Rating of the best models of electric burr coffee grinders

What is the best coffee grinder or what are the key features?

In order not to delve into technical details, I will briefly outline the range of distinctive characteristics inherent in this type of household appliance.

Their essence is revealed as follows:

• Keep in mind that burrs are a great way to process coffee beans. Unlike rotary models, they grind rather than crush coffee. This has a positive effect on the quality of grinding;
• If we talk about review models , then they have the simplest design, which, coupled with normal build quality, minimizes the risk of breakdowns.

Advantages and disadvantages

To form a more complete picture of the choice, I will give a number of general pros and cons characteristic of this type of household appliance.

The advantages are grouped into a rather impressive list:

• only millstones will help you obtain the highest quality grinding at home;
• High functionality will help make life easier - you will need a minimum of actions;
• The device allows you to prepare raw materials for any type of drinks (mocha, cappuccino, espresso, etc.), and for any method of preparation (French press, coffee maker, Turk);
• acceptable price;
• saving effort and time, which is especially valuable in the morning.

The disadvantages are less significant, but they still exist:

• I have already spoken about the low susceptibility to breakdowns, but this does not exclude a number of accidents. If a foreign object gets into the millstones, they will fail;
• in practice, problems may arise with the minimum grinding degree.

Selection factors

To choose the best burr coffee maker, you need to focus on the technical characteristics of devices in this class.

As an expert, I will give a few recommendations to help make this process easier:

• do not chase too high power; devices with 100-150 W are effective in everyday life;
• choose models with conical rather than flat millstones. This will eliminate the risk of burning the beans, and the discs themselves will last quite a long time;
• If you value every free minute and live under constant time pressure, pay attention to additional time-saving options. You will find useful functions such as a timer, coffee dispenser;
• Don’t be afraid of plastic containers; modern materials are strong (depending on the manufacturer, of course), but can stain and absorb odors. Simple washing will eliminate this point;
• adjustable grinding degree - I advise you to purchase models with this function.

Rommelsbacher EKM 300

The first model to come under the pressure of a practical description was the Rommelsbacher EKM 300 . I’ll say right away that the German name hides an overt Chinese assembly. However, as an expert, I will say that the device is simple and there is basically nothing to break here.

By choosing such a coffee grinder, you can prepare from 1 to 10 servings of coffee at a time, and by choosing 1 of 12 grinding levels (from fine to coarse). You get the opportunity to prepare real mocha and espresso at home.

The practical advantages of the model emerge as follows:

• The device copes well with its intended purpose – grinding coffee . The degree of grinding corresponds to the specified settings. This indicates the potentially high quality of the finished drink;
• the motor works quickly, you will prepare a cup of aromatic coffee in a couple of minutes, from loading the beans to removing the pot from the stove;
• Compact dimensions simplify storage and use of the coffee grinder;
• affordable price.

The disadvantages are as follows:

• As an expert, I cannot vouch for the uninterrupted operation of the device in the future. The coffee grinder will serve you well for a couple of years, but then a whole bunch of problems may arise;
• The millstones of the device are made of stainless steel. It's not the most durable solution you can get, but it does give you the device at a low price.

Comparison with electric coffee grinders with stone, ceramic burrs

Of course, a true gourmet always uses a manual device, but electric ones also have their own excellent features in terms of speed and ease of grinding. In addition, the quality of the coffee produced ultimately depends on the material of the millstones, so let’s compare the quality characteristics of commercially available products:

• Cast iron gives the powder a metallic taste over time, as the parts are ground down and particles fall into the powder.
• Steel parts can wear out much faster than cast iron, although the material itself is not able to absorb foreign odors. To avoid all these disadvantages, they are usually alloyed with titanium, which undoubtedly affects the cost of the product.
• Ceramic millstones have good characteristics; they can be compared in quality even to a diamond, but if you drop the structure, the millstones may crumble, and you will have to buy a new one.
• And finally, millstones made of stone. Undeniable environmental qualities, coffee can be literally ground into dust, is particularly wear-resistant and is absolutely not saturated with foreign odors. But the cost of such a coffee grinder will be much higher than all the listed analogues.

It will also be useful to know how tasty coffee will be in a geyser coffee maker.

The video shows a description of an electric coffee grinder with ceramic millstones:

We hope that our material helped you understand manual coffee grinding devices, and you can easily choose the right option for purchase..

VITEK VT-1548

I immediately loved this review sample. I am sure that you will get the most simple and convenient device for everyday use. In practice, it is enough to select the operating mode, grind and start the coffee grinder. In addition, the manufacturer has provided the ability to select the dosage of servings . The smart kitchen gadget itself will measure the required amount of coffee for grinding (from 4 to 12 cups). Let me add that the model provides 4 grinding levels, which is optimal for everyday use. You don't overpay for unnecessary options.

VITEK VT-1548 is the only coffee grinder in the review that provides a pulse mode of operation. this helps protect the motor and burrs from overheating. It can be assumed that with this mode the device will continue to function, even after exhausting the resource declared by the manufacturer.

Practical advantages can be grouped as follows:

• the device is compact and has a nice design;
• count on the fact that the operation of the coffee grinder will not be a source of loud noise;
• for the presented characteristics, the model has a simply fabulous price;
• you get fast and even grinding.

There are also disadvantages:

• If we talk about the minimum degree of grinding, the manufacturer did not finalize the sample somewhat. I can’t say that the grains are ground into dust;
• Retrieving coffee powder is not as convenient as we would like.

Video review

Recipe for making finely ground Turkish coffee:

Recipe for making powdered sugar in this coffee grinder:

The best burr coffee grinders

When choosing a coffee grinder, it is advisable to study the rating of the best models. The review includes the most popular devices that have earned trust among consumers.

Kornkraft Mulino

The manual stone grinder has a unique shape and arrangement system. The device has the following characteristics:

• self-sharpening elements;
• it is possible to adjust the degree of grinding;
• container volume for grains 100 grams;
• in a minute it is crushed within 30-100 grams of product;
• wooden body impregnated with beeswax.

Cunill Brasil

Professional electric unit providing high grinding quality. The capacity of the tank for whole coffee beans is 1 kilogram. Productivity - up to five kilograms per hour. The presence of a tamper and dispenser is noted.

Main advantages of the device:

• power;
• adjustment of the degree of grinding, weight of one portion;
• grinding is uniform;
• The bean compartment is made of unbreakable material.

Nivona NIGS 130 Café Grano

The power of the electrical device is 100 W. The capacity of the tank is 200 grams. 16 degrees of grinding. It has a compact size and attractive design.

Among the advantages are:

• almost silent operation;
• uniform grinding;
• possibility of obtaining small and large fractions;
• The coffee does not heat up. Thanks to this, the product does not turn out to be overcooked.

Becker BK-2517

The body of the hand-held device is made of porcelain. Ceramic millstones, resistant to moisture. The compartment capacity is 30 grams. The handle rotates clockwise and counterclockwise. Thanks to this, minimal effort is required. The degree of grinding is adjustable.

Main advantages:

• durable grinding elements;
• comfortable handle;
• selection of fraction sizes.

The only disadvantage of the device is its fragility. Porcelain breaks when dropped.

Krups GVX 242

The inexpensive electric unit is made of durable plastic. Among its characteristics:

• 100 W motor;
• 17 degrees of grain grinding;
• automatic blocking in the absence of containers;
• tank volume 200 grams.

The device looks attractive and can harmoniously fit into the interior of any kitchen.

Zauber Z-490

The Swedish brand offers a unique design and, let's say, acceptable quality. The attractive price of this coffee grinder is ensured by minimal functionality and a flimsy Chinese assembly. I frankly don’t like the quality of the design itself, but let’s see what makes this device remarkable.

Zauber Z-490 is a standard burr-type coffee grinder for the economy class. You'll get a fairly low cup capacity - 90g - but it won't hurt to make a couple of cups of coffee in the morning at a time. The quality of the resulting drink is positively influenced by the grinding degree regulator and ceramic (!) millstones.

The bowls are made of acrylic, and the body is made of food-grade hygienic steel, which is generally not bad, but does not claim to be the best result. Acrylic, like a sponge, absorbs odors and over time will acquire an unpleasant brownish tint.

The practical advantages of the model can be characterized as follows:

• The device at least grinds coffee, and that’s a plus;
• The manufacturer offers a 25 month warranty.

The list of identified shortcomings is more impressive:

• The model uses low quality plastic. Its quality is so disgusting that the body will not withstand the operation of the engine and millstones. Over time, the inside of the device will become covered with cracks and will have to be thrown into the trash;
• Adjusting the grind level is not effective. Essentially, coffee powder can only be used in a French press;
• frankly weak electronics will react sensitively to network changes. Even a stabilizer will not help get rid of problems.

Adjusting the grinding degree

All burr coffee grinders have the ability to adjust the degree (fineness) of grinding. Moreover, each coffee grinder has its own minimum and maximum powder particle sizes. The usual number of grinding levels is from 8 to 16.

In addition to the number of grinding levels, you need to pay attention to how they are adjusted.

Sometimes the mysterious phrase “precision millstones” is written on coffee grinders. What does it mean? The particles of beans in the grind cannot be 100% identical - any coffee grinder produces some smaller pieces at the output. This is called "grind precision". The more “more accurate”, i.e. The more evenly grinded, the better. Precision millstones are highly accurate and the finished powder contains significantly more pieces of the same size than in coffee grinders with simple millstones.

How is the adjustment made?

Changing the grind size occurs when you change the distance between the burrs - the greater the distance at the exit of the burrs, the larger the coffee powder particles will be.

Adjustment is often made using a ring located at the bottom of the bean bowl on the outside. In other cases, adjustment can occur in a different, but also simple way.

In rare cases, adjustment requires quite complex manipulations.

For example, unscrew the nut that holds the inner cone, then move the cone in the desired direction and tighten the nut.

Tip: It is better to adjust the finer grind while the coffee grinder is running, removing the grains in advance.

What exactly should you choose?

The grind size that suits you directly depends on the type of coffee you drink. If you cook in a French press, the pieces should be large. If it’s espresso, then medium. If in Turkish - then into dust. So see if the grind fineness suits you. If you're lucky, the store will give you the opportunity to test drive the coffee grinder. In this case, check the coarsest and finest grinds. If you are not satisfied with the fineness of the grinding, then feel free to look at another option - practically no coffee grinder without special skills and loss of warranty can reduce the finest grinding and increase the coarsest.

Choose the easiest and most convenient option for changing the grinding fineness. I don't think you'll want to have to dig into your toolbox for a wrench to change the grind setting.