Hamilton Beach sells over 35 million appliances every year, including various coffee making devices and related accessories. On their website, you can find all sorts of coffee makers from one cup machines to get your morning started or 10-12 cup machines to keep the whole family caffeinated. They also sell coffee grinders and espresso makers.

So make sure you check them out and tell them Daily Shot Of Coffee sent you!

Introducing Hamilton Beach: Daily Shot Of Coffee’s Newest Advertiser is a post from: Daily Shot Of Coffee

Coffee grinders are important because coffee starts to lose it’s flavor and go stale within fifteen minutes of being ground. That means all of the pre-ground coffee that you see on the shelves at grocery stores in stale. No matter how good of equipment they have, there is no saving their coffee. When you get them a coffee grinder, they will be able to taste the difference.

Entry Level Coffee Grinders

The Mr. Coffee Electric Coffee Grinder with Chamber Maid Cleaning System was the first coffee grinder that I owned. It’s affordable (less than twenty bucks) and gets the job done. Read my review.
Mr. Coffee Electric Coffee Grinder with Chamber Maid Cleaning System

• Measures 4-1/2 by 4 by 8-inch; 1-year limited warranty.
• Removable, dishwasher-safe grinding chamber; cord storage
• Chamber maid cleaning system; bowl scraper dislodges coffee from grinding area
• 3 Grind settings; wide upper collar; flip-top lid for mess-free filling and emptying
• Electric coffee grinder grinds 4 to 12 cups for precision brewing

Buy at Amazon for $18.89

Mid Level Coffee Grinders

Earlier this year, 1800Parts.com sent me the Krups Burr Grinder GVX 2. I haven’t used my Mr. Coffee Grinder since then. The Krups Burr Grinder isn’t perfect, but the grind is a lot more accurate and I can taste the difference. Read my review.

Krups GVX2-12 Burr Grinder, Black and Silver

• Generously-sized burr grinder; avoids overheating and preserves aroma
• Constructed of durable black plastic and brushed stainless steel
• Fineness selector offering 17 different settings; adapts to fit each type of coffee maker
• Large capacity hopper; removable ground coffee container
• Measures 10 by 4-1/2 by 5-1/2 inches; 1-year warranty

Currently on sale at Amazon for $50.93

Premium Level Coffee Grinders

If your loved one is serious about their coffee, it’s time to stop messing around. They need the Virtuoso Preciso from Baratza. The Baratza coffee grinders are what many coffee roasters and shop owners use to grind their beans. It gives you 440 levels of adjustment that allow the coffee love on your shopping list to fine tune until they get the perfect cup of coffee. If they’re a coffee nerd, they need this.

• Features a pulse button for more accurate grinding
• Commercial-grade conical burrs won’t heat up the coffee while grinding
• 440 distinct steps of adjustment for more control over your coffee
• Includes thermal safety device to keep the motor in good shape and prevent overheating
• Easy to clean with the provided bristle brush and removable burrs

Buy the Virtuoso Preciso at Amazon for $299.99.

2011 Holiday Gift Guide: Coffee Grinders is a post from: Daily Shot Of Coffee

For those of you like me, who haven’t finished your shopping already, each week I’ll feature a different coffee related item like coffee makers, single serve coffee machines and much more. I’m starting off the fun with my guide to coffee grinders.

I’m starting with coffee grinders because without freshly ground coffee, it’s impossible to get a delicious, fresh tasting cup of coffee. Plus, it’s a very easy way to improve the taste of your coffee in one step.

Entry Level Coffee Grinders

The Mr. Coffee Electric Coffee Grinder with Chamber Maid Cleaning System was the first coffee grinder that I owned. It’s affordable (less than twenty bucks) and gets the job done. Read my review.
Mr. Coffee Electric Coffee Grinder with Chamber Maid Cleaning System

• Measures 4-1/2 by 4 by 8-inch; 1-year limited warranty.
• Removable, dishwasher-safe grinding chamber; cord storage
• Chamber maid cleaning system; bowl scraper disLodges coffee from grinding area
• 3 Grind settings; wide upper collar; flip-top lid for mess-free filling and emptying
• Electric coffee grinder grinds 4 to 12 cups for precision brewing

Buy at Amazon for $18.89

Mid Level Coffee Grinders

Earlier this year, 1800Parts.com sent me the Krups Burr Grinder GVX 2. I haven’t used my Mr. Coffee Grinder since then. The Krups Burr Grinder isn’t perfect, but the grind is a lot more accurate and I can taste the difference. Read my review.

Krups GVX2-12 Burr Grinder, Black and Silver

• Generously-sized burr grinder; avoids overheating and preserves aroma
• Constructed of durable black plastic and brushed stainless steel
• Fineness selector offering 17 different settings; adapts to fit each type of coffee maker
• Large capacity hopper; removable ground coffee container
• Measures 10 by 4-1/2 by 5-1/2 inches; 1-year warranty

Currently on sale at Amazon for $50.46

Premium Level Coffee Grinders

Currently, this one is a little out of my price range, but if you have the money this is one to check out. I’ve heard nothing but good things about this grinder and it’s probably everything a coffee fanatic would need at home and then some.

Gaggia 8002 MDF Burr Grinder with Doser, Black

• Burr grinder with 50-mm tempered-steel grinding burrs and 34 grind settings
• 120-watt motor plus gear-reduction system provides quiet operation and reduced static build-up
• Impact-resistant plastic housing; 8-ounce ground-coffee container; 10-ounce bean hopper
• Easy-to-use pull-lever doser dispenses ground coffee directly into filter holder
• Measures 20 by 14 by 14 inches; 1-year warranty

Buy the Gaggia 8002 MDF Burr Grinder at Amazon for $249.95.

Do you have a coffee grinder on your Christmas list? Or do you have a coffee grinder that you would recommend to someone doing their holiday shipping?

Coffee Grinders Guide – 2010 Holiday Shopping Guide is a post from: Daily Shot Of Coffee

The Good

• Key Step In Making Better Tasting Coffee
• Reasonably Quiet
• Reasonably Priced

The Bad

• Slightly Messy
• Difficult To Clean Completely

I’m not throwing out my old blade grinder yet, but I think I could get used to having the Krups Burr Grinder in the Daily Shot Of Coffee kitchen.

I wasn’t sure if I was going to be able to notice a difference in the quality of the grind between my old blade grinder and the Krups Burr Grinder, but there was a noticeable difference. That improvement was a lot more than just eliminating the half ground beans. It was obvious that the grounds were a lot more evenly ground. It didn’t stop at looks either, I could taste the difference. There were more of the flavors in coffee ground in this grinder.

One of my least favorite things about my blade grinder is the noise. I swear it’s loud enough to wake up my neighbors. The Krups Burr Grinder was significantly quieter. There was still some noise, but nothing I would complain about.

The suggested retail price of the Krups Burr Grinder is $49.95. My blade grinder was less than twenty bucks, so it’s more expensive, but I could taste difference. There are better quality burr grinders out there, but they’re also more expensive. The quality of this one seems just about right for the price.

The Krups Burr Grinder isn’t perfect, but the negatives are minor.

The first problem is that it does leave a bit of a mess on the counter. However, it’s nothing that can’t be cleaned up with a swipe of a paper towel.

The other minor flaw is that it’s kind of a pain to clean completely. The grinder produces a lot of static electricity and the grinds end up sticky to the coffee container. It’s difficult to get all of the grounds out and into the coffee maker or french press. Then it requires hot water to rinse out the remaining grinds. Plus, the grinder itself is slightly annoying to clean out. I know it sounds like a lot, but really it’s just minor problems.

I did read some complaints of this grinder failing after a short, however it worked fine for me. Of course, I only tested it in the Daily Shot Of Coffee kitchen for a week, so I’ll be keeping an eye on it long term. It does come with a one year warranty.

Overall, I would have no problem recommending this Krups Burr Grinder to someone that’s looking to step up from a blade coffee grinder or has no grinder at all. It’s not perfect, but it is affordable and gets the job done.

Thanks again 1800Parts.Com for supplying the grinder for review. Don’t forget, you can win a Krups Burr Grinder, it’s part of the Starter Kit Giveaway. Head over to this post to enter the contest.

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Fine Print.

Krups Burr Grinder GVX 2 Review is a post from: Daily Shot Of Coffee

Forgive me, for I have sinned. Up until now, I’ve been using a cheap blade grinder. I know, it’s barely a step above buying pre-ground coffee and literally burns the coffee as it grinds it. No need to yell at me coffee snobs. Save your insults for me, I’ll admit my guilt.

Luckily criminal actions have come to an end. 1800Parts.Com found out about my lack of a burr grinder and offered to send me a Krups Burr Grinder GVX 2 to review.

In a handsome stainless and black combination, the new Krups GVX coffee mill lets you adjust the bean fineness with exact precision – it has 17 settings from fine to coarse so it is easily adapts to any type of coffee maker, French press or espresso maker. The container on top holds eight ounces; below is the special Burr milling system that grinds your beans to the fineness youve selected, preserving the aroma and avoiding overheating. The burr grinders can be removed for easy cleaning. The dial on front lets you adjust from 2 to 12 cups; on bottom is the removable container that fills with your freshly ground beans, ready for brewing.

-Product Description

This grinder will be going through a intense testing period in the Daily Shot Of Coffee Kitchen to discover all of it’s good features and the drawbacks.

Specifically, I’ll look at how easy it to use and get the perfect grind for specific methods of brewing coffee. I’m curious as to how much noise it makes compared to grinders. I’ll also look at how easy it is to clean. Overall, I’ll look to see if it’s worth paying more for this grinder, versus a cheap blade grinder.

What would you like to know about this grinder? Have you tried it? What did you think?

On a side note, keep an eye out for a contest next week when you can win your own “Coffee Starter Kit,” which includes this burr grinder and french press.

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Fine Print.

Krups Burr Grinder GVX 2 Preview is a post from: Daily Shot Of Coffee

Anyways, check out this required reading on what coffee equipment to bring to college and make sure you practice before the first day of classes.

Coffee 101

On the first day of classes, the last thing you want to be doing is running around trying to brew a cup of coffee to keep you awake for your 8am class. The perfect solution for the student that wants something easy and convenient is the single serve coffee machine. My recommendation is the Keurig B70. It’s been a few too many years since I had to wake up for an early morning class, but this coffee maker is great for when I’m half asleep and in a rush to get somewhere.

Keurig Platinum B70 Single Serve Coffee Maker $169.95
The Good:
* Easy To Use
* Makes A Quick Cup Of Coffee
* Easy To Clean

The Bad:
* Price Per K-Cup
* Isn’t Tall Enough For Travel Mugs
* How Environmentally Friendly Is It?

Do your homework and read the complete Daily Shot Of Coffee review.

Coffee 202

Single serve coffee makers aren’t for everyone. They’re convenient but the price is on the higher end of things and when you have hundreds of dollars worth of books to buy, I could understand why you would want to spend a little less on a more traditional coffee maker like the Black & Decker (DCM18S) Brew ‘n Go Personal Coffeemaker.
Black & Decker DCM18S Brew ‘n Go Personal Coffeemaker with Travel Mug $19.99

This personal coffeemaker brews 15 ounces of coffee directly into a stainless-steel travel mug. The mug has a rubber handle for a safe grip and a lid to keep coffee hot. It’s tapered to a 2-1/2-inch-diameter bottom, so it fits most vehicle cup holders. The coffeemaker itself is designed for an on-the-go coffee drinker. It has a permanent filter–no messy disposable paper filters required–and shuts off automatically after brewing. The mug, filter, filter basket, and mug lid are dishwasher-safe, and the coffeemaker can also be used to heat water for tea, hot chocolate, and instant foods like oatmeal and soup.

If you’re looking for something that can brew more than one cup of coffee, you have to check out the Zojirushi Fresh Brew Thermal Coffee Maker. It produces some of the best tasting coffee that I’ve ever had, plus it has a thermal carafe so you could go to your 8am class, go back to the dorm and still have hot coffee waiting for you.

Zojirushi (EC-BD15BA) Fresh Brew Thermal Carafe Coffee Maker $79.99

The Good:
* Thermal carafe keeps coffee warm without burning it.
* Coffee brews hotter, bringing out more flavor.
* Easy to set the time and to program it.

The Bad:
* Tall, may not fit under some cabinets.
* Thermal carafe with no marking for cup measurement.
* Coffee filters didn’t fit in perfectly.

You can do your homework on this one too, check out the full Daily Shot Of Coffee review.

Coffee 303

Now this only for advanced coffee geeks. When you break out the French Press, it’s sure to impress any member of the opposite sex. Plus, it’s the ultimate way to make coffee anywhere – the dorm, the off campus apartment, etc.

Bodum Chambord Coffee Press $29.02

The Good:
* Excellent Coffee
* Price Is The Same As Most Drip Coffee Makers
* Did I Mention It Makes Incredible Coffee

The Bad:
* Fragile & Lack Of Padding In Shipment
* Not As Quick And Easy As A Drip Maker To Make And Clean

Required Reading: Full review of the Bodum French Press

Extra Credit

For extra credit, make sure you get a burr coffee grinder. Pre-ground coffee will get caffeine into your blood stream, but nothing compares to the taste of coffee made with freshly ground beans.

Breville BCG450XL Conical Burr Grinder $90.11

This conical burr grinder features adjustable settings for various grind options. Choose from ultra-fine for Turkish coffee or large and coarse for percolators. The settings offer consistently shaped grinds and even extraction, which is the key to producing flavorful coffee. In addition, the unit’s metal conical burrs preserve more natural bean flavor than blade drivers due to the slower grind nature. The grinder comes equipped with a removable bean hopper that holds 1/2 pound of coffee beans, and its stainless-steel/polymer base offers start and stop control, as well as an on/off switch. Other highlights include a variable timer with 10 to 30 seconds of grind time, anti-static technology, and a removable burr for convenient cleaning.

What coffee related advice do you have for college students?

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Photo by Infidelic.

Back To School Guide To Coffee is a post from: Daily Shot Of Coffee

I don’t know anything about the age or make of this coffee grinder, but after testing it out, I need to get one for myself. Ok, I don’t really know if I need to have one, but it would be a great piece to have in my kitchen all of the time.

I know that there’s some people that collect coffee equipment, but I don’t know anyone that collects antique coffee equipment. Do you have any old time/antique coffee making equipment? What do you have and do you want to share some pictures of it? I’d love to post some more pictures here.

Flashback Photos: Manual Coffee Grinder is a post from: Daily Shot Of Coffee

1. French Press
If they don’t have a french press, this is what you should get them. Knock up the quality of their coffee a couple of notches with a french press. Nothing brings out the flavor of a coffee bean like a french press. Plus, they look pretty cool! I’m just saying.

Bodum Chambord 8-Cup Coffee Press
On sale for $35.50. Normally $54.00
My Review. Amazon’s Review.

• Brews 32 ounces of coffee; retains beans’ oils for rich, complex flavor
• Sturdy, chrome-plated brass frame; easy-to-clean glass carafe
• Stainless-steel press mechanism; replacement parts available
• Turn lid to close spout; not for stovetop use
• All parts are dishwasher-safe

2. Coffee Grinder
To get the freshest tasting coffee, they’re going to need a coffee grinder. You could buy the most expensive ground coffee for them and it’s still not going to compare to freshly ground coffee from their own coffee grinder. Coffee starts to lose it’s flavor within 15 minutes of being ground. How long do you think that coffee was sitting on that shelf at the store before you bought it?

Capresso Infinity Conical Burr Grinders
Buy for $89.00 at Amazon. Normally $120
Amazon Reviews

• 100-watt conical burr grinder with 16 grind settings
• Commercial-grade conical burrs ensure maximum coffee flavor
• Bean container holds 8-1/2 ounces; grounds container holds 4 ounces
• Heavy-duty zinc die-cast housing; built-in timer; easy to clean
• Measures 7-2/3 by 5-2/5 by 10-4/5 inches; 1-year limited warranty

3. Place To Store Your Coffee
Coffee bags may look cool, but they’re not the best way to store your coffee. Nothing keeps coffee fresher than an airtight container that keeps it cool, dry and out of the sunlight.

Vacu Vin Coffee Saver Starter Set
Buy for $22.93 at Amazon
Reviews

• Holds over a pound of coffee
• Smoked exterior protects the coffee from the harmful effects of light
• Suitable for saving foods such as cookies, cereals, chips, and nuts
• Larger pump pulls air out faster
• Dishwasher safe

4. Coffee Mug
You can never have too many coffee cups. Nothing beats a hot cup of coffee in their favorite mug. Why not get them a special mug, something that is meaningful to them.

New York Yankees 27th Championship Coffee Mug
$14.99 at Amazon.

I may be a little bit biased on this one. You don’t actually have to buy a Yankees mug for every coffee fan, but if you want to buy a Yankee mug for a Red Sox fan, I wouldn’t stop you.

5. Travel Mug
For when they can’t sit at home, relax and enjoy their coffee. Just make sure to pick a mug that fits in standard sized car cup holders or it kind of defeats the purpose.

Thermos Nissan 14-Ounce Leak-Proof Insulated Travel Mug
$18.58 at Amazon. Normally $39.99
Reviews

• Keeps beverages hot for 1 hour or cold for several hours
• Fits most vehicle drink-holders (2-3/4-inch bottom)
• Lightweight and virtually unbreakable
• Stopper twists tight to prevent leakage
• Soft rubber inset inside handle for comfort

Have any other suggestions for must have coffee gifts?

Must Have Coffee Gifts is a post from: Daily Shot Of Coffee

At approximately 12:42 pm, while making my after lunch coffee, my Mr. Coffee Coffee Grinder passed away…or at least I thought it did.

It’s kind of hard to tell in this picture, but mixed in with the half ground coffee beans, is the black plastic part of the chamber that kept the grounds from sticking to the sides. At some point while I was grinding beans today, the grinder also decided it was time to start grinding itself.

Luckily, I have a backup grinder. But the really good news is that I called up Mr. Coffee, talked to a friendly and helpful customer agent and will have a replacement chamber in a week or so.

This could’ve been very traumatic for me. It’s definitely not a high end coffee grinder, but it gets the job done and it’s really convenient and easy to use. I’ve grown very found of it. I use it at least twice a day and I can’t imagine going without it. I have to thank Mr. Coffee for sending me a replacement one with basically no questions asked.

Sad Day In Coffee Land is a post from: Daily Shot Of Coffee

Each week, Daily Shot Of Coffee will feature a different coffee related product that would make a great gift this Christmas and Holiday season. This week it’s coffee grinders, one of the keys to getting better coffee.

Beginner Coffee Grinders:

I own both of these coffee grinders. They’re nothing special and there’s a lot better on the market, but they get the job done.

Mr. Coffee Electric Coffee Grinder with Chamber Maid Cleaning System

This is the low end coffee grinder that I recommend to my friends. Read the review.

• Measures 4-1/2 by 4 by 8-inch; 1-year limited warranty.
• Removable, dishwasher-safe grinding chamber; cord storage
• Chamber maid cleaning system; bowl scraper disLodges coffee from grinding area
• 3 Grind settings; wide upper collar; flip-top lid for mess-free filling and emptying
• Electric coffee grinder grinds 4 to 12 cups for precision brewing

Buy it at Amazon for $19.96.

Bodum C-Mill Blade Coffee Grinder 1.6-oz.

There are some nice features about the Bodum Grinder, but it’s not my favorite. Read the review.

The C-Mill electric coffee grinder has a very strong and precise motor. The coffee beans don’t get crushed but cut in record time – important so that the coffee taste is well preserved. The C-Mill grinds 1.6 oz of coffee at a time and comes with a two year limited warranty.

Community Coffee has it for the lowest price at $19.95.

Mid Level Coffee Grinders:

I’m debating both of these for my next coffee grinder. I’ve heard nothing but good things about both of them.

Cuisinart DBM-8 Supreme Grind Automatic Burr Mill

• Elegantly styled, heavy-duty, automatic coffee mill
• Burr grinding mechanism for uniform grounds and optimum flavor
• 18-position grind selector, from ultra fine to coarse
• Slide dial from 4 to 18 cups; capacious grounds chamber with lid
• Measures 6-3/4 by 9-3/4 by 5 inches; 18-month warranty

Buy at Amazon for $49.95.

Krups GVX2-12 Burr Grinder

• Generously-sized burr grinder; avoids overheating and preserves aroma
• Constructed of durable black plastic and brushed stainless steel
• Fineness selector offering 17 different settings; adapts to fit each type of coffee maker
• Large capacity hopper; removable ground coffee container
• Measures 10 by 4-1/2 by 5-1/2 inches; 1-year warranty

Purchase at Amazon for $56.66. Normally $84.00.

Advanced Coffee Grinders

These are the ones on my Christmas list this year.

Breville BCG450XL Conical Burr Grinder

• Conical burr grinder with ultra-fine to coarse adjustable settings
• Variable timer with 10 to 30 seconds of grind time
• Removable bean hopper holds 1/2 pound of coffee beans
• Stainless-steel/polymer base offers start and stop control, plus on/off switch
• Measures 5-1/4 by 7 by 11-1/4 inches

Buy at Amazon for $98.99.

KitchenAid Pro Line Burr Coffee Grinder

The commercial-quality burrs actually flake coffee instead of crushing it, so you don t lose any of the essential oils that give coffee its full flavor. Turning at just 450 RPMs, this burr grinder also ensures those oils will not burn off due to frictional heat. Special gears control the delivery of beans to the burrs for a better grind consistency, and a plastic seal helps position the coffee bin under the grinding spout to prevent grounds from escaping.

Buy it Amazon for $157.95.

Coffee Grinders – 2009 Holiday Guide is a post from: Daily Shot Of Coffee