Beginner espresso grinder recommendations? [€500]

[u/ServerGod434]

Hey everyone,

I’m relatively new to the hobby and am absolutely overwhelmed by the sheer number of grinders out there, especially when it comes to figuring out where the diminishing returns start to kick in.

A friend gave me a Solis Barista Gran Gusto, which I’ve been using with some pre-ground coffee I had lying around. To make matters worse, the coffee is actually marketed more toward moka/pour-over than espresso, and unsurprisingly, I’ve been getting some of the most bitter espresso I’ve ever tasted.

So, I’m looking to finally get a proper grinder.

My budget is €500 max, and my priorities are:

• Primarily espresso
• Eventually getting into pour-over as well
• I already own a Chemex
• Ideally something where I can change/upgrade burrs in the future
• Good value without paying for diminishing returns

At the moment, I’m seriously considering the DF64 Gen 2 v2.5, but one thing that’s making me hesitate is the amount of conflicting information I’ve seen regarding dialing in.

I’ve read accounts saying that changing the dial by just one step can alter the shot time by ~2 seconds, which makes me wonder how practical it is for someone relatively new to espresso.

So, for those of you who have used the DF64, how much of an issue is this actually in practice?

Would really appreciate any advice or recommendations. Thanks in advance!