GSI Outdoors JavaGRIND Coffee Grinder

Comments about GSI JavaGRIND Coffee Grinder:

I was initially put off by comments on the web about how hard it was to use this unit, but it's actually not bad at all. Yes, the saucer shape is very wide and hard to grab, but if you keep the sliding door open you've suddenly got a nice surface to grab onto. Yes, the whole combination of grinder + receiving vessel can get wobbly if the fit isn't perfect but this can be overcome. I use this with a Jetboil PCS, which this does NOT fit flush on, but it's extremely easy to use if you sit down and squeeze the Jetboil between your legs to keep it stable as you grind.

Other reviews also state that the black plastic top is too flexible, leading to hard and inconsistent grinding, but this is not an issue if you secure the receiving vessel between your legs to keep everything stable. In fact, the flexibility is a GOOD thing because pushing down on it allows easier cleaning of the ceramic burr.

The grind is pretty consistent (much more consistent and "coffee dust"-free than electric ones) and makes great coffee. The feeding mechanism uses gravity and the beans feed incredibly well into it. The grinding action is also very smooth, easy, and quick - I can grind enough coffee for half a 1L Nalgene in about 20 seconds.

Yes, I would definitely recommend this. I only wish that they made a more compact version for people who don't need that big saucer shape to hold multiple days worth of coffee. Then it would be easier to hold and grind - simply grind it like you do a pepper mill. I actually use this at home as my only coffee grinder because it's the best product out there for french presses - electric blade grinders don't have a consistent enough grind for french presses and home electric burr grinders are REALLY expensive. Plus having an electric contraption means it won't work in the wilderness, which I plan to use the GSI in.

Comments about GSI JavaGRIND Coffee Grinder:

I want to start by stating that I'm a full blown coffee snob. This seemed like a nice simple toy to help get my outdoor mornings started. Beans that are kept whole stay fresh 4-5 times longer that grounds, and this was the answer to stale coffee at the end of a week long trip. It's not too big or heavy, and it seems simply made. I like simple, because there are usually less things to go wrong. When you open this up and look at it, there are 5 main parts: The hopper, the cover for the hopper, the conical grinder, the axel for the grinding wheel and the crank. It's just a big pepper mill. Like I stated, a nice simple design.Once set up, you will need to set the grind. There is a screw on the axel that loosens and tightens the grinder, which is important if you are using an espresso maker or a press. You will need to play with this a few times to get the right grind for your coffee maker. Also you will notice that the cover for the hopper is a little flexible. This isn't so good for grind consistency, but if you are careful not to press down while grinding, it isn't an issue. A metal or thicker top would have been a better design.Now you load the beans and start grinding. Here is where I ran into issues. I don't have hands large enough to get a good grip on the sides, so grinding is a bit of a chore. I need to fabricate a handle with some food grade stainless so that I can actually hold on to something that can take the torque of the grinding. Otherwise I need to pin the grinder between my body and hand, while grinding and keep the grinds going into the cup or bowl that I'm grinding into. That is a pain.Are far as this goes, it grinds nicely, as long as you don't press on the cover, but is a pain to operate without customizing the product. At[$]is is a real value for a burr grinder, but you need large hands to grip around the circumference of the hopper, or you need to add a handle. I really can't recommend it without this modification.Also, I just picked this up, so I can't vouch for durability. It seems well made, so it's not much of a concern. I'll post later if I find different.

Comments about GSI JavaGRIND Coffee Grinder:

Well made grinder, the ceramic burr works well. Only problem I find with the grinder is that it is hard to hold while grinding unless you have a container to hold that will fit tightly to the grinder. All things considered it is pretty efficient (grinding coffee is a labor of love!)

Comments about GSI JavaGRIND Coffee Grinder:

This coffee grinder has been a life saver. I travel a lot outside of CONUS and have problems taking enough of my favorite coffee with me. I frequently have translation problems getting the coffee beans I want ground to the consistency required to meet my caffeine requirements!

I am currently using two coffee presses, one at home and one on the road, both of which, I purchased at Starbucks. They appear to hold about 950 ml or 32 ounces of water.

This press offers the opportunity to change how coarse the grind is. People are as different as coffee is. When you figure out where you need to set your grinder for your desired consistency, there are no more adjustments required. Once it's set, it's set. I read on another review that the "wing nut" adjustment is fragile, but' I'm not buying it. I haven't had any wing-nut problems.

I AM NOT A STARBUCKS FAN. Actually I find their refusal to use common American vernacular in describing their drink sizes revolting. Having said that, I am occasionally forced to pick up caffeinated beverages for Her Majesty.

The two coffee presses I have are the Starbucks "Green" presses which contain X% of recycled materials. Whatever! They work very well and disassemble at the sifter end of the press for ease of cleaning. That makes cleaning extremely easy.

With my 32 ounce press, I use two table spoons of coffee beans per press cycle, heaping spoons for a strong pot of coffee.

I have used this grinder with another smaller press which had a entry circumference of 2.5 inches and a length of 7 inches. Again, it worked well, although I couldn't spread my hand in the "C" index finger and thumb circle around the top of the grinder.

It has been easier to grind my own beans on the larger circumference container. That only makes sense. I had no problems grinding my own beans on a counter top easily every day. I have also had no problems with this setup grinding my morning brew holding my press between my thighs.

The smaller diameter container required a little more attention in grinding. It only makes sense.

I have been using this coffee grinder for almost 4 months every day. I have no problems with this unit and don't anticipate any.

Comments about GSI JavaGRIND Coffee Grinder:

I love this grinder cause it is adjustable. I can tighten the wing nut down and get ultra fine grounds. Or I can loosen it up and get really coarse grounds. I think having the grinding handle flip around when not in use makes it a lot more versatile for packing around. The only thing that would make this better is if it had a second handle allowing you to hold it with your non grinding hand. It is difficult to keep it steady while grinding. In my opinion that is no big deal compared to the delicious reward of hand ground coffee beans though. This is a very durable product, very simple, and does a great job of grinding some coffee beans. Highly recommend.

Comments about GSI JavaGRIND Coffee Grinder:

I've used the Javagrind daily at home for the last 18 months and it shows no signs of giving up anytime soon. If only used for weekend car camping trips this thing would probably last a lifetime! I agree with the instability cited in the previous reviews. The relatively low clearance of the grinding arm makes it difficult to grip the hopper while you're grinding unless you have skinny hands and long fingers. I find the product works best with a french press as you can grind right into the press and grinding is easier with courser grinds. All in all a very good product and a great price too!

Comments about GSI JavaGRIND Coffee Grinder:

I hoped to replace my electric grinder, but I find that while it grinds quite well it is difficult to hold and crank at the same time. The diameter of the reservoir is too large for small to medium hands.

Service and delivery comments:

Delivery was quite prompt. The product was delivered in great condition.

Comments about GSI JavaGRIND Coffee Grinder:

Great product. I bought it for camping and for military deployments. It is a fantastic little grinder, quite easy to use, and packs up small to I can thrown it in a backpack and bring it wherever I go!
Unfortunately, the handle broke very early in this deployment. The black portion of the handle came off. I'm definitely going to swap it out for a new one when I get home. I haven't seen this problem in any other reviews, so it was probably a fluke.

Comments about GSI JavaGRIND Coffee Grinder:

Ok, so it's a bit unwieldy to use, but I've got big hands so it's not too difficult for me. I use this at home as my everyday grinder now, in addition to taking it backpacking. I love the consistency I get, and no dust. I happen to have the GSI java press as well, and it mates perfectly to it of course, but it also does quite well with my Bodum 1 cup home press. A nifty little gadget that I am quite happy I spent the [$] on.

Comments about GSI JavaGRIND Coffee Grinder:

I looked at several hand grinders but settled on this one because it looked like it would do the job without failing. I was right. Initially I had a little trouble with stability, but found that if I grind into a cup that is the approximate size of the bottom, it is very stable. I have small hands, but I have no trouble holding it in place, by putting my hand over the top of it and pressing it onto the cup. Once the wingnut has been adjusted to the grind one likes, it doesn't need readjusting. I have now had this for a little less than a year, I have used it many times on various camping trips, and it shows no signs of wearing at all. There is something special about fresh ground coffee perking on a camp stove--it tends to draw other campers by for a chat!