Gear Review: Skerton Upgrade Kit from Blue Horse Products
The Hario Skerton is a great low-budget hand grinder. One of the few downsides is that the grind consistency at coarser settings is fairly inconsistent. Enter Blue Horse Products and their beautifully simple fix.
The issue with the Skerton that causes inconsistency is that the bottom burr is attached to a long shaft that connects only at the top of the grinder near the crank handle. So at coarser settings where the gap between the two burrs increases, the bottom burr wobbles, or deviates from the fixed center position, caused by the force exerted by the beans and grounds wedging between the burrs. This wobble produces more fines, boulders, and all around an inconsistently sized grounds.
The Blue Horse Products Upgrade Kit reduces the wobble by stabilizing the central shaft of the bottom burr. It's a simple yet brilliant idea -- I'm not sure why Hario hasn't started producing the Skerton with something similar already built in, but since they don't, I highly recommend the Blue Horse Products Skerton Upgrade Kit. At $11, I found the kit easy to install and an inexpensive fix to the Skerton grind troubles.
What you need: The Upgrade Kit, a small Phillips-head screwdriver, a Hario Skerton grinder
Installation:
Following the directions provided by Blue Horse Products, it took me about 4 minutes to take apart the Skerton, install the upgrade piece, and put the grinder back together. The process is simple, straightforward, and well explained with pictures (the directions above are provided with your kit).
Full Disclosure: I received a free Upgrade Kit from Blue Horse Products in exchange for an honest review. I do not work for Blue Horse nor receive compensation of any kind for sales of their products.
The issue with the Skerton that causes inconsistency is that the bottom burr is attached to a long shaft that connects only at the top of the grinder near the crank handle. So at coarser settings where the gap between the two burrs increases, the bottom burr wobbles, or deviates from the fixed center position, caused by the force exerted by the beans and grounds wedging between the burrs. This wobble produces more fines, boulders, and all around an inconsistently sized grounds.
The Blue Horse Products Upgrade Kit reduces the wobble by stabilizing the central shaft of the bottom burr. It's a simple yet brilliant idea -- I'm not sure why Hario hasn't started producing the Skerton with something similar already built in, but since they don't, I highly recommend the Blue Horse Products Skerton Upgrade Kit. At $11, I found the kit easy to install and an inexpensive fix to the Skerton grind troubles.
What you need: The Upgrade Kit, a small Phillips-head screwdriver, a Hario Skerton grinder
Installation:
After testing the upgraded Skerton at home for about week, I have been pleased with the increased consistency of the grind. The upgrade kit makes a noticeable difference at the coarser settings, a weakness in the otherwise great Skerton grinder.
Bottom line: If you own a Skerton, get the Upgrade Kit.
Full Disclosure: I received a free Upgrade Kit from Blue Horse Products in exchange for an honest review. I do not work for Blue Horse nor receive compensation of any kind for sales of their products.
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