A coffee grinder is a device used to crush coffee beans into a powder, but it can also do the same for spices! Let's find out what are the best coffee grinders for spices out there.
Spices have been used for many centuries – there’s no doubt that they make our food taste better. Even wars were fought to obtain some rare spices, but we just have to buy them in the grocery store. The only battle we fight nowadays might be for a parking space.
Many ground spices are available at your local store, conveniently ground already. Spices lose their flavor over time; they contain volatile oils that disappear over time once they have been ground. That’s why it’s still better to grind your spices at home than to buy ground spices in the grocery store.
If you don’t have a spice grinder, don’t worry because you can use the same thing you use for your coffee beans – a coffee grinder.
- What To Look For In A Coffee Grinder For Spices
- How To Pick The Best Coffee Grinder For Spices
- The Best Coffee Grinder For Spices Overall
- The Best Coffee Grinder For Spices For Precision
- The Best Coffee Grinder For Spices For Those On A Budget
- Testing Criteria
- Why You Can Trust Me
- The Final Word On The Best Coffee Grinders For Spices
What To Look For In A Coffee Grinder For Spices
A coffee grinder is mainly used to grind coffee beans, but did you know that it’s even better for your whole spices? I learned about this from watching Good Eats; a TV show created and hosted by Alton Brown.
Here are some reasons why I like grinding spices using a coffee grinder:
- A coffee grinder is not too big.
- A coffee grinder is a lot faster than the traditional mortar and pestle.
- A coffee grinder is easy to use.
We have been using the Cuisinart Grind Central Coffee Grinder for the past few years for both coffee beans and spices.
How To Pick The Best Coffee Grinder For Spices
Depending on your budget, how often you drink coffee, and what brewing method you use, coffee grinders are different.
2 Types Of Coffee Grinder
1. Blade Coffee Grinder
Blade coffee grinder is the cheapest and can be easily found in your local store. If you’re buying a coffee grinder, look for a product shot where you can see the inside to know what type it is. A coffee grinder with two opposing blades (looks like a propeller) is a blade coffee grinder.
If you choose to buy a blade coffee grinder, here are some tips to help you make a better cup of coffee with it:
- Look for one with a clear lid to see the actual grinding process.
- Add around 10% more coffee beans than what you have in mind.
- Pulse the grinding button, pause, then shake up the coffee grinder for more consistent results. Do this multiple times during the grinding process.
- Using a sieve, sift out the boulders, and regrind them.
- Freeze the coffee beans before grinding them – this helps limit the amount of fine dust produced.
Depending on the coffee you are brewing, how fine the coffee beans are after the grinding process will make more or less a difference. An espresso machine extracts flavor quickly, so there’s nothing to worry about with fines. However, if you’re using a coffee percolator, you’ll make a more bitter cup of coffee if your coffee beans are not well ground.
2. Burr Coffee Grinder
A Burr coffee grinder is a grinding disc, often made of stainless steel. It produces more even ground coffee beans than the blade coffee grinder. When buying, choose the sharp-edged burr coffee grinder instead of the ones with chunky teeth.
Burr coffee grinder comes in two forms – the automatic and the manual.
- Manual Burr Coffee Grinder. It is also smaller, handier, cheaper, and won’t cost you that much in your electricity bill. The grinding process using a manual burr is more complicated.
- Automatic Burr Coffee Grinder. An automatic burr is much easier to use compared to a manual burr. Most automatic burrs have a pulse setting. If you plan to grind many coffee beans, get the one with the auto-grind and timed grind features.
The Best Coffee Grinder For Spices Overall
I recommend the Krups Fast Touch Coffee Grinder for spices. It has positive reviews on Amazon.
One important tip when buying coffee grinders: make sure you get the one with all metal on the inside since plastic can absorb the flavor of your coffee beans.
Pros
- Highly durable
- Excellent grind
- Very affordable
Cons
- Can be messy
- Difficult to clean
- Makes some noise
The Best Coffee Grinder For Spices For Precision
Baratza Virtuoso+ Conical Burr Coffee Grinder is a Specialty Coffee Association award winner, which features a digital timer display with over 40 different grind settings. These reviews of the grinder might help narrow things down.
This coffee grinder is quite expensive, so consider buying this one only if you have enough budget.
Pros
- Highly durable
- Even and consistent grind
- It doesn’t make so much noise
Cons
- Costly
- A little challenging to use
- Unclear timer
- SPECIALTY COFFEE ASSOCIATION AWARD WINNING GRINDERS - Baratza grinders are preferred by coffee professionals and backed by Baratza’s world class support.
- DIGITAL TIMER and BACKLIT GROUNDS BIN - a 40-second digital timer, adjustable to a tenth of a second, and an LED backlit grounds bin to dose ground coffee accurately and consistently.
- 40 GRIND SETTINGS - With enhanced commercial-grade conical burrs to help you explore an extensive range of brew methods (espresso, Aeropress, Hario V60, Chemex, French Press, and automatic brewers).
- STYLISH - A sculptured metal top and base give the Virtuoso+ a modern image that highlights your coffee corner.
- WARRANTY/QUALITY PARTS - Engineered with 40mm hardened alloy steel burrs manufactured in Liechtenstein, Europe, plus a powerful DC motor. This combination creates a consistent grind and durability ensuring the longevity users have come to expect from the Baratza brand. The Virtuoso+ is backed by Baratza’s world class support and a 1 year warranty.
The Best Coffee Grinder For Spices For Those On A Budget
We use the Cuisinart Grind Central Coffee Grinder to grind coffee beans and spices. See what other people thought on Amazon.
Now, I have to say that this coffee grinder is not intended for spices, but it does grind them – only kind of messy, though. Read more on Best Coffee Grinders For Home: Ultimate Buyer’s Guide.
Pros
- Easy to use
- Easy to clean
- Durable
Cons
- It can be messy
- Bulky
- Makes some noise
- EASILY GRIND LARGE QUANTITIES: You'll easily process up to 90g/3.2oz of beans at once, enough to make up to 18 cups of fresh coffee
- MODERN DESIGN: We bring a modern touches to this coffee grinder with popular brushed stainless steel to seamlessly blend with your appliances
- HEAVY-DUTY MOTOR: Stainless steel blades and high power motor with provides consistent results with on/off control for simple operation
- LID FEATURES: We designed this coffee grinder to have a built-in safety interlock to prevent operation unless lid is securely closed – store extra coffee grounds in the grinding bowl
- EXTRA PERKS: Dishwasher-safe, removable stainless steel bowl and cord storage for ease of use. This product is BPA free and comes with an instruction book to assist with the set up and learning process
Testing Criteria
I took the price, noise levels, size, and how easy the machines are to clean when narrowing down coffee grinders for spices.
Why You Can Trust Me
Many people drink coffee to pull an all-nighter – that’s what made me a coffee lover in the first place. As you get hooked up, you’ll want to make your cup of coffee, and you’re not the only one thinking that way.
I’ve been drinking coffee for over a decade now, and yes, I’m the one making it. The way you grind your coffee beans can make or break their flavor, so ensure you get the right equipment!
The Final Word On The Best Coffee Grinders For Spices
There are two types of coffee grinders: the blade coffee grinder and the burr coffee grinder. A coffee grinder is probably more important than a coffee maker, so choose the one that works for you.
Read more on Are Coffee Grinders Worth It?
