I have one of these, it’s a Hario Skerton Plus Ceramic Coffee Grinder. What’s a sensible step up from this? It’s been a solid performer but my grinds are not always consistent, the adjustments seem like large steps and I have to count the rungs to know what setting I’m on (there’s no gauge).
Very happy to hand grind, I only drink a cup a day and appreciate taking a couple of minutes out the day to make something by hand.
Recommendations for someone buying in UK or EU preferable! Thanks for your help.
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The Skerton was one of the only choices 20 years ago but now it is an abomination and should be avoided.
Timemore, Kingrind, and 1zpresso have a lot of good options.
I went from that to a 1Zpresso JX. It’s such an amazing difference. Probably the best hand-grinder I’ve ever used. I found it on mad sale a year or so ago. I’d say it’s definitely worth the €50 or so that it costed, but I’d be hard-pressed to spend more than that… but only because it’s a lot of money and not because it’s not worth that.
I could use an upgrade over here in the states too.
Bonus points if I can reuse the 10mm nut I placed on top, so I could drive it with a cordless drill.
For what it’s worth, my j-max tip fits in a regular screwdriver bit adapter.
1Zpresso X-Ultra worked well for pour overs, until I decided to go electric for espresso (manual can get fine enough for espresso but it’s a lot more work).
That said, 1Zpresso is a more premium brand and the cheaper alternatives this days can probably do just a good with potentially a less premium feel. Should probably look at the options from Kingringer and Timemore.
Can’t go wrong with 1zpresso. My J-Max still seems brand new other than the wooden handle (accidentally soaked in water) after 4 years. Takes about 30 seconds to grind 18g to a consistent espresso grind. So not too much for me in the morning while the water gets to a boil.
Very reproducable results too if you write down the grind settings on your bags of beans after they’re dialed.
But yeah, I bet there’s a less premium brand that would be worth looking at.
Talk about a blast from the past. That was my first hand grinder and it was ok until I moved to the oxo electric grinder which turned out to be massive overkill for my needs. These days I’m on the k6 and very happy with the results as a pourover drinker.
You might find this Hedrick video (alt) useful for the tier list. Also available here as a google sheet.
I actually really like my Barazza ESP.
Yeah, it is a little big, but after years of using it, when the main board fried the main power trace, I just ordered a replacement part directly from them for $15.
I gladly pay a little more for a company that sells replacement parts.
Oxo is mostly the same way. They also sell parts and provide instructions on their website. Also, if you let them know something isn’t right, often they just ship you a new part, no questions asked.
I didn’t have any issues with the oxo other than I didn’t have enough space for it to occupy a spot permanently and moving it back and forth every morning got annoying.
It wasn’t until I got the k6 that I was able to appreciate the difference in grind distribution between the two. Not a game changer but it was a small incremental improvement in brew quality.
For hand grinding I use a Timemore S3. It’s great. I have a review of it on this community from just a few days ago if you want to read more about it.
I went from a Hario to a Timemore C3 and couldn’t be happier. The ceramic mill just doesn’t cut it.
Exactly what I did. It’s amazing. Have gifted 2 to friends since.
So I was perusing the Orphan Espresso site, and they have upgrades you can buy for the Hario lol.
I bought a Lido2 from Orphan Espresso after using one of those. That was a long time ago but it works really well still.
I’m looking to replace my ailing Wilfa Svart grinder with a manual one, but I just can’t find one that doesn’t look like a military flashlight or costs 200+ dollars.
I got the exact one and I returned it because it was very inconsistent. I got a generic one from Amazon with steel burrs and many adjustments steps and it is so much better for my needs (mostly aeropress)
Edit: link https://a.co/d/0hnRfdmZ
I have one, too. I found the inconsistency and grind settings to eventually be a deal-breaker for daily use. Now it’s part of my travel setup next to my Aeropress.
In UK, check out Knock grinders. They’re hand made in Edinburgh so probably a little more pricey than the likes of 1zpresso, kin, timemore. Grind quality is broadly equivalent but you’re paying more for the styling and provenance.
I use a Capresso Infinity Plus conical burr grinder. Multiple pots a day, going strong for 3 years!
