Coffee Grinders

Let's face it - the best way to make sure you have a great cup of coffee at home is to grind your own beans. Grinding coffee beans releases flavours and aroma not found in ground coffee. Coffee loses some of its flavour and freshness after only a few days of being ground. But whole beans stay fresh and strong for weeks. Plus, you can grind as you go and adjust the coarseness of the grind for different types of coffee -- producing fresh cups for the morning coffee and the occasional espresso after dinner.

How to Choose

There are two main types of coffee grinders on the market: blade grinders  and burr grinders.  Unless you are grinding massive amounts of coffee (say, for a café) then you don't really need a commercial grinder. Commercial grinders do have exceptional speed and power for a large capacity machine, however, they tend to be quite bulky for home use. Below are the two types of domestic models to choose from.

Blade Grinders vs. Burr Grinders

Blade Grinders 

  • Sharp metal blade pulverises the bean at a consistent speed until desired texture is reached.  
  • Quick grinding.
  • Can be used to grind other things in the kitchen.
  • They take up very little counter space.
  • The heat produced by the spinning blade may affect the taste of the coffee because it can burn the beans.
  • Not as easy to clean or get the grinds out.
  • Not the best for making very fine grounds for espresso or Turkish coffee, however, it does do the trick for the average user.
  • Usually less expensive than burr grinders. Expect to pay $40 - $80. 
  • Brands: Breville,  DeLonghi,  Gaggia MM,  Halo,  Sunbeam,  Super Macina, 

Burr Grinders 

  • Uses hardened steel burrs to strip slivers of bean from the surface; exposing more area than a blade grinder.  
  • Produces less heat than blade grinding, preserving the aromatics of the coffee.
  • More surface area means more flavourful coffee.
  • Generally preferred by coffee enthusiasts.
  • Two types of Burr Grinders:
    • Wheel Burr or Flat-Plate : Sometimes messy and loud, but they are good for espresso.
    • Conical : Fine for oily or flavoured coffees and espresso.
  • More expensive. Expect to pay $110 - $800.
  • Brands: ASCASO,  Gaggia MDF,  Krups,  LUX,  Rancilio Rocky,  Saeco 2002. 

Things to Consider

How much do you want to spend? How often do you grind coffee? How important it is for you to retain the fullest flavour of the bean? Do you need the machine to work exceptionally for both making drip coffee and espresso?

Major Manufacturers