I used to use a blade grinder for like 2 years and my coffee was always a mess. Some days it tasted bitter, other days it was weak. I finally grabbed a Baratza Encore from a local shop in Portland back in June. After 3 months of dialing it in, my morning brew is way more consistent. The biggest change I noticed was with my French press - no more sludge or uneven extraction. What grinder did you guys see the biggest jump in quality from?
I bought this super precise scale last month for $50, thinking it would level up my pour-over game. First time I spilled a tiny bit of water during rinsing, the display started glitching and now it won't turn on half the time. It's supposed to be for coffee gear, but it can't handle a few drops near the buttons? Total waste of money for something that should be durable. Has anyone else had cheap brew scales die on them from normal use?
The spout drips down the side every time I use it and my coffee bed looks like a crater after blooming. Anyone else find a sub-$50 kettle that actually pours clean or should I just bite the bullet on a Stagg?
I dropped $200 on a fancy burr grinder last year because everyone said it was the only way to get consistent grounds. After 3 months the burrs started slipping and it would just stop mid-grind. Customer support told me to clean it with a special brush they sell for $15. I cleaned it twice and it still jams on medium roasts. Anybody else have luck with the cheaper hand grinders that actually work?