Coffee Grinders

When it comes to coffee, putting in a little extra effort can go a long way to a great cup of java. That's essentially what coffee grinders are. The best coffee grinders transform your coffee from good to great. Sure, you can purchase conveniently pre-ground coffee, but let's discuss why -- through these frequently asked questions -- coffee grinders are worth the extra step.

Why do I need a coffee grinder?

Baristas and coffee aficionados will tell you over and over that coffee made from freshly ground beans is vastly superior to coffee made from pre-ground beans. Without going too deep into the science of coffee beans, fresh coffee is vibrant and more flavourful because of the beans' immediate exposure to oxygen. A bag of pre-ground could be sitting on a shelf for a long time, meaning the natural flavours and aromas have become stale. That’s where a coffee grinder comes in. You can grind your beans right before you make a pot of coffee or a shot of espresso.

You can choose electric coffee grinders or manual coffee grinders. A manual coffee grinder is hand-operated and requires you to grind the beans using a hand crank mechanism. An electric coffee grinder is much easier to use. You plug it into any wall outlet, pour in your coffee beans, and press a button to begin grinding.

What's the difference between a burr grinder and a blade grinder?

Grinding coffee can be done in two ways and they're both a lot alike. A blade grinder is more commonly found in most kitchens. It's the type of coffee grinder with a propeller blade attached at the centre and it looks like a mini blender. A burr grinder is a type of coffee grinder that functions a little differently. It uses two abrasive surfaces called burrs to grind the coffee. A burr grinder delivers a more uniform grind and can also be adjusted to deliver a fine or coarse grind more to your specification.

What are some features to look for?

Coffee grinders have one basic function, but that doesn't mean you shouldn't pay attention to the little extras. When shopping for a coffee grinder you’ll want to look for features like programmability, which lets you program the grinder to perform automatically in the morning, so you're not forced to fumble with it half-asleep. You’ll also want to consider fineness options like adjustable grind size if you’d like to switch between course or fine ground coffee.

There are also safety features on coffee grinders so won’t have to worry about slicing a finger when grinding your beans. If espresso is your drink of choice, you can find coffee grinders or a coffee maker with a grinder to make popular Italian-style hot beverages like Americans or Cappuccinos.

Popular brands of coffee grinder

If you have a preferred coffee maker brand, you’ll be happy to know they most likely manufacture coffee grinders too. You can choose from different models of Breville coffee grinder, KitchenAid coffee grinder, or Cuisinart coffee grinder.

Find the best coffee grinder for you at Best Buy.