Need a Cheap Coffee Grinder

[amoncada]

I purchased a Hamilton Beach coffee grinder over the summer. I really liked the retractable cord and the overall design. I guess I was twisting the lid too firmly and then the whole thing came apart exposing the motor and electronics. I tried and tried to put it back together with no success. My initial thought was to buy the same one. Any advice on coffee grinders? I need to buy one today.
I've been buying Dunkin Doughnuts coffee lately...sorry S.B. fans but I like D.D. coffee better. I use S.B. coffee at home though.

[IndyGirl]

Costco had a very high-qual Cuisinart burr grinder for $30. I'm not sure what you mean by cheap, but this one was cheap in comparison with its value. It was also stainless-steel.

[Covert Ops]

This is mine, a Black & Decker. I got it at Wal-Mart -- I wanna say $10 but I don't really remember. Cheap and works like a charm. http://www.blackanddeckerappliances.c...

[Kelli2006]

I have a Braun and a Salton coffee grinder. The tip of the blade broke from the Salton, but the motor still works fine. I use the Salton for grinding spices, and the Braun is used daily for coffee.

Salton is not made anymore, but Braun are widely available and inexpensive(under $30)

[Sam Harmon]

The standard oval Krups grinder is $20 and will last for years. Plus, you can grind spices and nuts in it.

[jcanncuk]

I would definitely recommend a burr grinder over a blade grinder. I upgraded to one about 4 years ago. I make espresso and drip at home and I can adjust the coarseness much better with a burr grinder. The less expensive ones do produce some powder, but this is fairly minor and certainly better than the random grind size produced with a blade grinder. I'd go with that $30 Cuisinart burr grinder from Costco in a minute.

[a_and_w]

As others have said, definitely buy a burr grinder of some kind. I personally think you're better off having the store grind the beans otherwise...

[amoncada]

Thanks for the advice.

Yeah, the cusinart burr grinder sounds great! I paid $10 for the Hamilton Beach grinder. Maybe I'll get the $30 Cusinart burr grinder for daily coffee grinding and a $10 one for grinding herbs and spices.

Costco is on my home from work so I'll stop there today.

[jcanncuk]

That's exactly what I do. I love my old B&D blade grinder to make my spice mixes!

[monku]

Saw it at Costco here in Los Angeles on sale with $5 instant cash rebate this week. $25.99.

[amoncada]

Didn't make it to Costco yesterday. I'll see if the cash rebate applies in Chicago.

[Luwak]

The Krups 203-42 "Fast Touch" is probably the best blade grinder available, although Capresso's "Cool Grind" also gets good reviews. Neither will produce a really good espresso grind, however, let alone Turkish. If used properly (don't over-grind!), they can produce decent drip and press-pot grinds -- as good or better than a cheap burr grinder. Good burr grinders, that can produce a range of even consistent grinds, start at well over $100.

[vsoy]

I'm about average when it comes to hand-eye coordination first thing in the morning, but I always find using the burr grinder a very messy situation no matter how careful I am. Do burr grind users have higher than average motor skills or a higher tolerance for coffee grounds on counters? Or just a couple of secret tricks?

[Luwak]

I keep a small paintbrush (1" or slightly wider) handy just for cleaning the grinder hoppers and flicking grounds off the counter into the sink or the trash.

[jcanncuk]

I have a wooden handled coffee brush - about 6 " long with a round bunch of bristles that works like a charm for a quick clean-up. I also use it to brush out the container from the grinder - I only clean it with water about once a month.

[KRS]

Burr grinders -- especially the ones under $100 -- are agonizingly slow and prone to jam. I got a Di Longhi and gave it to the Salvation Army after a month of frustration.

I get my coffee at Zabar's and have them grind it. At home, I keep it in the freezer and it comes out 99.9% as good as fresh-ground.

[johnb]

KRS Thank you for saying that---I was about to post somewhat the same thing. I have ground much coffee at home in my time, using mostly burr grinders, but for a while now I have just bought bean coffee in the store (that way I can do my own blend) and ground it there. I keep it in the store bag in the freezer, then put some (several day's worth) in an airtight tupperware container I keep for the purpose, and keep it near the coffee maker (room temperature) and use it up. I can't tell any difference between that and fresh ground at home. Maybe I'm a chow heretic, but there it is.

I wonder if the improved grind from a big commercial grinder in the store compensates for the several-day period between grinding and using?

Anyhow, personally I've come to the conclusion that fresh grinding at home is as much another of those foodie affectations as it is a practical benefit. I'd be most interested to have a double-blind tasting to see how many folks can really tell them apart.

[scottinotown]

I use a braun grinder at home. I have used it for several years and it works as good as the day I got it.