LIST: Things you wish you had brought with you

Ive been slowly packing and trying to think of things I really should bring or not bring.  All of you have given me lots to think about!!  I think there are a few things Im going to buy here and ship over before I go... 

a few more bags of jolly ranchers...

I was just at the store last nite and found a 5lb bag of jolly ranchers for I think $8.

- Reese's cups
- Oreos
- GOOD peanut butter
- pumpkin pie mix (for those 2 times a year you eat it!)
- VELVEETA
- soy nuts


all food related

my coffee grinder!!!!!!!!!  electrics be damned!  I would happily use a transformer.  Come to that, my blender as well!

What sort of coffee grinder because I know you can find some quality ones around. Hand and electric as well as Barista type.

We had a braun for 14 years and was still going strong when we left.  We bought a russell hobbs here but the motor burned out.  There are lots of other russell hobbs grinders around but we don't want to try another one.  We ordered a Braun from amazon but it is taking a while to come.  We were almost desperate enough to buy a hand one but it doesn't grind fine enough for a filtre coffee maker.  We still might buy a hand grinder because  they are really cool, just to have.   For now, it's pre-ground coffee!

Yeah it is always much better to grind your own coffee beans. You can buy bulk beans and store in freezer and then grind straight from frozen the amount you want to use.  (sorry, I am a retail barista at Whittards [not barista like starbucks] and had to have intensive training). RH are a good brand but if you are going to use it quite frequently it will burn the motor out.  Its more for an occasional use.  There is a barista type grinder made by Dualit and one made my Gaggia that are both burr grinders as opposed to blade grinders.  Blade grinders just chop and you get an uneven grind. To get the best from your coffee you want to get an even grind all around. But it sounds like you already know this!  Not familiar with the braun but I will definately look into it for personal  info!

Do the hand grinders work? I saw them listed but not ready to buy just yet?

I use a French press to make 1-2 cups each morning, so I need a medium grind and not a huge amount. Anyone try them?

according to the guys at the Algerian Coffee Company in Soho, where they sell many, many different kinds of hand grinders - some quite gorgeous - they are perfect for coffee presses.  And you can grind exactly what you need, because most of the grinders' boxes are quite small, made precisely for that purpose.  I would totally get one for that case!

At Whittards, where I work, we sell, all types of grinders and full extensive training on the machines.  A hand grinder is just right for a cafetiere (french press). But it wouldn't be be any good for filter machine as they dont grind fine enough.  You would need an electric one for that.  They are £22 at Whittards

Do the hand grinders work? I saw them listed but not ready to buy just yet?

I use a French press to make 1-2 cups each morning, so I need a medium grind and not a huge amount. Anyone try them?

- soy nuts

You can definitely get soy nuts here - we get them at health food stores like Holland and Barrett or Fresh & Wild.

To any newbies reading this thread, please bear in mind that it was started in 2002, and... things have changed.  A lot of the things people in this thread say you 'cant get'... well, it's just not always true, although it may have been true at the time of writing!   
Also, some things are regional... you may not find it in Yorkshire, but you will find it in Scotland, etc.   Another good excuse for travelling and holidaying within the UK! 

according to the guys at the Algerian Coffee Company in Soho, where they sell many, many different kinds of hand grinders - some quite gorgeous - they are perfect for coffee presses.  And you can grind exactly what you need, because most of the grinders' boxes are quite small, made precisely for that purpose.  I would totally get one for that case!

At Whittards, where I work, we sell, all types of grinders and full extensive training on the machines.  A hand grinder is just right for a cafetiere (french press). But it wouldn't be be any good for filter machine as they dont grind fine enough.  You would need an electric one for that.  They are £22 at Whittards

Thank you both very much!

Yes as QG said, I should qualify to say you can definitely get soy nuts in the London area.  Not sure if you have those stores I mentioned near you!

Thanks for pointing me!  I was in the outer parts of Greater London, so nice health stores weren't too plentiful & I was looking in Sainsbury's & similar for them.