Antique Wooden Hand Crank Coffee Bean Mill / Grinder

Hand CrankableCoffee Grinders
Technology has made these virtually obsolete when it gees to getting a fine grind, these are now all the rage as a decorative collectible. However, they do a nice job of grinding medium roast beans into brewable coffee grounds.
Some models havea wooden "knob" on thehandle that isNOT made to spin freely. The need aloose grip and allow the knob to stay stationary gently brushing your palm. It is really sideways pressure that is turning the crank. If you look closely, you will notice the wear pattern from previous palms. Ask a seller if the wooden knob spins.
Notice the bend of the crank handle. There are left and right handles. Theleft handed models were usually custom made and very rare.The way to tell the difference from a photo is to look at it and imagine that you are holding the (usually) wooden knob in your right hand as if you were turning it. The bend will angle toward your pinky finger if it is a right handed crank.Left handed machines have their cranks bent the opposite direction.
I am not the utmost authority on hand coffee grinders, but I have foundmy share at estate,garage sales and local auctions. The greatest finds and the ones to put the biggest bids on are the ones that work. Ask your seller if he or she has ever used the one you desire. If there is time, they shouldn't be averse to spending $1.00 on a few beans at the grocery to assure you that your beautiful collectable also is a functioning treasure.
You get thesatisfaction of looking at your antique as you drinkthattruly "fresh" cup of coffee you made from scratch.The only thing better is growing and roasting your own beans.
by iamjohnnyangel
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