When it comes to coffee, the most important aspect is the grind. That’s why we searched the web and compared reviews to find the best coffee grinder at a budget price currently available. Over grinding will produce a harsh coffee. Under grinding will waste beans and produce a weak coffee. A grinder that allows for consistent control is ideal. Our research found that the KitchenAid BCG111OB is the best budget coffee grinder for most people.
Our Number One Pick:
KitchenAid BCG111OB Blade Coffee Grinder
Blade grinders like the KitchenAid BCG1110B are typically not considered ideal for grinding since it’s difficult to reproduce the same grind each time. That said, the price of blade grinders and their reliability are superior to the preferred burr grinders. It’s possible to get a reasonably consistent grind with a blade grinder though. You can either time it or you can do what I do and pulse it. I found 25 pulses to produce the perfect grind for my coffee consistently.
The blades and grinding cup are made from stainless steel and the machine gets high marks for being quiet while grinding which is important if you’re up early and don’t want to wake the rest of the family.
It comes with handy markings on the removable grinding bowl that indicate the bean level for the amount of cups of coffee you intend to brew. In addition, it comes with a spice grinding accessory kit incase you want to have it double as a spice grinder.
Function is simple. Just press down on the button on the lid and release when the beans are ground to your satisfaction. It’s hard to be the simplicity and convenience of an electric blade grinder. It’s a well built unit by the premium KitchenAid brand and should last for years of coffee grinding satisfaction.
Runner Up:
JavaPresse Manual Coffee Grinder
The JavaPresse Manual Coffee Grinder is wildly popular and highly regarded although this isn’t the grinder most will prefer. Only true coffee nerds should apply since it’s a manual grinder and isn’t terribly convenient due to that point. What it lacks in convenience however it makes up for in grind consistency and quality for the money.
It may be inexpensive but it isn’t cheap. It boasts an almost all metal construction and uses ceramic burrs for grinding versus metal so that it will stand the test of time.
A quality manual coffee grinder is truly the best way to get a consistent grind every time. With 18 adjustment settings you can ensure that your grind is not too fine and not too coarse. You get no adjustment settings with electric blade grinders. It’s very much a ballpark type affair with those. If you’re a coffee snob and you don’t have a manual burr grinder in your arsenal, then honestly you’re not a coffee snob.
This really is a must have tool for coffee lovers. It’s a finely crafted piece of equipment at a more than reasonable price.
Worth Considering:
Cuisinart DBM-8 Supreme Grind Automatic Burr Mill
The Cuisinart DBM-8 Supreme Grind is an ideal upgrade from the JavaPresse. This automatic burr grinder brings back the convenience of a blade grinder but adds the control of a burr grinder. It has 18 different grind adjustment settings and can be set to automatically between 4 and 18 cups worth of beans.
The price of this grinder is not much more than either the JavaPresse or the KitchenAid which makes it very compelling. You won’t be able to get a good espresso grind from it but for normal coarser grinds it does a great job.
You will need to clean it one rare occasion, maybe once or twice a year depending on use. The removable pieces are dishwasher safe which makes cleaning very simple.
For the incredibly reasonable price you get a very good automatic burr grinder. High end burr grinders can easily cost $150 which highlights the value of this grinder. As long as you don’t need to grind for espresso and don’t mind cleaning it occasionally, this grinder is a great value.
Additional Information:
Things To Keep In Mind
Coffee Grind Coarseness Uses
Fine Ground
Used for espresso and conical drip coffee makers
Medium Ground
Average flat bottom filter coffee makers
Coarse Ground
Ideal for percolators and French presses
What is the difference between a burr grinder and a blade grinder?
Blade grinders, as the name implies, grinds beans with a spinning blade. The only way to control coarseness of the bean grind is to adjust the time you grind the beans. Burr grinders run beans between 2 burrs and the distance between these burrs is adjustable to control the coarseness of the grind. This is a much more controllable and effective way of achieving a consistent grind coarseness.
Is it better to grind your own coffee beans?
Ground coffee beans go stale quickly and loose their flavor richness. By grinding your beans at home just prior to brewing you drastically minimize this problem.
Can you freeze coffee beans?
Fresh roasted coffee beans are best stored at room temperature in an airtight container that light can’t penetrate. This will preserve them the best.
How long can you keep whole coffee beans?
Packaged beans should keep for 6 months. Beans that have been removed from their packaging and are stored in an airtight container should last for 2 weeks. Once beans have been ground they should be brewed within 2 hours.
How do you brew the perfect cup of coffee?
Read our article titled How To Make Perfect Coffee Easily to find out.
Wrapping Up:
Best Coffee Grinder On A Budget
These budget grinders cover the the gamut of grinder types, all at amazing prices. The KitchenAid Blade Grinder is definitely the option most people will find most convenient. There is no maintenance and it’s very simple and easy to use. The JavaPress Manual Burr Grinder is very high quality but is less simple to use although still very easy. The Cuisinart Automatic Burr Grinder is an excellent entry level grinder for its class for those that want a more consistent grind than a blade grinder but with more convenience than a manual burr grinder.
