Guide Note

A coffee grinder is a small appliance that grinds whole roasted coffee beans. Grinding your own coffee beens before brewing provides a fresher taste than buying pre-ground coffee or even grinding your coffee at the store.

Fast Facts

1. Price range: $15 to over $600
2. Available for domestic and commercial use
3. Too fine grinds may clog your coffee maker
4. Two types: Burr and blade grinders
5. Burr grinders are more expensive
6. Blade grinders offer little coarseness control

There are two basic types of grinders: blade grinders and burr grinders.

Blade grinders are similar to blender. They have blades which chop up the coffee beens. This type of grinder is the least expensive type but offers no control over the grind of the coffee. The friction generated by the blades can also produce an unpleasant taste.

Burr grinder can be flat wheel or conical grinders. The flat wheel grinder is often the choice of the average coffee lover as it provides consistent coarseness control and not as much cost as the conical burr grinder.

The conical grinder is the highest quality grinder available it is also the most expensive.

Burr grinders need to be cleaned, but because of the slower action there is less friction and the coffee grind is better.