Types of coffee grinders: how to choose, basic parameters

Important! You cannot grind anything other than coffee in a coffee grinder, since one of the properties of the device is the ability to absorb odors.

Coffee grinder rating

Comparison of basic characteristics is one of the ways to compile this TOP. When comparing the capabilities of the devices you like, you can choose the most powerful, quietest, functional, safe and convenient option. It was precisely these criteria that we paid attention to when preparing the rating. The combination of all these parameters was also taken into account.

Among the characteristics that served as the basis for preparing the rating, it should be noted:

• Type – manual (mechanical) or electric;
• Grinding system – rotary or millstone;
• Number of knives;
• Materials of cutting elements;
• Possibility and range of adjustment of grinding degree;
• Access to choice of dosage and portion;
• Location of the control knob;
• Surface stability;
• Case materials – metal, wood, plastic;
• Availability of switching lock when the cover is removed;
• Work power;
• Capacity of containers for grains and finished powder;
• Focus on crushing spices;
• Corrosion resistance;
• Weight and dimensions;
• Noise level during operation;
• Design.

Also, to complete the picture, during the study of products, attention was paid to the duration and quality of grinding, the absence of large particles, and the uniformity of crushing. An additional selection criterion was the optimal price-quality ratio of the products in question.

We draw conclusions and go to the store

Having studied the topic in detail and identified the differences between different types of coffee grinders, we can draw several conclusions:

• Before purchasing, you should clearly decide for what purpose you are purchasing the device. If you intend to become a professional in the world of coffee, then, of course, it is better to give preference to advanced models;
• plan your budget carefully;
• study the market and existing offers in stores.

If you are bored with store-bought coffee, want to try something new and learn how to make this drink yourself, then the desire to purchase a coffee grinder is quite natural and correct. The choice of device and its subsequent operation will depend on what taste you want to experience.

In general, we can make the following recommendations

1. If you don’t have an old rotary coffee grinder at home, then you shouldn’t spend money on a new one. It is better to buy ground coffee in a package, as its quality and taste will be much better.
2. Do you like to grab a quick espresso before work? Then a pseudo-burr coffee grinder is quite suitable for you. Although the quality of the drink will be questionable, you can still make normal coffee with it.
3. If finances allow, then it is better to purchase a burr coffee grinder. It will allow the taste of coffee to fully develop and give it an extraordinary aroma.
4. People who seriously take up making coffee drinks may soon get bored with even the most sophisticated home model. Therefore, you will have to buy expensive professional equipment.

We recommend not to skimp when purchasing. As we said earlier, a lot depends on the grinding, so a cheap device can seriously spoil the beans and even an expensive coffee maker will not help you. To begin with, it is better to invest in a coffee grinder, and a little later, after you have honed your skills, you can think about purchasing a coffee maker. It is better to choose devices from approximately the same price segment, so you can achieve the desired result and easily learn how to prepare an amazing drink.

Electric burr grinders

In this case, grinding occurs by rotating the millstones, the distance between which is adjusted using the appropriate screw. They are made of metal and ceramics. The rating includes both models, taking into account customer reviews. The ChoiceExpert team selected the 3 best electric burr-type coffee grinders based on their functionality, convenience and safety of use.

De'Longhi KG 520.M

A professional grinder of coffee beans, which it crushes using millstones. At one time you can get from 1 to 14 servings, depending on the amount of raw materials poured. There is a transparent container installed on top of the case for it. Thanks to this, it is possible to control the crushing process and, if necessary, replenish the container in time.

De'Longhi KG 520.M saves time by allowing you to grind the seed directly into the holder of a carob-type coffee machine. This also helps to avoid or minimize powder spillage. The product makes it possible to prepare it for cappuccino, expresso, latte with different degrees of grinding.

The manufacturer offers 18 levels of grinding, down to dust. They are selected using the appropriate knob. Thanks to this, you can prepare both super-strong espresso and coffee through a French press, which requires large particles.

Advantages:

• Grinding uniformity;
• Good conical millstones;
• You can use horns of different diameters;
• Preserves the smell of freshly ground coffee;
• Aesthetic appearance.

Flaws:

• High price;
• The horn mount is not very strong.

The kit includes a 350 g reservoir for raw materials. Due to this, you can prepare a drink for several family members at a time.

Rommelsbacher EKM 300

The device is designed for use at home. The device is equipped with sharp millstones that grind seeds of different sizes and densities in less than 1 minute. Grinding is carried out evenly, which prevents solid particles from getting into the drink.

The Rommelsbacher EKM 300 has a plastic case that is not subject to cracks, scratches, or abrasions. The model has two separate containers - the upper one is for loading grains, and the lower one is for collecting them after processing. Its volume is 120 g, so you can get up to 10 servings of espresso at a time.

The device is equipped with a dispenser, eliminating unnecessary load on the system. The transparent walls of the containers make it easier to control the process. To clean the containers, the kit includes a special brush that does not scratch the walls. The manufacturer offers a choice of 12 degrees of crushing using a regulator on the body.

Advantages:

• Not easily soiled, black color;
• Acceptable dimensions – 18.5x14x29.5 cm;
• There is something to wrap the cord around;
• Electric cable 1.4 m long;
• Ease of Management.

Flaws:

• There is a lot of ground coffee left inside;
• Do not grind directly into the holder.

The electric burr coffee grinder operates at 150 W, which ensures fast grinding.

Melitta Molino

With the help of the electric Melitta Molino model, grains are crushed in a wide range - from coarse to fine grinding, taking into account the needs. The device allows you to select the dose appropriate for a specific coffee machine and drink. The model allows you to adjust the number of servings - 2-14 cups.

The operating power of the Melitta Molino coffee grinder is 100 W, which ensures crushing to the desired size in less than 1-2 minutes. The grain container has a volume of 200 g, so you can grind raw materials for several people at a time. It has a removable lid for easy removal of contents and can be easily removed for cleaning.

The grain container has transparent walls, which makes it easy to control the process. You can choose one of 17 grinding levels depending on the type of drink. The model is as automated as possible and turns off automatically when work is completed, which saves energy.

Advantages:

• The case has a cable storage compartment;
• Easily removable grinding disc;
• Cleans without problems;
• Does not vibrate during operation;
• Stability on the table.

Flaws:

• Wide range of prices;
• Electrification of plastic.

Reviews indicate that coffee particles settle on the walls of the product over time, especially in the hopper.

Which brand of coffee grinder should I buy?

Having decided on the type of coffee grinder and the method of preparing the drink, you can proceed to the stage of selecting a device by brand. There are several product brands that have proven themselves in the market as reliable and responsible manufacturers.

Moulinex devices include versatility, protection against self-starting and attractive design. The entire line is rotary type and is produced primarily in China. Tefal are distinguished by quality, ergonomic design and a wide range of models. The Italian brand DeLonghi is represented by rotary and millstone type devices. All models are equipped with about ten different grinding modes, as well as additional functions. KitchenAid are professional coffee grinders from an American brand. They are highly expensive, have 15 grinding levels, and are equipped with high-strength components. Cunill device is sold in a basic configuration, which can be expanded at the request of the owner at any time. These are used more often in public catering outlets, since they have all the necessary parameters for this.

To get high-quality coffee beans, you need to choose the right device for grinding them. It is desirable that the output be a powder consisting of as identical particles as possible, i.e. so that the device allows you to adjust the degree of grinding. In the process of grinding grains, they are heated and essential oils are released, so it is better to choose those in which the heating is minimal.

Rotary coffee grinders

Such devices are also called knife devices. In addition to coffee beans, they grind sugar, black pepper and other spices. To start the device, just press the corresponding button on the case and hold it for a certain time. The models presented in the rating work on this principle. Vyborexperta.ru specialists studied suitable candidates and added the 2 most effective ones according to customer reviews to the TOP of the best coffee grinders.

Bosch MKM 6000/6003

A cheap rotary coffee grinder, successfully used both at home and in small confectionery shops. This model operates at a power of 180 W, which makes the grinding process fast. Productivity is not affected by the loading level of the raw material container.

The Bosch MKM 6000/6003 coffee grinder is characterized by sharp knives that can handle even hard beans in a matter of seconds. They are made of durable steel that is resistant to rust, high humidity and other aggressive influences. The container for ready-made coffee is spacious - 75 g. This volume is enough for about 10 cups of espresso.

The device is safe to use. This is ensured by a well-thought-out protection system that prevents the device from turning on without the cover or if it is not tightly attached. The product is not heavy - weighing 500 g, so it is easy to transport and move around the house. The compact dimensions of the case (9x17x9 cm) allow you to easily place the device on a work surface or in a cabinet.

Advantages:

• Durable housing;
• High-quality assembly;
• Suitable for grinding spices;
• The knives do not grind down for a long time;
• Low noise level.

Flaws:

• The degree of crushing cannot be adjusted;
• Water and sugar can cause the top bearing to seize over time.

Reviews note that there is no place in the case to store a rolled cord. On average, the device copes with its task in 5-6 cycles.

Kitfort KT-1329

The Kitfort KT-1329 model has a rotary grinding system, the degree of which can be adjusted. To do this, you just need to keep the device turned on longer. The knives rotate quickly and cut the seed in the first pass, but it is unlikely that it will be possible to achieve a dusty state.

The device body is made of stainless steel, resistant to water, which increases service life. The coffee grinder quickly copes with its tasks thanks to its high power – 200 W, which is quite enough for home use.

The bowl for collecting crushed grains holds 70 g, this amount is enough for more than 4 servings. The length of the network cable is 98 cm, which allows you to work at a distance from the outlet, and the weight of 1 kg allows you to easily carry the product from place to place. Thanks to its compact dimensions (11.7x20.1x11.7 cm), the device does not take up much space on the countertop.

Advantages:

• It is impossible to turn on with the cover removed;
• Works quietly;
• Grinds quickly;
• The kit includes two separate bowls - for initial and finished raw materials;
• It crushes both for the device and for the Turks.

Flaws:

• There is no special option to adjust the grind size of the beans.

Both bowls in the set of an electric coffee grinder for home are removable and, if necessary, can be easily removed for washing. One of them comes with a double-sided knife, the other comes with a four-sided knife.

Optimal power for home use

On the market you can find devices with different powers: from 100 to 300 W. When choosing what power a coffee grinder should have, you should start from the amount of drink you will prepare.

You should not choose a rotary type with high power: this will increase the risk of overheating the grains. The optimal power for a coffee grinder used at home is considered to be 140-190 W. This is enough to quickly grind the grains. For a large family, it is better to grind coffee in 2-3 batches.

You should not choose a rotary coffee grinder with high power: this will increase the risk of overheating the beans.

Burr coffee grinders are not so demanding on power, since only the grinding speed depends on it. A 170 W device will be sufficient. But excess power can still lead to overheating of the beans. The difference in the operating speed of a 180 W and 250 W coffee grinder is not too big.

Burr coffee grinders are not so demanding on power, since only the grinding speed depends on it.

The best manual coffee grinders

Such products are not capable of quickly grinding large quantities of coffee. Therefore, they are relevant if you need to prepare a drink for 1-2 people at a time. They are also often bought as gifts for loved ones. The following two models have an aesthetic design and a reliable grinding mechanism.

TimA SL-008

The TimA SL-008 manual coffee grinder is made of metal and wood, which increases its service life. It is resistant to rust and mechanical stress. On average, it takes 5-6 minutes to grind one portion. To do this, you just need to load the grains into a special drawer and turn the handle.

For this model, the handle rotates easily clockwise. A wooden pad is provided for a comfortable grip. There is virtually no noise during operation of the device. The millstones installed here do not change the taste of the drink and grind down slowly.

In TimA SL-008, the crushed seed is poured into a special compartment, from where it is easily taken out. Thanks to its considerable volume, you can add several servings of drink at a time. A coffee grinder is characterized by a coarse grind, which is why grains can float in boiling water.

Advantages:

• Stability on the table;
• Compact dimensions – 16x10x10 cm;
• Convenient handle location – on top;
• Nice design;
• Suitable as a gift.

Flaws:

• The degree of grinding cannot be adjusted;
• Coffee jumps out when you grind.

Reviews note that due to the lack of information about the degree of grinding, it is not easy to predict the final result. Buyers also say that sometimes the main rod becomes loose and needs to be tightened. It is strongly not recommended to do this, otherwise the grains will get stuck between the knives.

Mayer & Boch Modern Line

The product is distinguished by the presence of a special internal mechanism that allows you to change the degree of grinding from fine to coarse. The body is made of porcelain, which is resistant to mechanical stress and does not change the taste of drinks. On top are millstones made of brass that retain their sharpness for a long time.

The Mayer & Boch Modern Line home coffee grinder has an aesthetic appearance and is suitable as a gift. The stand and drawer are made of wood, so this product is considered environmentally friendly. Thanks to the wide support and special Velcro, the structure is stable on the surface without moving during operation.

A metal container for raw materials is installed on top, which can hold more than 50 g at a time. Below there is a small box for collecting the resulting powder, which can be easily pulled out. Due to its compactness, you can immediately pour the contents into a Turk or coffee maker.

Advantages:

• Enough for 2 cups of espresso;
• Small height – 16 cm;
• Weighs 780 g;
• Does not scratch the table covering;
• The handle rotates easily.

Flaws:

• Not detected.

As reviews show, the grinder can be used to prepare powder for both Turkish coffee and an electric coffee maker or machine.

Features of knife (rotary) devices

The popularity of such models is due to the minimal time spent on grinding (only 10-15 seconds) and further preparation of the drink, which allows you to preserve maximum aroma. In addition, the design with sharp blades is cheaper than a burr coffee grinder.

In addition, the device has the following positive characteristics:

• mobility and compactness;
• safety (there is protection against accidental activation);
• efficiency (electricity consumption - up to 200 W/hour).

But along with the advantages there are a number of unpleasant features:

1. The degree of grinding is not controlled.
2. The fineness of grinding depends on the rotation time of the knives. However, at high speed, the coffee beans can overheat and burn, and the drink will acquire a bitter taste.
3. Crushed granules and larger elements are located in one compartment, so it is almost impossible to achieve uniform grinding.
4. With the non-removable design of the knife, rinsing the container is very difficult and even dangerous.

Reference . It is customary to use a coffee grinder with sharp knives to grind coffee in the amount required for a serving. Ground coffee should not be stored, because it loses its beneficial properties. The reason for this is oxidation in air for half an hour.

To attract more consumers, various manufacturers have equipped their models with additional functions:

1. The Zauber X 480 coffee grinder has double knives. This function increases the grinding speed.
2. The Bosch MKM 6000 model has an inclined bottom, which ensures uniformity when crushing granules.
3. The design of the Tefal 8100 rotary device is equipped with an exclusive pulsating rotation system, which ensures high-quality grinding.
4. The Delonghi brand device - KG 30 is equipped with a three-level grinding regulator (from fine to coarse).

Also, most devices are equipped with overheating protection and a locking function when the lid is open. Models are available equipped with a shutdown option if the device is clogged, good sound insulation, rubber feet for stronger adhesion to the table surface and a shutdown timer.

How to choose a coffee grinder

Connoisseurs of the taste and aroma of real coffee should give preference to manual models that operate without electricity. However, they require some effort and more time. This option would be perfect as a gift for loved ones. This device allows you to grind grains down to dust. If you need a more functional solution, then it is better to buy an electric crusher.

Grinding system

For mechanical models, the knives are activated by turning a handle located on the side or top of the body. Electric devices work independently; you just need to select the appropriate degree and dosage of grinding, and then pour the contents of a special compartment into the coffee maker. A manual burr coffee grinder is preferable for those who cannot devote much time to grinding.

Electric models are divided into rotary (foot) and millstone. Devices of the first type grind the contents until the device is turned off or for a predetermined time. They lack the ability to automatically adjust the degree of grinding, so they are unlikely to be suitable for coffee connoisseurs.

The millstone grinding system is relevant for those who prepare different coffee drinks - from espresso to latte in a Turk or in an automatic machine. It makes it possible to regulate the degree of crushing and the volume of portions using a special control knob on the body. However, this model is more expensive than manual and electric rotary options.

Power

For home models, power from 80 to 250 W is enough. At a higher rate, you can burn the grains, which will give the drink a bitter taste. Also, high performance increases the noise level during operation of the device and increases the amount of electricity consumed.

Capacity

If you need to prepare coffee for several people at once, the minimum recommended volume of the bean hopper is 60 g. For regular espresso you need at least 8 g of raw materials, and for double espresso – about 18 g. This amount allows you to get 60 ml of drink. Crushing no longer makes much sense, since their original aroma and taste are lost during storage.

Power, speed (rev) and performance

These are the most important parameters of electric coffee grinders:

• The power of an electric coffee grinder that can be found on sale can be in the range of 200-900W.
• Speed ​​(number of revolutions ). When choosing the number of revolutions of an electric coffee grinder, moderation should be observed. Too many revolutions per minute causes the coffee to heat up, which can cause it to lose its valuable aroma.
• Electric coffee grinder performance . Performance is a parameter that tells us how much coffee a given model can grind per minute. A value in the range of 130 g/min is considered a good result.

Which coffee grinder is better

The device should grind grains in a maximum of 5-6 cycles. Lovers of clean drinks without lumps should take a closer look at models with the ability to adjust the degree of grinding, right down to powder. This is especially true for connoisseurs of espresso, which requires fine crushing.

Summing up which coffee grinder is better, we can draw the following conclusions:

• Those who do not want to limit themselves to espresso, but prefer to alternate it with latte, cappuccino, etc., should take a closer look at the De'Longhi KG 520.M with a wide range of adjustable crushing degrees.
• For large families, if more than 4-5 people live in a house, you can purchase a millstone model “Rommelsbacher EKM 300” with the ability to crush grains into 8-10 servings at a time.
• If you plan to use coffee makers and automatic machines, then it is recommended to choose a machine with Melitta Molino millstones with 17 grinding levels.
• Those looking for an inexpensive model that will adequately crush beans into several cups of drink should take a closer look at the Bosch MKM 6000/6003 with low noise levels.
• The rotary model “Kitfort KT-1329” is combined with the Turk, which grinds the raw materials almost into powder.
• If you want to preserve the original taste and aroma of your drinks, you can buy a manual coffee grinder “TimA SL-008”.
• As a gift for coffee lovers, the Mayer & Boch Modern Line machine with a mechanical grinding method has proven itself well.

Before deciding on the choice of coffee grinder, you need to decide for yourself how often and what kind of coffee will be prepared, for how many people. The volume of the device, its power and type directly depend on this.

Features of choosing a coffee grinder for your home

When choosing a technique, it is better to immediately take into account all the nuances of its subsequent use: frequency of use, grinding volumes and taste preferences. This is necessary in order not to overpay for unnecessary functions, and also to ensure that the equipment lasts as long as possible.

This is the only way the drink will retain all its taste and aroma.