Everybody knows that a good cup of coffee or shot of espresso owes its flavor to the quality of its beans. But what good are supreme beans if you don’t grind them properly? Finding the right coffee grinder can mean the difference between a bitter blend and a blissful brew, and you don’t have to spend a lot to reap the fresh and flavorful rewards. Whether brewing at home or in a coffee shop, grinding your own beans is a must for coffee drinkers looking for maximum flavor. Pronto’s Coffee Grinder Buying Guide can help you make the right purchase to satisfy your caffeine craving (see also Coffee Maker Buying Guide, Espresso Machine Buying Guide).
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Blade coffee grinders are less expensive, but they can produce an inconsistent grind and are prone to overheating. Conical and flat-plate burr grinders are consistent--and the best bet for both coffee and espresso grinds, but casual coffee drinkers might be put off by the higher cost.
Manual or automatic?
If you prefer speed over taste, then stick with electric coffee grinders. You might also find the automatic grind feature offers more consistent results. If you’re willing to invest a little elbow grease, manual coffee grinders provide an inexpensive option with high-quality results.
Frequency of use
Smaller blade coffee grinders are less expensive but can wear out faster than burr grinders. For frequent grinding of large amounts of beans, invest in electric burr coffee grinders.
Dosing and timing
Commercial-quality coffee grinders offer convenient features such as dosers and timers that can improve the efficiency and quality of your brew. These features add considerably to the cost of a coffee grinder, so unless you’re constantly falling behind in your at-home coffee production, skip them and leave them to the connoisseurs.
Other uses
Coffee grinders make quick work of spices and spice blends. If you’re short on counter space but still want to grind your own coffee, upgrade your coffeemaker to one with a built-in coffee grinder (see Coffeemakers, Espresso Machines).
We recommend Cuisinart’s DGC-12BC Electric Blades Grinder, which delivers superior quality and function at a good price. This sleek coffee grinder offers stainless-steel blades and bowl, a transparent cover with measurement markings, and a 12-cup capacity for large gatherings. Best of all, this coffee grinder’s bowl is dishwasher safe, making cleanup easy.
We recommend Cuisinart’s DGC-12BC Electric Blades Grinder, which delivers superior quality and function at a good price. This sleek coffee grinder offers stainless-steel blades and bowl, a transparent cover with measurement markings, and a 12-cup capacity for large gatherings. Best of all, this coffee grinder’s bowl is dishwasher safe, making cleanup easy.
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Cooking.com Reviewer–Cuisinart DCG-12BC Electric Blades Grinder “My favorite part of this grinder- QUIET! Second, it is not as messy as some more expensive grinders that I have tried and owned. The grinds stay contained in the grinding cup. For the price, it is a great value and looks great.”Source: Cooking.com Reviewer
hot buzzWhat's the latest in the world of coffee grinders?
If you’re serious about your coffee and your coffee grinds, you’ll need to get serious about cleaning your coffee grinder. Puly, the Italian company famous for its coffee cleaners, has introduced Puly Grind Cristalli—a “green” coffee grinder cleaning solution. According to the company, Cristalli is composed from edible and ecologically friendly substances.Its goal is to more thoroughly clean the grinder mill blades and grooves while leaving virtually no residue of its own in blade grooves—a problem encountered from powder-consistency cleaners whose residues can become a clogging factor. For more on this and the company, check out http://www.pulicaff.com/.
Budget coffee grinders ($17-$29) can drastically improve the taste of your coffee without leaving your wallet empty. Coffee grinders in this range tend to be small, electric blade grinders or manual burr grinders.
The mid-range coffee grinder ($99-$150) offers a consistent grind size and solid construction for everyday use. You’ll find mostly burr coffee grinders in the range that feature stepped grind positions.
High-end coffee grinders ($295-$325) produce a superior taste, and also ultimate control over the final product. They often come with additional features such as dosing and timing functionality.
What are the terms and definitions I need to know about?
Blade
Whether electric or manual, blade grinders offer a relatively inexpensive method of bean grinding. Blades chop up the beans into small parts and are recommended for casual coffee drinkers.
Doser
The doser is a small compartment at the bottom of the grinding chamber for pre-grinding coffee. A convenient feature for those pressed for time who make multiple pots of coffee throughout the day.
Burr
Conical and flat blade burrs crush the beans in a uniform fashion. They are typically more expensive than electric blade coffee grinders, but they produce the highest quality grind.
Grind
The grind is the size of the coffee bean pieces before the coffee is brewed. Espresso depends on a smaller grind to maximize flavor extraction in a short period of time, while drip coffee has a coarse grind to prevent overextraction or bitterness.
I have two small Cuisinart grinders and they are great. I use one for coffee beans and one for spices so the flavors don't mix (no matter how much you try to clean the blades, something will stick).
