The Best Cuisinart Coffee Grinders: Are They Worth the Cost?
It is difficult to start my day without a cup of coffee. It is even more divine when it is a freshly brewed cup of coffee made with freshly ground beans. Drinking coffee made with beans ground minutes before brewing is like graduating to be a real coffee drinker. All you have to do to join me in freshly ground coffee bean bliss, is to invest in a grinder and whole bean coffee. Read on for some information about coffee grinders and the our choices for the best Cuisinart coffee grinder.
Just a heads up! In this article, we are going to review the following Cuisinart coffee grinders:
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How to Choose the Best Coffee Grinder
There are many things to think about before choosing a coffee grinder. Consider how much space you wish to devote to it, how many cups of coffee you wish to make, how many grind sizes you require, and what your budget is. Manual coffee grinders allow you to have total control over the grind, while you do the grinding. There are also two different types of electric coffee grinders, blade, and burr grinders. These can make the coffee grinding process totally automatic or still under your complete control.
Blade grinders are easy to use, easy to clean, take up less space on the counter, are inexpensive, and can also grind up other things such as nuts and spices. However, blade grinders are great for coffee makers but not really suited for espresso or other fancy coffee drinks.
Burr grinders give you more control over the final product and can grind beans for many different types of coffee drinks. This type of grinder uses two plates, kind of like spiked wheels, to grind the coffee. You can set the desired coarseness. There are two types of burr grinders, regular (flat) and conical. Espresso drinkers usually prefer the conical type, as it can produce the most even grind.
What are the Advantages of Using a Coffee Grinder vs. Pre Ground Coffee?
The aromas that swirl around after grinding the coffee beans are enough for me. Who needs an air freshener when you grind your own coffee? In addition to that heavenly scent, there are many other reasons why freshly ground coffee is superior to pre ground.
- You have control over the coarseness of the grind. This is key, especially if you are making espresso or another drink that requires finely ground coffee.
- Coffee can get stale. Storing your beans in an airtight container in a cool and dark place will keep them fresh and produce the best tasting cup of coffee once ground.
- Flavours can escape through oxidation. Keeping coffee in bean form and waiting to grind it until ready to brew will stop the coffee from reacting with oxygen too soon.
- Oils can also be depleted when exposed to the air for too long. Keeping the coffee in whole bean form seals in the precious oils for as long as possible.
What are some Defining Features of Different Electric Coffee Grinders?
Once you are in the market for an electric coffee grinder, think about which features are important to you. Here are a few to consider.
- Blade or Burr: Blade grinders are usually more inexpensive, take up less space, and can also grind nuts and spices. Burr grinders give you more control over the size of the grind.
- Amount of Grind Settings: Some grinders, usually blade grinders, only have one setting. Many burr grinders have up to 18 grind settings.
- Container that the Coffee Grinds into: Consider a grinder that simply shoots grounds into a plastic grind chamber, one that shoots them directly into a coffee filter, or one that grinds the coffee into a stainless steel bowl for immediate use, or to be covered up with a lid for later use.
- Amount of Cups Produced: Some grinders have markings to help you pour in the precise amount of beans for a certain number of cups of coffee. Others can be programmed to grind the desired amount of beans for a specific amount of coffee. Different grinders have different capacities, usually up to 14 to 18 cups.
- Conical or Regular: Conical can usually create the most even grind. This is important for espresso drinkers.
What about Manual Coffee Grinders?
Manual grinders are an option for those who like to have total control over their coffee and have time to spare. Most manual grinders have a grind size knob and many people feel that a manual grinder produces exceptional coffee. A Turkish coffee grinder will produce extremely fine grounds to produce Turkish coffee.
Why Choose a Cuisinart Coffee Grinder?
The Cuisinart company has been around since 1971. It is a well known brand and is a first choice for many coffee drinkers. Cuisinart products are easy to use and the company offers very good customer service. In addition, Cuisinart strives to give back to the community by supporting breast cancer foundations and other charitable organisations.
What is the Best Way to Use an Electric Cuisinart Grinder?
Using an electric Cuisinart coffee grinder is usually pretty simple.
- Open lid and add coffee beans to the correct chamber. Watch for measurement markings to determine how many beans to put in.
- Turn the dial or program to adjust coarseness and select a grind duration if applicable to your grinder.
- Press the button to grind the beans or set the timer if your grinder has one for grinding at a later time.
- Empty the ground beans into the coffee maker of choice.
What are some of the Best Cuisinart Coffee Grinders?
1. Cuisinart Programmable Conical Burr Mill – Our Top Pick
This Cuisinart conical burr grinder is fully programmable. This is great if you have busy mornings and still want fresh coffee. Choose from 1 to 14 cups from the cup selector as well as one of 18 positions for desired coarseness. This grinder can produce anything from ultra-fine for espresso drinkers to extra coarse for those using a French press. The grind chamber is removable, there is cord storage, and the unit is BPA free. The conical design delivers an even grind, which is important if you are an espresso drinker.
Measuring 8.37 x 12.12 x 7.62, this Cuisinart coffee burr grinder has a blue backlit display, which is easy to see. It shows the number of cups, coarseness, and the timer. Choose to have the beans begin grinding as you are waking up in the morning to ensure a fresh cup of coffee. The hopper is removable and will hold a maximum of a half-pound of beans.
Pros:
- Set it up and forget it. Put in your beans, make all of your selections, and the amount of coffee you desire will be ground when you want it.
- The burr grinder and conical design ensure evenly ground beans
- Quick grind time
- LED screen is useful and easy to read
- No heat is used when grinding the coffee (as sometimes happens with rapidly spinning blades)
- Can be used for all sorts of coffee, from espresso to French press.
- Looks nice in your kitchen
Cons:
- The automatic measurements may not be strong enough for your liking
- Static electricity may cause a mess of coffee dust in grinder and on surrounding counter
- Beans can get stuck in the hopper, which can affect the amount of beans being ground in the timeframe
- The shape of this grinder makes it difficult to wipe out the grounds container
2. Cuisinart Coffee Bar Coffee Grinder
This blade grinder from Cuisinart may be simple, but it gets the job done. Use the simple on and off switch to grind enough coffee for up to 12 cups. If you are a baker or avid cook, this product can also be used for grinding nuts and spices. Just be sure to clean it out thoroughly when going from one use to another. Coffee beans are poured into the stainless steel bowl and the cover is transparent. Markings on the cover help you know how many beans to put in to produce your desired amount of coffee.
This product is very compact and can be stored on the counter or placed in a cabinet between uses if you do not have much counter space. It is small, measuring 4 x 4 x 7 inches. The teardrop shape makes it easy to hold and there is a place for the cord to be stored in the base of the unit.
Pros:
- Inexpensive and a great starter unit for someone new to grinding their own beans
- Grinds beans quickly
- Durable and long lasting
- Rarely will need to be cleaned if only grinding coffee
- Will not clog since it is a simple chamber with blades
Cons:
- Timing is not automatic, you will need to press the button the entire time the beans are grinding and determine the proper time.
- Not a good choice for finely ground coffee
- Difficult to get an even consistency
- Loud
3. Cuisinart Grind Central Coffee Grinder
The Cuisinart blade grinder is another simple place to start if you are new to grinding your own coffee. It is a blade grinder that has brushed stainless steel styling. There is a simple on and off switch with a built-in safety lock to keep you safe. The bowl can hold enough beans for up to 18 cups of coffee. The motor is heavy duty and the coffee grounds go into a stainless steel bowl.
Use the grounds right away or put a lid on the bowl to store the grounds for later use. This feature is also helpful for anyone who wishes to grind nuts or spices for cooking or baking. This removable bowl is dishwasher safe, making it easy for you to clean.
The cord can be stored in the bottom of the unit, keeping your countertop clear. Take advantage of the convenient markings to pour in the correct amount of beans for the desired amount of coffee. Product dimensions are 8.9 x 5.9 x 5 inches, so it will not take up much space on your counter.
Pros:
- Does not take up much space and looks nice on the counter
- Removable bowl for easy cleaning and storage
- Can be used for coffee, nuts, or spices
- Durable
- Simple to use
Cons:
- Only one grind size
- Messy, coffee dust often falls outside of the container
- Grind is not always even
- You need to hold the button down the entire time
- Unit does not automatically stop when coffee is done grinding
4. Cuisinart DBM-8 Supreme Grind Automatic Burr Mill
This Cuisinart burr grinder has a brushed stainless steel exterior as well as 18 levels to choose from when grinding beans. There are options from ultra-fine to ultra-coarse. This means that it will work for you, whether you are an espresso drinker, use a French press, or anything in between.
It has an automatic stop to ensure that the beans are consistently ground and that flavours and aromas remain in the coffee. Choose from 4 to 18 cups, depending on if you are making coffee for just yourself or a whole crowd. The removable chamber can hold enough grounds for up to 32 cups of coffee. This unit comes with a scoop/cleaning brush, a heavy duty motor, and a one-touch power bar for ease of use.
The dimensions of the product are 10.75 x 7.13 x 6 inches. It is a flat Cuisinart burr coffee grinder, not conical. This grinder is easy to use, just press the button and the unit will stop when done grinding. Use a brush to get all of the grounds out of the chamber to ensure that every cup of coffee you drink is extremely fresh.
Pros:
- Large capacity
- 18 levels of grind size to choose from
- Chamber can hold enough grounds for 32 cups of coffee
- Includes an automatic stop
- Grounds can be stored in the chamber or used right away
- Easy clean up
Cons:
- A bit noisy
- Grind size can be inconsistent
- Sometimes tends to make grounds flutter and get messy when pouring into the pot
- Will need a brush to get all of the grounds out of the chamber
5. Cuisinart Deluxe Grind Conical Burr Mill
To ensure an extremely fresh cup of coffee, the grounds go right into a paper filter, permanent filter, or other container of your choice when using this Cuisinart burr coffee grinder. The fact that it is conical means an even grind and there are 18 grind settings ranging from ultra-fine to extra-coarse. This means it can work for the whole family, no matter one’s preference for a cup of coffee.
Superior construction and the burr style means that beans are ground at a low temperature, there is little static, and natural oils and flavours are locked in. Dimensions of this product are 7.75 x 9 x 12.25 and it has a stainless steel finish. This is a great choice for those with stainless steel appliances. There is a display screen and the grinder can be programmed to grind the amount of beans needed for desired cups of coffee. Keep things simple, knowing that the device will remember settings from one time to the next unless it gets unplugged.
Pros:
- Hopper locks so that beans will not spill when it is removed
- Hopper will hold up to one pound of beans
- Variety of grinds available for all coffee needs
- Programming will grind the correct amount of beans for desired amount of coffee
- Less static than many other models
Cons:
- Has a tendency to clog, especially on finer grinding
- Needs to be cleaned out when it does clog
- Adjusting knob on the side can be bit difficult to turn
- Motor size is not large enough for some coffee enthusiasts.
Which is the Best Cuisinart Grinder?
Blade grinder reviews and Cuisinart burr grinder reviews are a great place to look when trying to decide which grinder to purchase. Each unit has its pros and cons and deciding on a grinder will really come down to the type of coffee you would like to use it for and how involved you want to be in the grinding process.
For me, the best cuisinart coffee grinder is the Cuisinart Programmable Conical Burr Mill. This product can be used for all types of coffee, from extra-fine to extra-coarse. It is easy to use and programmable, and the conical shape ensures an even grind. I appreciate the ease of use and quick road to a terrific cup of coffee.