Coffee Grinders: Reviews

Reviewers say the Krups Fast Touch is a simple, reliable grinder for automatic-drip coffeemakers and French presses, and it can even be used to grind spices (as long as it's cleaned thoroughly between uses; grinding white… expandrice is recommended by experts). Owners say their Krups grinders are still going strong after many years of use. The compact Krups coffee grinder has a lid that fits snugly into the base, and owners report that a damp paper towel is all it takes to remove residual grounds. The Fast Touch can hold 12 tablespoons of beans -- enough for about 1½ pots of automatic-drip coffee. If you prefer richer drip coffee or you have an espresso machine, reviews say you need a more expensive burr grinder, which will deliver a more consistent grind. Note that the Fast Touch 203-42 is black, while the Fast Touch 203-70 has a white case. That's the only difference between the two. collapse

If you aren't too picky about grind consistency, reviews say the Capresso Infinity 560.01 is the best budget burr grinder (burr models grind coffee beans between metal discs for a finer grind). Not only does it grind… expandcoffee finely enough for pump espresso machines, but it can also work for drip coffee makers, especially if you like stronger coffee. Owners appreciate the Capresso Infinity's timer and say it's relatively quiet. The Capresso Infinity grinds slowly, which reduces the amount of static that's generated. As far as cleanup, users say that a weekly brushing-out is all it needs. The Capresso Infinity coffee grinder can yield up to 8 tablespoons of ground coffee. A stainless-steel model (instead of plastic), the Capresso 565.05 Infinity (*Est. $140), is also available, which some owners say reduces the static problem. collapse

Burr grinders produce a more consistent grind than blade grinders, but even among burr grinders, there's a lot of performance variation. Reviews say that the time-tested Rancilio Rocky is among the best espresso grinders… expandavailable, despite its high price tag. Users say that the relatively quiet Rocky allows them to exercise a great deal of control over the fineness of the grind. Other than the price, the only downside is that the Rocky is bulky, but nearly all owners agree that it's leaps and bounds ahead of the competition. The doserless version allows you to grind beans directly into the portafilter. The regular Rancilio Rocky (*Est. $375) comes with a doser receptacle. collapse