Interested in Aeropress - Need new grinder

Fart

Hey guys,

I've been looking at the Aeropress device and it looks to be really good. Everyone seems to be raving about it.

I've currently got the below grinder:

http://i44.tinypic.com/24fg3gm.jpg
http://i43.tinypic.com/18hg06.jpg
http://i40.tinypic.com/1jnszs.jpg

I've no idea if it's good or not.

I guess I've around €150 to spend on an Aeropress with the stainless steel filter (€40) and the rest on a grinder with P&P.

I've been looking at the Hario Skerton and Mini Mill. Which one is the best of the two, and are there any alternatives?

Should I pay a bit more for another manual burr grinder? If I could avoid spending the whole budget, that would be great!

Opinions will be greatly appreciated.

RGDATA!

Aeropress are a great purchase, been using one for a couple of years and I love it. Once you get used to them they're quicker, far less hassle to clean and for me make a nicer cup of coffee than a french press. They're also virtually indestructible so great value for money.

I have a hario mini mill, and it's perfect with the aeropress. From what I can tell the only thing the skerton has over it is capacity. The mini mill will grind enough for two cups of coffee. Like the aeropress it's durable and compact. You can easily sling the two in a bag and take them to and from work.

You'll get both those and a few hundred filters for half of your budget and honestly, it's plenty to start with until you get used to it. I got both mine from Coffee Angel, have seen them available in other decent coffee places also.

I did get a disk filter eventually, nice to have but definitely not essential. It works better with some coffees than others. It's also slightly more hassle to use and messier to clean. I use it only occasionally. If you wanted to spend a bit more money I would consider an electronic scales if you don't have one, or even just borrow one for when you're first playing around with aeropress recipes.

I don't know about the grinder you have but assume it's some kind of burr, which is possibly grand - what size are the grinds that come out of it (take a pic of some grains on your fingertip)? Is it adjustable?

tl/dr - 4.30 am and someone drank too much coffee today.

Fart

Oooh interesting.

It is a metal burr grinder that I have and is adjustable. It's so difficult to clean so I haven't used it in years.

I already have an electronic scales so I'll be sure to make use of it.
Thanks for sharing your experience with the mentioned hardware. I think I'll be able to make the right choice now.

Dubl07

MMTS

brokenarms

Does is really matter with an aeropress? You wont need espresso fine coffee grinding.

I use the smart grinder for mine which is very easy and quick to adjust for the espresso machine, but if it was simply to course or medium grind for an aeropress I would be looking at a cheaper electric burr grinder.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/DeLonghi-KG79-Professional-Burr-Grinder/dp/B002OHDBQC

and an Aeropress will cost around 30 euro with the filters and bits.

Would give you a great start for a very low price. And no manual grinder Olympics each morn.

Slaphead07

inspired by the recent aeropress threads I dug out my dusty one and tried it with some natty Yirgacheffee washed beans. My grinder was set for fine espresso which made the plunge hard work but I've now dialled in a coarser grind and it's just superb, a fantastic mug of coffee!