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Unlocking flavour and aroma, these machines are key to a better cuppa
One of the simplest things you can do to up your coffee game at home is to grind the beans fresh each time you brew. This is because the all-important aroma and flavour of your coffee comes courtesy of the compounds locked inside each bean. As soon as you grind them, that flavour starts to deteriorate.
To grind those beans, coffee mills use either burrs – abrasive surfaces that rotate and grind the beans between them – or regular blades, not unlike those that you’d find on a hand blender or food processor.
“When you’re choosing a grinder, start by thinking about the brewing method you most often use, and also how much coffee you tend to make,” says a spokesperson from Extract Coffee Roasters. “Different grinders will use different burrs. Some that are suitable for filter won’t work as well on espresso and vice versa – look for one specific to your brew.
“Electric grinders are going to be faster and easier for making multiple cups at once. If you’re grinding for espresso, which is a fine grind, manual grinders will be pretty labour intensive,” they add. “However, manual grinders have the advantage of being more mobile, smaller and quieter.”
The use of burrs is generally considered best, as it gives you a more uniform, consistent grind, but we’ve included a variety of coffee grinders in our guide, to suit different needs and budgets.
We tested a range of grinders and put the results to work using a chemex, which needs a medium-course grind. For each mill, we took into account the range of grind sizes, ease of use, consistency of grind, price and practicality – think storage, cleaning, portability. We wanted to get a heady whiff of coffee from those freshly ground beans, and enjoy as much flavour as possible in our resulting cup of joe. These are the ones that packed the best punch.
Electric coffee grinders are normally at a higher price point but also have higher automatic performance as a durable and convenient high-end grinder with several different grind size settings. However, with electricity comes noise, bulk, and a much larger price tag.
On the other hand, manual coffee grinders are portable, durable, and mid-high performing, creating consistent coffee grounds on a budget. A manual coffee grinder may suit you if you don’t want to splash the cash, and enjoy a bit of elbow grease and the process of making coffee – especially on the go.
There’s no doubt the premium grinders here promise a great user experience and a belting cup of coffee but they do come at a price.
Although not usually ones to follow the crowd, we couldn’t deny the virtues of the much-praised Wilfa svart grinder, which comes at a more palatable cost than others. The sturdy, easy-to-use machine gives a great range of grind options and super-uniform results – not to mention it comes with a five-year warranty. It’s a pretty sleek-looking machine, too, and it’s not too bulky, so it won’t take up an awful amount of room.
Meanwhile, the Sage smart grinder pro will give you great control over your grind, though it is a little pricier.
We’ve created the ultimate coffee machine buying guide for the perfect cup of joe