So after watching this thread for sometime I bought my first machine. Next up a grinder, any entry level recommendations?
So after watching this thread for sometime I bought my first machine. Next up a grinder, any entry level recommendations?
by aubreyst1984
25 Comments
MikermanS
On the more affordable (for the espresso world, that is 😉 ) end:
Electric grinders: the Baratza Encore ESP, US$199; the Fellow Opus, US$195 (and with a 15% friends-and-family discount available at the Fellow website). Both new as of Feb.
Manual grinders: well-regarded here, the KinGrinder K4, ~US$90, and the K6 for ~ US$10 more; and the standard-setting 1Zpresso, ~US$200.
A pro reviewer video on the ESP and Opus, plus other grinders, and in comparison, that may be helpful: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B_iSvPdkWfQ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B_iSvPdkWfQ).
EspressoSetupChris
Yup – MilkermanS pretty much covered all the options. I’d add that manual grinders provide more value for the money. I have a Kingrinder K6 and I think it performs as well as my electric Eureka Mingon Silenzio which was 4x the price. [Here](https://espressosetupbuilder.com/grinders/compare/kingrinder_k4,kingrinder_k6,1zpresso_j_max_s) is a comparison between the hand grinders mentioned.
I know manual grinders sound like a pain, but I honestly rarely use my electric grinder any more- the Kingrinder is nearly as fast & produces much better grinds.
nyjrku
Esp is it
Winstonthedood
Go with the encore esp. It is by far the best electric entry for its price. You’d have to spend a few more hundred to get anything close to it. Get yourself a bottomless and regular basket and you’ve got a solid setup. I have a few prosumer machines and I still use the bambino almost daily just cause of its convenience!
Reasonable_Bet6328
I got a good hand grander on sell for 75 on Amazon. I have an entry level machine similar to yours. The hand grinder made a ton of difference. I didn’t want to pull the trigger on a 200 plus electric grinder And fresh beans.
ClauXualC
I have Baratza encore esp,for 1 month now and I’m happy with my purchase.😉
OpinionatedDecisive
I had a manual espresso grinder for 2 years.
I think I have the J-Max and wow.
I didn’t realise how good it was.
I prefer it to my Niche Zero in terms of taste.
But electric is just so much more convenient. I would never go back to manual.
7331hexor
Get yourself a Baratza encore and a scale 😉
Fitness_in_yo-Mouf
I enjoy my J-Max for espresso, but I am told on the electric side of things the Encore ESP comes highly recommended.
Monosandalos3
I paired my Bambino with a Eureka mignon manuale and I’m well happy with it.
Gilloege
How many coffees do you plan on making? Ive a handgrinder and I find it incredibly easy and light. I really expected a lot more effort, but was pleasantly surprised. I also enjoyed espresso more than I thought I would and drink more now. Grinding 2 shots in a row with a handgrinder is fine, but it really gets annoying once you gotta grind 3+ shots in a row.
TraditionalAttorney2
Turin SK-40 is my recommendation. It’s mass-produced and sold under a couple of names but the all metal construction, size, ease of cleaning, bellows (for low-retention) and quiet grinding are all superior to other budget models imo. The only gripe I have is that the steps are a bit big on my SD-40, but the new SK-40 is stepless so that should resolve any issue. At $200usd I think it’s much better than the Opus or ESP based mostly on size, noise, and lack of cheap breakable plastic parts.
Fangs_0ut
Baratza Sette
Basriy
Are you going to confess that the point of this post was actually another hobby?
_BaaMMM_
Get an ESP with a single dose hopper that comes with a bellow. It works wonders for retention. Found a nice black one on amazon that matches with the whole aesthetic
Dry-Bandicootie
Don’t buy a WDT tool , you could diy at least 30 of those
savagetwonkfuckery
My DF64P has been awesome with my Bambino. Looks good too
ad-on-is
yeah… get some needles and punch them into one of the corks, you get a cheap entry level WDT.
roostersmoothie
for budget, i like the opus. encore esp is another good choice, but i just prefer the looks of the opus. reviewers complain abt the learning curve to make adjustments but i have a feeling that like anything, once you get used to it its fine.
PetriMobJustice
Mueller
Geekos
Don’t go manual. It’s a chore grinding for espresso unless you absolutely LOVE the process. It’s nothing like grinding for filter coffee or similar methods.
nullbye
Vario K30 is a good bet 😅. Also check the second hand market. Grinders are robust machines that last ages.
justanotherit
Any love for the timemore c3 esp? I have one on the way from Ali for 71 USD.
Like others have said, I’m probably going to regret this from a convenience perspective, but I’m going to give it a try. I make 2 espressos in the morning at 16g each and more on weekends.
Hopefully I can grind fine enough with it, because it seems like great value.
25 Comments
On the more affordable (for the espresso world, that is 😉 ) end:
Electric grinders: the Baratza Encore ESP, US$199; the Fellow Opus, US$195 (and with a 15% friends-and-family discount available at the Fellow website). Both new as of Feb.
Manual grinders: well-regarded here, the KinGrinder K4, ~US$90, and the K6 for ~ US$10 more; and the standard-setting 1Zpresso, ~US$200.
A pro reviewer video on the ESP and Opus, plus other grinders, and in comparison, that may be helpful: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B_iSvPdkWfQ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B_iSvPdkWfQ).
Yup – MilkermanS pretty much covered all the options. I’d add that manual grinders provide more value for the money. I have a Kingrinder K6 and I think it performs as well as my electric Eureka Mingon Silenzio which was 4x the price. [Here](https://espressosetupbuilder.com/grinders/compare/kingrinder_k4,kingrinder_k6,1zpresso_j_max_s) is a comparison between the hand grinders mentioned.
If you are interested in an electric grinder, the Encore ESP and Opus are good options. You may be tempted to go with the Breville Smart Grinder Pro since it is a Breville product, but I’d stay away. It has high retention and big adjustment steps, making it less than ideal for dialing in espresso. [Here](https://espressosetupbuilder.com/grinders/compare/baratza_encore_esp_black,fellow_opus_black,breville_smart_grinder_pro_stainless) is a comparison between those three.
Kingrinder K6, legitimately.
I know manual grinders sound like a pain, but I honestly rarely use my electric grinder any more- the Kingrinder is nearly as fast & produces much better grinds.
Esp is it
Go with the encore esp. It is by far the best electric entry for its price. You’d have to spend a few more hundred to get anything close to it. Get yourself a bottomless and regular basket and you’ve got a solid setup. I have a few prosumer machines and I still use the bambino almost daily just cause of its convenience!
I got a good hand grander on sell for 75 on Amazon. I have an entry level machine similar to yours. The hand grinder made a ton of difference. I didn’t want to pull the trigger on a 200 plus electric grinder And fresh beans.
I have Baratza encore esp,for 1 month now and I’m happy with my purchase.😉
I had a manual espresso grinder for 2 years.
I think I have the J-Max and wow.
I didn’t realise how good it was.
I prefer it to my Niche Zero in terms of taste.
But electric is just so much more convenient. I would never go back to manual.
Get yourself a Baratza encore and a scale 😉
I enjoy my J-Max for espresso, but I am told on the electric side of things the Encore ESP comes highly recommended.
I paired my Bambino with a Eureka mignon manuale and I’m well happy with it.
How many coffees do you plan on making?
Ive a handgrinder and I find it incredibly easy and light. I really expected a lot more effort, but was pleasantly surprised. I also enjoyed espresso more than I thought I would and drink more now. Grinding 2 shots in a row with a handgrinder is fine, but it really gets annoying once you gotta grind 3+ shots in a row.
Turin SK-40 is my recommendation. It’s mass-produced and sold under a couple of names but the all metal construction, size, ease of cleaning, bellows (for low-retention) and quiet grinding are all superior to other budget models imo. The only gripe I have is that the steps are a bit big on my SD-40, but the new SK-40 is stepless so that should resolve any issue. At $200usd I think it’s much better than the Opus or ESP based mostly on size, noise, and lack of cheap breakable plastic parts.
Baratza Sette
Are you going to confess that the point of this post was actually another hobby?
Get an ESP with a single dose hopper that comes with a bellow. It works wonders for retention. Found a nice black one on amazon that matches with the whole aesthetic
Don’t buy a WDT tool , you could diy at least 30 of those
My DF64P has been awesome with my Bambino. Looks good too
yeah… get some needles and punch them into one of the corks, you get a cheap entry level WDT.
for budget, i like the opus. encore esp is another good choice, but i just prefer the looks of the opus. reviewers complain abt the learning curve to make adjustments but i have a feeling that like anything, once you get used to it its fine.
Mueller
Don’t go manual. It’s a chore grinding for espresso unless you absolutely LOVE the process. It’s nothing like grinding for filter coffee or similar methods.
Vario K30 is a good bet 😅. Also check the second hand market. Grinders are robust machines that last ages.
Any love for the timemore c3 esp? I have one on the way from Ali for 71 USD.
Like others have said, I’m probably going to regret this from a convenience perspective, but I’m going to give it a try. I make 2 espressos in the morning at 16g each and more on weekends.
Hopefully I can grind fine enough with it, because it seems like great value.
Encore ESP or Kingrinder K6