Multiple Brands (Turin, MiiCoffee, DF etc) - DF54

As for electric grinder, besides the Baratza Encore, you might also consider a [white DF54](https://miicoffee.shop/products/miicoffee-df54-single-dose-coffee-grinder?variant=49254366904615) , with flat burrs, but that sells at USD 229 (a bit outside of the stated budget, but so is the Baratza Encore :) . The DF54 is a very good value.

I think the D40+ gets over looked sometimes. If he is going to single dose, I don't really love the work flow on the ESP, and the Opus dialing is confusing as others have mentioned. It could be a another good conical option, that I think looks nicer with good workflow. (and other colors... LOL) But IMO, the DF54 is really the best value. in stock here: [https://df64coffee.com/products/df54?srsltid=AfmBOopYMEcpKT-JNdx7QfykpvnbyRZWm8DiOAwC61uZdbgn1H5a3-ix](https://df64coffee.com/products/df54?srsltid=AfmBOopYMEcpKT-JNdx7QfykpvnbyRZWm8DiOAwC61uZdbgn1H5a3-ix) [https://miicoffee.shop/products/miicoffee-d40plus-single-dose-coffee-grinder?srsltid=AfmBOoqHcrPMJEDn47NNxRjrBQlZKfuJhM8Xn1u7DemIWhmKL9LI8U1Z](https://miicoffee.shop/products/miicoffee-d40plus-single-dose-coffee-grinder?srsltid=AfmBOoqHcrPMJEDn47NNxRjrBQlZKfuJhM8Xn1u7DemIWhmKL9LI8U1Z)

The Ditting steel burrs are the only flat burrs I've tried that provide enough clarity on filter while still producing enough fines to make reasonably traditional espresso.

i like my df54. it's single dose, so good for trying other beans. bellows help keep retention to a minimum. also hoppers aren't airtight, so i don't know if the coffee goes stale quicker in those or not. another option could be a hand grinder. i started off w/ a kingrinder k2, which was $77 w/ amazon coupon. the k6 is often recommended here and goes for $100. for med and dark beans, i find it easy to grind for--it takes 30-40s to grind 17g. i can do the same with a light roast, but it's very much a workout. kinda like grinding at the finest setting for turkish (didn't actually need to go that fine actually). also designed to use a drill if you wanna do that, although i don't have experience with that. you have to be more conscious about tilt and rpms if you use a hand grinder, as all of that can affect the grind distribution and extraction time. an electric grinder is much less work to be consistent. if you require coffee to function in the morning, an electric grinder may be more your thing. just remember to put your dosing cup under the grinder before you start grinding 😏 if you don't have tubes yet, consider 50ml centrifuge tubes (with a skirt so it can stand on it's own). you can freeze those if you want, and are cheap compared to glass tubes.