by Gouezeri » Thu Aug 18, 2005 11:48 am
Ok, in order of importance...
Don't buy the blade, you'll ruin any effort in trying to get good beans. If you are in london, I reckon it would be better to buy your beans at Monmouth and have them grind a weeks worth, rather than use a blade grinder!
So, if we're talking less than a hundred quid, I can only think of two "reasonable" options. Either try and get ahold of a solis/dualit/starbucks 166/Barista for around 40 quid (look for a starbucks with a sale) and think of it as temporary option. Or be prepared to put some work in and get a Zassenhaus, which should give you a better grind and would be worth keeping in the future.
I've not tried the Gaggia or Briel grinders under £100, so can't comment on those... but someone round here might be able to.
Next step up is the £100 pound mark, but to be honest, if you're going to spend that it would be better to wait and get something like an Innova or a Rocky. Otherwise, as Phil says, grinders are a good buy secondhand... just make sure you budget for a new set of burrs as well (often around 50quid).
Espresso making is kind of a chain, where the result is only as good as your weakest link and good grinding is one of the more important links.
Feel free to post any other questions you might have...
This week I are feeling sleepy!