. It may not change the daily routine, but a person might find it doable for a weekend changeup without breaking bank.

On a main note, the Hario manual grinders at a price range of 32-40 do appear to be able to take a drill to use as a power source (if you don't want to hand grind a whole lot.)

[Austin]

Originally Posted by KevinM

Its not so much the frequency as it is the infrequent changeup. It may not change the daily routine, but a person might find it doable for a weekend changeup without breaking bank.

On a main note, the Hario manual grinders at a price range of 32-40 do appear to be able to take a drill to use as a power source (if you don't want to hand grind a whole lot.)

I've never had an issue with hand grinding, it's all I was raised with and it's honestly a joy.

Not contradicting what you're saying, just adding opinion.

[RNDDUDE]

Hmmm...Morning _Brew claims to be too poor to afford a grinder or experiment with different coffee, all while typing on his computer ($$$) while accessing the internet ($$$). Hmmm....priorities?

[Austin]

Originally Posted by RNDDUDE

Hmmm...Morning _Brew claims to be too poor to afford a grinder or experiment with different coffee, all while typing on his computer ($$$) while accessing the internet ($$$). Hmmm....priorities?

I can understand it. My internet usage and coffee consumption aren't even in the same ball park.