Burr Grinder, Krupps GVX 1

[_JP_]

My 20 year old Braun "whirly bird" blade grinder finally failed on me last winter, the tip of one of the blades broke off after many, many, many pounds of coffee were sent through it. I decided to upgrade to a burr grinder but didn't want to spend a lot for it.

Enter the Krupps. Normally priced at about $50, I picked it up from Bed, Bath and Beyond for about $40 with one of their 20% off coupons. This is a nice grinder for people like me who are not real fussy about their morning cup and don't require an exacting grind. That's not to say that the Krupps is slouch however, it really does a good job at giving a predictable even grind.

I learned right away that it is not possible to premeasure the beans, pour them into the hopper and have them all get ground. Some beans get left behind. This thing is really designed to be used filled. There are to adjustable settings on it, one for the coarseness of the grind and the other for the amount, measured in cups. The coarseness is anywhere fro very course to fine enough for espresso. Radically changing the grind size does require removing the burrs and cleaning out the chute because some grounds are always stuck left in there.

The one part of the Krupps that really needs a redesign is the bin that catches the grounds. It is made of plastic, which causes the coffee to cling to it (A common problem with most grinders). Also the shape of the bin makes it a bit fiddly to empty into the coffee maker.

All in all I ma happy with the Krupps. I get a fresh ground daily cup from it which is what I want it for. I don't do much beyond that with coffee so it suits my needs quite well for the price.

 

[strat1117]

Nice review. Thanks, jon.

 

[galopede]

I have one of the Krups machines as well. Does the job well for me.

Gareth

 

[WhosYerBob]

I've gone green and use a Zassenhaus hand mill from Sweet Maria's for my daily cappuccino.

 

[chainfire]

I've gone green and use a Zassenhaus hand mill from Sweet Maria's for my daily cappuccino.

I've been looking for the antique version of one of these here and there without much succees. You used to find them cheap, but people have become a bit more sophisticated on their coffee and they're harder to find.

How's the quality of the newer one?

 

[Thebigspendur]

I've been looking for the antique version of one of these here and there without much succees. You used to find them cheap, but people have become a bit more sophisticated on their coffee and they're harder to find.

How's the quality of the newer one?

Well, I'll tell you. I first bought their basic model and the second time I used it the unit came apart in my hands. They had these little screws to hold the top on and they were drilled too deep. It was actually loose out of the box-so much for QC. Then I got a second one a "better" one which had heftier screws holding it together however the problem is as you grind the adjusting nut changes settings by itself and while the machine is full of beans you can't really adjust it so you have to dump it out and readjust and the same thing happens all over again. I've fiddled with it and its helped a little but you know it all says to me these things are more ornaments than practical units. I use an electric Rocky now. It works.