this post was submitted on 30 Dec 2025
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Hi,

I've been using a blade grinder for years and just recently realized how badly it affected the brew (took me a while, please don't hate haha).

So I started looking for a better alternative, with burrs, and from what I gathered, a good manual grinder will beat any fancy electric one, so I guess I'll be grinding my beans myself now.

I still need your help picking the right grinder for me, so here is my situation :

  • I mostly use a moka pot and a dripper, and more rarely a French press, for lack of a proper espresso set up
  • I'm also an espresso guy but I will probably end up investing in a decent espresso set up sonif the grinder could manage all of these that'd be neat! (I haven't started benchmarking for a proper setup yet because enjoying a good ristretto from time to time is fine by me for bow, but any advice on a a machine that is not too pricey is welcome too!)
  • most of the time I grind approx 20g of beans
  • I buy my beans from a local roaster, in small quantities (by 250g), dunno if this is any relevant

So far here is a list of grinders I've seen recommended on this sub :

  • 1ZPresso JX pro
  • Commandante c40 (but there are different burrs and I don't know which one I'd pick)
  • Capresso Infinity
  • Hario mini mill

Haven't bern really checking the the last two though. There seem to be quite we difference in prices range, so I need your help picking the right model (and size?). I don't want to spend too much, but I'm okay for a little pricey one if it makes a great deal of difference and it'll last! Also I'm open to look for second hand grinders unless you thinks it's a bad idea ?

Cheers and thank you for your help,

Edit : kingrinder's P & K series are also seemingly a solid choice, if any of you guys have an opinion, I'm interested!

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[–] Nick@mander.xyz 6 points 3 days ago (1 children)

I would steer clear of the Hario Mini Mill. The ceramic burrs are horrible for consistency and, as others have said, it's terribly arduous to grind beans with. I think the low price point leads a lot of people to purchasing it and then giving up on manual grinders entirely because the experience is so frustrating.

The Capresso is a step up from a blade grinder, but it's not going to be capable of making a good shot of espresso consistently. That isn't to say you won't get a good result occasionally, but it gives you far less ability to make minute adjustments to grind size.

1Zpresso does make fantastic grinders at multiple price points, so I'd second any recommendations that you get for them. The J series grinders are certainly capable of making a nice drip coffee, but are definitely the more espresso-focused grinders of their lineup. If your priority in a coffee is body over clarity, it's right up your alley. If it's the opposite, then you're going to want one of the K Ultra. The only real difference between the JX and the JX Pro is the grind adjustment mechanism, and I'm not too inclined to say that it matters, especially if you don't have a great espresso set up. The additional steps only really matter in the espresso range, and usually there are many, many more tweaks available to you when dialing in a shot. If cost isn't an issue, I'd still suggest the JX Pro, but the difference between the two is usually not going to be the thing that makes or breaks a shot.

If you get the higher tier 1Zpresso models or a Commandante, just know that you're well past the point of diminishing returns when it comes to grinders. Secondhand manual grinders are perfectly fine. My first 1ZPresso (the JX) is going on near a decade now, and it's still more than capable of brewing something delicious, though admittedly it's become relegated to a travel grinder.

If you really like the idea of an electric grinder and have the countertop space, scour used markets for a Mazzer Super Jolly. It's a pretty standard cafe grinder, and exists under a couple different white label names. I've seen them around me for about $250 USD or less, and they're pretty sturdy. The burrs are easy enough to change if they've been worn down by the cafe, and they usually run around $50 USD. It's not a more capable grinder than the 1Zpresso or Commandantes, but it's still better than the other electric options in the price range if you're not enthused about manual grinding.

As far as espresso machines go, I'd strongly suggest looking at the used market around you and looking for machines with a good following on home-barista. If you're patient, you can usually find a crazy deal on a pretty good machine in need of some light care. For more popular home machines, you'll usually find a number of guides for repairs or maintenance as well as links to specific parts that you'll need. In some cases, like with the Gaggia Classic, you'll also find various tweaks to drastically improve performance.

[–] Dop@lemmy.world 3 points 3 days ago (1 children)

Wow, first of all, thank you for taking the time to write such a detailed answer. It's full of very useful information, and and helps a ton! I'll make sure to save it!

[–] Nick@mander.xyz 2 points 3 days ago (1 children)

Happy to help! Feel free to ask any follow up questions if they ever arise, and I'll answer to the best of my ability. You might also want to chat with the baristas at your local cafe when they're not too busy to ask what grinders they use. It's nice to have something to benchmark against in terms of flavor.

[–] Dop@lemmy.world 1 points 2 days ago

Another good suggestion I hadn't thought of asking local baristas! Thanks again!