Top burr coffee grinder
10 Best Coffee Grinders (2022): Conical Burr, Flat Burr, Manual, Blade
Jaina Grey Scott Gilbertson
Gear
Get more joy from your java. These conical-burr, flat-burr, and bladed machines let you enjoy freshly ground beans in every cup.
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Featured in this articleWhat Is a Conical, Flat, or Blade Grinder?
Why We Prefer the Burr
Read more
Best for Most People
Oxo Conical Burr Grinder
Read more$100 at Target
Best Conical Burr Grinder
Baratza Encore Burr Grinder
Read more$170 at Amazon
The Best Grinder, Period
Eureka Mignon Notte
Read more$329 at Seattle Coffee Gear
Show more
4 / 14
It's all in the beans. Nothing will improve your morning coffee like grinding the beans right before you brew. It doesn't matter whether you're rocking a fancy liquid-cooled-quantum-AI-powered espresso machine or a $20 Mr. Coffee—making the switch to whole beans will transform your coffee-drinking experience.
We have some advice on finding good whole beans at the end of this article, and you might want to read our guide to the best coffee bean subscription services. Then, once you have your beans, it's time to grind 'em up fresh each day. Here's our guide to the best coffee grinders.
Also, be sure to check out our other coffee gear roundups, like the Best Latte and Cappuccino Machines, Best Portable Coffee Makers, Best Espresso Machines, and Best Portable Espresso Makers.
Updated August 2022: We’ve added the Eureka Mignon Notte and KitchenAid blade grinder.
What Is a Conical, Flat, or Blade Grinder?
Why We Prefer the Burr
Our list consists mostly of conical-burr grinders.
In a conical grinder, coffee beans are crushed and ground between two rings of burrs. They deliver a finer, much more consistent grind than you’d get with a traditional blade grinder, even the nicest ones. Flat-burr grinders are similar, but they’re typically more expensive. In these, the burrs are laid on top of each other, and the beans pass through them as they grind. The grinder action pushes the grounds out of one end, instead of relying on gravity like a conical burr grinder, and the beans spend more time in contact with the burrs. This results in a more consistent grind, but for home brewers, conical-burr grinders are just as good—even if they require more maintenance and don’t result in consistent-down-to-the-micron-scale grounds.
Blade grinders have a chopping blade that spins around like a food processor. But blades don't produce even results. Some of your coffee will be fine powder at the bottom, and at the top you'll have bits too large for even French press.
The result is an inconsistent, unpredictable brew. These grinders are cheap, and yes, using fresh beans in a blade grinder is far better than buying ground coffee. (You can learn how to shake the beans to even your grind just a little. See world barista champion James Hoffmann's video for some more blade grinder hacks.) If you can afford it, we highly recommend going with one of the burr grinders we've listed. There's a reason why they cost a little more than a budget burr grinder. The machinery in a high-quality burr grinder is a bit more complicated, and it's built to withstand greater wear and tear. In cheap burr grinders, the burrs will typically get blunt from regular use, and the flimsier motors may burn out with regular use in a matter of months.
Photograph: Oxo
Best for Most People
Oxo Conical Burr Grinder
Oxo's Brew grinder has a good balance of features, usefulness, and relatively low price among the electric grinders we've used. It's a conical burr grinder, so it gives you the precision for most types of brewing.
There are 15 settings, covering every brewing scenario from finely ground espresso to coarse-ground that’s perfect for a French press. Its slim, narrow profile doesn't hog counter space—though it is 16 inches tall and may be a tight fit under the cabinets. (Remember, you need some clearance to take the lid off and pour in beans.) It's not silent by any means, but it's not too loud, and it grinds quickly. We've used this grinder daily for more than a year, and it's held up well! If you've never had a burr grinder and want to see what all the fuss is about without breaking the bank, this is where you should start. But be careful, you will end up drinking more coffee because it tastes so good when it's burr-ground. Avoid the equally popular Cuisinart burr grinder ($60). Members of our reviews team have purchased and tested this Cuisinart model at least three times because of its low price. It was loud, the grind wasn't as even as we wanted, and the motor gave out on all of our units (which we purchased years apart) after a month or two.
$100 at Target
$100 at Amazon
$100 at Bed Bath & Beyond
Photograph: Amazon
Best Conical Burr Grinder
Baratza Encore Burr Grinder
There’s a good reason the Baratza Encore’s been unchanged on the market for over a decade. While coffee culture can often seem elitist and uninviting, this conical burr grinder is more accessible and less expensive than most quality grinders. There are 40 settings, from a fine grind for espresso all the way to a coarse grind for French press. However, if drip coffee is your life’s blood like it is mine, you’ll want to stick with a medium setting of around 20. It's simple to operate, features an automatic shutoff timer, and doesn't hog counter space. (It's about 14 inches tall, so check the specs against your kitchen.)
The Baratza Encore is also easily cleanable and repairable. No tools are required to take the machine apart, and replacement parts are easy to obtain. Plus, there’s a one-year limited warranty.
The Encore has a bigger, beefier cousin, the Encore Vario-W, but for most people the Encore is a much better pick. The Vario-W does include a scale, and it has flat burrs, but at over $500 it doesn't do much to justify that price. —Haley Sprankle$170 at Amazon
$170 at Seattle Coffee Gear
Photograph: Eureka
The Best Grinder, Period
Eureka Mignon Notte
Hand-built in Florence, Italy, the Eureka Mignon Notte is the best grinder we've ever tested. It's built from top to bottom with longevity in mind. You can disassemble it to service its robust inner machinery, clean the burrs, and troubleshoot any issues you might be having. Moreover, the chassis is built like a tank, and unlike most grinders, it's made almost entirely of steel. Servicing a heavy-duty machine like a burr grinder encased in flimsy plastic can be a huge pain—and sometimes impossible without breaking something.
Burr grinders will always run into problems. They break up oily beans into fine powders, so there's going to be some buildup, somewhere.
The Mignon Notte is one of the first burr grinders that I feel confident might actually outlast me. Plus, it grinds coffee to perfection in a matter of seconds, no matter how fine or coarse you want it, and it costs hundreds less than most flat-burr grinders. $329 at Seattle Coffee Gear
Most Popular
Photograph: KitchenAid
Best Blade Grinder
KitchenAid Blade Coffee Grinder
A burr grinder will get you noticeably tastier coffee, but there's nothing wrong with a plain old blade grinder. If you're just grinding coffee for a drip machine, French press, or pour-over, a blade grinder will do just fine in most cases. My personal favorite has been this KitchenAid that I picked up on Amazon a few years back. It's sturdy, and it has a little removable cup so you don't have to invert the whole grinder over your coffee machine to empty out the grounds. But most importantly, it gets the job done.
Add in fresh, locally roasted beans and you'll be in for a killer cup of coffee. Pro tip: If you pulse it instead of holding it down for one long grind, you'll get a more consistent grind, and you won't end up with as many nearly whole beans floating at the top of your coffee filter. More consistent grind = more flavor in your cup.
$30 at Amazon
Photograph: Fellow
Best for Pour-Over & Drip Coffee
Fellow Ode Brew Grinder
The Ode Brew Grinder only grinds coffee coarse enough for pour-over, drip, or French press brewing, but it's a great grinder. Its flat burrs produce a super consistent grind that really elevates a good pour-over. It's also nice to look at and is built from solid metal, like a tank. The Ode thoroughly, speedily, and relatively quietly grinds your coffee beans. We recommend it if you’re looking to raise your coffee game at home but aren't interested in making espresso.
$299 at Amazon
$300 at Seattle Coffee Gear
Photograph: Breville
Easy to Clean
Breville Smart Grinder Pro
We have killed quite a few burr grinders in our day.
They can be hard to keep clean, hard to maintain, and most of the ones you’ll find under $80 aren’t going to live very long no matter how well you look after them. The motors burn out, the burrs get worn down, coffee dust builds up in places you can’t get to—being a burr grinder is a hard life. The Breville Smart Grinder Pro is one of the best I’ve used. It has all kinds of helpful features like a grind timer and adjustable dose control, and attachments that let you settle a portafilter in right under the spout where the grounds come out. The standout feature for me is its cleanability. You can easily disassemble the hopper, get access to the burrs, and pull out the spill tray under the spout—it’s amazing for keeping a burr grinder in working order.
★ Alternative: The KitchenAid Burr Grinder ($170) is also very stylish and easy to clean. The burrs are just a bit more accessible thanks to their placement directly beneath the hopper.
It also features precise dose control and a dial controlling the consistency of the grind (with helpful guidelines for different kinds of coffee preparation). Plus, you can swap the little container that catches the grounds with a holder for a portafilter—which makes it super easy to grind exactly how much you need and not a single bean more. $182 at Amazon
$200 at Seattle Coffee Gear
Most Popular
Photograph: Oxo
Best Grinder With a Scale
Oxo Burr Grinder with Scale
Making great coffee is all about starting with fresh roasted beans, getting them to just the right grind, and adding hot water. Making great coffee consistently is all about measuring your variables, and adjusting one at a time. One key variable is the weight of grounds you use, and this Oxo model is one of the only grinders with a built-in scale. Set your grind size, select the weight you want, hit Start, and walk away; it shuts itself off when it's done.
You could use a kitchen scale to weigh your beans, but this is a nice way to streamline your morning ritual, especially if counterspace is at a premium. Be warned though, it does have a tendency to cast off a few grounds here or there when you open the little grounds container, so make sure you sweep your counter regularly. $278 at Amazon
$300 at Bed Bath & Beyond
Photograph: Amazon
Best Manual Coffee Grinder
Hario Skerton Pro
WIRED senior reviewer Scott Gilbertson prefers to hand-grind his coffee, and he's tried half a dozen manual grinders. The Skerton Pro is far and away his favorite. It's fast, taking less than two minutes to grind out the half cup of fine grounds for my moka pot—and the burr design produces a consistent, fine grind. Note that we said “fine.” This is not the best choice for French press brewing, because the Skerton Pro is just not consistent enough at coarse grinds.
On the downside, the silicone grip constantly falls off.
(Scott threw his away, as it didn't do much anyway.) On the upside, the threads on the grinder portion are standard, so if anything happens to the glass jar you can just use a regular Ball mason jar.$38 at Amazon
$50 at Blue Bottle Coffee
Photograph: Amazon
Best Grinder for Traveling
Hario Mini Slim Plus
This smaller Hario is the first hand grinder that senior reviewer Scott Gilbertson ever used. It's perfect for a shot of espresso or even a small moka pot. It doesn't grind as fast as the Skerton, but it's much lighter and safer to throw in your bag when you travel, thanks to the plastic construction. There's also the slightly larger and more expensive Mini Slim Pro. Grind-wise, the Mini Slim is about the same, but he doesn't like it as much, because you can't see how much coffee you've ground.
$32 at Amazon
$40 at Seattle Coffee Gear
Most Popular
Photograph: VSSL
Sturdiest Grinder
VSSL Java Grinder
VSSL started life making ultra-durable camping tools—waterproof canisters with flashlights, compasses, first aid kits, and more.
Recently the company took that same design—a slender tube made of aircraft-grade aluminum—and turned it into the Java, a portable coffee grinder rugged enough to survive the zombie apocalypse, or a bumpy ride to your favorite campsite.Senior reviewer Scott Gilbertson loves everything about the Java. It's incredibly well made, yet (relatively) lightweight. The handle is clever. It folds out and provides a lot of leverage while you grind, and you can use it as a hook to hang the Java up when you're done. The setup produces a nice even grind, covering the full spectrum of brew possibilities, from French-press coarse to espresso-fine.
At roughly 14 ounces, you wouldn't bring it backpacking, but it's great for grinding fresh beans while camping. The Java isn't cheap, but if you do a lot of camping and want a grinder that's going to last a lifetime, this one fits the bill.
$160 at VSSL
Photograph: Fellow
A Place to Store Your Beans
Fellow Atmos Vacuum Canister
It's easy to overlook bean storage, especially if you go through coffee pretty quickly.
But during months of testing, I can say definitively that a vacuum container preserves the delicate flavors of locally roasted coffee much longer than the bag they came in does. The Atmos Vacuum Container is my hands-down favorite, and every single bag of coffee I get goes right into one as soon as I bring it home from the store. By using a twist-action pump on the lid to vacate the container of any air, the Atmos effectively puts your beans into stasis. Without air, there are fewer passive chemical reactions going on that break down those roasty toasty flavors before you can get to them. $40 at Fellow
$40 at Williams Sonoma
Photograph: Ozeri
A Scale for Weighing Your Beans
Ozeri Pronto Digital Multifunction Food Scale
Ok. I admit, I was one of those people who was vehemently against weighing out my beans for each cup. I thought it was bougie and unnecessary—until I tried it. I bought the Ozeri food scale for weighing out baking ingredients, and one day I used it for coffee and really enjoyed the results.
By weighing out exactly how many grams of whole coffee beans I'm going to use, I can achieve a level of consistency that's hard to beat. A scale is a must-have if you're trying to troubleshoot or explore the differences you experience in your coffee from cup to cup. Whether you're using a drip brewer, an espresso machine, or a pour-over setup, weighing out your beans before you grind them is a wonderful way to ensure you're only grinding exactly what you need (which reduces waste). It's been especially helpful in my home, which drinks a lot of standard and decaf coffee. My partner is sensitive to caffeine, so we like to make sure there aren't any caffeinated beans left in the grinder before grinding her decaf. Weighing the beans for each cup (or pot if you're using a drip brewer) makes it super easy to control which beans are going into which cup. Plus, I guarantee you'll find more uses for this food scale than you ever expected.
$10 at Amazon
$10 at Walmart
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Buy Fresh Beans (You Won't Regret It)
Where to Find Whole Beans
Whole beans will always taste fresher than preground, but the fresher they actually are, the more delicious they may taste.
We suggest visiting your local coffee roaster. Just Google “coffee roasters near me” and I guarantee you’ll find something nearby. Your local grocery store probably even stocks locally roasted beans. Look for bags of whole beans with dates printed on them. (That’s when they were roasted, and you’ll usually only find those on local brands.) If you don't have any coffee roasters in your area, you can order some quality beans online.
If you're unsure which variety of coffee to get, again, check our guide to the best subscription coffee services. These services send you new beans to try every few weeks.
Jaina Grey is a product reviewer at WIRED, covering all those devices that make your life easier—and sometimes much more difficult. Since her first byline in Dragon Magazine to her more recent work at Digital Trends, she’s covered a little bit of everything, from crime, courts, and patent filings to... Read more
Scott Gilbertson is a senior writer and reviewer for WIRED, specializing in portable technology. He was previously a writer and editor for WIRED's Webmonkey.com, covering the browser wars, web standards, the independent web, and all aspects of internet culture. He studied at the University of Georgia.
TopicsShoppingcoffeeFood and Drinkbuying guideskitchen
More from WIREDThe 9 Best Burr Coffee Grinders of 2022
You must have a proper burr grinder, capable of producing somewhat uniform particles if you want to brew truly delicious coffee at home.
It doesn’t have to be the most expensive grinder out there (as some snobs will claim) but there are a few minimum requirements.
Today there are so many different types of grinders on the market, so it’s important to get the right one for your particular needs.
If you want to see my recommendations, then read on.
⚠️
Why should you listen to me?In my time as a professional coffee taster (Q Grader) I have tested a bunch of burr grinders. Currently, I have 14 grinders at home, but I have tried many more models in my time as a coffee geek.
I believe a grinder is an extremely important tool, so pay close attention here, so you can find the right one for your needs!
A little selection of grinders I’m currently testing.How to choose the best home coffee grinder
Grinders come in all shapes and sizes, so it’s important to choose one that fits your brewing style.
Broadly speaking, grinders can be broken down into 4 main categories – however, there are exceptions to these rules:
13,124 Reviews
Best for beginners
From my experience, the Baratza Encore is at the sweet spot when it comes to quality, value and convenience.
It's a workhorse that has proven itself over time. Another benefit is that Baratza probably has the best customer service in the coffee industry.
In reality, most people reading this are primarily looking for a grinder they can use at home to brew stuff like drip coffee or French press.
- Electric Conical Burr Grinders: Most people just getting into the whole ‘grind-your-beans-at-home’-thing, should pick a model from this category. It should have conical burrs made of steel and it shouldn’t necessarily cost a fortune.
- Electric Flat Burr grinders: This type of grinder is too expensive for most regular people, but many hardcore coffee geeks eventually invest in a flat burr grinder due to its more uniform particle distribution. Both when it comes to drip coffee and espresso, flat burrs tend to provide more flavor clarity.
- Espresso Grinders: These grinders are usually a lot more expensive, and only suitable for one thing: espresso. They can grind extremely fine, and are designed specifically for espresso. Even, if they technically can grind the correct coarseness for other brewing types, they are better suited for their original purpose. You can find them with either flat or conical burrs.
Read my guide specifically to espresso grinders here. - Manual Grinders: You can often find great value in this category! Due to their elongated design, hand grinders usually have conical burrs, (although I can think of two or three exceptions to this rule).
Cheaper versions usually have dull, ceramic burrs, but the best manual coffee grinders tend to have high-quality steel parts. Hand grinders are versatile and can often be suitable for both pour over and espresso.
- Single-dose grinders: This type of grinder has become really popular in the last couple of years. A single-doser doesn’t have a big hopper, where you can store your beans. Instead, they have a small grind chamber that is designed for a single dose. So you have to measure out your desired dose before grinding each time. This is usually combined with very low retention. This approach is ideal if you want the purest and freshest flavors possible.
(Pro tip: When we talk about single-dosers, we typically refer to electric grinders, but essentially, all hand grinders are single-dose grinders!) - Commercial grinders: In the coffee shop you’ll mainly see huge grinders with flat or conical burrs.
They are designed for volume and workflow. Often, they are also more consistent than the grinders home-users have access to, however, this isn’t always the case. Today, some prosumer grinders can actually rival professional equipment.
Consider a manual burr grinder
Alternatively, if you don’t mind the work, you’ll also get excellent results with a manual burr grinder. If you’re serious about coffee and want the best bang-for-the-buck solution then get the 1Zpresso Jx.
(Yes, flavor-wise, it’s a big step up compared to the Baratza Encore.)
If you have more complicated coffee needs than typical home brewing, you might have to consider an espresso grinder. If you have an espresso machine – or you’re thinking about getting one – you should plan ahead and get a device meant for this kind of brewing style since normal burr grinders typically can’t grind fine enough for espresso.
992 Reviews
Great Value for the Money
The Jx-model from Taiwanese 1Zpresso has disrupted the manual grinder market. It's an all-round model that performs well both when it comes to pour over and espresso. Extremely fast and reliable.
Definitely one of my favorites!
🤔 Grinding for both drip & espresso?
One of the most common questions I get asked by prospective coffee snobs is this:
I want a grinder that can grind for both espresso as well as pour over. Which one should I get?
Most entry-level grinders are designed with French press and drip coffee in mind. They usually don’t go fine enough to grind for espresso, or maybe they lack adjustability in the finer range (which is really important).
If you want to do espresso well, you’ll need a dedicated espresso grinder. It’s pretty hard work to dial in a grinder, and find the perfect setting for espresso.
Once you find that sweet spot, you don’t want to mess with it and start brewing French press or pour over. For that reason, most espresso snobs tend to have a dedicated espresso grinder.
There are only a few grinders that can do both drip and espresso well. Modern single-dose grinders such as the DF64 (mentioned below) are designed to have minimal retention and large adjustment dials that are easy to move back and forth. For that reason, they function well as multipurpose grinders. Keep in mind, that this type of grinder doesn’t have a hopper, so you’ll have to refill beans every time you brew coffee.
The best burr coffee grinders of 2022
Below you will find my recommendations in a wide range of categories. These grinders shouldn’t be compared side by side. Instead, they should be seen as models that cater to specific segments of the market.
I’m sure one of them will fit your particular needs – good luck.
| Preview | Product | Rating | |
|---|---|---|---|
Baratza Encore Conical Burr. .. | 13,124 Reviews | ||
| 1Zpresso JX Manual Coffee... | 992 Reviews | ||
1Zpresso K-Max Manual Coffee. .. | No ratings yet |
1: Baratza Encore (filter coffee)
The Encore is a modern classic for a good reason: It’s just a solid grinder.
Sure, you can find a lot of models that seem to be packed with more cutting edge technology and more fancy descriptions, but at the end of the day a grinder should just do one or two things really well. That’s what this one does.
If you mostly make black coffee – stuff like French press, pour over and Aeropress, then this one will serve you well.
It’s not an espresso grinder per se, but it’s capable of grinding fine enough with a little bit of tweaking. That’s a nice enough option to have in case you want to experiment a little bit with that kind of coffee.
For most of the coffee folks out there, this is a good entry-level grinder. A sentiment which was echoed by The Wirecutter in their extensive grinder test recently (source).
The downside is that the Encore can feel a bit too inconsistent if you really get into specialty coffee and lighter roasts. If you want fruity and floral notes, rather than body and strength, then it’s not the ideal grinder.
Personally, I’d choose a hand grinder in the same price range for that use case.
It’s worth mentioning that Baratza is renowned for its great customer service; especially if you live in the US.
Pros
- Consistent grind at the pour over setting
- Well-known and trusted brand
- No frills, easy to use
amazon
chris’ coffee
→ See my Baratza Encore Review
→ The Best Grinders for the Aeropress
2: 1zpresso jx (filter/Espresso)
The 1Zpresso Jx has been one of my personal favorites since it was released in 2019.
For a hand grinder, it’s incredibly fast and consistent. The grind quality easily beats electric grinders that are 3-4 times more expensive.
The grinder is portable, quiet, and sturdy.
This model is one of the fastest manual grinders on the market. With its smooth bearings and big, sharp burrs, it almost goes through a gram per second, which is outstanding.
If you want to get the most consistent grind for the money, I recommend this guy. However, if you’re a person who likes convenience, maybe you should consider one of the electrical options first.
Read my full review of the Jx here.
Pros
- My personal favorite deal
- Quiet & portable
- Professional grind quality
amazon
official store
3: 1zpresso K-Max (Filter/Espresso)
The 1Zpresso K-Max is the newest flagship model from the Taiwanese brand.
Yes, it’s a bit more expensive than my other favorite, the Jx, but you do get some very convenient upgrades for the money.
First and foremost, you get a very convenient external adjustment of the grind size. This makes it very easy to switch between drip coffee, espresso & French press.
The second obvious advantage is that it has a magnetic catch cup. It seems like a small thing, but again, it makes the whole user experience a bit more frictionless every time you use the grinder.
What about the flavor? Is it also better than the Jx?
Yes, I believe it is.
You might not be able to detect it unless you’re a skilled coffee taster, but I think that it’s especially noticeable at high extractions or when brewing espresso.
The K-Max is almost identical to the K Plus, which I have previously reviewed. However, it has a few small tweaks that makes it more attractive overall.
Read the full explanation here.
Pros
- IMO the best hand grinder on the market in 2022
- Multipurpose: Excellent for both espresso & filter coffee
- Professional grind quality
amazon
official store
4: Timemore Chestnut c2 (filter coffee)
The Timemore C2 is another great hand grinder.
I consider this device to be the cheapest acceptable coffee grinder if you really want to appreciate specialty coffee.
The Timemore C2 has many of the same benefits as the 1Zpresso Jx. However, it’s actually a bit lighter and easier to hold if you have small hands.
The downside with the C2 is that the capacity is slightly limited at around 25 grams of coffee and that it’s not capable of grinding for espresso.
However, if you’re just looking for a fast, efficient and capable hand grinder to get you started with proper coffee, then go for this model. It’s miles ahead of the traditional hand grinders from Hario, Porlex or JavaPresse.
Read my full review of the C2 here.
(Sidenote: Recently the C3 model was released, but I still think the C2 makes more sense for most people)
Pros
- Affordable
- Great for travel
- Fast for a manual coffee grinder
- A good place to start your coffee journey
amazon
→ Check out More Cheap Coffee Grinders
5: Eureka Filtro (filter coffee)
The Eureka Filtro is the logical next step up from the Baratza Encore.
It’s a flat burr grinder produced in Italy by the grinder legends from Eureka.
There are both some good and bad things to say about the Filtro. It offers an absolutely insane grind consistency. In fact, it’s the most consistent grinder I have ever tested. You can check out my big test of mid-range grinders on YouTube to see a more in-depth explanation.
However, I also think that some of the design decisions are rather unfortunate. For instance, you have to hold in the pulse button for the grinder to run, instead of just having a convenient on/off button.
The retention is also a bit too high for my liking. You’ll get an exchange of around 1.5 grams per dose, which is a bit too much if you’re serious about your single dosing.
However, it’s relatively simple to install bellows and remove the declumper. This will get you down to a lower level of retention.
That being said, the Eureka Filtro is simply in another class compared to the Baratza Encore, when it comes to materials, construction, and grind consistency.
It’s only a bit more expensive than the Encore, but you get a lot extra in terms of value and grind consistency.
- The most affordable flat burr grinder
- Extremely consistent
- Italian quality
amazon
Fellow
→ Read my Eureka Filtro Review
6: Fellow Ode (Filter Coffee)
The Fellow Ode grinder had a few beginner problems during its first year or two on the market.
However, Fellow has managed to fix most (if not all) of the points of criticism, and the Gen 2 version of the grinder appears to be the new king of brew grinders.
If you’re looking for an electric grinder that can do everything except espresso and Turkish really well, then this one should be at the top of your list.
The design is eye-catching and unique and the user experience is top-notch.
It’s also possible to switch the burrs to other types, for instance, the models from SSP, which will enable the grinder to go down to the espresso range.
I should mention that this grinder is designed for single-dosing. So this is not the grinder where you just fill the hopper with a whole bag of beans. No, instead, you have to measure out your dose every time. However, this is what all real coffee geeks do anyway, so it shouldn’t be seen as a downside. Just something to keep in mind.
- Beautiful, innovative design
- Made for single-dosing
- Great flavors for drip coffee due to pro-level 64 mm flat burrs
amazon
→ Check out my Fellow Ode review
7: Eureka Mignon Specialita (espresso)
Eureka is an Italian grinder brand that goes all the way back to 1920. Today the company is still handmaking all their grinders in Florence, Italy.
With that kind of history, it’s no surprise that Eureka makes some of the best grinders on the market today; especially when it comes to serious espresso grinders.
The Eureka Mignon Specialita is the bee’s knee when it comes to espresso grinders.
I have had mine for a few years now, and I absolutely adore it.
It’s extremely well constructed, yet still small enough that you can have it on your kitchen counter.
It’s also one of the quietest grinders out there. You can brew a shot without waking up the whole house.
The Specialita also has a timing mechanism that is precise to 1/10th of a second. This means that you can get an ultra-precise dose each time.
Oh, and then it doesn’t hurt that it looks damn cool.
chris’ coffee
1st in coffee
→ See my Eureka Mignon Specialita Review
8: Df64 / G-iota (espresso/filter)
The DF64 grinder is probably the most hyped grinder of 2021 and 2022.
It’s released by a pretty unknown Chinese company called FL Coffee, but it manages to squeeze in a lot of the things that coffee geeks care about into an affordable package.
It’s a multi-purpose grinder designed for single-dosing. This means that it has a very low amount of ground coffee retained inside the burr chamber.
There’s also a set of bellows on the grinder, so you can blow out the remaining grinds. This enables you to switch between beans or brewing styles without worries.
The DF64 has 64 mm flat burrs (hence the name). For that reason, it’s also very easy to install burrs from other manufacturers, if you want to try a new flavor profile. Many users upgrade to SSP burrs right away to achieve that super clean flavor you can only get from a certain kind of professional burr sets.
However, the grinder also tastes quite good with the stock burrs from Italmill. The flavor profile is especially good for espresso, but it will also do a decent pour over – especially if you’re not afraid of modding it a bit.
The downside to the DF64 is that it needs some small moderations/improvements to really live up to its potential. Especially, the declumper has had some issues in the past.
There’s a lot to be said about this device, so check out my review if you want to know more.
- Designed for single-dosing
- Good for both espresso and pour over
- Sturdy design & powerful motor
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9: Baratza sette 30 (espresso)
When the Baratza Sette was released a few years back, it was met with extremely high expectations due to its unique and completely revolutionary design.
Suddenly, there was a grinder with almost zero retention, extreme speed, and excellent consistency at a price level suitable for home baristas.
Unfortunately, the grinder turned out to have a lot of bugs and issues – especially the version with the built-in scale was prone to problems.
Now, Baratza has finally managed to get most of these issues under control. Combined with the company’s excellent track record for customer service when something happens, I would no longer be worried about investing in this grinder (this is written with the US market in mind – in countries where there is no Baratza customer support, you should probably consider it twice).
If you want to make great espresso at home without breaking the bank, this is your best bet. It only has 30 grind settings, which means that it can be a bit more difficult to dial in compared to the more expensive 270 version. However, the grind size is focused towards espresso and Aeropress, so you have a very fine range.
Pros
- Zero retention grinder
- Fluffy grounds
- Very attractive price
- Super precise digital timer
Amazon
→ In-depth look at the Baratza Sette
Grinders that didn’t make the list 😔
The world of grinders is super competitive. Especially, in recent years there has been a lot of development in this space.
For that reason some grinders that were considered awesome in 2020 could already be dated less than a year later.
For full transparency, I’m including the list of grinders that were considered for this article, but in the end didn’t make the cut.
If you have some questions about some of these burr grinders then make sure to take a look below.
I have listed the models from cheaper to more expensive:
Cuisinart DBM-8 Supreme GrindThis was one of my first grinders, when I got into coffee. It’s often recommended for beginners. Considering its budget-friendly price the Cuisinart DBM-8 is not horrible, and it looks cute. But it’s very inconsistent, and you will not be able to extract intense flavors with this model. Spend a bit more, and get something way better.
Bodum BistroI have recently tested the Bodum Bistro, but I wasn’t very impressed. The particle distribution is below mediocre; especially when it comes to coarse grinds. The Bodum burr grinder looks unique and has a nice glass catch cup, but besides that doesn’t really stand out.
1Zpresso Q21Zpresso Q2 is an attractive and compact burr grinder. Excellent as a travel grinder and for people with small hands, who are looking for a manual model. The main reason that it didn’t make the list of the best conical burr grinders of 2021, is that the Timemore C2 has the same burrs and performs at a comparable level, while being more affordable and nicer looking.
It can’t grind fine due to its unique ghost teeth burrs. Also, for some reason, the pour over coffee just doesn’t taste as great as one would expect (the particles do look very uniform).
I think it’s an interesting grinder with some potential, but I quickly gave up on it. Most likely you’ll have to buy it on a Chinese marketplace, which also means that you run some risks when it comes to warranty and import fees.
Breville Smart Grinder ProBreville’s top model is actually quite cool in some ways, but it has an unforgiveable flaw: the impeller tends to wear out after one or two years. This causes the grind chamber to get clogged. Breville doesn’t sell a replacement, so frustrated consumers have had to create their own with a crowdsourced design. Also, for the price, it’s only mediocre when it comes to both pour over and espresso
Baratza Virtuoso PlusIt’s an excellent grinder (also among the best grinders according to the Wirecutter), but you pay a lot of extra money for the timer-feature, which I doubt many people really appreciate.
You can buy the M2 burr separately and install it in the Baratza Encore for similar results at a cheaper price point.
The Wilfa Uniform is a cool grinder in many ways. I have made many nice cups of coffee with mine. The main issue is that it’s only sold in Europe and not available in 110V, making it useless in large parts of the world. Is it worth taking the risk and using it outside its warranty-covered geographical zone? No, I don’t think so.
But if you’re in Europe, this grinder should be on your radar. Some people, myself included, have also upgraded it with SSP burrs, but I think the DF64 is a better grinder for modding, since it has way more powerful motor.
Comandante C40Excellent grind consistency and nice design, but a little bit too expensive to be included among my top picks. You can achieve similar results with cheaper models. Check out my Comandante review for all the details.
Why Should you get a serious coffee grinder?
There are a lot of myths and misconceptions when it comes to the burrs themselves.
However, they are simple and straightforward tools that should be understood in relation to their job: Grinding stuff to a rather uniform size (be it coffee beans, grains, nuts or other food items. )
When it comes to coffee it’s extremely important that the particle size distribution is rather narrow. This helps to get an even extraction of the beans.
Typically, the grind size distribution will be anwhere from 0.1 to 1600 μm (particle diameter) — the trick is to have the majority of the particulates at a range fitting your chosen brew method.
⚠️ beware of BLADE GRINDERS
If you have found this page, you probably already know that a burr grinder is the thing to look for. But let me reiterate for everybody’s sake:
Blade coffee grinders should only be used for chopping nuts – never coffee beans!
With a blade grinder it will be impossible to achieve a consistent grind. The diameter of the particles will range from dust to chunky boulders.
Particles at the two oppisite extremes of the spectrum are typically called ‘fines‘ and ‘boulders’. To a true coffee geek these are like geen kryptonite — you want to avoid them at all cost!
Fines contribute with bitterness, and boulders bring sourness to the final cup.
Conical burrs vs flat burrs
Flat burrs and conical side by side. The names makes a lot more sense when you see them next to each other.As other tools, burrs can have different shapes and be made from different materials. However, it’s hard to generalize and say that one size, shape or material is superior to the other. It all depends on the use case and the individual manufacturer.
As a general rule of thumb we do see more flat burrs in professional equipment but that doesn’t mean that they are more desirable tastewise.
They are just better suited for high volume. Also, they typically produce fewer boulders (big chunks) compared to the conical ones. But both types of burrs have their own pros & cons:
- Conical burrs: Common in entry-level electric grinder as well as hand grinders due to their smaller size.
When it comes to espresso they tend to create a grind with better mouthfeel. Because they are smaller in diameter, they are typically slower. - Flat burrs: Often used in the big, professional espresso grinders. They are fast and efficient but retain more grounds and can be harder to dial in.
Read more about flat and conical burrs here.
Ceramic vs steel burrs
Ceramic burrs are usually cheaper than steel. They are often utilized in manual grinders in the sub $100 category.
The ceramic conical burr from the Hario Skerton Pro (R) vs a typical, conical steel burr (L). Which one do you think is sharper?In general they tend to be more dull than their steel counterparts. When used in manual grinders, it means that you have to do a lot of extra work using your biceps.
Ceramic burrs are rarely used in electric grinders; the main reason is probably that they are more fragile than steel and could shatter when getting in contact with a small stone that had gotten mixed up with the beans.
That being said, some manufacturers do use ceramic in their espresso grinders – most famous is probably the Baratza Vario.
One good things about ceramic, however, is that the material is rust resistant and stainless, unlike most steel used in budget grinders.
But overall, I think it’s fair to say that in 2021 the time for cheap ceramic burrs is over. Go for steel instead, and your life will be lot easier.
How to Clean a Burr Grinder?
I’m glad you asked about that question. I have an article here where I talk about how often you should clean a grinder and what you should be aware of.
FAQ
What is the Best Coffee Grinder to Buy?
The best coffee grinder to buy is the one that fits YOUR needs. If you want to brew a shot of espresso, you should go for one that is capable of grinding very fine – almost to a powder. I know that’s a boring answer, but grinders are complicated. Check out my post here for some more guidance.
Are Burr Grinders Really Better?
The short answer is YES. They are way more consistent than blade grinders. This is important when it comes to coffee extraction.
Are Manual Coffee Grinders Better than Electric?
No, often manual grinders aren’t better than the electric ones. However, you tend to get more value for your money with manual grinders, as they are less expensive, while still providing decent capabilities. Check out my post for an in-depth exploration of this topic.
Is a Coffee Grinder Worth It?
Yes, a coffee grinders is totally worth it. It’s essential if you want to brew top-notch coffee at home. To find out why, check out this post.
Top Featured Image: N. Lundgaard | SourceReferences:
- James Freeman et al, Blue Bottle Craft of Coffee – 2012 Oct
- Colin Harmon: What I Know About Running Coffee Shops (2017)
- Erol Uman et al: The effect of bean origin and temperature on grinding roasted coffee (2016)
Rotary and burr grinders: is the difference obvious?
The quality of coffee grinding is one of the key issues in the coffee community.
It can be compared, perhaps, with the battles of audiophiles, arguing about whether they hear the difference in sound between gold-plated cables and ordinary ones. However, in the case of coffee, even an ordinary person who is far from a serious passion for this drink can really feel the difference in grinding. We decided to find out exactly how coffee grinders affect the taste of the most popular morning drink and what manufacturers of modern coffee grinders can offer us today. Three coffee grinders take part in our review: one is a fairly simple and inexpensive rotary-type model (with a rotating knife), and two are more “advanced”, burr-type grinders that allow you to adjust the degree of grinding of grains. Is it worth paying extra for this option? Let's figure it out. nine0003
In addition to the coffee grinder itself, inside you can find instructions with a warranty card, a list of service centers and an advertising brochure.
Manual
This manual is an A5 color mini brochure printed on glossy paper.
The content of the instructions is standard - safety measures, operating rules, cleaning and maintenance, safe disposal. The instruction is supplied only in Russian, so that the user does not have to scroll through it in search of the desired language or suitable illustration. nine0003
At first glance
The coffee grinder looks like a simple and inexpensive, but at the same time well-assembled device. The plastic doesn't look cheap, the uncomplicated design is nice, the only button is pressed with a slight click. The coffee grinder has rubber feet and a cord storage compartment. The screw cap opens and closes without any difficulty.
But the transparent lid, in fact, turns out to be completely useless: firstly, it is made of semi-transparent plastic, and secondly, ground coffee sticks to the inside during operation. In general, it is not possible to see anything through such a “transparent cover”. nine0003
Both the blades and the grinder are made of stainless steel.
Having opened the coffee grinder, it is easy to immediately understand what is the maximum load volume - just fill the grains to the top of the metal bowl (at the maximum load, 50 grams of grains are placed in the grinder).
Control
The coffee grinder is controlled by a single mechanical button that turns on the motor that drives the knives. The device will work as long as the user keeps the button pressed (according to the instructions, the device can be used for up to 30 seconds, after which a break of at least one minute should be taken to avoid engine overheating). nine0003
It is not very clear what the manufacturer wanted to say with the inscription "pulse mode". In fact, there is no such mode (unless, if the user independently implements it by pressing and releasing the engine start button).
Operation
The grinder is ready for use immediately after unpacking. Before the first use, the manufacturer recommends wiping it with a damp cloth, this is also the care of the device.
It is clear that no difficulties with care can arise: wipe with a cloth and clean in a dry place - a matter of a couple of minutes. nine0003
Testing
During testing, we put the maximum possible number of beans (50 grams) into the grinder and grinded them for the maximum allowed time (30 seconds). The result can be seen in the photo: as we can see, the coffee turned out to be homogeneous, with a very fine (but not the minimum possible) degree of grinding. For an espresso coffee maker, such coffee is suitable only “with a stretch”, but for other types of coffee makers it is quite.
During testing, we noticed the following nuance: the grinding container is deep enough, so it is quite difficult to extract all the coffee (for example, with a teaspoon). Therefore, it makes sense to put a little more grains into the device, taking into account the fact that some of them will remain “next time”. Of course, this is not too “correct” given the fact that ground coffee is quickly exhaled, but in everyday use it turns out to be easier to do just that than to extract all the coffee every time.
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According to the subjective sensation, the noise of the coffee grinder is not too loud and does not cause irritation during operation. The power of the coffee grinder turned out to be equal to the declared one: at maximum load, it was slightly less than the indicated 150 watts.
Conclusion
Supra CGS-327 proved to be exceptionally positive: the degree of coffee grinding turned out to be quite homogeneous for a not too demanding coffee lover, and the possibility of grinding spices turns this device into an additional mini-blender. Of course, after grinding odorous spices, you will have to thoroughly wipe the inside of the device until the smell is completely eliminated, but this cannot be called a big problem. nine0003
And, of course, the Supra CGS-327 is beginning to look especially attractive given its extremely low price. With such a retail price, it will not even be a pity if the device breaks down after the warranty period expires: you can buy such a coffee grinder at least every year without any mental anguish.
Pros
- low price
- spices can be ground
Cons
- lack of grinding degree adjustment
P. S.
This is somewhat unusual for our articles, but we can say a few words about reliability about this model. In the course of filming, it turned out that for five years, since the spring of 2011, it has been very intensively used by our photographer.
For three years coffee was ground there twice a day. Over the past couple of years, coffee has been drunk less often, but the “non-core” load has increased: powdered sugar, spices, nuts, oatmeal flour and other preparations for culinary delights.
During operation, neither the functionality nor, and this is also important, the appearance of the device did not deteriorate: the grinding is still fine and uniform, no extraneous noise or odors are observed during operation, the sides are shiny and not covered with scratches.
What is most surprising, the lid has not loosened even a fraction of a millimeter and is still firmly fixed on the case.
Rommelsbacher EKM 200 burr grinder
Burr grinders, in contrast to rotary grinders, imply the possibility of adjusting the degree of grinding. This adjustment is carried out using a special mechanism that changes the distance between the millstones. In addition to this feature, the Rommelsbacher EKM 200 allows you to grind a predetermined amount of coffee, and the daily operation of the device is carried out using a single button. nine0037 Black, metallic
Package contents
The coffee grinder is delivered in a cardboard box designed in Rommelsbacher's "corporate" style - gray-orange colors, photos of the grinder and the finished drink, additional information about the device (for Russian-speaking users - in the form of a sticker with a translation).
The contents of the box are additionally packed in a plastic bag "with bubbles" and sealed with pressed cardboard inserts.
Opening the box reveals:
- the coffee grinder itself;
- cleaning brush;
- two instruction brochures: the first in German and English, the second in Russian.
Manual
The enclosed Russian manual is a mini-brochure of 2 stapled sheets of A4 paper of mediocre quality. The contents of the instructions are quite standard: safety instructions, use of the device, useful information, etc.
From additional information, it is worth noting the presence of a brief digression into the rules for grinding coffee (in particular, it is reported that within a few minutes the ground powder loses up to 50% of its aroma), as well as general guidelines for setting the degree of grinding of beans: coarse grinding for manual coffee filtration, medium grinding for steam espresso machines, fine grinding for coffee makers with filters and automatic pump espresso machines, extra fine grinding for manual brewing oriental coffee.
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At first glance
This is a very solid and stylish looking instrument. The case of the coffee grinder is made of black glossy plastic, the containers for beans and ground coffee are transparent. The knobs for adjusting the degree of grinding and the volume of the portion are also plastic, painted in silver metallic. The company logo is printed on a metal plate. It is worth noting that quite distinct fingerprints remain on such a plate (as well as on glossy plastic).
Both containers have maximum load marks. The removable ground coffee container is equipped with a removable lid and fits into the appliance with a slight click. The lid of the bean container can be tilted 180° thanks to a double hinge. The idea is good, however, in the instance that we had for testing, one of the hinges was slightly jammed, due to which the lid clicked noticeably when trying to close it. nine0003
The burrs are made of carbon steel and the top burr is removable to allow cleaning of the interior of the grinder.
A special cleaning brush is hidden inside the millstone handle - a rather nice and elegant solution. Thanks to this, you can be sure that a small brush will not get lost in the kitchen. The grinder also has rubber feet and a cord storage compartment.
It is worth noting that the device itself is not Russified: on the body you can find inscriptions in German, and the hint sticker on the inside of the cover also contains information in German. nine0003
Control
The coffee grinder is controlled by two switches responsible for the degree of grinding and the amount of ground coffee, respectively, as well as one button that starts the device and also allows you to stop the grinding process before it is automatically completed. The coffee grinder allows you to set 9 degrees of grinding coffee and grind at a time from 2 to 12 servings.
The grinding adjustment switch turns with a noticeable force and a "click". This is due to the fact that it mechanically changes the distance between the millstones, namely, slightly raises or lowers the upper millstone.
The switch responsible for the number of servings turns without any effort. To start the grinder, just pour the grains into the appropriate compartment, set the desired parameters and press the start button. nine0003
Operation
Before the first use, the manufacturer recommends cleaning the appliance: wipe the grinder with a damp cloth and dry it, rinse the powder container and the lid with hot water and detergent.
Subsequently, regular cleaning of the grinder is recommended at intervals of 4-6 weeks, or after grinding 2 kg of coffee beans. This cleaning requires removing the upper burr and cleaning the grinder with a brush. From ourselves, we will add that it is desirable to carry out such cleaning also when changing the type of coffee. Do not use abrasive cleaners or solvents when cleaning the instrument. nine0003
During the operation of the device, we once encountered a blockage of the grinding mechanism (unground grain blocked the rotation of the millstones).
In this situation, there is nothing to worry about (the manufacturer even reports that small stones can be found among the grains). In the event of such a situation, you must immediately turn off the device, remove the upper millstone and remove the foreign element.
Separately, it is worth noting the automatic blocking of the start of the grinder when the container for ground coffee is incorrectly installed (or in its absence). nine0003
Testing
During testing, we grinded coffee in different modes, measured the time spent and compared the degree of grinding beans in different modes. The grinding of the minimum portion (2 cups) is carried out in 15 seconds. The weight of the coffee powder in this case is about 13-14 grams, which corresponds to the classic proportion of medium espresso (7 grams of coffee per 25 ml of water). In total, up to 250 grams of grains can be poured into the coffee grinder.
The grinder took 50 seconds to prepare the maximum possible serving (12 cups).
Power consumption during operation amounted to the declared 110 watts. nine0003
We have changed the grind and photographed three different grinds: coarsest, medium (5) and finest. In total, 9 conditional grinding degrees are provided, and switching is carried out in steps (5-6 steps per unit), so that the size of the coffee powder can be adjusted with very high accuracy (in practice, of course, nine main positions are more than enough).
As you can see in the photo, the degree of grinding is regulated in a fairly wide range: from very coarse (suitable for a French press) to the finest powder “to dust”, most suitable for Turks. During the grinding process, coffee is electrified and part of the powder inevitably sticks to the walls of the container. Alas, nothing can be done about it: this is a common feature of all coffee grinders. nine0003
In terms of noise, the coffee grinder turned out to be quieter than the rotary model presented above: the beans are ground quietly and do not knock on the housing during the grinding process.
The maximum allowed continuous use of the appliance is two starts in a row (2×12 cups), after which the grinder must be allowed to cool down for at least two minutes.
Conclusion
Rommelsbacher EKM 200 is a high-quality and easy-to-use coffee grinder that is suitable for both beginner coffee lovers and "professionals" in this matter. Adjusting the degree of grinding allows you to grind coffee depending on its further preparation method, and the flexible ability to set the portion size (smooth adjustment from 2 to 12 cups) allows you to grind exactly the amount of coffee that fits, for example, in a moco coffee maker with one touch of a button. nine0003
pluses
- Flexible adjustment of the degree of grind and portion
- grinding coffee with one click of button
Lessions
- Corps easily gets dirty
DelonGHI KG89
True, there is much more metal here, the knobs for adjusting the grinding degree and portion volume are made of soft-touch plastic, and the power button is elegantly illuminated. This design allows this model to easily fit into the interior of any kitchen. nine0033 The coffee grinder comes in a cardboard box with DeLonghi branding: dark blue color scheme, high quality photos of the grinder and coffee beans, high quality printing. Looking at such a box, one gets the feeling that there is a “serious”, high-quality and “status” device inside. On the side faces you can find information about the key features of this device and its functions (in the main European languages, Russian translation is not provided). From shock, the contents of the box are protected by foam inserts, and the coffee grinder itself is additionally packed in a plastic bag. nine0003
Inside you will find:
- the grinder itself;
- removable cover;
- ground coffee container with lid;
- instructions and warranty card.
Manual
The manual is a black and white brochure with texts in the main European languages. The Russian language accounts for two spreads of A4 format. After studying the instructions, you can familiarize yourself with the features of the coffee grinder and safety precautions, as well as gain basic knowledge on how to grind coffee correctly - for example, learn that excessively fine grinding can cause bitterness in the drink. nine0003
Approximate proportions of coffee needed to prepare a particular type of drink are also given: one tablespoon for one serving of espresso in a coffee machine, 1-2 tablespoons for 1 cup of coffee in a drip coffee maker or French press, etc. and a table of correspondence between different degrees of grinding and types of coffee machines.
In general, the instructions should be recognized as very useful and informative (reading it will obviously not be superfluous, especially if you take into account such nuances as the rules for removing and installing the upper knife).
But the translation is made on C grade: it has a lot of typos. nine0003
At first glance
At first glance, the coffee grinder fully meets expectations: the body is decorated with stainless steel plates, the glossy plastic looks expensive and stylish, the build quality is a solid five points. On the bottom of the coffee grinder there are rubberized legs and a compartment for storing wires. The knobs for setting the grinding degree and portion volume are made of soft-touch plastic, which is very pleasant to the touch (it looks like thick rubber).
The top lid and the ground coffee container are made of darkened transparent plastic, and the container is equipped with a “window” and a lid, so that the ground coffee does not spill on the table. nine0003
The grinder is equipped with protection against accidental activation: if the container and the top cover are not installed (or not completely installed), then it will not start. However, it is unlikely that they will be installed incorrectly: they enter their place with a slight but noticeable click.
But forgetting to put the container in place is quite possible, so such foresight will definitely not be superfluous.
It should be noted that, unlike the Rommelsbacher EKM 200, this model does not have a top cover with any special fasteners. As a result, there are no problems with hinges, and washing such a cover, if necessary, is much easier. nine0003
Control
The portion size is selected by turning the knob on the front wall. Portion selection is possible in the range from 2 to 12 cups, and intermediate values \u200b\u200bare allowed to be set (to increase the serving volume by one cup, you need to turn the knob three “clicks”).
The choice of grinding degree is set by the knob located on the side wall of the device. In this case, there are no special numbers on the scale, only the direction of rotation is indicated: to the left - finer grinding, to the right - coarser. The rotation of the handle is carried out with noticeable effort and clicks. However, this is not surprising: after all, the distance between the millstones changes in this way.
It is worth noting that the location of the handle on the side wall seemed to us more than justified: after the desired degree of grinding is established empirically, these settings will most likely have to be changed rather soon. nine0003
The mechanical power button, located on top, is equipped with a small window with a blue LED that glows when the device is in operation. The coffee grinder turns off automatically. Thus, in order to grind coffee, it is enough to fill the beans into the upper compartment and press the start button one single time.
Operation
Before first use, clean the outer slot and the coffee bean hopper with a clean, damp cloth. The top lid and the ground coffee container are recommended to be washed under running soapy water (dishwasher safe too). The body of the device - wipe with a damp cloth without the use of abrasive sponges and aggressive detergents. nine0003
Separately, it is worth mentioning the removable top knife. In order to remove it, you need to set the grinding degree knob to the “fine” position and turn the knife clockwise.
This will open the inside of the feed hopper, which can be cleaned with a damp cloth or bristled brush. To return the upper knife to its place, you need to set the grinding degree regulator to the “coarse grinding” position, insert the millstone and turn it in the opposite direction. The millstones are recommended to be cleaned with a brush with hard bristles. nine0003
During operation, we once encountered blocking of the millstones by an unsuccessfully turned coffee bean. This did not cause any additional difficulties: to restore the coffee grinder to working capacity, it turned out to be enough to remove the upper millstone and shake out the stuck grain or foreign element.
Testing
According to the instructions, the grinder grinds one tablespoon of coffee per cup. The grinding of the minimum portion (2 cups) is carried out in 14 seconds. The weight of the coffee powder in this case (as in the coffee grinder from Rommelsbacher) is about 14 grams. It took the grinder 1 minute and 5 seconds to prepare the maximum possible serving (12 cups).
Power consumption during operation amounted to the declared 110 watts. nine0003
As with the Rommelsbacher grinder, we changed the grind and photographed three different grinds: coarsest, medium (5) and finest.
In the photo you can see the range of grinding for this model. In our opinion, this model copes with the grinding of coffee for the Turks somewhat worse: at the finest grinding, the coffee should turn almost into dust, which we do not observe in this case. In terms of noise level, the coffee grinder roughly corresponds to its main competitor, the Rommelsbacher EKM 200, so in this parameter we cannot give preference to either model. nine0003
The maximum allowed continuous use of the appliance is 60 seconds (i.e. grinding 12 servings), after which the grinder must be allowed to cool down for 10 minutes. As we can see, the DeLonghi KG89 rests much longer, but it is difficult for us to imagine a situation where, in domestic conditions, we need to run it more often than allowed in the instructions.
Conclusion
It turned out to be quite difficult for us to compare the DeLonghi KG89 with the Rommelsbacher EKM 200: these models are too similar in terms of characteristics. They practically do not differ in noise level, have similar performance and are in the same price category. nine0003
In our opinion, the DeLonghi coffee grinder looks a little more stylish due to the metal body and soft-touch plastic. On the other hand, its performance turned out to be slightly lower and it will take longer to cool down after grinding the maximum portion of coffee.
It's worth noting that Rommelsbacher's coffee turned out finer when setting the maximum grinding degree, but we'll look at this point in more detail below.
Pros
- flexible adjustment of grinding degree and portion
- grinding coffee at the touch of a button
- indicator light
Cons : it turns out that many coffee lovers personally “finish” completely serviceable burr coffee grinders in order to achieve a finer degree of grinding.
Moreover: it is not the “geeks” who are doing this at all, who just give them a reason to grab a screwdriver, but completely ordinary people. This leads to the following thoughts:
- it seems that coffee grinders can initially be adjusted differently, and the “minimum grind” even within the same model may be different for different instances;
- this situation is not a particular exception;
- There is no single simple solution to this problem within the chosen price range.
How exactly do craftsmen adjust their coffee grinders? There are two main ways:
- take the grinder apart and bring the burrs together mechanically to achieve a finer grind; nine0010
- dismantle the coffee grinder and install a cardboard pad of the required thickness under the burrs (the result will be the same - the burrs converge).
On the Internet, you can easily find instructions for performing these operations (the keywords are “refinement of the coffee grinder”) and even photos of the process itself.
We can only add that you will have to perform such operations at your own peril and risk, and from an official point of view, this is probably a reason to void the warranty.
General conclusions
Summing up the review of coffee grinders, we made a number of conclusions, some of which are quite obvious, while others were completely unexpected. Let's start with the obvious ones: successful models of rotary coffee grinders (such as the Supra CGS-327 from this review) are suitable for grinding coffee to a fairly fine and fairly homogeneous state (not “to dust”, but close to it). If such coffee is suitable for your coffee maker and you are not too lazy to measure the grains with your own hands every time, a rotary coffee grinder can be a good and inexpensive purchase (besides, it allows you to grind dry spices). nine0003
Burr-type coffee grinders offer a number of obvious advantages: the ability to adjust the degree of grinding and the setting of a standard dose. The presence of a removable container and the ability to press the button once significantly improves the experience of the device: we noticed that if coffee is supposed to be prepared at least once a day, then after a week these benefits become very noticeable.
I absolutely do not want to return to the rotary coffee grinder after even a short use of the millstone. nine0003
We could not make an unambiguous choice in favor of one or the other model (Rommelsbacher EKM 200 or DeLonghi KG89). On the one hand, DeLonghi products are traditionally distinguished by their elegant design, and the KG89 is no exception: both looking at the coffee grinder and using it are extremely pleasant and convenient, while the EKM 200 does not look like an expensive device due to the plastic case. On the other hand, Rommelsbacher EKM 200 coped better with the test for fine grinding of grains, which lovers of brewing coffee in Turkish will surely appreciate. nine0003
In other respects, both of these models turned out to be almost identical - both in terms of ease of use and other characteristics (working speed, bean and ground coffee compartment volume, noise level).
However: if you are a real coffee lover, then even purchasing a burr grinder from our price range does not guarantee that you will be completely satisfied with your purchase.
At the factory, these devices are adjusted so that it is not always possible to achieve the maximum grinding degree suitable for making espresso. If you are ready to take on a screwdriver and modify the coffee grinder with your own hands, most likely you will be satisfied with the result. If not, it probably makes sense to pay attention to more expensive devices or immediately to semi-professional coffee machines with a built-in coffee grinder. nine0346
| All coffee grinders were provided for testing company Yulmart |
will not be a premeditiating that the coffee ground is one of the most important. Without a high-quality grinder, it is difficult to achieve an even distribution of grind, which in turn affects the quality of your extraction.
But no matter how powerful your grinder is, cleaning and maintenance will be vital to getting the most out of it.
By regularly maintaining your burrs and cleaning your grinder, you can be sure to brew smooth, delicious coffee over and over again – whether you're at home or at the bar.
However, there are several ways you can do this. To learn about the best of them, I spoke with two coffee professionals from Fiorenzato, a coffee grinder manufacturer. nine0346
Why is it important to clean the grinder?
During the roasting process, heat causes the coffee beans to release gases, their cell structure breaks down and becomes more porous. This is why roasted beans are much more brittle than green coffee, which is difficult to break with both home and commercial coffee grinders.
However, roasted coffee also contains oils. These are lipids that naturally migrate to the surface of the beans during roasting. nine0003
Marcia Viotti - technical coach at Fiorenzato. She explains how and why oils remain in the grinding chamber.
"Coffee oils stick to the teeth of the millstones," she says.
"Over time, if you leave them there, the smell and taste of stale coffee will affect any new coffee you want to brew."
The "teeth" of your grinding knives are the small protrusions and crevices located along the edges and surface of both conical and flat burrs. While the angled design of these tines helps grind coffee evenly and quickly, it also means that oils and fine particles easily stick to them. nine0003
It's not just about millstones. As coffee fines build up over time, they can cause clogging, which in turn can lead to mechanical problems.
"Lack of purification affects extraction and taste," says Marcia. "If old coffee gets stuck in the spout, the coffee won't come out, which can affect the performance of your grinder."
Blockages in your grinder - particularly in the chute through which the coffee enters the port filter basket - will cause fresh coffee to be contaminated with old, stale grinds. This, in turn, will negatively affect the taste and aroma.
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"Also, it will affect the performance of your grinder, and the grinding speed will slow down," Marcia adds.
What is grind retention?
Grind retention is when ground coffee remains inside the chamber and spout. During this time, the burrs will always retain a certain amount of coffee, and this amount will vary depending on the shape of the burrs themselves.
Some retained grind can be helpful in reducing static and maintaining a consistent grind flow, but high levels are detrimental. If the old grounds are not regularly removed, coffee freshness and grinder performance may be reduced. nine0003
"Coffee retention is a hot topic these days," says Marcia. "That's because coffee drinkers realize the importance of drinking freshly ground coffee."
Flat burrs tend to retain more coffee grounds than conical burrs due to differences in the grinding mechanism.
On flat burrs, coffee is ground between horizontal upper and lower burrs.
They cause the grind to move sideways into the inner chamber and spout.
In contrast, when using conical burrs, the top burr is "inside" the bottom burr. This means that gravity pushes the coffee grounds through the chamber and spout, resulting in less grounds remaining inside. nine0003
Giulia Bagato - Fiorenzato Marketing Manager. She explains how the "Pro" range of commercial and home grinders has been designed to reduce grinding delay.
"The grinding chamber and its components have been redesigned to reduce interior space, so there is less ground coffee residue."
New design allows baristas and consumers to easily remove the top burr for easy cleaning and maintenance. Once the hopper has been removed, any user can remove it using the two clips on both sides of the grinding chamber. nine0003
To separate the burr set on a commercial or professional grinder, users usually have to unscrew the grinding chamber housing. This takes longer and can negatively affect service in a streaming coffee shop.
Clumping and cleaning
Since ground coffee contains moisture by default, it often clumps into small clumps. It is also caused by static electricity that is generated when millstones are continuously rotated at high speed. nine0003
This accumulation can lead to a number of problems, but the main one is uneven distribution of the grind in the coffee maker basket or in the portafilter. This in turn causes channeling, where the water finds its path of least resistance through the coffee.
Channeling means that the water bypasses the denser areas of the coffee, resulting in a combination of under and over extraction, which results in the cup carrying more unwanted flavors and aromas. nine0003
"Every Fiorenzato grinder on demand has a grinder for clumps," Julia explains. "This is a small tool that prevents coffee from sticking together and helps dissipate static electricity.
"In the 'Pro' range, our clod grinder has been redesigned to be more effective against clumps and allow users to clean the grinding chamber more easily.
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A clod grinder is especially useful for espresso, which requires a finer grind setting, because finer grinds tend to form more clumps.0003
"In other grinders, the clod grinder is located outside the grinding chamber at the end of the spout," says Marcia. "In the Fiorenzato Pro range, the lump crusher is at the beginning of the spout. This means that grinding can be done more easily."
This design helps to minimize static, which prevents more clumps from forming and also reduces dust buildup. For busy coffee shops, cleaning helps keep the workplace running but can also impact service during busy periods. nine0346
Fresh coffee grind
Many flat burr grinders can hold between 1g and 12g of coffee per dose. Therefore, it is not clear how much is fresh and how much is stale.
Once the coffee has been ground, its flavors and aromas will begin to deteriorate as it oxidizes. This process causes the more subtle characteristics of the coffee to fade and disappear.
The heat generated by the burrs of the coffee grinder also causes the grind to lose flavor even faster.
Cleaning the grinder of stale grounds helps ensure that the coffee you serve or drink is fresh. nine0003
But besides improving the experience, cleaning also allows the barista to work more efficiently. Holding a grind can prevent the barista from effectively grinding a serving, as leftover grind can get into the portafilter after the grind is changed because the new grind setting has not yet taken effect. This disrupts operation, and as a result, the barista may change the grind too little or too much.
To remedy this, it is recommended to grind up to 12 g of coffee after changing the grind setting. nine0003
The quality of the burrs also affects the grind retention and extraction quality. The sharper and stronger the burrs, the longer the grinder will perform at its best.
"Fiorenzato chose Bohler M340 food grade steel for its grinders," says Giulia. "It is important that materials in contact with coffee do not emit harmful substances, and the hardness of our burr material guarantees a longer sharpening.
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Cleaning and maintenance tips
- Regular cleaning of the grinder is essential - it is absolutely essential to maintain the quality of your coffee.
Marcia says: "Coffee gets stale after three days, so grinders should always be cleaned at least every three days.
"It can be intimidating for a barista to clean grinders, especially for beginner baristas or those with less experience"
Despite these issues, cleaning and maintaining your grinder is important to help you get the best results from your coffee.It's best to start by making sure your grinder is turned off and unplugged from any power source.
"You don't need any tools to clean the Fiorenzato Pro grinders," says Marcia. "In some grinders, when you change the burrs, it's hard to detach the chamber because there are threads inside." On the Pro, she notes, the grind chamber is completely removable, giving the user easy access.
However, be aware that separating the burr set will usually disturb its position and change the grinding setting.
However, some grinders, such as the Fiorenzato Pro, have a removable top burr that allows the grind setting to remain the same during removal and cleaning. nine0003
Marcia offers another way to clean your grinder without losing the setting. "You can easily clean the grinder with a small vacuum cleaner and you won't lose the grind setting," she says.
She adds: "If you're using a dark roast, I suggest vacuuming the grinder daily. However, the burrs should be cleaned with professional burr products every three days."
These professional products usually come in food safe granules that can be ground and grinded like coffee beans. They absorb oils from the millstones and remove all excess. nine0003
After that, it is enough just to skip a few old grains to remove any remaining fragments of the granules.
During busy periods or when you are short on time, it is enough to clean the inner chamber and spout with a soft bristle brush. It is recommended to use professional cleaning granules for more intensive cleaning.
