I've been reading a lot of threads about brewing coffee in an AS and there are as many preferences as there are coffee maker brands. (I thought I was being a wimp worrying about coffee until I saw how many even roast their own green beans on the road.) We pick up our new 23FB Flying Cloud next week!
So, in the spirit of roughing it as little as possible, does anyone have some advice/brands/tips on what type of MANUAL coffee grinder works well? We have a good electric one which we'll use when hooked-up, but want a manual option for frequent boon docking.
(Have done some searches and can't find any threads on grinders.)
Hi Bill-bee-four-four. How can one be a snob regarding aluminum ... and now coffee you ask? Sheesh! You've got a lot of company.
I am the only coffee drinker in our Safari and use a manual grinder. It's not efficient and pretty tedious for more than one or two. My GSI grinder isn't so great. (link here) The grind is very irregular -- a lot of powdery fines along with many large-ish chunks. The resulting taste leaves a lot to be desired. The grinder is wearing out after its fourth season of camping and I'd like better coffee. So I'll keep my eye on your thread and see what good suggestions come up!
GSI imports many items for the non-backpacking outdoor set. They make stainless margarita glasses but their wine glasses look great next to an Airstream - and are nigh onto indestructible.
After they poured me the very best cup of coffee I've had in my life, my current everyday favorite is Zoka's Tatoosh Blend. I like most everything Sumatran too. Full & rich is .
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How lazy are we? Well I have the same GSI grinder as Canoestream - and I confess I am too lazy to use it on a day in, day out basis. What he said about the inconsistent grounds is so true too.
I do have a cordless Makita Drill that gets used for lots of stuff, perhaps grinding coffee? (Give a girl a tool and she'll find 15 odd uses for it that no guy would ever think of. Here goes the girl tool kit thing again!)
Why don't we talk to Makita and have them make a coffee grinder powered by rechargable ni-cad batteries that also can be used on the drill?
Paula
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...I do have a cordless Makita Drill that gets used for lots of stuff, perhaps grinding coffee? (Give a girl a tool and she'll find 15 odd uses for it that no guy would ever think of. Here goes the girl tool kit thing again!)...
Paula
Hi Paula,
Funny!
However, I have seen Alton Brown on Food Network's Good Eats with a cordless drill attached to a pepper mill. I think I'd have more use for that. Pepper mills just have capacities that are too small. I use one a lot more than my coffee mill.
If going for a week or less, we generally grind enough for our trip at home ahead of time...and freeze. You might also think about an antique grinder if you can find a cheap one. We have an Arcade Crystal at home and it works like a champ...but not really AS friendly. A box grinder would be more AS suitable.
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Upon more digging and reading, the German-made Zassenhaus seems to be the clear front runner in manual grinders. Not cheap (about $80) but sounds like it lasts forever, adjusts for desired grinds, and is classic/cool looking. (Not unlike an AS.) The model you hold between your knees seems especially smart for dinette grinding. Zassenhaus Conical Burr Coffee Mills
My wife just rolls her eyes. Says 'What would Lewis & Clark think about all this?'
Ever plug in the generator just to grind coffee? we did! After that we bought a manual grinder, but it's a bit of a pain (all of the above issues). The next phase was to add solar, an inverter (overkill perhaps?), but, by golly, I can grind coffee, run the microwave and power anything in the trailer except the A/C.
I have one similar to the lower picture above that I've sawn off the bottom portion (right above the drawer) and I use it to grind fresh pepper for seasoning (I really like pepper!).
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Lots of good info, thanks folks. Had no idea Peugeot made them! I'll grind this all into the decision. (Sorry.)
Right now we're on pins and needles waiting for the baby to arrive from Jackson Center. Due date is tomorrow. May be a rough delivery with all the rain & weather in mid-country.
It is a conical burr grinder made from cast iron with a walnut handle and base. The base fits over a Ball Jar and the ground coffee goes right in. Very easy to spoon from the jar and easy to store for ground coffee.
It has produced grinds from course to fine as well as my overpriced electric burr grinder.
I was surprised to find out that my morning cuppa as well as my poor man's espresso from a moka pot are made more enjoyable by grinding my own. Well, you live and learn.
This company also makes a CI and walnut pepper mill. I am thinking about putting that on my birthday wish list later this year. Anyone already own one of these? How do you like it?
I love these coffee threads!!! Having ground my own beans on a daily basis forever, I am relatively happy grinding before camping, and keeping in an airtight jar........I flipped the jar upside down, though, a couple weeks ago, while camping on the Mohawk Trail, and it was a total mess. (Yes, I swept it up and used it, cuz there is no way I could go without coffee, and I was in the middle of no-where!)
I tried a backpacking grinder, and hated it (too coarse, and too hard to do). I am intrigued, though, by these wooden hand crank grinders, and am in the process of purchasing a Zassenhaus or other vintage grinder. I love how the vintage look will go with my '53 interior!!
Someone mentioned keeping in the freezer, which I always did 'til a couple years ago.....Some say that the oils leach out, and that it is much better to just keep in a cool, dry place!!
So, in the spirit of roughing it as little as possible, does anyone have some advice/brands/tips on what type of MANUAL coffee grinder works well? We have a good electric one which we'll use when hooked-up, but want a manual option for frequent boon docking.
Cheers.
Markdoane had it right, even while boondocking the amount of time grinding is short, you already have a satisfactory electric grinder. We tried the hand grinder when we were on a longer cruise but found it cumbersome, poor grind and a pia, as grinding before fully awake takes the pleasure away from a relaxing wakeup. Save the grinding for tensioning the sails.
Hand grinding your coffee beans is not for everyone, but I have done it for years & enjoy the 'ritual'. I picked up an aluminium grinder that matches the stove-top espresso maker I use -- if the link below works you will recognize this classic Italian design.
Does a good job grinding to consistent size, but it is easy to spill the odd bean out the top while grinding -- you really have to hold the thing to your chest whilst turning the crank, you can't use it like the countertop box mills I've seen. I bought mine in the UK, but I suspect something similar is available in the US.
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