For Mark and Other Espresso People
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https://www.seriouseats.com/best-espresso-grinders-7377134
We Tested 7 Espresso Grinders—4 Ensured Excellent Results Every Time
Brewing espresso is all about control. When you start an espresso machine, around 600 pounds of pressurized water starts to push against the coffee in the filter basket. The only way to control how fast that water moves through the coffee (and how good your espresso will taste) is to find the right grind size. And the correct grind setting will only be a few microns different than an incorrect one—invisible to the naked eye. Instead, grind size is measured by timing your shots, and an espresso that pulls in 24 seconds might be so-so, while a 28-second shot could be top-notch. That four-second difference might seem difficult to nail, but that’s the level of control a great espresso grinder has.
However, most standard burr grinders can’t get fine enough for espresso, and the ones that do aren't precise enough to offer multiple settings in that range (as we found out in our coffee grinder testing). Espresso grinders, on the other hand, have burrs that are distinctly calibrated for precision and consistency at super-fine settings, letting the user tweak their grind and fine-tune their shots. To find the best espresso grinder, we tested seven models at a variety of price points. (Note: We didn't include any heavy-duty commercial grinders.) We found four favorites that will suit espresso novices and nerds alike.
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I have a 64mm Flat Burr grinder that was a "sample" that an online retailer made available after I submitted a support ticket that my 2 year old grinder had stripped the threads on the adjustment ring but it was out of warranty and this particular damage was not covered by the warranty any way. So he offered my a couple of options that were all very good deals. I took the cheapest option and it has outperformed any grinder I have owned to date. That includes one of the Baratza Encore models in the article
It has zero retention. 20 grams in = 20 grams out.
It makes some of the best espresso I have ever had.
Of course, Roasting my own beans helps a lot in that department.
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Who here has their shocked face on that Mark has owned lots of different high end espresso gear and roasts his own coffee beans.
Yeah, me neither.
@jon-nyc 555
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Wow, that's impressive Mark. That grinder is cool (it looks like a small telescope. I guess you had that planned out.)
But roasting your own beans is really the next level. And that looks like a Rancilio Silvia espresso machine which is pretty nice too. Great set up. I have a Breville Barista Express with the grinder attached.
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Also, you might want to tune into Youtuber James Hoffmann a World Barista Champion who has a wonderful site about expresso and it's associated equipment.
Link to videoFurther, Mr. Hoffmann and I both worship the same hair god, the late great David Lynch.
(We are not worthy,
We are not worthy,
We are not worthy.)