# Help me buy a coffee grinder (please) **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [November 5, 2015, 4:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-buy-a-coffee-grinder-please/736724 "2015-11-05T16:15:06Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![TroutMan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/troutman/32/6721_2.png) [@TroutMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TroutMan)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2015, 9:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-buy-a-coffee-grinder-please/736724/21 "2015-11-05T21:59:02Z")
**MannyL** , since you’ll be using this at work, have you considered a manual burr grinder? It will be much quieter, and you can get a high-quality grinder for less money. I’m not personally familiar with them, but here’s a [list of 10 highly rated grinders](http://www.letsgrindsomecoffee.com/top-10-the-best-manual-coffee-grinder/). I didn’t check to see which are available at Target or Kohl’s. ---
**Author:** ![swampspruce](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/swampspruce/32/261_2.png) [@swampspruce](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/swampspruce)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2015, 9:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-buy-a-coffee-grinder-please/736724/22 "2015-11-05T21:59:55Z")
My Krups burr grinder died in less than a year with moderate use. I replaced it with a [Bodum](http://www.amazon.com/Bodum-Bistro-Electric-Coffee-Grinder/dp/B0043095WW) and have been very happy. Regardless of what you decide, get a burr grinder versus a blade at the very least… [Target Link](http://intl.target.com/p/bodum-bistro-burr-coffee-grinder/-/A-21464665#prodSlot=medium_1_4&term=burr+grinder) ---
**Author:** ![TroutMan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/troutman/32/6721_2.png) [@TroutMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TroutMan)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2015, 10:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-buy-a-coffee-grinder-please/736724/23 "2015-11-05T22:05:06Z")
> [@Do\_Not\_Taunt](#): > > Is it fair to say that it’s not uniformity _per se_ that I need, it’s just that I don’t want any of the grounds to be less than a certain size? I have noticed sedimentation - I usually just don’t drink the bottom quarter-inch or so of my cup. Bitterness hasn’t been a problem. Sort of. You’re right that the issue is when the grounds are small enough to get through the filter. But if you stop grinding before you get to that point, you are likely to also have large chunks of beans still. You’ll get insufficient extraction from these and end up having to use more beans than you would if your grounds were uniform in size. I went a long time making french press with a blade grinder, and you can certainly make good coffee with one. But now that I’ve seen how much easier it is with a burr grinder and how much better the coffee is, I’d have trouble going back. ---
**Author:** ![Do\_Not\_Taunt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/do_not_taunt/32/2968_2.png) [@Do\_Not\_Taunt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Do_Not_Taunt)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2015, 10:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-buy-a-coffee-grinder-please/736724/24 "2015-11-05T22:12:51Z")
> [@TroutMan](#): > > Sort of. You’re right that the issue is when the grounds are small enough to get through the filter. But if you stop grinding before you get to that point, you are likely to also have large chunks of beans still. You’ll get insufficient extraction from these and end up having to use more beans than you would if your grounds were uniform in size. > > I went a long time making french press with a blade grinder, and you can certainly make good coffee with one. But now that I’ve seen how much easier it is with a burr grinder and how much better the coffee is, I’d have trouble going back. Maybe I’ll pick up a cheap burr grinder and see if I can taste test the difference. Incidentally, I have my coffee cup from the morning here, with about a quarter-inch of coffee with sediment in it… ---
**Author:** ![MannyL](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ba8739/32.png) [@MannyL](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MannyL)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2015, 10:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-buy-a-coffee-grinder-please/736724/25 "2015-11-05T22:21:17Z")
> [@TroutMan](#): > > **MannyL** , since you’ll be using this at work, have you considered a manual burr grinder? It will be much quieter, and you can get a high-quality grinder for less money. > > I’m not personally familiar with them, but here’s a [list of 10 highly rated grinders](http://www.letsgrindsomecoffee.com/top-10-the-best-manual-coffee-grinder/). I didn’t check to see which are available at Target or Kohl’s. I don’t want a manual grinder because I am concerned on how long it would take to grind more than enough coffee for a single cup. I will consider one though ---
**Author:** ![Chicken\_Fingers](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/51bf81/32.png) [@Chicken\_Fingers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chicken_Fingers)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2015, 11:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-buy-a-coffee-grinder-please/736724/26 "2015-11-05T23:36:31Z")
We have a [DeLonghi burr grinder](http://www.amazon.com/DeLonghi-Stainless-Grinder-Selector-Quantity/dp/B002LVUHWM). Right in your price range. We like it very much and make French press coffee. ---
**Author:** ![kopek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kopek/32/337_2.png) [@kopek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kopek)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2015, 1:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-buy-a-coffee-grinder-please/736724/27 "2015-11-06T01:33:14Z")
I’ve had and used some assorted grinders; Krups is far and away my favorite. Between the two you list, I like the Fast Touch. ---
**Author:** ![MannyL](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ba8739/32.png) [@MannyL](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MannyL)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2015, 1:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-buy-a-coffee-grinder-please/736724/28 "2015-11-06T13:59:05Z")
> [@Chicken\_Fingers](#): > > We have a [DeLonghi burr grinder](http://www.amazon.com/DeLonghi-Stainless-Grinder-Selector-Quantity/dp/B002LVUHWM). Right in your price range. We like it very much and make French press coffee. Thanks for the link. It looks like Target and Kohls don’t carry it so I can’t get it. I see Kohl’s has [this one](http://www.kohls.com/product/prd-2288297/delonghi-2-oz-coffee-grinder.jsp?color=Other)by DeLonghi but it’s too small. ---
**Author:** ![Doctor\_Jackson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/doctor_jackson/32/32_2.png) [@Doctor\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doctor_Jackson)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2015, 4:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-buy-a-coffee-grinder-please/736724/29 "2015-11-06T16:29:33Z")
I have a single serve brewer and this is the [grinder](http://www.hhgregg.com/solofill-2-in-1-automatic-single-serve-coffee-burr-grinder-for-keurig-systems/item/SG10?cid=PLA-11906630-216766&mr:referralID=8abf793c-84a2-11e5-a012-005056947d48) I use. It grinds from 1-10 cups worth of beans and, on the 1 cup setting, automatically fills a reusable filter cup which then goes straight into the brewer. When grinding for more than one serving the filter cup apparatus slides out. ---
**Author:** ![Hey\_Hey\_Paula](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/85e7bf/32.png) [@Hey\_Hey\_Paula](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hey_Hey_Paula)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2015, 6:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-buy-a-coffee-grinder-please/736724/30 "2015-11-06T18:42:39Z")
I voted Krups Fast Touch. I bought one back in 1987 or so. It still works perfectly, and I use it almost every day. (Mine’s red, which they don’t offer anymore.) ---
**Author:** ![Amateur\_Barbarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/59ef9b/32.png) [@Amateur\_Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Amateur_Barbarian)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2015, 6:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-buy-a-coffee-grinder-please/736724/31 "2015-11-06T18:48:06Z")
I like that there’s so many Krups oval fans here. If you hold it in your hand, with a finger on the button, and give it a pivot-shake as it grinds, you will get a much more even grind. The oval bowl helps swirl the beans and mostly-ground better than round ones, and I’ve found over the decades that adding the shake lets you get an excellent, even grind. A little experience and the time and sound will tell you when it’s done. ---
**Author:** ![MannyL](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ba8739/32.png) [@MannyL](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MannyL)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2015, 7:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-buy-a-coffee-grinder-please/736724/32 "2015-11-08T19:25:10Z")
I appreciate the tips on the oval but I am looking for a grinder that doesn’t need any interaction from me once the beans are in it. ---
**Author:** ![Amateur\_Barbarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/59ef9b/32.png) [@Amateur\_Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Amateur_Barbarian)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2015, 7:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-buy-a-coffee-grinder-please/736724/33 "2015-11-08T19:51:56Z")
> [@MannyL](#): > > I appreciate the tips on the oval but I am looking for a grinder that doesn’t need any interaction from me once the beans are in it. By all means, choose whatever suits you best, but… absolutely no snark intended, I can’t quite imagine why you’d impose such a restriction. Do you do something else during those ten seconds with the hand that’s not holding the grinder button? Or if it’s an automatic grinder, even with both hands? I’m an impatient person pre-coffee, and I’ve never found the few seconds of shaking the grinder while it works to be tedious. I can even fill the pitcher with my other hand. 🙂 It’s a great grinder that lasts for decades, something I haven’t seen claimed for any of the other models under discussion. My \ One Special Trick to… \ make it work a little better is just a suggestion to those who have one. ---
**Author:** ![Lsura](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7993a0/32.png) [@Lsura](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lsura)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2015, 8:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-buy-a-coffee-grinder-please/736724/34 "2015-11-08T20:09:03Z")
> [@Hey\_Hey\_Paula](#): > > I voted Krups Fast Touch. I bought one back in 1987 or so. It still works perfectly, and I use it almost every day. (Mine’s red, which they don’t offer anymore.) Likewise. I can’t kill the thing. Which is good, because I kill lots of other small appliances. ---
**Author:** ![MannyL](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ba8739/32.png) [@MannyL](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MannyL)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2015, 8:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-buy-a-coffee-grinder-please/736724/35 "2015-11-08T20:14:20Z")
My “issue” is while at work I need to concentrate on the person I am helping. I already am bending the workplace rules by having a coffee maker at my desk and am Concerned that anything else that may take my attention away will cause them to not allow the personal coffee maker. ---
**Author:** ![Graymalkin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/35a633/32.png) [@Graymalkin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Graymalkin)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2015, 3:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-buy-a-coffee-grinder-please/736724/36 "2015-11-09T03:29:42Z")
My sister gave me a basic Krups grinder 35 years ago for Christmas and it still works perfectly. Every day. ---
**Author:** ![Amateur\_Barbarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/59ef9b/32.png) [@Amateur\_Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Amateur_Barbarian)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2015, 4:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-buy-a-coffee-grinder-please/736724/37 "2015-11-09T04:14:15Z")
> [@MannyL](#): > > My “issue” is while at work I need to concentrate on the person I am helping. I already am bending the workplace rules by having a coffee maker at my desk and am Concerned that anything else that may take my attention away will cause them to not allow the personal coffee maker. Uh, okay. So the time it takes to make a pot of coffee in an office setting is okay, but… I’m lost. Hope the advice in this thread had been useful. ---
**Author:** ![Doctor\_Jackson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/doctor_jackson/32/32_2.png) [@Doctor\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doctor_Jackson)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2015, 2:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-buy-a-coffee-grinder-please/736724/38 "2015-11-09T14:00:12Z")
I find it amusing, but not surprising, that over half the respondents voted “None of your silly choices, mine is better!” ---
**Author:** ![Amateur\_Barbarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/59ef9b/32.png) [@Amateur\_Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Amateur_Barbarian)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2015, 2:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-buy-a-coffee-grinder-please/736724/39 "2015-11-09T14:07:01Z")
> [@Doctor\_Jackson](#): > > I find it amusing, but not surprising, that over half the respondents voted “None of your silly choices, mine is better!” Well, the OP limited the choices to what two general retailers have (which limits the options to some nice but not fantastic models), and included an option for “…or something else.” I find nothing surprising about the spread of answers. ---
**Author:** ![Saintly\_Loser](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saintly_loser/32/4045_2.png) [@Saintly\_Loser](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saintly_Loser)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2015, 3:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-buy-a-coffee-grinder-please/736724/40 "2015-11-09T15:17:11Z")
I have a Krups grinder, but not one of the ones you listed. I have [this](http://www.krupsusa.com/gvx212-burr-mill) one. It’s nice. You can fill the reservoir and then set it to grind just as much coffee as you want. You can adjust the grind to suit your taste, and it’s a burr grinder, which coffee experts tell me is better than a blade grinder. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-buy-a-coffee-grinder-please/736724.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-buy-a-coffee-grinder-please/736724.md?page=3)