By: Peter H. Wilson
For coffee lovers, there is nothing more satisfying than a cup of their favorite brew, made from freshly roasted and ground beans. Even a sniff of our preferred grinds can spark off a serious espresso craving.
For the traditionalists among us, ready ground coffee is not an option, and the shiny new electric grinders leave us cold, not to mention a little deaf due to the terrible noise. Even the most expensive electric grinder has a habit of overheating the beans, losing some of that precious flavor. If you agree with all of the above, and don’t mind spending a little time over making your perfect brew, an antique coffee grinder is probably the choice for you.
As well as being hand set to produce exactly the coarseness of grinds that you prefer, an antique grinder will never overheat you beans, keeping the full taste intact. They also make an extremely attractive addition to your kitchen, whether you have traditional or modern décor, and bring a touch of character to your home.
If you are after a modern look for your kitchen, and don’t think an antique has any place there, then think again. There are some excellent art deco style grinders from the twenties which had the smooth lines and simple designs that look fantastic in a modern minimalist kitchen. A large number of grinders were produced during this period so they should be relatively easy to find, and models can be restored and repainted with a new coat of glossy enamel to suit your personal tastes.
Buying a grinder to fit into a more old-fashioned kitchen is even easier, with a wide variety to choose from including counter top and wall mounted. As long as your grinder is in good working order, or has been well restored, you will be buying a classic piece for your kitchen that adds both practicality and character.
The simplest of the counter top grinders was largely made from wood, preferably left unpainted. It had a highly attractive and detailed cast iron handle at the top, which is turned to grind the coffee, and a small drawer at the base for collecting the grinds. These are easily available and not too expensive, depending in the quality. The straightforward design means they are unlikely to break and are very attractive pieces.
Some coffee grinders are highly collectible, like the Parker Nation mill, which was manufactured in Connecticut just after the turn of the last century, as can be identified by its distinctive bronze top. There are also a number of very unusual wall mounted models that originated in Europe. These are generally metal or possibly porcelain and some depict interesting scenes or motifs.
Whatever model you choose, you will be investing in a means of producing perfectly ground beans, and a small piece of history for your kitchen which provide a great talking point for all your visitors.
