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Permalink Reply by Jeremy Conley on December 21, 2009 at 5:04am

A Baratza Maestro would be a decent stand in until your budget increases, provided you plan on using it for pourover, press, vacuum, etc. (not espresso); and provided that you don't really need to grind large volumes of coffee at a demanding pace.

On the other hand, I sometimes see ditting grinders on Craigslist on the cheap from, presumably, failed shops or grocers.

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Permalink Reply by Jay Caragay on December 21, 2009 at 6:00am

eBay and CraigsList.

Actually, I like CraigsList because if you can find, it's typically local and you can drive over straightaway to pick it up.

For commercial use, your best bet is going to be a commercial grinder. While I use a Baratza Maestro at home and know it will grind great coffee, if you need to push volume, the Baratza will kill you.

Look for used Bunn G1, G2 or G3 grinders. The difference between the three really is the hopper size. Also, the Grindmaster 875 will work. Every once in a while you'll find these grinders in your price range. Don't be afraid to email them and ask if they'll sell it for $150. I recently bought a $3500 piece of lab equipment that was selling on eBay Buy It Now for $500 simply because I emailed the guy and asked if he would take it.

The Ditting and Mahlkonig grinders are excellent and if you happen to find one for $150 but it straight away! In fact, if there are two, buy them both and I'll give you $300 for the one and you'll get yours for free!

Good Hunting!

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Permalink Reply by Barbara Adams on December 21, 2009 at 6:05am

Is Grind Master Coffee Grinder ( Maxwell House Private Collection ) for $150 a good deal? It's almost new.

Jay Caragay said:

eBay and CraigsList.

Actually, I like CraigsList because if you can find, it's typically local and you can drive over straightaway to pick it up.

For commercial use, your best bet is going to be a commercial grinder. While I use a Baratza Maestro at home and know it will grind great coffee, if you need to push volume, the Baratza will kill you.

Look for used Bunn G1, G2 or G3 grinders. The difference between the three really is the hopper size. Also, the Grindmaster 875 will work. Every once in a while you'll find these grinders in your price range. Don't be afraid to email them and ask if they'll sell it for $150. I recently bought a $3500 piece of lab equipment that was selling on eBay Buy It Now for $500 simply because I emailed the guy and asked if he would take it.

The Ditting and Mahlkonig grinders are excellent and if you happen to find one for $150 but it straight away! In fact, if there are two, buy them both and I'll give you $300 for the one and you'll get yours for free!

Good Hunting!

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Permalink Reply by Jason Shipley on December 21, 2009 at 11:49am

The Gindmaster is a perfectly serviceable grinder. We used one before upgrading to a Malhlkonig my baristas liked it better than the Mahlkonig because it is much cleaner to grind with than the Guatemala, not as fast but there is a lot less grind left on the counter top after using it. The Big difference is the Mahlkonig and Ditting grinders have a 25 year service life a Bunn or Grindmaster is probably closer to 10-15 years

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Permalink Reply by Jay Caragay on December 22, 2009 at 7:27pm

If the Grindmaster is what you have and it works for $150, then rock and roll!

It's better to use a "good" grinder that you have today than to wait around for the "great" grinder while you don't have anything else.


And a little potential on something I have never tried with my GM875. Rumors abound that the thread pattern on a Grindmaster motor will fit certain models of Mahlkonig burr sets. In theory, if you can decipher the manufacturers codes, you could modify a Grindmaster to the grind quality of a Mahlkonig - without the expense.

But I have never done this mod myself - yet.

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Permalink Reply by Barbara Adams on December 22, 2009 at 8:02pm

Thanks all. I found a Grindmaster for $135 and it's in a great working condition. Gives me time to save up for a better one.

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