The most effective means of improving your coffee making at home is to acquire an adjustable and consistent grinder that creates the ideal grind each time, reliably.
This Breville grinder has many different grinding configurations that are appropriate for many different kinds of coffee, it produces even particles every time, and you can use it with the simple press of a button. This product isn’t perfect, but the cost is more affordable than other grinders that are similar.
Here is an in depth look at the Smart Grinder Pro that will help you determine if it is the correct grinder for your needs.
Overview of the Breville Smart Grinder Pro
Headquartered in Australia, Breville is widely known as a major manufacturer of home espresso machines around the world. They possess a broad spectrum of coffee items, from highly advanced espresso machines to capsule-operated coffee machines.
The Smart Grinder Pro is their entry-level espresso grinder. Its grind settings give you the ability to customize and perfect grinds so you can make a perfect espresso, as well as the flexibility to grind for other types of coffee.
That makes it very suitable for kitchens where a variety of beers are commonly brewed.
This product was created to be incredibly simple for those inexperienced in barista practices to be able to learn and refine their technique.
This item is incredibly advanced, with options for programmed grinding and simple functioning. This machine is constructed using superior quality, stainless steel conical burrs, making it enduring and dependable.
I can’t deny that the Breville Smart Grinder Pro looks very attractive. People who are familiar with what’s said on Coffees likely recognize that I support Breville goods a lot. It can be said that a key reason why the Australian maker’s style crew is mostly accurate is due to this.
No matter what, the Smart Grinder Pro fits perfectly into Breville’s appearance. You can clearly observe that it works perfectly in combination with a Breville espresso machine. You can rest assured that the Breville grinder is of great quality and durability. Breville does not limit the use of stainless steel for construction, even though plastic has to be employed to some degree.
When I took the Smart Grinder Pro out of its packaging, I was delighted by how hefty it was. It doesn’t require much effort to pick it up, but it’s quite substantial to the touch.
The bean hopper of the Breville Burr Coffee Grinder is located above the rest of the grinder, just like other similar products. At the bottom, there is a huge LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) monitor that showcases all the tuneable controls you’ll need to adjust. Specific keys and switches are available for making modifications, in addition to a big wheel on the exterior of the grinder.
I will cover everything in more depth in my analysis of the Breville Smart Grinder Pro. At present, I would just like to emphasize that the Breville has an astounding 60 levels of grind adjustment, which is truly remarkable. In addition, with the included holders, you are able to grind directly into a portafilter.
In the end, for the amount of $199.95, the Breville grinder is an outstanding bargain. I was a bit skeptical prior to trying it out, but I can now wholeheartedly assure you that this grinder is truly as advertised. I’ll tell you more a little later!
This grinder is not without its drawbacks, such as not offering very consistent grains and not as long-lasting as other more costly ones, but still it puts out a performance that is quite similar to more costly models.
Things We Like
- 600 possible grind sizes mean it’s very adjustable and suitable for all sorts of brew styles
- Better grind consistency than most other grinders in its price class, especially with finer grinds
- An all-around coffee grinder that works well for most brewing methods, including espresso
- Easy to use and clean
Things We Don’t Like
- Coarse grind sizes aren’t consistent, making it less suitable for people who primarily make french press or percolator coffee.
- It grinds by time rather than weight, so it can be tedious to find grind precise doses
- Unreliable customer service and technical support
Breville Smart Grinder Pro Review
It is certainly past time to review the Breville Smart Grinder Pro. I was given the title of the Breville “Best Budget Espresso Grinder” in my 2023 coffee grinder guide as a start. In addition, many of you are searching for a cost-effective and efficient grinder to pair with your home espresso machine.
Taking into account the fact, I determined to investigate more meticulously what is certainly one of the most favored burr coffee grinders around. I even went so far as to purchase one of these items from Amazon to evaluate it for you.
I am so enthusiastic to share with you just how this grinder works after I have spent some time testing it out. Let’s dive into my review of the Breville Smart Grinder Pro!
Aesthetics
When it comes to aesthetics, I would describe the Smart Grinder Pro as having a practical yet sophisticated appearance. The brushed steel finish of this grinder makes it look more sophisticated than ones that are made with plastic.
The design of its interface is very neat, with buttons, dials, and an LCD screen all situated in a tidy way, giving it a classy appearance.
The power cord is tidily tucked away underneath the machine, preventing it from taking up any counter space.
Durability
The frame of the Smart Grinder Pro is composed of a tough plastic material with an outer coating of stainless steel. The container and encasement for the grinding cones are constructed out of plastic.
The abundance of plastic causes me to doubt the machine’s longevity. I would like stronger materials, although that will increase the cost.
Despite the fact that it is made of plastic, this product is quite heavy and there is hardly any vibration when the engine is operating. This product appears to be quite robust, and I have experienced no issues with it over the past year.
Burrs and Motor
The core of the Smart Grinder Pro is composed of stainless steel conical burrs secured into a firm plastic container. The burrs are 38mm in size, which is typical for a burr grinder designed for home use.
The burrs have deep grooves with sharply-edged ridges. Stainless steel doesn’t keep its edge as well as ceramic burrs, but the latter aren’t available at this cost.
I find that I can take off the higher grinding wheel manually, with an accompanying metal handle that seems like it’s about to break whenever I try to rotate it and remove the top burr.
The conical burr at the bottom is affixed to the machine with a nut that needs to be taken off with a socket wrench if one needs to clean beneath it.
Motor
Certain cone-shaped burrs can develop issues if the grinding is too fast, resulting in the beans getting heated from the friction, which leads to the oils and flavors inside of them being released during the grinding process.
The Smart Grinder Pro has a 165-watt motor that rotates the burrs at 450 revolutions per minute, which is somewhat slower than other grinders, but is still quick enough to yield good results without altering the flavor of the espresso.
The motor does have some downsides. This coffee grinder does not boast a strong motor, as its power specification is only 165 watts, which is insufficient for grinding large amounts of coffee beans.
It’s safe to use the grinder as long as you’re not processing large quantities of ingredients and you’re just using it for short stretches of time (10-20 seconds).
Hopper Design
The hopper on the Smart Grinder Pro can store more than a pound of coffee beans. When the capacity of your hopper is that big, it is tempting to use it to stockpile your coffee beans. Beans spoil quickly when kept in this manner.
Breville took into account the issue by creating a grinder with a hopper that is made to be impermeable to UV light and has a lid that is securely sealed shut to protect against it. Keeping the beans in the hopper should always be done in a manner to ensure their freshness.
I enjoy the switch on the hopper which secures it to the machine. When you open the hopper, the outlet at the base is turned off. Hence, beans will no longer come out, so you can remove the hopper from the device without spilling any beans on the worktop or the ground.
Ease of Use
This appliance was constructed with the novice user in mind, and is straightforward and simple to operate. Making alterations is straightforward, and the display screen clearly demonstrates the parameters.
Adjusting the grind size and the amount of time for grinding can be done with the knobs, while the amount of portions you want to grind and the on/off switch are located on the front side of the device.
Breville Smart Grinder Pro Features
Now that we understand the situation better, let’s analyze the qualities and productivity of the Breville Smart Grinder Pro more closely as part of this review.
Size
When purchasing a drip coffee maker, coffee grinder, or other kitchen appliance, you may go overboard and buy more than you need. I, at least, clicked the Buy Now button without completely considering the implications! I’d like to point out the measurements of the Smart Grinder Pro.
This grinder is not the largest one I have come across, but it is definitely not the smallest either. If you have limited counter space in your kitchen, it may be beneficial to consider getting a hand grinder.
Be conscious of the total height of the Breville coffee grinder. The Smart Grinder Pro is 15.5 inches (39.4 centimeters) in size, so it likely won’t fit under certain overhead cupboards.
Bean Hopper
The bean hopper of the Smart Grinder Pro is able to hold 18 ounces (510 grams) of beans, which is quite remarkable. I’m also thankful that the plastic feeder has been treated with UV tinting. The lid of the hopper tightly fastens to ensure that the contents remain secure and free from air.
I would not advise storing significant quantities of coffee beans in the grinder over an extended time. You’re much better off using a coffee storage canister.
It’s worth noting that the lid of the hopper is equipped with a convenient ring pull for easy removal. This small design choices make me smile. Cheers Breville!
Stainless Steel Conical Burrs
Whenever I draft a critique of coffee grinders, I am disposed to initiate contrasting flat burrs and conical burrs. That is a delicate issue for those who are passionate about coffee, and I don’t wish to offend anyone. Therefore, I should say that the Breville Smart Grinder Pro comes with stainless steel conical grinders and that’s all I’m going to say about it.
Breville boasts 60 different settings for the grinder, and states it can be used for both regular French press and espresso beverages. I will inform you if that is accurate once I examine the outcome of my practical trials. You ought to be aware that the top burr can be set for a more extensive grind variability if desired.
The upper burr is able to be taken off and can be taken out with no difficulty. Maintaining the Breville grinder is now going to be simpler.
User Interface
If you are accustomed to utilizing a basic coffee grinder with a ‘Begin/Stop’ button, you can be forgiven for being a tad troubled by Breville’s user interface. Let me set your mind at ease – there’s nothing complex taking place here. The user interface is incredibly straightforward and uncomplicated to go around.
The LCD display gives out data about your chosen grind size, as well as a great visual guide. You can adjust the size of the ground coffee particles using the big wheel on the side of the appliance. You can also observe the current grinding period, which can be adjusted using the rotary knob located beneath.
In addition to that, there is a Shots/Cups option that can be programmed, though I don’t think it is necessary. I eventually decided to completely disregard it while performing my practical evaluation.
Dosing
In an ideal situation, all household burr grinders would be able to grind based on exact quantities by weight. In conclusion, the only way to achieve reliable results is to weigh out your coffee prior to making it. It applies equally to any type of coffee brewing method, from pour-over and French press to espresso and AeroPress.
Certainly, it will cost considerably more to have a grind-by-weight function, which is the reason why most economically priced models grind the beans based on time. It’s not necessary to get too worked up over this – you will just have to purchase a reliable coffee scale.
The Breville Smart Grinder Pro gives an incredibly precise customization option by enabling users to set the time in 0.2-second intervals. You can also do the grinding manually if necessary.