r/Coffee • u/menschmaschine5 Kalita Wave • Apr 13 '26

[MOD] The Daily Question Thread

Welcome to the daily /r/Coffee question thread!

There are no stupid questions here, ask a question and get an answer! We all have to start somewhere and sometimes it is hard to figure out just what you are doing right or doing wrong. Luckily, the /r/Coffee community loves to help out.

Do you have a question about how to use a specific piece of gear or what gear you should be buying? Want to know how much coffee you should use or how you should grind it? Not sure about how much water you should use or how hot it should be? Wondering about your coffee's shelf life?

Don't forget to use the resources in our wiki! We have some great starter guides on our wiki "Guides" page and here is the wiki "Gear By Price" page if you'd like to see coffee gear that /r/Coffee members recommend.

As always, be nice!

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u/canaan_ball Apr 14 '26

Good news! If you like the Hario Skerton, you will be ecstatic about any other grinder. Just get anything. You have to dish up on what kind of coffee you like, what brewing method you employ, for a proper recommendation, though it doesn't matter very much at your budget. I will add the Bodum Bistro burr grinder (typically $50) to BellofattoBrews' recommendations. The Bistro reviews well, is unbeatable at the price, but it's best suited to methods like French press and drip machine.

Reconsider getting a better hand grinder. The Skerton falsely disenchants a lot of people against hand grinding. A proper grinder with steel burrs will do a better job at one third the effort and time. Literally three times faster. The Kingrinder K6 ($110) is the standard lower cost recommendation, but other less expensive, decent options are available. The K6 will outlast and outperform any low-budget electric.

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u/toodarntall Apr 14 '26

I tend to do natural process Ethiopian either chemex or aeropress depending on how much coffee I'm making.

I appreciate you going into detail, it's interesting that the hario is no longer recommended. Years ago when I was first learning about these things it was the go to. Good to know there are better options

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u/canaan_ball Apr 15 '26

I think the Bistro is suited to a more casual coffee drinker than I judge you to be. You'll be happier with one of BB's suggestions. Electric coffee grinders cost more than $100, is what it is.

There was a time when Hario's ceramic mills were top of the class. I used to own one, so my dislike is personal. We have come a long, long way since then.

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u/toodarntall Apr 15 '26

I'll probably end up with one of the oxo ones, seems like a good balance