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The Importance Of Burr Coffee Grinders

BY TOM SAXON
 

In my opinion a burr coffee grinder is the most important piece of coffee equipment.

That’s because there is no point in buying an expensive coffee machine or coffee beans for that matter without a good grinder.

Tom with Burr from a coffee grinder

There's certainly an abundance of coffee grinders on the market today, varying in price, quality, and functionality.

If you stick with me for a few minutes, I can explain a few key things to look for when purchasing a coffee grinder, as well as what to avoid.

 
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Rank Brand Catagory
1Melitta - CalibraBest Overall Coffee Grinder
2Sage - Smart Grinder ProBest Grinder For All Methods
3Wilfa - SvartBest Grinder For Filter
4Cuisinart - Burr MillBest Budget Grinder
5Eureka - MignonBest Espresso Grinder
6Niche - ZeroBest Premium Grinder
7Fellow - OdeBest Stylish Grinder
8Kruups - ExpertBest Grinder For Beginners
 
 
 

Why Trust Me?

 
Tom Saxon - Coffee Expert.jpg
I’m Tom and I have been working in the coffee industry for over 10 years, starting my journey as a barista in Australia, working on coffee farms in South America and roasting coffee in The UK.
Today I review and write about coffee equipment such as coffee grinders. I am the founder of Batch Coffee Club, which showcases the very best coffee from around the world.
Checkout our award-winning [coffee subscription][1].
 

 

What Is Happening When We Grind Coffee?

First off a bit of science.

We grind coffee to break the roasted coffee bean down to a particular size so we can brew the fragments of coffee (otherwise known as coffee grounds) with water to make a coffee.

There are however many different brewing methods of coffee brewing calling for various grind sizes to make the best-tasting optimum cup of coffee. The size of the grind is hugely important to the taste of your coffee according to the NCA.

For example, espresso coffee works best with finely ground coffee while a cafetiere or French press tastes better with coffee ground coarser.

When water is in contact with the coffee it is essentially extracting soluble flavour compounds from the coffee grounds resulting in brewed coffee.

 

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Use code "BURR50" at checkout

 
 

The size of the coffee particle has an effect on what compounds are extracted, large coarse particles take longer to produce the balance of flavours because of the smaller surface area so is often associated with under-extracted coffee.

Whereas smaller particles collectively have a larger surface area which takes less time to extract the optimum flavour profile so can often taste over-extracted and bitter.

Why Do You Need a Coffee Grinder?

It is obviously possible to buy your coffee pre-ground and forget all of this nonsense about a coffee bean grinder but hopefully, if you’re reading this you’re aware of the benefits of freshly ground coffee.

Just to remind you why you need a grinder:

Once the coffee is ground it starts to deteriorate in quality and lose its flavour profile.

For finer grounds like espresso, this can happen almost instantaneously whereas coarser filter grounds take a little longer (we’re still talking in minutes though).

 
 
Coffee Grind Size Cheat Sheet PDF
 
 

This is because when the surface of the coffee grounds come into contact with air for the first time the compounds start to oxidise and effectively create different compounds altering the delicate complexity and balance of the coffee.

According the The SCA there is a twenty fold staling acceleration difference between 0% oxygen and average sea level oxygen concentrations.

The oils and CO2 are also affected by the moisture content in the air which all adds up to the overall quality of coffee becoming somewhat depleted. 

Grinding your coffee right before you brew triggers all of these chemical reactions that actually add to the brewing if the coffee is fresh. 

Different Types of Coffee Grinders: Blade vs Burr.

 
Find the best electric burr coffee grinders
 
 

There are two types of grinders on the market: Blade and Burr coffee grinders. 

Blade Grinders

Blade Grinders are essentially a coffee blender, coffee beans are placed in a container (a little like a Nutri-bullet) and whizzed up for a certain amount of time until the coffee resembles the level of coarseness required for your brew method.

The one advantage is that these are pretty cheap grinders but in terms of quality, they’re pretty poor.

The nature of blade grinders means there is no way to break up the coffee beans into consistent size particles and the resulting coffee grinds are of various sizes.

 
Blade Coffee Grinder

Blade Coffee Grinder

 
 

Inconsistently ground coffee, when brewed in any method, will result in large particles under extracting and small particles over extracting.

This will almost certainly lead to a below-par coffee.

Burr Coffee Grinders

Burr Grinders work by coffee passing through two mechanical burrs (either conical or flat, see below) that essentially crushes the coffee into small enough pieces to pass through and into a chamber where the grounds either collected in a box or caught in a portafilter. 

A burr grinder is the industry standard for coffee grinders.

 
 
Burr Coffee Grinder - Photo; Urnex

Burr Coffee Grinder - Photo; Urnex

 
 

The consistent size of the coffee grounds alongside the ease in which you can adjust the coarseness makes it the only choice for anyone who wants to experience the delightful flavours speciality coffee offers.

The 2 Types of Burr Coffee Grinders

Conical burrs have a central cone-like fitting that revolves against the outer burr whereas flat burrs are two ring-shaped burrs that revolve parallel against each other.

Types of Burrs in a coffee grinder

There are arguments on both sides which type is more precise and efficient. The reality is that there is very little in it and both perform at a very high level of precision.

 
 
Conical Burr Grinders
 
 

How to choose a Burr Coffee Grinder?

Manual or Electric?

In this article, we will cover electric burr coffee grinders but there are many manual burr grinders (or hand coffee grinders) on the market for those who want to grind coffee on the go or don’t have a huge budget. 

Manual grinders often look like pepper grinders, rotate the arm to grind the coffee but make sure you have eaten your Weetabix as it does require a little bit of elbow grease.

You have so much control with a manual coffee grinder, you can adjust the grind size with loosing very little coffee (even the best electric coffee grinders need to be purged when altering the grind) and they are perfect for travelling with. 

 
Ultimate Guide: Best Manual Coffee Grinders 2021

Ultimate Guide: Best Manual Coffee Grinders

 
 

Electric burr grinders come in many shapes and sizes with a varying level of control, capacity and functionality.

Some grinders only grind to a medium setting and are geared towards filter methods, others have a mechanism to hold a portafilter and work best with an espresso machine.

We will cover all the options below.

Functionality

There are many grinders now that have more flashing lights and LCD screens that you can shake a stick at.

You essentially need the coffee beans ground to a certain level but it’s up to you whether you need some of the added extras that some machines offer, these include;

  • Preprogrammed grinds

  • Weighed grinding

  • Timed grinding

  • Ease of altering grind

  • Grind size adjustment steps

 
 
Functionality of Coffee.

Functionality of Coffee.

 
 

Price

Like with anything that requires quality parts, a decent coffee grinder in the UK can come with a decent price tag.

However, depending on your needs there is a grinder at every price point.

Coffee Grinder Buying Tips

- Check the grinder is built for your brew method.

This was touched on above but make sure the grinder will actually grind your coffee to the appropriate size.

This is specific to espresso grinds as there are some grinders that only grind to medium grind size and geared towards filter coffee.

 
 
Espresso Coffee Grinder
 
 

Similarly, there are espresso grinders that have a portafilter (espresso machine handle-like part that holds the ground coffee) fitting so you can leave it in place until the grinder has stopped.

This is a bit of an issue for filter methods as you don’t have a portafilter to catch the grounds. 

 

Burr Grinders For Different Brew Methods

 
 
Best Espresso Coffee Grinder

Espresso Coffee

Espresso machines need a fine grind level like table salt. It is important to check whether a grinder will be able to grind coffee fine enough.


 
Best coffee grinder for pour over

Pour Over Coffee

Any Pour over method like a Chemex or V60 needs a medium grind level like ground rock salt.


Best Coffee Grinder For Aeropress

Aeropress Coffee

An Aeropress coffee maker calls for a medium-fine grind size like the feel of sand. Most grinders will manage this level but consistency is key.


 
Best coffee Grinder for a cafetiere

Cafetiere Coffee


 
 

The 8 Best Electric Burr Grinders

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A couple of things quickly explained

  • Motor: We don’t list the motor RPM as although it is an important factor when buying a grinder it is often misused in marketing. One would think that a higher RPM is a good thing (Many commercial grinders spin at around 1450 RPM).

    The higher the RPM in home coffee grinders, however, is not always a good thing.

    High speeds produce static in the coffee grinds and pulverises the coffee bean leading to inconsistent grinds.

    It also increases the popcorn effect of the coffee bouncing around the hopper.

    There is certainly an optimum RPM in for home grinders when noise, output and consistency are taken into account, it’s usually somewhere between 250 and 450 RPM. 

  • Grind Speed: This can be a little confusing as an espresso grind takes longer to complete than a french press also the size of the coffee beans makes a difference. A large bean varietal like a pacamara will take longer than say certain decaf beans that are smaller. So we don’t list this in our spec.

Best Burr coffee Grinders UK
 
 

1. Melitta - Calibra

 
Best Coffee Grinders Melitta
 
 
 
  • Brew Methods: Espresso (Pressurized Basket), Stovetop, Aeropress, Pour-Over, French Press

  • Burrs: Conical 40mm Stainless Steel

  • Dimensions: H374 x W120 x D227mm

  • Bean Hopper Capacity: 375g

  • Container/Portafilter Rest: Both

  • Features: Scales, Programable

  • Pros: ✅ Grinding Technology Value

  • Cons: ❌ Not Easy To Use


Control ★★★★★★★★★☆ 9/10
Grind Consistency ★★★★★★★★★☆ 9/10
Value For Money ★★★★★★★★★☆ 9/10

 
 

 

This guy is a pretty unique grinder for the price point and has a host of great functions.

 

First of all the large 375g hopper is loaded with coffee and the grind size is adjusted traditionally at the collar of the machine. The grind sizes range from 1 which is super fine through to 39 which is coarse. 

The really cool thing about the Melitta Calibra is that it has an integrated scale, which means you can dose the exact amount of coffee for your brew.

Coffee Scale Grinder

This is something that not many home or professional grinders for that matter incorporate. 

Simply set the grinder to measure the grind in grams rather than cups and select how much you would like to grind.

 
 
 

If you’re using this as an espresso coffee grinder then this function makes dialling it in super easy because one of your variables (weight) is constant so you can adjust the grind size without worrying about a coarser setting weighing more.

It has fittings for both a container and a portafilter which are easy to attach and clean. 

The big downside with this machine is that although it has some great functions and is really user friendly it doesn’t quite grind fine enough if you are planning on using it with an espresso machine with standard baskets like the Sage Barista Pro.

If the Melitta Calibra floats your boat Check Price on Amazon.

 
Melitta Calibra Burr Grinder with Scale Scene
 

2. Sage - Smart Grinder Pro

 
Sage Smart Grinder Pro
 
 
 
  • Brew Methods: All methods

  • Burrs: Conical 40mm Stainless Steel

  • Dimensions: H389 x W160 x D214mm

  • Bean Hopper Capacity: 450g

  • Container/Portafilter Rest: Both

  • Features: Programable, Consistent, Precise

  • Pros: ✅ Ease of Use Robust

  • Cons: ❌ Inconsistent Coarse Grind


Control ★★★★★★★★★☆ 9/10
Grind Consistency ★★★★★★★★☆☆ 8/10
Value For Money ★★★★★★★★★☆ 9/10

 
 

 
 
 

Sage are one of the most well-known home coffee machine manufacturers today.

 

They showcase an array of espresso machines that have been expertly designed for kitchen worktops.

The Sage Smart Grinder Pro is their top of the range burr coffee grinder.

The grinder comes with fittings for two different portafilter sizes as well as a container to catch the grinds.

The LCD screen displays the grind time in milliseconds, the amount of shot desired and the grind size. 

Sage LCD Screen

The 0.2-second adjustments in grind time make the dose extremely precise.

The 60 grind settings that the Sage grinder pro offers range from extremely fine (Turkish) through to extremely coarse (Plunger).

 
 
 
 

The grinder allows you to pre-programme settings so you can dial in various brew methods. 

This Sage coffee grinder is simple to use straight out of the box, the intuitive dials on the front and side make adjusting the time and grind size easy.

Untitled design - 2021-09-01T185431.970.jpg

The robust solid design makes it feel like a professional grinder. 

There is little difference in the coarseness of the coffee grinds when you get past a certain level, so using this for methods that require courser settings like a french press may not be as accurate. 

 
Sage Barista Pro Burr Coffee Grinder Scene
 
 

For a mid-range price point, you get a well-built home grinder that performs across all grind settings and is super easy to use.

Check out our comparison article on the Sage Coffee Grinders.

If the Sage Smart Grinder Pro is up your street,

 

3. Wilfa - Svart

 
Wilfa - Coffee
 
 
 
  • Brew Methods: Aeropress, Pour-Over, French Press

  • Burrs: Conical 40mm Stainless Steel

  • Dimensions: H312 x W200 x D155mm

  • Bean Hopper Capacity: 250g

  • Container/Portafilter Rest: Container

  • Features: Easy To Adjust, Discreet

  • Pros: ✅ Simplicity Value

  • Cons: ❌ Not For Espresso


Control ★★★★★★★☆☆☆ 7/10
Grind Consistency ★★★★★★★★★☆ 9/10
Value For Money ★★★★★★★★★☆ 9/10

 
 

 

Who doesn't love Scandi design?

 

The Wilfa Svart grind is your go-to home coffee grinder if you brew your coffee in pretty much any way other than espresso or stovetop.

It was designed in Norway with the idea to market this grinder to the filter methods crowd.

Because the burrs don’t have to operate at such a fine grind It comes in at an upper entry-level price point but creates a super consistent grind at the medium and coarse grind sizes.

Wilfa Burr Coffee Grinders

The grinder is designed with style and the user in mind, simply rotate the bean hopper to adjust the grind and press go.

The grounds collect in the container at the bottom which can become a little messy as coffee sometimes sticks to the top of the lid, however, a few taps on the side of the container before opening usually solves this. 

 
 
 
 

The slick design that fits easily onto your kitchen work surface combined with a pretty low RPM makes the Wilfa grinder discreet and quiet.

A great buy if you’re into any brew methods minus espresso and grinds coffee for Aeropress through to cafetiere brilliantly.

Read more in our Wilfa Svart Burr Grinder Review.

Or if you think that this is the Burr Grinder for you then

 
Wilfa Svart burr grinder
 

4. Cuisinart - Burr Mill

 
Best Coffee Grinder UK Cuisinart
 
 
 
  • Brew Methods: Espresso (Pressurized Basket), Stovetop, Aeropress, Pour-Over, French Press

  • Burrs: Conical 40mm Stainless Steel

  • Dimensions: H310 x W190 x D220mm

  • Bean Hopper Capacity: 250g

  • Container/Portafilter Rest: Container

  • Features: Simple To Use, Cheap

  • Pros: ✅ Cheap Easy To Use

  • Cons: ❌ Not That Consistent


Control ★★★★★★★★☆☆ 8/10
Grind Consistency ★★★★★★★☆☆☆ 7/10
Value For Money ★★★★★★★★★☆ 9/10

 
 
 

 

The Cuisinart Burr Mill is an entry-level grinder.

 

This is our best budget coffee grinder. It doesn’t have all the flashing lights and buttons that other grinders have but does a pretty good job of grinding coffee. 

First, place your coffee into the 200g capacity hopper and adjust the grind size on the collar which is very similar to how commercial grinders operate.

The range starts from extra fine to coarse so you will need to have a little play around with the grind size accordingly and get a feel for the best grind size for your brew. 

Change the slider located on the top of the grinder which indicates how many cups of coffee you would like to grind for, it’s essentially a timer and grinds a set amount of coffee out.

Again with this method, you will have to use a little trial and error to see how many cups of coffee equals each of your cups (everyone's dose will differ depending on preference and brew method). 

 
 
Cuisinart Burr Mill - Coffee Grinder
 
 

When you’re set press the button and grind. 

The beauty of this grinder is it’s simplicity and also the price point.

Although the grinder does state extra fine, if you have a quality home espresso machine you may struggle to grind the coffee fine enough.

For cheaper espresso machines that use pressurised baskets (baskets with one hole) the grind size can be a little coarser so you may be ok. 

Also, the coffee machine creates a fairly large amount of static so it can get a little messy.

If you think the Cuisinart coffee grinder is for you, Check Price on Amazon.

 

5.Eureka - Mignon

 
Eureka Mignon - Best Coffee Grinders
 
 
 
  • Brew Methods: All Methods

  • Burrs: Conical 55mm Stainless Steel

  • Dimensions: H400 x W200 x D300mm

  • Bean Hopper Capacity: 300g

  • Container/Portafilter Rest: Both

  • Features: 55mm Burrs, LCD Display

  • Pros: ✅ Precise Capacity

  • Cons: ❌ Expensive


Control ★★★★★★★★☆☆ 8/10
Grind Consistency ★★★★★★★★★☆ 9/10
Value For Money ★★★★★★★★☆☆ 8/10

 

 

Eureka have been around the top of the grinder league for some time.

They are one of the leading manufacturers of coffee grinders and have been designing their elegant machines since 1920.

The Mignon is one of their most popular and easy to use machines. The Stylish and compact design alongside some pretty flawless results puts this guy ahead of the pack. 

The 55ml burrs means a much quicker grind that doesn’t compromise the quality of the coffee grinds. 

 
 
 

The digital display lets you easily adjust the time of grinding so you can automatically grind the coffee without having to think. 

The ACE system (Anti-Clumps & Electrostaticity) which prevents the clumps formation and guarantees cleanliness and dose precision.

To accommodate portafilters of varying sizes, the catch fork on the Eureka Mignon can be adjusted to various heights beneath the spout. For easier grinding for drip devices, the catch can be removed entirely for greater clearance.

If the Eureka Mignon coffee grinder is for you, Check Price on Shop Coffee.

 
Eureka Mignon
 

6. Niche - Zero

 
Best Home Grinder Niche
 
 
 
  • Brew Methods: All Methods

  • Burrs: Conical 63mm Stainless Steel

  • Dimensions: H311 x W122 x D211mm

  • Bean Hopper Capacity: Single Dose

  • Container/Portafilter Rest: Both

  • Features: Professional Burrs, Zero Waste

  • Pros: ✅ Professional Consistency Waste

  • Cons: ❌ Expensive


Control ★★★★★★★★☆☆ 8/10
Grind Consistency ★★★★★★★★★☆ 9/10
Value For Money ★★★★★★★☆☆☆ 7/10

 
 

 

Engineered for precision.

 

The Niche Zero grinder has only been around for a couple of years, it was designed by the inventor Martin Nicholson who had noticed that grinders had been the same design for 50 years whereas most other technologies had evolved so much in that time they were almost unrecognizable in comparison to the original. He set out with a few design faults in the OG grinder. 

First of all, he wanted to produce a high-quality machine that could rival commercial machines in grind consistency but with a smaller output.

This was made possible by the 63mm burrs combined with a motor that spins at 330 RPM packed with plenty of torque. 

The other issue that he addressed was the amount of coffee that usually gets stuck in the grind chambers, which would be used for the next brew.

 
 
Niche Zero Coffee Grinder
 
 

This issue is fine in commercial grinders that are used frequently but a home grinder may not get used until the day after, resulting in some of the coffee you use been a day old.

This is also a problem when you change the grind size as you will have to purge the coffee in most grinders to see the change in the grind.

The niche grinds the coffee at an angle that has a direct path out resulting in no leftover grinds, hence Niche Zero.

The Niche is certainly one of the best home coffee grinders on the market and was created for the home barista who wants a single dose shot (many other machines grind for a specific amount of time, the Niche grinder has an on/off switch so you need to weight the coffee beforehand).

 
Niche Coffee grinder Burr
 
 

Great for one or two people, especially if you’re using a home espresso machine. If you’re using a filter method and more than 2 it can take a little while to grind and you may not need the added pro benefits it offers.

If you are in for precise grinding Check Price at Niche.

 

7. Fellow - Ode Brew Grinder

 
Best COffee Grinder Fellow
 
 
 
  • Brew Methods: Aeropress, Pour-Over, French Press

  • Burrs: 64 mm Professional-grade Flat Burrs

  • Dimensions: H239 x W105 x D241mm

  • Bean Hopper Capacity: Single Dose

  • Container/Portafilter Rest: Container

  • Features: Stylish, Consistent, Well Designed

    Pros: ✅ Design Ease of Use

  • Cons: ❌ Only For Coarser Grinds


Control ★★★★★★★☆☆☆ 7/10
Grind Consistency ★★★★★★★★★☆ 9/10
Value For Money ★★★★★★★☆☆☆ 7/10

 
 
 

The Stunning monolithic Ode Coffee Grinder.

 

Designed by Fellow who are pioneers in coffee brewing equipment the Ode started to appear on kitchen work surfaces after a successful Kickstarter campaign. 

The bean hopper has been purposely left out of this design for a more efficient use of space. Simply load your pre-weighed coffee into the top of the grinder and adjust the grind with the huge wheel on the front of the grinder and hit go. 

The huge 64mm flat burrs are also what sets this grinder apart from its competition. Flat burrs are often perceived to have a greater level of consistency. 

 
 
Fellew Ode - Coffee Grinder
 
 

Everything has been thought of when designing this grinder, from the knock trigger at the side which makes sure all the grinds are in the container through to the magnetic base of the container and the rubber lid which makes sure everything is caught.

Definitely, an Instagramable machine that is a new take on how grinders can look. It will grind right the way down to a fine Aeropress grind but not really fine enough for stovetop.

Want to add style to your kitchen?

Check Price at Coffee Hit.

 

8. Kruups - Expert

 
Best Grinder Krups
 
 
 
  • Brew Methods: Espresso (Pressurized Basket), Stovetop, Aeropress, Pour-Over, French Press

  • Burrs: Conical 40mm Stainless Steel

  • Dimensions: H270 x W125 x D160mm

  • Bean Hopper Capacity: 225g

  • Container/Portafilter Rest: Both

  • Features: Small Coffee Grinder, Simple

  • Pros: ✅ Cheap Small

  • Cons: ❌ Quality of Grind


Control ★★★★★★★☆☆☆ 7/10
Grind Consistency ★★★★★★☆☆☆☆ 6/10
Value For Money ★★★★★★★★☆☆ 8/10

 
 

 

A classic entry-level grinder.

The Krups Expert is the best coffee grinder of a few lower entry-level burr grinders on the market.

The price tag is pretty cheap when it comes to the quality of the parts that are needed to engineer a burr grinder and although the Krups expert is nowhere near the quality of grind you would expect from a mid-range burr grinder it’s a damn sight better than a blade grinder. 

There are 17 grind size settings on this guy ranging from fine to coarse that you adjust on the side of the machine. Then select how long you would like to grind for on the dial located on the front of the grinder. 

It will grind you coffee to a mediocre consistency and does create a bit of mess. It doesn’t go fine enough for an espresso machine unless you have a cheaper machine that uses a pressurised basket then you may be able to squeeze a shot out.

 
 
Krups Expert Coffee Grinder Scene
 
 

All in all, if you are brewing anything from stovetop to cafetiere and you are on a tight budget then this guy is your answer. Far better results than with a blade grinder but still plenty of room to improve your cup quality further down the line. 

In need of a Kruups? Check Price on Amazon.

 

 

Don’t just take our word for it.

Check out coffee legend James Hoffmanns breakdown of coffee grinders.

Not in the UK?

If you happen to be the other side of the pond to Blighty and you stumbled across this article you’ll notice that some of the grinders listed either aren’t available for you to purchase or the shipping is crazy.

Checkout this awesome coffee grinder guide from our friends over at Roasty Coffee.

 
 

 

Coffee Grinder Brands

 
Sage Coffee Machine
 

Listen. Obsess. Innovate. Test. Refine. Design.

These 6 six words are what exactly what Sage are about.

Their appliance range spans the whole kitchen from toasters, microwaves and blenders through to top of the range domestic coffee grinders.

These guys have certainly listened to what people what their coffee grinders to do, which is make delicious coffee with minimal effort while still leaving a little control with us.

They showcase some of the best coffee grinders for espresso on the market that complement the outstanding range of Sage espresso machines.

The appliances that Sage showcase are not only built with the operational aspect in mind but also with longevity.

 
Sage Smart grinder pro.

They are designed well and designed to last with all of their products robust and able to handle those with particularly heavy hands.

 

 

The German-based coffee machine manufacturers have been around for over 100 years, they are famed for inventing the paper cone filter that you can still buy today in various forms.

They showcase a number of home espresso machines that mainly fit into the super-automatic bean to cup coffee machine category.

Melitta are also currently sponsors of one of, if not the greatest football team of all time, Manchester United.

 
Melitta Calibra .
 

 

FAQs

 

Is it worth grinding your own coffee?

It completely depends on how far you want to take your coffee journey.

I’m guessing if you’ve got this far down the page you’re considering buying a burr coffee grinder and you’re already hooked on better coffee. 

When you grind coffee it instantly starts to deteriorate in quality, the air reacts with compounds and oils in the grounds and the coffee starts to oxidise changing the delicate balance of flavour notes. 

Sure - you can buy ground coffee that still tastes great or grind your own and consume it weeks down the line and still pick some of the fruity notes out.

But the fresher the ground coffee the better the coffee will taste. 

Read our article on Does Grinding Your Own Coffee Taste Better?

Is a Coffee Grinder The Same As a Spice Grinder?

A spice grinder is very similar to a coffee grinder and manual grinders are extremely similar.

We would advise against using your coffee grinder to grind spices as various spices have greater oil content which may clog up the bean burrs. Plus you don’t want your floral Ethiopian coffee to taste like cardamom. 

Can You Blend Coffee Beans?

Blending coffee beans will result in a lot of uneven fragments of the coffee bean. When you brew the ground coffee some of the coffee grinds will under extract and taste sour, while others will over-extract and taste bitter.

Overall the coffee will taste crap, unless you’re buying crap beans then the coffee will taste crap anyway. 

By all means, try blending coffee though (most blenders will be able to handle coffee beans) and then grind the coffee with one of the burr grinders mentioned above and taste the difference. Check out Blending coffee without a grinder.

When To Clean Coffee Grinder?

If your grinder starts to produce inconsistent grinds, becomes slower or sounds strange then try to give it a clean.

You should also give your grinder a clean after it has ground around 20 kg. Different grinders have different needs however, some are generally quite clean while others create a great deal of mess.

How To Clean a Burr Coffee Grinder?

Most coffee grinders have similar components minus a couple of outliers.

So first take the bean hopper off the top of the grinder and give that a clean in the sink with water (make sure it is completely dry when you reassemble). 

Now depending on the brand take out the burrs by either unscrewing the collar or unlocking the mechanism. These can be cleaned with a dry cloth or a toothbrush to remove any coffee grounds and oils. 

For any parts that don’t come out use your vacuum cleaner to suck all of the coffee grounds out and then an earbud or a paper towel to clean away all of the extra fine grinds and the oils. 

Where Can You Buy a Coffee Grinder?

You are able to buy a coffee grinder at many high street shops, I have even seen the odd coffee grinder at Tesco. Make sure you always check to see if it is a Burr or Blade grinder as many of the cheaper options tend to be blade. You can purchase some of the best burr grinders online, check out the list above with some of our favourites or our coffee grinder guide.

Why Are Burr Coffee Grinders More Expensive?

This is because the materials (usually of the burrs) are of very high quality.

The engineering and design of more expensive burr grinders is also very high quality to enable the precise grind level needed for certain brew methods.

What Happens if You Grind Coffee Too Fine?

Your coffee will taste bitter and over extracted if you hand grind your coffee too fine for your required brew method.

Sometimes you may not even be able to brew the coffee if the grind is too fine as water will not be able to pass through the coffee grounds, this is common in stovetop and espresso coffee.

Checkout Is it better to grind coffee fine or coarse?

How Long Does A Burr Grinder Last?

Burr grinders, if well maintained and kept clean should last around 5 years on average.

This amount of time can alter though and can depend on the amount of use, the brand of coffee grinder, where it is usually operated and the type of coffee beans that are normally used. 

Can You Replace The Burrs On A Coffee Grinder?

In a commercial setting such as a speciality cafe a coffee grinder may need new burrs from time to time. After a certain amount of time and use, coffee burrs can become blunt/flat and need replacing. 

This can also happen to a domestic coffee coffee grinder in your home, however replacement burrs can be hard to find or the coffee grinder may be constructed so you cannot remove the burrs. 

It is quite unlikely that you would need to replace the burrs on your home coffee grinder however, as they are made to far outlast the average lifespan of a coffee grinder.