getting coarse ground coffee

eclectichoney

just got a new bodum french press and it says you must use coarse ground coffee, but i can't find any in the shops - it's all fine stuff! any ideas?

RE*AC*TOR

You need to either grind your own or get someone to grind it for you.

Ariosa, who operate out of temple bar market on saturdays will grind to your specifiaction, and have some very nice coffee.

eclectichoney

thanks for that - i might try grinding my own. i've read some of the reviews here but i'd be looking for something sub €50 that would do the job if such a grinder exists?

RE*AC*TOR

sub €50 you'll only get whirly blade grinders. they will essentially make boulders of coffee and powder. No control really.

I'm afraid a suitable burr-grinder is gonna cost you.

Good article: http://www.coffeegeek.com/guides/presspot

If there's one thing that you need to take away from this how to, it's this. Don't skimp on your grinder.

I get really irked at comments I see online, in alt.coffee, even in our consumer reviews section that say things like "it's good enough for a french press"... these are people talking about a blade grinder, or even the cheaper burr grinders like the Pavoni PA or the Braun KM30. I say to that: bull ****e.

Let's think about something here. What is it about press pot coffee that makes people think the grind should be more forgiving? The bigger size of the grounds? The steep time? No, none of that. There's nothing in press pot coffee brewing that will allow for a crappy grinder to produce the same results that a good grinder can produce.

With a press pot, particle size of the grounds is as important as it is for espresso. The difference is, you want uniform large particles, instead of uniform tiny particles. Cheap grinders can't give you either - they will give you a mixed bag of big and small chunks. Dust and boulders. It's what leads to the thing people dislike most about press pot coffee - the sludge.

*edit* I had a look at some reviews, I think the Starbucks Barista Burr Grinder might be a reasonably good grinder for the cost. Its a rebranded Solis Maestro grinder, and it should be able to give you a good grind. Not sure how much it costs in Ireland though - I think its about $120 in the US. By right it should be €100 here then, but it could be more. If you are planning on buying things like espresso machines down the line though, I would consider going all out for a more expensive grinder.

eclectichoney

thanks again reactor (u really know your stuff!) i guess i'll have to get saving in the mean time i ordered some of that cubista coffee ground for french press. nyom