Every coffee enthusiast recognizes that a perfect brew starts not with the brewing process but much earlier—with the grinding of coffee beans. Choosing between a burr and a blade grinder can profoundly influence your coffee’s flavor. This guide will take you through the nuances of these two grinding methods, ensuring you make the right choice for your coffee ritual.
Understanding Blade Grinders
Blade grinders are quite simply, glorified mini blenders because they have a simple blade that spins, frequently activated by pressing down on the top of the grinder to activate the motor. While they are extremely inexpensive, and easy to operate, they have nearly zero control over the size of the coffee onces it’s ground. In fact, it’s not even ground! It’s more chopped than ground, which is why they tend to produce various sized coffee. While this is fine for making coffee in an automatic drip machine, it is not ideal for specialty coffees like cold brew or espresso where grind size is important.
For instance, cold brew wants a coarse and consistent grind that has a lower surface area to make up for the long brew time of 12-24 hours. Coffee ground finer than coarse can be overpowering, bitter, and ruin the taste. Plus it’d float right through the strainer in the cold brew maker!
Espresso is the opposite because it needs a super fine powder for a quick extraction. That means it needs the most surface area since it’s such a quick process, and uneven coffee sizes will affect the extraction and flavor.
The biggest drawback to blade grinders is their inconsistency, especially if you’re trying to make the same drink repatatively. There will be times it tastes different, and a large reason is because of the sizing.
Pros:
- Affordability: Blade grinders are often the go-to choice for those on a budget.
- Ease of Use: With a simple operation mechanism, they’re user-friendly.
- Speed: Need coffee grounds in an instant? Blade grinders deliver quickly.
Cons:
- Uneven Grind: Their chopping action produces varied particle sizes, leading to inconsistent brewing.
- Heat Generation: The fast-spinning blades can produce heat, risking altering the coffee’s natural flavors.
- Lack of Control: The lack of settings makes achieving a specific grind size challenging.
Baratza Sette 30 Conical Burr Grinder
Burr grinder vs blade grinder
Burr grinders are usually more expensive than blade grinders because they have a more complicated grinding system using burrs made of either ceramic or stainless steel. Since it’s a two-part mechanism (see below) there is the ability to adjust the distance between the two down to a very tight tolerance. This is why burr grinders can create a consistent grind so easily, the distance between the burrs is set, and the coffee is ground down until it fits the size that was selected. This is why coffee shops and serious coffee nuts use these, and it allows for consistent tasting coffee drinks every time. They also tend to be built a bit better than a blade grinder, so if you’re shopping around make sure to compare the costs to see if the extra cost is worth the years of service it will provide.
Pros:
- Consistency: Every coffee particle is of equal size, ensuring an even extraction.
- Versatility: Whether you want a fine grind for espresso or a coarse one for a French press, burr grinders deliver.
- Flavor Preservation: They operate without producing much heat, retaining the bean’s flavors.
- Durability: Burr coffee grinders tend to be more durable and produce less heat and static than blade grinders, which can negatively affect the taste of the coffee. The mechanism closely resembles a pepper mill.
Cons:
- Price: Excellence comes at a cost. Burr grinders are generally more expensive.
- Size & Noise: Their design often means they’re bulkier and can be noisier.
Coffee Types and Grinder Choices
Different brews require different grind sizes. Here’s a guide to help you choose:
| Coffee Drink | Ideal Coffee Roast | Grind Size | Recommended Grinder Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Espresso | Dark Roast | Fine | Burr Grinder |
| Americano | Medium to Dark | Fine | Burr Grinder |
| Drip Coffee | Medium Roast | Medium | Either Burr or Blade |
| French Press | Medium to Dark | Coarse | Burr Grinder |
| Cold Brew | Medium to Dark | Very Coarse | Burr Grinder |
| Cappuccino | Dark Roast | Fine | Burr Grinder |
| Latte | Medium to Dark | Fine | Burr Grinder |
Burr Coffee Grinder Top Choices
We’ve put together some of the top Burr grinders and blade grinders below. Please take a read through for more information.
Baratza Sette 30 Conical Burr Grinder
The Baratza Sette 30 Conical Burr Grinder is a high-quality coffee grinder designed for home use. It features a conical burr design, which is known for producing a consistent grind size and minimal heat buildup during the grinding process.
The Baratza Sette has an innovative grind mechanism, which uses a “straight-thru” design to reduce grind retention and improve grinding speed. This means that the coffee beans are ground directly into your brew basket or portafilter, reducing the amount of wasted coffee and making cleanup a breeze.
The Sette 30 also has a user-friendly interface that makes it easy to adjust the grind size. It has 30 grind settings, which allows you to fine-tune the grind size to match your brewing method and personal preference. The grind size can be adjusted with a simple turn of the hopper, and the grinder will automatically adjust to the new setting.
The Baratza Sette is also built with durable, high-quality materials that is designed to last. The burrs are made of high-quality steel, and the grinder is built to withstand the demands of daily use. Additionally, the compact design of the Sette makes it a great choice for those with limited counter space.
KitchenAid Burr Coffee Grinder – KCG8433
Kitchenaid makes some of the most iconic cooking devices on the market, and this burr coffee grinder definitely makes the top spot. With 70 grind settings from extra coarse to super fine, you can grind your beans to exactly what you need to make that perfect brew, from cold brew to espresso. The digital readout makes for an excellent experience because you can set the number of shots or cups you’re looking to make, and it’ll dose the correct amount of beans. Able to grind directly into portafilters for espresso, this Kitchenaid coffee grinder makes the perfect grind easy.
- Bean stored on top for ease
- Excellent read out / controls
- Auto dosing for the perfect amount of coffee
- Can grind to any size needed
Cuisinart DBM-8 Supreme Grind Burr Mill
If you’re more into powered options, you can also check out the Cuisinart burr grinder, specifically the Cuisinart DBM-8 Supreme Grind Burr Mill which has 18 different grind settings for ultra-fine to extra-coarse. It’s got a covered whole bean hopper that holds 8oz of coffee which is fully removable for cleaning. The grind chamber holds up to 32 cups of coffee! Additionally the whole unit has a simple one-touch operation that grinds the coffee, and stops the machine after a predetermined time. Helpful when getting the water ready or doing other tasks.
With 18 grind settings on the dial, this grinder keeps it simple and prides itself as being easy to clean. With an 8oz bean hopper, this grinder holds plenty of coffee and can even hold up to 32 cups worth of ground coffee in its bin! One-touch operation grinds the beans for a predetermined amount of time and turns off when its done, unlike most bladed coffee grinders.
- Quick grinding
- Good and even grind
- Large bean / grind storage
- Excellent price
JavaPresse Manual Coffee Bean Grinder
It wouldn’t be a complete review if we didn’t include the best manual coffee grinder by JavaPresse. With 18 grind settings, you have 100% control over how your bean gets ground. You know what they say about if you want something done right. The hand crank is very quiet, and if you like to travel, it can come right along and do its thing anywhere! That’s a lot of freedom especially if you’re into making excellent coffee while camping. Dual plated with ceramic burrs, this burr coffee grinder will last you a lifetime. This is, in our opinion, the best burr grinder under 100 dollars.
- Full control over grinding process
- Excellent with fine grounds for espresso
- Portable
- The best burr grinder under 100 dollars
- Very well made
KRUPS Precision Grinder Flat Burr Coffee
Krups coffee grinders are known to be excellent, and this model is an improvement over the last edition with a claimed 33% greater grinding range from extra coarse to super fine. This machine uses a metal burr which is a lot better than the cheap options out there that use plastic. With 12 grind settings, and a quantity setting, this grinder will grind the exact amount of coffee you need. Simple tends to be good, and this coffee grinder is both! One-touch operation keeps things easy to do, and it gets the job done.
- Simple design
- Well built
- Quantity setting makes things easy
Bodum Bistro Burr Coffee Grinder
Bodum is another favorite brand of ours, we love their cold brew makers and their BODUM Bistro Burr Coffee Grinder definitely makes the list. With 12 grind settings and a consistent grind, this burr grinder makes things easy with a one-touch button. With a built in timer, you don’t need to worry about over grinding the beans like you would with a blade grinder. Holds 7.75 oz of whole beans. The compactness also makes it easy to store if you need the counter space back!
- Easy grind / timer selection
- Even grind
- Comes with a static-free glass container for the grounds
Top 5 Blade Coffee Grinders
Cuisinart DCG-12BC Blade Grind Central Coffee Grinder
The Cuisinart burr grinder can grind up to 3.2 oz of coffee for about 18 cups of coffee. Features a dishwasher safe metal cup, with measurements notched on the side for measuring. Built in safety interlock prevents operation unless the lid is securely closed.
One of the standout features of the Cuisinart DCG-12BC is its compact design, which makes it a great choice for those with limited counter space. Despite its small size, this grinder still has the capacity to grind enough coffee for up to 12 cups at once, making it a convenient choice for everyday use.
- Highly rated
- Cheap & simple
- Gets the job done
KitchenAid Coffee Grinder
The Kitchenaid coffee grinder is a staple in many households. It is the epitome of simplistic in that the metal cup has measurement notches for ease. The plastic top does a good job of containing the coffee during the grind process, and the machine is activated by pressing down on the plastic top.
- Well priced
- Highly rated
- Grinds well
- Relatively quiet operation
KRUPS One-Touch Grinder for Coffee, Spice, and Dry Herb
The Krups coffee grinder is blade operated that can have your coffee ground in seconds! Able to hold 85g of whole bean coffee, this grinder can accommodate up to 12 cups of whole coffee bean. Lid activated, this little grinder is super simple, and can even grind spices like pepper if need be.
- Extremely well reviewed (almost 57k reviews!)
- Small & versatile
- Simple operation
Bodum BISTRO Blade Grinder
The Bodum coffee grinder made the list because it brings quick and efficient grinding in a durable and powerful package. The 150 watt motor is super strong and the push-button operation makes for a simple coffee grinder with a transparent window through the top. Compact and with cord storage in the base, this grinder is easy to store in a cabinet or small nook. With enough capacity for 8 cups of French press coffee, this little grinder is perfect for a small brew.
- Compact design
- Highly rated
- Easy to clean
Hamilton Beach Fresh Grind Electric Coffee Grinder
The Hamilton beach coffee grinder is technically the least expensive option on our list. It’s a great little grinder that almost resembles the Yeti water bottles, making it easy to store. With 12 cup capacity, this little grinder packs a punch! Dishwasher safe grinding bowl makes cleanup easy, and the stainless steel blades grind the coffee quickly.
- Compact with cord storage
- Performs well
- Well reviewed
Burr vs Blade Coffee Grinder Wrap Up
In conclusion, the choice between a burr grinder and a blade grinder is crucial in determining the quality of your coffee experience. Blade grinders, affordable and straightforward, offer convenience but at the cost of inconsistent grind sizes and potential heat damage to your coffee. This makes them less suitable for coffee styles requiring precise grind sizes, such as espresso and cold brew. On the other hand, burr grinders, with their adjustable and precise grinding mechanisms, ensure a consistent grind, preserving the coffee’s flavor and catering to a variety of brewing methods.
While burr grinders tend to be more expensive and bulkier, their ability to deliver a uniform grind size makes them the preferred choice for coffee enthusiasts and professionals.