By now you’ve heard over and over again that the best way to brew coffee starts with freshly roasted and ground coffee. Since Equator roasts coffee to order, we’ve got the freshly roasted part under control, but how do you know what grinder is best for you?
Choosing the best coffee grinder can make all the difference in brewing the perfect cup. Whether you prefer a French press, espresso, or drip coffee, this guide will help you find the best grinder for your needs.
- Why Grinding Your Own Coffee Matters
- Grinder Features to Look For
- Top 3 Best Coffee Grinders
- Coffee Grinder Maintenance Tips
- Find the Right Coffee Grinder for You
Why Grinding Your Own Coffee Matters
The key to better coffee every time is buying fresh roasted coffee and grinding your coffee right before you brew it. When coffee is ground, the increased surface area means that the coffee has the potential to be exposed to more environmental factors, like oxygen and moisture, that lead to flavor loss. That’s why pre-ground coffee is unpopular among specialty coffee enthusiasts. That said, if you prefer to get your coffee pre-ground, storing it in an opaque, airtight container will help improve freshness and therefore the quality of your morning brew.
Grinding your coffee at home also gives you more control over your grind size. For example, maybe you like to brew Mocha Java as a pour over, but your partner or roommate prefers that particular blend brewed on a French press. These brew methods taste best with very different grind size. Having a grinder at home and fresh roasted whole bean coffee means that everyone gets the coffee they love, ground fresh for their favorite brew method.
Grinder Features to Look For
To start, there are a few different main types of coffee grinders:
- Blade grinders use metal blades to grind coffee, similar to the types of blades you would find in a blender. While these can be very affordable grinders, they generally result in an inconsistent grind — you’ll often find that some of your coffee is ground fine whereas some is basically still whole. The result is that your brew will be inconsistently extracted and taste either too bitter, too sour or just flat. Some will argue that blade grinders are better than buying pre-ground. But, the inconsistency of the resulting coffee means we just don’t recommend them.
- Burr Grinders are the key to getting a consistent grind, which is essential for great coffee. These used to be prohibitively expensive, but technology has gotten better and even the affordable versions now work very well. They work by using two ridged metal pieces, called burrs, with adjustable spacing so you can easily control the size of the coffee grounds. You are able to set the distance apart to get the perfect grind for your brew, from a fine grind for espresso to a coarser one for French press. There are two main types of burr grinders: flat and conical. Flat burrs look like two discs—one stays in place while the other spins to grind the coffee. Conical burrs, on the other hand, feature an inner blade that tapers upward and grinds the coffee beans against an outer burr, which sits like a ring around it. The shape of each type of burr creates different results. In general, conical burrs tend to produce more small, fine particles, which can result in a fuller bodied brew. Flat burrs, on the other hand, create a more even grind, which can lead to a cleaner taste making them ideal for smoother, more balanced cups.
- Manual Grinders can be great for portability - for example if you’re on a camping trip or traveling and have your pour over set along for the ride. That said, they do require more effort and are typically smaller volume, so they’re best suited for single cup brewing methods like pour overs or AeroPress.
Grind Size Settings
Different brewing methods call for coffee ground to different degrees. As you may know, coffee ground for espresso is very fine, whereas coffee ground for cold brew is very coarse. It’s important that your chosen grinder can be adjusted to your favorite brewing methods specifications.
- For Espresso, you’ll need a very fine grind. We recommend a burr grinder with fine-tuning capability, so that home baristas have the control they need to dial in the perfect espresso shot. The Fellow Opus or Baratza Virtuoso+ can both grind fine enough.
- For pour-overs like Hario V60, Kalita Wave, or Origami, you’ll want a burr grinder that offers very consistent particle size so that your brew is well balanced. The Fellow Opus or Baratza Virtuoso+ are both versatile and precise. They work well for multiple styles.
- For French Press a coarse grind is best, so look for a burr grinder that can handle larger grind sizes and offers a consistent grind. The Baratza Encore can do this at an affordable price.
- For your drip coffee brewing machine, you’ll probably want your coffee beans medium-fine ground - the consistency of sea salt. Most burr grinders will have the range to grind to the right specifications for this brewing method. If this is the only way you brew, the Baratza Encore is affordable and will last you for years.
Burr Material
Ceramic burr grinders have gained a lot of popularity among home coffee enthusiasts, and for good reason. These burrs are made from high-strength ceramic, which stays sharp for a very long time, maintaining consistent grind quality for years to come. One big advantage of ceramic burrs is that they generate less heat during grinding. This is a key factor in preserving the flavor of your coffee beans, as too much heat can negatively impact their taste.
On the other hand, stainless steel burr grinders are often preferred for their durable, high-quality construction. Stainless steel burrs tend to be a bit more affordable compared to ceramic, making them a popular choice in both commercial-grade grinders and high-end home models. They’re known for delivering a consistent grind, which is essential for great coffee.
Top 3 Best Coffee Grinders
Best for Beginners: Baratza Encore Coffee Grinder
We recommend user-friendly grinders with basic settings. The Baratza Encore is one of the most frequently recommended grinders by baristas and beloved by home coffee brewers, not just for its quality and ease of use, but because of its affordability.
Best for Multiple Brew Methods: Baratza Virtuoso+ Coffee Grinder
If you’re pulling a beautiful espresso shot one morning, and brewing a pour over the next, we recommend a versatile burr grinder that can keep up with you. The Fellow Opus is great for espresso, pour overs, French press, drip coffee - what can’t she do? With 41 grind settings for everything from espresso to cold brew, a magnetically aligned catch to minimize mess, and anti-static technology this is a great place to start. Bonus, this is also the best and most beautiful quiet coffee grinder.
Best for Enthusiasts: Fellow Opus Coffee Grinder
Coffee Grinder for Enthusiasts: For coffee lovers eager to dive in, we recommend premium burr grinders with customizable grind settings. The Baratza Virtuoso+ is a high performance, precision grinder with an easy to use timer and 40 individual settings, making it a great solution for almost any brew method.
Coffee Grinder Maintenance Tips
Keeping your coffee grinder in top shape is easier than you might think!
- First, make it a habit to clean out any leftover coffee grounds after each use—this helps prevent buildup that can affect flavor.
- Every so often, give your grinder a deeper clean by using a brush or vacuum to remove fine particles that might be stuck in hard-to-reach places.
- Check the burrs periodically for wear, and consider replacing them when they start to dull.
- For a quick refresh, running some grinder cleaning pellets through the machine can help absorb oils and keep your grinder performing its best.
With a little regular care, your grinder will keep delivering fresh, delicious coffee for years to come.
Find the Right Coffee Grinder for You
With all of this information in mind, the best coffee grinder is the one that you’ll use the most! If you run into any questions feel free to reach out and we’ll do your best to answer them. Remember, any coffee grinder is only as good as the coffee you use. Buying fresh coffee and grinding right before brewing are the keys to better coffee.
You can browse our coffee grinders here. And if you’re ready to learn more about how to brew great coffee at home start here with our brew guides.