That Capresso conical burr grinder Mark recommended is wonderful

Grind coffee espresso-fine for less than $100.

A switch flipped in my head last summer and I started drinking espresso again, after a several year stint drinking tea. I had been back on the coffee kick for a few months when a stone from a bag of cheap Trader Joe's beans ended my decade old Baratza. Panic set in.

I tried fixing it. I tried a lot. I have had that grinder open severaltimes, adjusting it for extra-fineness as my espresso machine is pretty picky and the lower-end Baratza was good but not great with every bean or roast. That machine was not going to grind Turkish-fine.

After I fail at fixing something like this I usually email my colleague Mark.

I had read this post about his Capresso grinder just a few months ago, and remembered using it in his home. Mark and I also have the same finicky but excellent espresso machine, the Rancilio Silvia. The machine is mildly picky about the grind you use. Shots will fail until I dial a roast in on my grinder.

I just didn't believe an $80 grinder was going to replace the $400 one. So many internet forums on coffee and espresso recommended spending more on a grinder than an espresso machine. Kinda like the common sense 'don't drive a sports car on cheap tires' advice that is actually good advice, but maybe not?

Mark said buy the cheaper grinder. I bought the cheaper grinder. The cheaper grinder kicks ass.

I am really happy. Read the rest