Manual Coffee Grinders

Manual coffee mills are nostalgic but labor intensive

Manual coffee grinders (also called coffee mills) are an option for people who don't mind working for their coffee. You can find manual grinders in a wide range of styles, from machines that look like old-fashioned box grinders to machines that resemble a peppermill. The trouble with manual coffee grinders is that they are very difficult to find in the U.S.

We found no professional reviews of manual coffee mills and only a handful of websites offering owner-written reviews, including Epinions and CoffeeGeek.com. Zassenhaus, a German company, produces an array of manual grinders. Both the box mill (*Est. $75) and knee mill (*Est. $80) have solid-wood housings and metal levers. The knee-mill model has indentations that allow the user to grip the mill between his or her knees while grinding.

Zassenhaus also makes solid-brass Turkish mills (*Est. $85), which have a more cylindrical shape. All Zassenhaus grinders have conical burrs that, with some adjustment, can grind finely enough for espresso machines. Manual grinding takes longer than it does with an electric mill (one to two minutes), so manual mills are best suited to coffee drinkers who pull one or two espresso shots a day, or brew a single pot of coffee.

Zassenhaus mills earn high average ratings at CoffeeGeek.com. Owners say that the box mill is affordable and easy to use, and they appreciate its solid craftsmanship and Old World look. Several owners say that they plan to pass their Zassenhaus mills down to their children. Reviews are mixed for how well these manual mills actually grind coffee; their primary appeal is their craftsmanship. Be advised that high humidity can lead to static buildup in manual grinders, but this problem is easily remedied by tapping the grounds box. Unfortunately, Zassenhaus coffee mills are not that easy to find aside from online specialty shops such as SweetMarias.com.