Tom Bradley
Lead Reviewer & Analyst
Q Grader Certified (CQI), SCA Barista Skills Professional
Tom Bradley is a Q Grader certified specialty coffee professional who has been roasting, brewing, and reviewing coffee equipment since 2014. He operates a small roastery and training lab where he tests every grinder, brewer, and espresso machine under controlled conditions. Tom's reviews include measured extraction yields, grind consistency analysis, and temperature stability data — not just subjective taste notes.
Articles by Tom Bradley(12)
Best Beginner Homebrewing Kits 2026: Mr. Beer vs Northern Brewer vs Brooklyn Brew
Comparing the top beginner homebrewing kits so you can start brewing great beer at home without wasting money on the wrong kit.
Best Conical Fermenters Under $200: FastFerment vs Speidel vs Anvil Bucket
Upgrade from a plastic bucket to a real conical fermenter without breaking the bank. We compare the top options under $200.
Home Brewing vs Buying Craft Beer: Is It Actually Worth the Time and Money?
Craft beer costs $12–$20 per six-pack. Homebrew costs $1–$2 per bottle. But is homebrewing actually worth it when you factor in time, equipment, and failure rate?
Baratza Encore vs Encore ESP vs Virtuoso+: Which Coffee Grinder Should You Buy?
Baratza makes the gold standard entry-to-mid-range grinders. Here's how to choose between the Encore, Encore ESP, and Virtuoso+ for your brewing method.
AeroPress vs Hario V60 vs Chemex: The Ultimate Pour-Over Brewing Comparison
Three legendary manual brewing methods, three very different cups. Which is right for your taste, lifestyle, and skill level?
Five Star Star San 32oz Review: The Homebrew Sanitizer Standard
Fermentation contamination is the #1 homebrew problem. Star San is the community-standard sanitizer. We tested the 32oz bottle.
Brewer's Elite Hydrometer Set Review: Specific Gravity on a Budget
Every homebrew batch needs gravity readings. The Brewer's Elite Hydrometer Set includes the hydrometer plus a test jar at budget pricing.
VEVOR 8-Gallon Conical Fermenter Review: Budget Stainless for Homebrewers
A budget stainless steel conical fermenter that's ~one-third the price of premium competitors. We tested it across multiple homebrew batches.
Chemex Pour-Over Classic 8-Cup Review: Iconic Design Meets Clean Coffee
The Chemex has been in the Museum of Modern Art for decades. We tested the 8-Cup version for multi-cup pour-over brewing.
Baratza Encore Review: The First Real Coffee Grinder Everyone Recommends
Baratza Encore is the near-universally recommended first real coffee grinder. We tested it for 30 days.
Hario V60 Ceramic Dripper 02 Review: The Defining Pour-Over Cone
The Hario V60 02 is the defining pour-over brewer. We tested the ceramic version for 45 days of daily use.
Fellow Corvo EKG Pro Electric Kettle Review: The Temperature Precision Standard
A premium electric kettle with 1-degree temperature precision and brew scheduling. We tested it for 45 days of daily pour-over use.