Coffee accessories: grinders, dosing aids and milk frothers in the test

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Gadgets for coffee lovers

Photo:

Gerd Blank

A good coffee depends above all on choosing the right bean.

But preparation also plays a role - especially if you brew filter coffee by hand.

For the best aroma, it is advisable to freshly grind the coffee.

This can be done wonderfully by hand, but electric mills also have their advantages.

The amount of powder also plays a role; scales and serving spoons help here.

There are even accessories for optimal water distribution.

And with the right tools, making milk foam is a snap.

Products at a glance

• 
  

  Coffee

  spoon "La Cafetière"

  (10 euros)

  Portion

  spoon

  for coffee beans and coffee powder

• Moka Consorten digital scale

  (34 euros)

  
  

  Mini scale with built-in timer

• Milk frother set Goscien

  (15 euros)

  
  

  Manual milk frother with exchangeable whisk

• Electric milk frother Miroco

  (42 euros)

  
  

  Automatic milk frother with non-stick coating

• Coffee grinder Comandante C40

  (230 euros)

  
  

  Hand grinder with stainless steel grinder

• Coffee grinder Delonghi KG79

  (45 euros)

  
  

  Electric grinder with bean tank and 16 grinding stages

• Kettle Hario VBK-120 V60

  (58 euros)

That's how we tested

Processing:

How well are the machine and accessories processed?

Preparation:

how easy is it to use?

Value for money

it worth buying?

Coffee spoon "La Cafetière"

The right amount of coffee powder depends on your own taste and of course on the coffee you use. However, there is a rough guideline: For a cup of filter coffee, baristas use around 12 grams of powder, for a liter of water that is around 60 grams. If a normal tablespoon is used for portioning, it is usually a dosage based on feeling. There's nothing wrong with that, but it's easier and more precise with a serving spoon.

The coffee spoon "La Cafetière" is made of stainless steel, the handle is lightly rubberized.

The hole at the end of the handle, from which the spoon can be hung, is very practical.

The workmanship is very good, the spoon lies perfectly in the hand and feels valuable.

The capacity corresponds to 10 grams of coffee powder, which is also what it says on the outside of the spoon.

Six level spoons of coffee powder are required for one liter of water, and three full spoons for half a liter.

If you regularly make large quantities of coffee, the spoon is a helpful tool.

Unfortunately, there is no further subdivision with which smaller amounts of powder can be measured accurately to the cup.

Conclusion:

A practical measuring aid for people who often drink or prepare a lot of coffee.

Digital scales from Moka Consorten

The required amount of powder and water can be perfectly dosed with a scale.

A conventional kitchen scale is not really suitable for this: Most scales are too large, especially if they are to be used with a portafilter machine.

Because there the scales with the cup are placed on the surface under the sieve so that you can precisely dose the desired amount of water.

In addition, many kitchen scales do not react quickly enough that you cannot stop the flow of water precisely.

The digital scales from Moka Consorten optimally meet the requirements of hobby baristas. It is only slightly larger than a deck of cards and therefore fits perfectly under any machine. The reaction time is also great, every drop of water changes the display immediately. The display is easy to read and the four buttons are easy to operate. In most cases, only the power and tare buttons are likely to be used. The little guy can also be used as a timer to set the time for optimal blooming.

The footprint is big enough for a cup or mug.

The container should not be larger, otherwise the display can no longer be read.

So it's a scale for solo drinkers.

And they shouldn't spill either, because the scales are not sealed on the keys.

In general, the workmanship and the plastic used for the housing are not of the best quality - every keystroke feels like operating a toy.

But size and price largely compensate for these flaws.

Conclusion:

Small scales for weight-sensitive coffee fundamentalists

Milk frother set by Goscien

You don't need a fully automatic machine with a milk frother for a good cappuccino.

A small hand blender is sufficient.

There is a large selection, the principle is always the same: An electric whisk is used to froth milk at the right temperature, which is a little reminiscent of whipping cream.

The Goscien milk frother offers two practical features that set it apart from many other models.

The lid ensures that the attached whisk is protected during transport or storage.

This is also visually attractive, as the lid and handle made of stainless steel form a unit.

However, when put together, the milk frother is longer than other devices.

A big advantage is the replacement whisk with double whisk for larger amounts of milk.

It's just a shame that the attachment of the whisk is made of cheap plastic.

It is foreseeable that it will wear out over time and with more frequent use.

There is also no case for the replacement whisk.

In a pinch, the lid would be big enough to accommodate a holder.

The milk frother is powered by three AAA batteries, which provide real power.

Thanks to the high performance, the milk solidifies very quickly, and even substitute milk made from oats or other types of grain has a pleasantly firm consistency.

Conclusion:

milk foam with style and turbo drive

Electric milk frother from Miroco

If you want to froth milk with a stick, you first have to heat it up in a pan.

This step is not necessary with an electric milk frother: Here the milk is poured in up to the filling limit and after a push of the start button the foam is ready a little later.

So much for the theory.

But as practical as the principle sounds, there are so many disadvantages that you can buy with such a system.

First of all, there are a few positive points worth mentioning about the milk frother from Miroco.

The design is appealing, the simple frother is available in white and black.

The device is supplied with power via a charging station.

The built-in pot has a non-stick coating, and there is a spare whisk in the lid just in case.

Operation is simple: depending on the desired consistency of the milk foam, the single switch must be pressed up to four times. You can also use it to prepare a cup of cocoa. The frothing process itself is very quiet and the result is good. The device is indeed a real whiskers.

But you shouldn't rely on the marking for the maximum filling quantity, because with some types of milk, despite the lid, a small flood can occur.

You can be prepared for that.

What is more serious is that the finished foam is difficult to pour.

In the test, this could only be completely removed from the container with a spatula, there can be no question of anti-sticking, on the contrary.

For cleaning, the built-in pot is rinsed under the tap.

We recommend cleaning the outside with a damp cloth.

However, it is hardly possible to prevent water from reaching the contacts on the underside.

Conclusion: a

lot of foam, but also a lot of work

Coffee grinder Comandante C40

Coffee tastes best when it is prepared with freshly ground powder.

And hardly a hand mill conjures up a better powder than the Comandante.

The small coffee grinder made in Germany is pure luxury.

Even the long packaging, in which all the individual parts of the mill are lined up next to each other, is bursting with self-confidence.

more on the subject

Coffee machines put to the test: Pretty brewed by Gerd Blank

And rightly so: the excellent workmanship and the selected materials indicate at first glance that you are dealing with a very high-quality coffee tool. But that alone is not decisive - the handling must also be right - and that is flawless. The stainless steel grinder sits in a wooden housing to which a glass container is screwed. The crank rests on double ball bearings, and the sharp and hardened grinding discs cut the beans like a warm knife that slides through butter.

However, you have to deal a little with the function. Setting the right grind takes practice. There is a small handle directly on the grinder that you have to hold while you operate the crank. With each gentle click it goes one step further. The correct setting depends on the type of bean and the sieve or filter used. In most cases, the correct setting is between nine and eleven clicks.

Up to 40 grams of coffee beans can be filled - which is also shown by the limitation of the grinder: One load is not enough to fill a large jug.

But that's not what the Comandante is made for either.

It is an accessory for those who have spent a lot of money on a portafilter machine and like to take their time brewing a cup of coffee or espresso.

The preparation is part of the enjoyment.

Only the high price causes discrepancies.

But it is also clear that the grinder is not an everyday tool, but an instrument for that very special coffee moment.

Conclusion:

luxury tool for coffee craftsmen who only need a small amount of powder

Coffee grinder Delonghi KG79

Grinding your beans with an electric coffee grinder is easier and faster than by hand. And with the Delonghi mill, it's also much cheaper. The minimalist, discreet design fits into every kitchen, the workmanship is very good - although a lot of plastic was used for the housing: the bean container and the drawer for the powder are made of - after all, high-quality - plastic. The amount and grinding degree can be set with two rotary switches. The fairly flat conical grinder consists of two disks with which the beans are ground relatively carefully and without overheating.

Even at the push of a button, the machine only starts when both tanks are in the correct position and locked.

The Delonghi goes to work unmistakably and is quite loud in operation.

The result is quite decent.

The powder is not really fine, which is why the machine can only be recommended for espresso drinkers to a limited extent.

However, anyone who prepares their coffee with a French press or filter will be satisfied.

Conclusion:

fair price for a decent grinding result - if you don't drink espresso

Hario kettle

Filter coffee is even better if the paper filter is poured with hot water before adding the powder. This has several effects: bleach is rinsed out, the jug is warmed up and the coffee does not pull up the filter when it is brewed. Of course, you can use any commercially available kettle for this. But baristas swear by gooseneck kettles, as the water jet is guided smoothly and more precisely over the powder. That may sound nerdy - but it actually makes a difference in taste.

Despite the relatively small design, the boiler holds 1.2 liters of water. The black matt surface looks classy, ​​even if the jug is a bit reminiscent of a watering can for windowsill plants. But it is a pleasure to use it for brewing, the water jet can be dosed well. You also accept that you can only heat the kettle on the stove.

It is a bit annoying, however, that neither a thermometer nor a signal whistle are built in.

Coffee water should not be boiling hot, otherwise the powder will burn - which in turn has a negative impact on the taste.

The perfect temperature for most types of preparation is between 92 and 96 degrees.

This can not be done exactly with this jug without further aids.

Anyone who can come to terms with this will get a nice piece of Japanese coffee culture with the Hario kettle.

Conclusion:

target water for a better aroma, but without temperature control