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Our reviewers

Updated

Our Coffee Experts & Reviewers

Every coffee equipment review and guide on The Coffee Locator is written by one of these two reviewers and peer-reviewed by another. See who they are, what they cover, and where to find their work.

Meet the team

Role, experience and the work each reviewer has published.

Michael Anderson

Lead Coffee Expert & Equipment Specialist

17 years in specialty coffee

Former specialty-café barista trainer with SCA Level 2 certification, focused on hands-on testing of espresso machines and coffee makers.

Certifications

  • SCA Coffee Skills Programme — Level 2 (Specialty Coffee Association, 2021)
  • Certified Coffee Expert — Coffee Quality Institute
  • Professional Barista Trainer Certificate — SCA Education (2021)
Published
58 product reviews · 27 guides
Peer-reviewed by
Sarah Chen
Espresso MachinesCoffee MakersGrind & Brew SystemsExtraction ScienceEquipment TestingBrewing Technique
See profile and reviews

Sarah Chen

Senior Coffee Reviewer & Grinder Specialist

13 years in specialty coffee

Q Grader specializing in cupping, grinder testing, and equipment selection advice for specialty cafés, with 100+ burr grinders tested.

Certifications

  • Q Grader Licence — Coffee Quality Institute (2014)
  • SCA Coffee Skills Programme — Brewing & Sensory modules (2021)
  • Certified Cupping Judge — Specialty Coffee Association
Published
31 product reviews · 44 guides
Peer-reviewed by
Michael Anderson
Coffee GrindersGrinder TechnologySensory EvaluationBrew Method OptimizationBean SelectionFlavor Analysis
See profile and reviews

Who reviews what?

Each reviewer leads the categories closest to their background; the other checks the draft.

Michael Anderson

Leads Espresso Machines (34), coffee makers (20), Coffee Makers (2), grinders (2).

Testing equipment

  • Scace Device II — boiler & group-head temperature profiling
  • Atago PAL-COFFEE refractometer — TDS & extraction yield measurement
  • Decent DE1 — pressure-curve logging and diagnostics
  • Baratza Forté BG — reference grinder for baseline comparison

Sarah Chen

Leads grinders (10), coffee makers (8), Coffee Beans (7), Grinders (5), Coffee Makers (1).

Testing equipment

  • Kruve Sifter Pro — particle-size distribution analysis
  • Digital micrometer — burr gap calibration verification
  • Acaia Pearl scale — 0.1 g resolution for retention measurement
  • VST Refractometer — extraction yield for grind-comparative brew tests

Every review publishes its test count, duration and key readings. The full list is in the published test logs on the methodology page, linked below.

How our reviewers test and stay independent

How products are chosen, tested and scored.

  • Products are bought with our own funds and tested hands-on.
  • Every product is scored with a consistent rubric.
  • We do not accept free review units, manufacturer payments, or paid placements.
  • We do earn affiliate commissions on some links; the pages below explain how.
Why Trust UsAffiliate DisclosureOur MethodologyEditorial Guidelines