There are three main types of electronic coffee grinders available. They are blade grinders, wheel burr grinders, and conical burr grinders. Each has its benefits and drawbacks and how much you are willing to pay versus how much flavor you will sacrifice will decide which is best for you.

Blade coffee grinders are the cheapest and most common grinders you will find. They work by having a blade that chops the coffee beans. Because the blades will heat up, this can cause your coffee to have a bitter taste as the heat will result in damage to the bean. You also can not make espresso with a blade grinder. So, while not the best quality, they are the most affordable and certainly better than just using pre-ground coffee.

There are two types of burr grinders, the wheel and the conical burr grinder. Burr grinders such as Mazzer Super Jolly work slower and therefore will not alter the flavor of the bean due to heat and friction. These grinders also have more options available, such as the ability to select the fineness or coarseness of the grind. If you like to enjoy a coarse grind such as french pressed coffee, or a very fine grind like espresso, then this is very important. Having one grinder with the ability to do all is a great time and money saver.

While burr coffee grinders are more expensive than your traditional blade coffee grinders, they are well worth it if you are serious about the taste of your coffee.

A great tasting cup of coffee is produced from whole coffee that’s ground within a few minutes of brewing, and it doesn’t matter what kind of coffee bean is used, whether it’s an exotic blend or French Vanilla or a Columbian blend. Whole coffee beans can be caffeinated or decaffeinated. The reason why coffee tastes so much better when it’s just been through a coffee grinder, is that within two minutes, or so the experts claim, the coffee beans begin to oxidize, which is referred to in coffee circles as ’staling’, which is what changes the flavor. Most experts agree that the sooner you brew your coffee after you put it through a coffee grinder, the better your coffee will taste.

How do you grind coffee? There are different types of coffee grinder models out there, some with a blade and some with a burr. A coffee grinder fitted with a blade is less expensive than a burr coffee grinder. A fan-shaped blade spins to grind the coffee beans. However, with a blade coffee grinder, grains are inconsistent unless you grind the coffee to a finer texture, which is fine if you’re making an automatic drip coffee maker.

If you want espresso, this method doesn’t work out too well. A burr coffee grinder is the best, as it crushes the coffee beans in a consistent manner that allows for a uniform grind. Of course, a burr coffee grinder can be either an electric style or a hand-cranked style. Both work equally well, though of course the electric coffee grinder will take less time. Still, the hand-cranked coffee grinder is ideal for those who like to take the time to enjoy handling the coffee and savor the aroma while grinding. A hand-crank coffee grinder is also portable, which makes it ideal for taking along on camping trips or when RV’ing.

A burr style coffee grinder can cost someone anywhere from $75 to $400, depending on how fancy you want to get. It doesn’t really matter what kind of coffee grinder you purchase as long as it does the job it’s supposed to do. You don’t have to spend a fortune for a good cup of coffee when a bit of patience will get you the same results. Many people enjoy grinding their own coffee, and whether you own a blade or a burr coffee grinder, you’re going to enjoy a better cup of coffee no matter which style you use.

Only by grinding coffee beans yourself can you ensure a more flavorsome, richer tasting cup of coffee every time.  So, if you love drinking coffee and you want to improve the taste then you need to invest in a dedicated coffee grinder.

The reason is perfectly simple.  Coffee you buy, either instant of pre-grounded is likely to of already been compromised.  You see, coffee doesn’t react very well to air exposure.  In fact the longer the grounds have been exposed to air the greater the chance that they will have oxidized.  This can result in a very bitter tasting experience and is less than ideal.

The answer is to swap grounded coffee with actual coffee beans and grind them yourself.  The outer-shell of the bean is completely sealed, resulting in perfectly fresh coffee grounds every time you mill your own.

Unfortunately there are a few different types of coffee grinders that we need to analyse before you pay a visit to the local store.  That said, any coffee grinder will produce a much better tasting cup of coffee than any pre-purchased ground coffee. 

Those of you looking for a comparison, here’s what you need to know:

Crusher Style Coffee Grinder:

Works by attempting to compress the coffee beans into grounds.  Although this method does work, it’s not ideal as the grounds tend to be irregular sized and therefore not suitable for making Turkish style coffee that is extremely fine.

Blade Style Coffee Grinder:

Rotates very fast, and much like a juicer slices the coffee beans repeatedly to achieve grounds.  Again, this method isn’t ideal as although the grounds are more consistent than that produced by a crusher grinder they are still not completely uniform.  Also, these types of grinders can be very noisy.

Burr Style Coffee Grinder:

If you’re serious about making decent coffee, then a burr grinder should be the choice you make.  Available in two forms the flat base burr and the conical burr, for example Ascaso I-Steel, offer any coffee lover the ultimate way in preparing amazing tasting coffee.  They work by grinding the coffee beans between two steel burrs that can be manually adjusted to the desired height to suit almost any coffee recipe you care to make.

The main difference between the two apart from the shape of the burrs is that the conical is able to rotate at far slower speeds.  This is important, not only because the grinder with not be as noisy, but because the potential for heat-build-up is dramatically reduced.  The faster a grinder rotates the more friction is produced; this in turn means more heat is omitted that can be passed directly to the coffee grounds potentially ruining the brew.

Therefore, if you can afford the modest investment of a conical grinder, your coffee will taste better for many years to come.

The first thing to do is to congratulate yourself for even considering grinding your coffee at home. Did you know that freshly ground coffee begins to go stale within only 30 seconds? That is precisely why it is so vital to the success of your coffee that you grind at home, meaning that you are in the right place. From there, it is important to consider the difference between blade and burr grinders. Many coffee experts prefer burr coffee grinders because they provide a better consistency and quality than a blade grinder. Burr coffee grinders are also used for commercial quality coffee grinders, but there are many moderately affordable options that you can purchase for professional quality at home.

Burr coffee grinders offer two different varieties, which are either conical or flat. These work with one of the burrs remaining stationary while the second burr applies pressure against the first, crushing the coffee beans in between the two. These grinders offer different settings that you can use to tweak your grind consistency, whether it be fine for espresso or coarse for French Press. Another advantage to a burr grinder is that it can be used all day long, but it remains consistent at a lower heat so that it does not burn the coffee beans and cause a bitter taste as a result. Mazzer Major is very good conical burr coffee grinder.

Still many other coffee lovers prefer blade grinders because they are the cheaper alternative. There many different blade coffee grinders that you can buy for your kitchen at an affordable price in numerous department store locations. Nonetheless, if you are hoping for consistency and a better taste in your freshly ground coffee, a blade grinder may not offer that to you compared to the burr variety. If you are using a blade grinder, it is highly important to watch your grinding process carefully, especially since it is easy for the coffee beans to become ground too fine, depending upon how long they are in the grinder.

There are several popular manufacturers of burr coffee grinders, including Gaggia, Rancilio, and La Pavoni. These are reputable brands that produce burr coffee grinders at a commercial quality, and they are built to last. The important thing to take into consideration with your choice of burr grinder is the price, grind settings, and durability. These are grinders that are long lasting made from sturdy components, and they also work at low RPMs to prevent the coffee beans from heating and becoming burnt in their flavor. This is truly the most accurate and delicious way to enjoy your cup of Joe on a daily basis!

The Mini is a burr grinder, but the burrs are flat and not conical. This often results in slower grinding, but the Mazzer is so well-designed and crafted that it will process at a speed equal to larger grinders with the same kind of burrs, often working faster than less professionally made equipment! Blade grinders, of course, are always much faster than burr grinders, but they pay a price for this efficiency, often heating the beans as they chop them and altering their flavor.

Mazzer Mini is made for fine-tuning espresso grinds. It allows for stepless adjustment, meaning that it provides a knob that will make your grind finer and finer in very small increments. The Mini can create a bit of a mess, however. Coffee crumbs will often find there way to the countertop when loading and unloading the espresso grounds. Since it is designed to work in cafes and other high-volume areas, this is understandable, but it is inconvenient in homes.

La Pavoni today has expanded its operations to include all sorts of coffee equipment, from coffee grinders to hand-pump machines, from traditional models to ultramodern espresso machines. It has avoided diversifying into kitchen or household goods in order to maintain its position atop the espresso culture, and currently maintains a museum dedicated to its role in the history of espresso. This gives the La Pavoni machines a cultural cachet that no others have.

In the United States, a La Pavoni machne was brought to Reggio’s restaurant in 1927, signaling the first tastes of espresso in the country.

The espresso machine remained essentially the same in its design until 1948, spreading the espresso culture throughout Italy and most of Europe. Thought the La Pavon machines were reliable, occasional bursts of steam were known to overcook the ground coffee and produce sour flavors. Engineers at la Pavoni were shaken out of their complacency by the cataclysms of World War II, and they developed a new method of pumping the water with spring-powered pistons that avoid the steaming of the grounds. This was the Model 47 series of La Pavoni machines, called “La Cornuta,” or “the Horn.”

Then came the first domestic espresso maker in history! In 1961, La Pavoni created the “Europiccola,” an espresso maker that could be employed in private homes, using a gallon of water and electric power. This brought coffee beans, coffee grinders and espresso drinks like mocha and latte right into the kitchen of ordinary Italians. It would take a culinary revolution in the United States before we would see this equipment available in U.S. at reasonable prices, but that day did arrive, in the 70’s and 80’s. Today La Pavoni is a popular vendor both online and in the retail stores of America, and its position as the premier maker of coffee machines of various types is unchallenged.

In Italy and Europe, La Pavoni has also, through its intensive focus on coffee machines, taken possession of the public vending quarter. La Pavoni espresso machines can be found on any street corner, where a small cup of espresso can be had for a decent price. The influence of La Pavoni can be felt in the appearance of similar equipment in U.S. offices and public areas, as public vending machines have begun to offer true espresso, rather than the instant abominations of the 1950’s.

The world of coffee is indebted to the design house of DeLonghi for some incredibly great and modernistic-looking machines. There is also no doubt that DeLonghi engineers have produced some fantastic equipment, including three blade grinders that are reliable and attractive. However, it should be noted that DeLonghi is a relative newcomer in the world of coffee. Its first brewers and espresso machines were offered for sale in 2004. There is also little doubt that long-established companies like La Pavoni, makers of espresso machines since 1905, have earned a certain status and expertise that DeLonghi cannot lay claim to.

As a late arrival in the coffee game, DeLonghi has sensibly pursued the lower end of the pricing spectrum. It’s coffee grinders are all blade types, and all are offered for less than 30 dollars online, though shipping charges will vary. In fact, each of the espresso machines offered at DeLonghi’s online store can be had for less than two hundred dollars! Given DeLonghi’s ability to provide design and durability, the company has some great bargains offered there! The store includes 30 items in its coffe section, including three grinders, 15 espresso makers, and several nifty looking combination machines that can brew both espresso and coffee. Still, the lack of conical burr grinders is odd. Because blade grinders create a friction that first heats, then cooks, then changes the flavors of the beans during the grinding, they are generally considered to be inferior to burr grinders. Is this a moneysaving shortcut? For the coffee fanatic, it is a bit disappointing not to have the DeLonghi style on a burr grinder, which does that job so efficiently.

Corporate structure also bring to mind another question for DeLonghi. While engineering and design remain based in Treviso, one of Delonghi’s largest factories, acquired from Kenwood Limited in 2001, is a Chinese facility. China has worked hard with DeLonghi to keep the operation running smoothly and uphold the Italian group’s standards. But how can DeLonghi assure its customers that the Chinese facility is being run in accordance with Western standards of safety and labor rights? DeLonghi certainly doesn’t want the question to come up, and it certainly is not the only corporation with facilities in China, but that does not mean it has no obligation to address fundamental concerns of human rights in its daily operations.

Baratza may have scored a coup by landing the Starbucks shelf space, but the size and narrow focus of this company makes for several problematic factors. Available only in the United States and Canada, Baratza machines are basically assembled from Taiwanese plastic casings and German conical burrs and then shipped out to customers, whether retail or wholsesale. While multinational parts construction is a commonplace feature of the modern marketplace, there is a transient and lightweight feel to the Baratza product that does not inspire confidence. Compare Baratza’s ten years of operation with the Krups line of coffee equipment. Krups can boast of more than 150 years in operation. You may note that Krups has only made coffee equipment for the last sixty years of its lifespan, yet it still has a long history of appliance design, and it makes all of its parts in several of its own factories.

Baratza makes four coffee grinders for sale at its small online store. They are the Maestro Solis, Maestro Solis Plus, the Vario, and the Virtuoso. The company also has a plastic holder designed to support the portafilters on it machines, enabling you to walk away from grinders in operation. One page of the website offers refurbished grinders of various types.

The Baratza website has a long list of online stores that offer its machines for sale. Serving as a way station for parts that are assembled and then shipped out to retailers, who ship the machines out in turn to the customers, Brataza feels less like a maker and more of a middleman of grinder merchandise. The company’s online store features a page offering “refurbished machines for sale,” which causes one to wonder how many repairs are necessary for Baratza products. Finally, there are several telephone, email and website contact points for the Baratza Company, but there is nowhere listed a physical location of the operation. In the modern digital marketplace, the game of avoiding in-person contact with customers often ends with this kind of dead end, so it is not especially terrible for the Baratza address to be unavailable. It does speak of an online mindset that does not serve the customer well, however.

The Maestro line of coffee grinders begins at about 115 dollars, while the Virtuoso tops out the Baratza products at around 225 dollars. The Vario is a mezzo class machine, designed to serve both commercial coffee sellers and home kitchens, and the product is not yet listed for prices in the Baratza online store.

Today, Krups employs over three thousand people and takes in over 500 million euros each year. Of late, it has focused heavily on product design, focusing on sleek and clean lines with black plastic and gray steel colors. The company has even engaged high profile industrial artists like Konstantin Grcic to create new looks for its products.

Since its discovery of coffee machinery, Krups has gone on to expand its production line to include dozens of different home appliances, usually for the kitchen. Its coffee grinders, brewers and espresso machines, however, remain central to the operation. Krups is now an international business, with offices and outlets on several continents. In the United States, Krups products are easily ordered online, and several major retailers provide retail shelf purchases.

Coffee lovers will treasure the grinders and brewers made by Krups. They are great example of engineering progress. New products are always offered to the public at a good price and with state-of-the-art technology, and improvements are always innovative and ahead of the curve! Krups machines always look great, and one of the delightful things about these machines is that they bring an industrial sleekness fit for a Starbucks to the home kitchen.

In the United States, the coffee grinders offered by Krups begin with four models. They include two conical burr grinders, the GVXI, the GVX2, and two blade grinders, the GX4100 and the F203. As is typical of grinders, the blade machines are less expensive because they are less effective than the burr grinders. The burr grinders each have 17 separate settings to control the fineness of the grind, while the blade grinders rely on pulsing and the judgment of the operator to adjust fineness. Bean container capacity goes from 8 ounces for the burrs to 3 ounces for the blades. While the F203 has the most powerful engine of the four machines, at 160 watts, that is a dubious honor; too much power during grinding causes the beans to heat, which causes cooking and alters the flavor of the roast, almost always for the worse. The burrs each operate at 100 watts, while the GX4100 takes 140. The blade systems do possess a good quality of flexibility because they can be used for grinding spices and other seeds, a feature not part of the conical burrs grinders. The GVX2 has safety features superior to the GVX1, which adds to its price.