Welcome to the rabbit hole there are a couple of grinders in that price bracket worth looking at check the grinder forum and keep an eye on the sales posts.

I have a euraka mignon which can be found used under £200 from time to time...

gaggia mdf grinder and Ibratel mc2 are popular there is also the sage smart grinder

stock might be a limiting factor at the moment.

https://www.happydonkey.co.uk/product/iberital-mc2-auto-domestic-coffee-grinder/

https://www.theespressoshop.co.uk/en/Gaggia-MDF-Burr-Coffee-Grinder-Black/m-3325.aspx

 

And there's always hand grinders if you don't mind supplying the horsepower yourself. Some excellent hand grinders available in the £150-£200 bracket that are more than capable of grinding for espresso.

 

Thank you for the welcome and recommendations!



That's cool, @Skizz yeah I don't mind putting some elbow grease into it, I do have a small hand grinder but as you can imagine it's not suitable for everyday use. Can you recommend any hand grinders please?

 

I use a Red Clix pimped Comandante C40 and can confirm it makes lovely espresso from my Classic

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The C40 was very good out-of the box but Red Clix is easier to dial in, normally one click either way with a new bean, well worth it

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Thanks guys, really liking the look of the ROK grinder as well... looks as though it would be a bit quicker than the smaller ones too.

 

Seems to be well liked by those who have them - unlike the earlier versions - but in no way portable, so of limited use if you later upgrade to a powered grinder. If you think you'll be happy hand grinding indefinitely though then I don't doubt it would be less effort with the longer crank-arm, especially for multiple shots, and it does look great. How easy/quick it is to change between grind settings for different brew types though, no idea.

 

The ROK isn't going to be any quicker than any other hand grinder in and of itself, what it will be, is easier. Nice solid base and long handle will make grinding nice and easy and less work. But as others say, it's not particularly portable. And it looks wonderful. I want one.

 

Would recommend the Sage Smart Grinder Pro for that budget. Grinds fine enough for espresso, is very user friendly and has a lot of small but nice features. You can normally buy new for around £150

 

If you can get a hold of one, the Gaggia MDF is a good, simple machine that does its job well, 90% of spares are inexpensive and any tweeks or repairs are within the capabilities of any diy'er. There are quite a few serviceable secondhand ones to be had, there's even a VERY tidy looking example on, dare I say it, EBAY, £75 obo!...plus shipping from Italy. Make the seller a daft offer, you never know 😉

 

I was surprised too, bought one, kept it for a week couldn't make a decent espresso shot with it and sold it quickly afterwards.

https://espressounplugged.com.au/products/rok-grinder-burrs

10USD burrs from CN

So people on HB exchange the burrs with Baratzas and it become capable for espresso but bushings and plastic remains.

Wont recommend it anyway.

 

I was surprised too, bought one, kept it for a week couldn't make a decent espresso shot with it and sold it quickly afterwards.

https://espressounplugged.com.au/products/rok-grinder-burrs

10USD burrs from CN

So people on HB exchange the burrs with Baratzas and it become capable for espresso but bushings and plastic remains.

Wont recommend it anyway.

That's good to know, thanks. I'll admit I'd considered one myself as old injuries are causing hand pain from using the Feld 47 for an Aeropress and 2-3 espressos per day. After your post I got curious and emailed for a spec and what came back is shown below.

Shame to compromise an essentially sound design with second rate components but they're clearly trying to hit a price point close to the ROK espresso whist maintaining the design aesthetic. And, for new entrants considering the espresso and grinder together, the idea that the grinder may cost C.£50 more than the espresso machine is a tough price objection to overcome. I'll keep saving for a Niche.

'The following information should help, The Gears may need to be periodically changed.

Grinder Outside and Inside Burr Material - Steel

Grinder Pod shaft Material - Stainless Steel bar

Grinder main shaft Material - Stainless Steel bar

Grinder grub & Pins Material - Stainless Steel

Grinder paddle Material - Stainless Steel

Gears Material - Acetal

Grinder Spring Material - Stainless Steel

Kind regards'