Grinding your beans.

[sneijder]

Does anyone grind coffee at home ?

Does it really make much of a difference ?

I'm just stuck with the whole 'what do you want for Christmas' caper, and some kind of grinding device might be an idea.

[SwanJack]

Ground coffee goes off quicker than beans, so if you grind just before making coffee it will be fresher. Also if you have a grinder, you can adjust the grind to suit the way you make your coffee. Get a burr grinder and not one with blades as you get a more consistent and finer ground. You can spend hundreds of pounds on a grinder, the best ones don't burn the coffee as they grind.

[Tanguero]

If you use top quality beans it makes a vast difference if they are ground fresh, and the fineness of the grind can have a big impact on the flavour too. The lower the quality beans - the less difference it makes but generally any fresh ground bean is going to be better than any pre-ground.

This is only really true of proper burr grinder mills that actually crush the beans. With the chopper type grinders you are probably best sticking to pre-ground.

[sneijder]

I grind them myself in the shop, so at the most my coffee is 4 days old ground (?)

I think if I go beyond that I'm being a bit over the top then methinks, thanks chaps.

Reminds me, I'm gagging for a brew ...

[dmitsi]

sneijder said:

I grind them myself in the shop, so at the most my coffee is 4 days old ground (?)

I think if I go beyond that I'm being a bit over the top then methinks, thanks chaps.

Reminds me, I'm gagging for a brew ...

Getting it ground in the shop will still give you decent coffee. I'd still get a grinder though, I have an old coffee tin that I keep a few days worth of ground beans in (in the fridge). It is much better. You should pay a fair bit for a decent one though, dualit do a very good burr grinder for about £70 (I'd say that's the cheapest you should go), you can spend lots more if you want. I wouldn't spend less though, there is a krups one for half the price but it just isn't good enough, assuming you want to grind beans for espresso. It can't get the ground fine enough.

Time for a coffee I think.

[Tanguero]

+1 with the Dualit - a great little grinder.

[Stu R]

I have a Dualit, though most days I just use a bean to cup machine.

Dualit ones are indeed very good.

[Mobile Chicane]

I have the La Cafetiere manual grinder which works really well for coffee and spices.

I chose a manual grinder since I think electric grinders get too much heat into whatever you're grinding, and cause it to lose flavour.

[hornetrider]

Mobile Chicane said:

I have the La Cafetiere manual grinder which works really well for coffee and spices.

I chose a manual grinder since I think electric grinders get too much heat into whatever you're grinding, and cause it to lose flavour.

Best youtube video ever

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kt0E-i0AvEM

[staceyb]

I use on of these.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Martin-Wahl-Grinder-Stainl...

Grinds the beans very quickly so doesn't get warm at all.

[fatboy b]

Edited by fatboy b on Wednesday 24th November 07:13

[sneijder]

hornetrider said:

Mobile Chicane said:

I have the La Cafetiere manual grinder which works really well for coffee and spices.

I chose a manual grinder since I think electric grinders get too much heat into whatever you're grinding, and cause it to lose flavour.

Best youtube video ever

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kt0E-i0AvEM

Woah, I beg to differ.

His Bialetti can is spotless, mine is covered in weeks worth of coffee grime. If the missus cleans it I hit the roof.

I have a Bialetti milk thingy for the hob, however that goes get a wash !