Pre-ground coffee is easy and cheap to buy, and if it makes a coffee that you’re happy with, then that’s great. You probably fall into the category of coffee drinkers who are looking for a better cup of coffee.
So, if you want your coffee to be as fresh as possible, you should grind it yourself right before brewing.
You want a cup of coffee that is not just mediocre, but one with complex flavors and aromas that will satisfy you with every sip. If you are the kind of coffee drinker that wants the perfect cup every time, then our buyer’s guide to coffee grinders can help you choose the most important tool you need.
What Makes a Good Coffee Grinder?
If you want to make delicious coffee, it’s important to invest in a good quality coffee grinder, no matter what brewing method you’re using. What are the qualities of a good coffee grinder, and how do you choose one to match your lifestyle?
Types of Coffee Grinders
There are two primary types of coffee grinders, each of which provides a different level of quality.
Blade Grinders
Although blade grinders are the most common type of coffee grinder, they are not always the best option because they are not as precise as other types of grinders and can produce uneven grinds. Unfortunately, they’re cheap for a reason.
Many coffee drinkers do not like this type of grinder because the beans it produces are a mix of coarse, powder, and medium grinds.
If you grind coffee beans with a blade grinder for too long, you risk burning the beans, which will further affect the quality of the flavor.
Blade grinders are designed to work well with spices. If you usually drink cheaper types of coffee, you probably won’t notice much of a difference between a blade grinder and a more expensive one. And that low price tag is tempting.
If you want to spend money on high-quality coffee beans, you should get a grinder that’s good for them.
Burr Grinders
If you want a grinder that will give you the best possible flavor in your coffee, you will want to upgrade from a blade grinder to a burr grinder.
Burr grinders produce grounds that are uniform in size. Coffee experts notice that having consistent factors creates a significant enhancement in the coffee’s flavor.
There are two types of burr grinders: conical and flat plate. The two methods produce similar results in terms of quality, but there are some slight differences in how they work.
- Flat burr grinders cost more and are better at producing consistency in particle size.
- Conical grinders are more affordable and quieter.
The primary decision you need to make at this point in your journey is whether who you want to travel with, a blade or burr grinder.
Are Burr Grinders Better?
If you’ve read anything about burr grinders, you might be wondering if they’re really any better than the more common blade grinders. We’re fans of burr grinders because they can create a consistent grind size no matter the brewing method. The grinders also reduce heat transfer so that there is no loss of flavor in your coffee. It is advisable to use a burr grinder for the best results with coffee and espresso.
Shape
Burrs come in different shapes, sizes and materials. For shapes, there are flat or conical types. Is one shape better than the other? Well, that’s hard to say and a debatable topic. We can say that flat burrs may produce a more consistent particle size, while conical burrs tend to grind faster. We generally prefer flat burrs over conical ones when grinding for espresso, whereas conical ones are better for brew methods like drip, press, or pour-over coffee. There is more leeway when it comes to the grind size for these brewing methods, so you don’t have to be as precise.
Size
Burr size is measured in millimeters and ranges from around 40 millimeters for a lower cost but capable home-use grinders, up into the 60-millimeter range for prosumer level espresso focused grinders and into 80+ millimeters for high volume commercial rated grinders. In general, burrs that are larger tend to produce a higher quality grind and do it faster.
Material
Burr material is usually steel or ceramic. There are burrs that are coated with titanium that will last for a long time for most people who use them at home. Steel burrs are the most common. They are tough and do a fine job. If you don’t grind much, ceramic burrs might be a better option If you grind a lot, steel burrs dissipate heat better than ceramic burrs. If you don’t grind much, ceramic burrs may be a better option. Ceramic burrs hold their sharpness for longer than steel ones, but are more fragile and can be more easily damaged by things like stones or grit. Is one material better than the other? It’s debatable. Although ceramics last longer, steel burrs can grind more coffee beans before needing replacement.
We think that any type of burr material is good for a first grinder. If you plan on grinding a lot of coffee, it would be better to use steel burrs because they dissipate heat better. We wouldn’t worry about ceramics being more susceptible to damage. I’ve never had a problem grinding beans through ceramics.
Features
Adjusting Grind
Next up grind size adjustment. There are two basic types stepped and stepless. There are specific settings on stepped grinders that determine the grind size. You can make very small and exact adjustments to the grind size on a grinder with stepless adjustment. Unless you’re using a higher-end espresso machine, you don’t need to adjust the stepless settings. Now you will find grinders that can do espresso with different grind sizes. There are two types of espresso grinders- those that have pre-set grind settings, and those that have micro-adjustments. The former allows you to grind your coffee beans to a specific setting, while the latter allows for more precise grinds.
Motor Power
Some other considerations when choosing a grinder: Motor power. The wattage of a laser cutter is rated on a scale from approximately 100 to more than 400. More powerful motors give longer duty cycles. In other words, they can grind more coffee beans more quickly. Grinders with lower power motors often only work for short periods of time before they need a break. For example, they may work for 60 seconds and then need to rest for 10 minutes before being used again.
Build Quality
Then there’s build quality. This is true for most things in life, not just equipment. You usually get what you pay for. The more expensive an item is, the better the quality is. The more expensive coffee grinders will have more metal parts and fewer or no plastic parts.
After that, we get into how the grinder is used. Things like timed or weight-based grinding that’s programmable. There are a few different ways that you can adjust the grind size on your coffee machine. This includes turning the bean hopper, sliding controls, levers, and turning collars. There are several ways to start the grinding process, including push buttons, portafilter activated switches, and other options for dispensing grinds. The coffee grinds can go into a compartment for coffee grinds, which is usually located near the coffee machine, or directly into the coffee filter. Some grinders can do both. there are dosing grinders which grind into a hopper and then send a measured amount into a portafilter with a pull of a dosing lever.
Now that you have a better understanding of coffee grinders, here are some recommendations for those just starting out, depending on the brewing method you plan to use.
Reviews of Popular Coffee Grinder Brands
Coffee grinders are manufactured and sold by many different brands. Far too many to cover here, unfortunately. In order to find out which brands have the best reputation, we looked at customer reviews of coffee grinders sold by each brand. Here’s a general summary of what we found. It would be a good idea to read the reviews before choosing a coffee grinder that will suit your lifestyle.
Baratza
Customers either love or hate Baratza’s coffee grinders, with many giving them high marks and others giving them low ratings. The brand has an excellent reputation, with customers finding the grinders great value, long lasting, and enhancing the taste of coffee.
Some people say that their grinders broke soon after purchase or had other problems, such as being too messy or clogging. Some customers are unhappy with their purchase.
Breville
Customers say that Breville’s coffee grinders are a good value, durable, and have versatile customization options. Many people say that this grinder is quiet and makes a perfect cup of coffee. Although a few reviewers have complained about their grinder jamming or needing to be cleaned often, most people who have purchased a Breville coffee maker are happy with it.
Bunn
Bunn is a popular brand for commercial coffee appliances. They have a wide variety of products to choose from. If you are looking for coffee grinders for your office or restaurant, Bunn offers a decent selection. However, unless you need to serve a large number of people, it is not the best option for the average homeowner.
The reviews for Bunn are slim. This should not be seen as an indication of poor performance. The few reviews that are available are positive, which suggests that the product is not often reviewed because it is mostly used in commercial settings.
Capresso
Capresso’s affordable coffee grinders earn mixed reviews. Many customers are happy with their grinders, finding them to work well, be relatively quiet, and be a good value for the price. Some people have complained that the grinder does not grind evenly, or that it breaks soon after purchase. They’re a gamble, but might be worth it if you’re trying to save money.
Cuisinart
Cuisinart is a very popular brand that offers a lot of different grinders and coffee accessories. Cheap and easy to find, it’s no wonder they’re so popular.
Reviewers generally think well of Cuisinart coffee grinders. Cuisinart is the best burr grinder based on Amazon reviews. There have been a few complaints, but mostly the reviews have been positive.
Gaggia
Although it is not a very popular brand, Gaggia coffee grinders are highly rated by customers. The majority of reviews say that Gaggia’s coffee grinders are good value for money, reliable, easy to use and have a long lifespan. The general consensus is that they’re a good buy.
KitchenAid
KitchenAid’s coffee grinders include a few very affordable blade units, as well as a burr grinder that resembles their Artisan stand mixer. sticking to the tradition, KitchenAid offers a wide variety of colors for their grinders, which customers highly praise.
Do not mistake these appliances for the food grinding attachment for the stand mixer. These appliances are designed to enhance the flavor of your coffee beans.
Coffee and Espresso Grinder Recommendations
For drip coffee makers, press pots, and pour-over coffee makers, which use a medium grind, check out the Baratza Virtuoso+. The Virtuoso+ is a great value at just over $200. You get a lot of features and benefits for the price. This machine has been around for a while and has 40mm conical burrs. It can grind coffee beans finely or coarsely depending on the setting, making it ideal for cold brew.
If you regularly switch brewing methods, you want a grinder that allows for quick and easy adjustment between grind sizes. The Baratza Vario is the perfect pick for anyone who needs an all-in-one machine. The Vario has been a popular choice for coffee enthusiasts who want to upgrade from entry-level machines. The machine dispenses coffee grinds into a bin or holder, which allows the user to grind coffee for espresso without using their hands. The machine has larger 54mm flat ceramic burrs and 230 grind settings with the ability to micro-adjust to create the perfect grind for espresso. It has 3 programmable timed presets and manual grinding.
The macro and micro adjusters make it easy to quickly change the grind size. In our opinion, this is the best grinder for those who need to make large grind size adjustments on a regular basis. It has a W version which has a built-in scale and 3 weight-based programmable presets when grinding into a bin.
The E5P and E6P series grinders are Ceado’s prosumer entry-level grinders. The grinders have 64mm steel burrs, stepless grind adjustment, more powerful motors, robust construction, and timed dosing and grind start options. The Ceados machines are designed for individuals who are passionate about espresso and are looking for a machine that will give them great grind quality and a robust build without breaking the bank.
Our recommendations for beginner-level coffee grinders are designed to fit your lifestyle while providing everything you need to get started.