Which coffee grinder is better, manual or electric, description of both types, comparison

There are two types of coffee grinders on sale: electric and manual. If home owners attach importance to design when choosing kitchen utensils, the ritual of making coffee is not strictly limited in time, and the requirements for grinding quality are high, then a manual coffee grinder is an excellent option. Electrical devices are faster and more efficient, but are dependent on the availability of electricity.

General criteria for choosing coffee grinders

When deciding which coffee grinder to choose, you need to answer a few questions:

how often is coffee prepared in the house, or more precisely, how many cups are brewed per day;
what drink the household prefer: Turkish, espresso or Americano - the required degree of grinding depends on this;
For what type of coffee maker do you need to prepare ground coffee?

If 25–35 g of ground coffee is enough in the morning (for 3–4 cups of the finished drink), and large groups of friends do not come, then a coffee grinder with a small container for beans is enough.

An inexpensive coffee grinder without special requirements for particle size uniformity is suitable for preparing coffee in a Turk (cezve). In this case, you can purchase a rotary coffee grinder. If the house has an electric coffee maker of carob, drip, geyser type or a semi-automatic coffee machine, you need a burr type coffee grinder, manual or electric - a matter of taste.

A universal option that is suitable in any situation is a coffee grinder with adjustable grinding degree.

Pros and cons of a blade coffee grinder

Rotary coffee grinders are quite in demand among the population. This is due to their following advantages:

financial inclusion;
compact dimensions make it easy to take the device with you if necessary;
simplicity and ease of use, especially if you need to grind a small amount of grains.

The disadvantages include:

inability to control the degree of grinding;
heterogeneity of grinding of the resulting product;
a high probability of charring of the grains, and the use of burnt raw materials will certainly negatively affect the taste of the drink;
lack of dispenser;
inconvenience of collecting ground coffee due to knives;
the grains and the finished powder are in the same container;
fragility of the motor (usually fails within a year);
frequent breakdowns of body elements made of plastic;
the impossibility of using other products for grinding, since it will not be possible to clean it well - an extraneous odor will remain.

Types and features of coffee grinders

There are two main types of coffee grinders – manual and electric. The main criterion in this division is the driving force. In the first case, it is the muscular strength of a person. In the second there is an electric motor.

In turn, electric coffee grinders are divided into blade (rotary) and millstone. Let's take a closer look at the operating principles and features of each type.

Knife (rotary) type coffee grinder

The operating principle of this type is very simple. Coffee beans are poured into a container with rotating knives. The container is closed with a lid on top; when the device is turned on, the knives chop the grains into crumbs. When turned on for a short time, a coarse, non-uniform grind is obtained. To prepare a finer grind, longer grinding of the grains with knives is necessary.

If the fineness of the grind is not particularly important to you, then purchasing this coffee grinder will be a normal step for you.

What types of coffee grinders are there, their features

Nowadays, coffee grinders are usually divided into two types:

Knife or rotary. These devices consist of a housing and a motor located in it and a container for coffee. The housing is hermetically sealed with a lid. Metal or plastic is used to make it. Grinding of coffee beans in knife coffee grinders occurs thanks to rapidly rotating stainless steel blades, which are mounted on a steel rod. The degree of grinding depends on the duration of operation of the knives: the longer the device is turned on, the finer the final product will be.
Millstones or millstones. In such products, coffee beans are ground using screw disks made of stainless steel. However, there may be models with cast iron or ceramic discs. A burr coffee grinder is a device, the main components of which are a compartment with a motor and millstones, a reservoir for loading beans and a container for pouring the finished coffee powder. The capacity of the grain container of the milling device can reach up to 0.3 kg. The power of this type of equipment usually varies from 100 W to 1000 W. But the ideal value for it is 300 W.

Additional functions of electric coffee grinders

Some manufacturers of these devices, in order to make their models more popular, equip them with various additional functions, for example:

Double knives to increase the speed of grinding grains.
Make a special tilt of the container with grains for uniform grinding and better mixing intensity.
“Overheat protection”, an automatic shutdown function when the motor overheats or if the owners forget.
Locking function – protection from turning on the device when the lid is open.
A special device for winding the cord, for the convenience and compactness of the device.
Some models have a function to turn off the device in case of clogging, i.e. hitting the millstone with a pebble or piece of wood.
Enhanced sound insulation for quieter operation of the device (for example, in the morning, when the rest of the family is still sleeping).
Comfortable rubber feet, which, unlike plastic ones, provide better grip on the working surface of the table.
The timer comes in two different versions - to set the grinding time in seconds and the number of cups for which the coffee is ground.

Manual or electric - that is the question!

You must answer the question of choosing between these two types of coffee grinders yourself. To do this, you first need to decide whether coffee is just a drink for you to cheer up your spirit or something more.

If you don’t mind drinking instant coffee when you don’t have ground coffee, you’re used to waking up “on autopilot,” quickly preparing coffee in a coffee maker, drinking it in one gulp and running to work, then your choice is an electric coffee grinder. It will save your time and effort, allowing you to get from the drink its productive main function - toning the body.

However, if the process of making coffee for you is a ritual, a sacred rite, if you are accustomed to slowly, thoughtfully preparing this wonderful drink for yourself, and then, slowly savoring each sip, enjoying the flavor undertones and reverberations of this drink of the gods, then your choice is definitely manual coffee grinder

When choosing this generally uncomplicated device for yourself, rely on your own instincts and practicality. They will tell you the right choice.

What is better to choose? Burr or rotary coffee grinder?

Each coffee lover drinks it in his own way: for some, one cup a day is enough, some drink it occasionally, and there are coffee lovers for whom even five servings a day are not enough. And, of course, everyone has different needs for taste and strength. And when you choose a coffee grinder, you should focus on your personal preferences, or rather on what kind of coffee you prefer, how much you drink per day and how you like to prepare it.

Of the types of coffee grinders that you learned about in this article, the one that suits your situation will be better. Imagine you needed a coffee grinder to grind beans for one or several cups of coffee a day. It can also be assumed that sometimes the technique will be used for grinding cereals. This indicates that the volume of processed raw materials will not be very large. And no one will particularly care how finely and uniformly the particles are ground. In this case, you can purchase a rotary coffee grinder.

Well, if you need to grind a lot of beans at once for coffee, uniform grinding, and also brew espresso or cappuccino in a carob coffee maker, then you should definitely think about buying a burr-type coffee grinder.

It is imperative to take into account the positive and negative aspects of all types of technology. Try to weigh how appropriate this or that technique is to your situation. Then you will be able to make the right decision and your coffee grinder will only please you for a long time. You have read all the advice and probably taken it into account, but the final choice is still up to you, we wish you good luck in a good purchase and the right reliable choice.

This is also interesting:

Coffee machine rental Modern technologies make it possible to fully automate the process of making coffee, allowing you to get a cup of delicious drink literally within a few seconds. If previously the main […]
Equipment for a coffee shop Any catering establishment, be it a small coffee shop or a large restaurant, is unthinkable without professional equipment. Its quantity, specialization and productivity […]
Restaurant equipment Any business in the catering industry cannot count on successful operation without high-quality professional equipment. It is the right equipment for [...]
Carob coffee machine The presence in the kitchen of equipment for preparing high-quality coffee is an indispensable attribute of a true connoisseur of this noble drink. Among the variety of different coffee makers and coffee machines, especially [...]

Manual coffee grinder

A favorite of antiquity and this is not without reason. By purchasing a manual coffee grinder, you always get the desired grind of the beans, the taste of which is not compromised. Gourmets choose this worthy device.

pros

Has a compact view size. Easily installed on the kitchen table or any surface;
Easy care. You can simply and easily wash off the coffee grounds and then turn them over to dry them on an absorbent towel;
It has the simplest design. Can be used in any conditions. Not prone to rapid breakdown. It does not depend on the electricity supply, which is extremely convenient if there are frequent power outages;
High percentage of grind quality. A manual coffee grinder has a millstone that grinds the coffee beans evenly without leaving large ground pieces. The aroma does not disappear and the taste remains unchanged, and this is the main thing;
Long service life. Use has been going on for decades. This model has been tested for durability;
Doesn't make loud noise when working. It is irreplaceable for making morning coffee while the household is still sleeping.

Minuses

A big waste of time and effort;
Inconvenient volume for pouring grains. To serve more than 4 people, you will have to repeat the grinding again. It is not comfortable.

Multifunctionality of rotary and burr coffee grinders

Manufacturers of coffee grinders provide them with useful functions that make the use of the units more comfortable, for example:

The device locks when the cover is removed, ensuring safe operation of the device.
Rotary units can have knives with double blades, increasing the speed of processing coffee beans.
Sloped bottom for improved grind quality and enhanced mixing.
Switching off the device if a foreign object (pebble or piece of wood) accidentally gets into the millstones.
To improve grinding quality, rotary models sometimes have a pulsating rotation system.
Unit shutdown function when the motor overheats. Hard, heavily roasted beans require lengthy processing, which can cause the motor to overheat. In this case, the device will turn off automatically.
Sound insulation, ensuring silent operation of the device during hours when others are still sleeping (night, early morning).
There are two types of timer - setting the number of cups of drink and the time spent preparing the grind. If you set the number of cups, then the device itself will measure the required number of coffee beans.
Rubber feet, which, unlike plastic supports, give the device better stability and grip on the table surface.
Before purchasing a device that has an automatic cord rewind function, you need to make sure that it works. The length of the cord is also important in some cases, especially with a large kitchen area.

Electric coffee grinder - advantages and disadvantages

The entire range of modern household appliances was invented in order to save as much time and effort as possible for a busy person. An electric coffee grinder is no exception. What is commendable about it and what is not?

Pros of electric coffee grinders

Grinding speed. Within a few seconds it will dispense your morning dose of coffee. All you need to do is press one button. Fast and convenient, to be sure.
Large grain tank. Many electric coffee grinders are equipped with it. Its volume is designed for a whole pack of coffee beans. You just need to pour them into a container and then grind them as needed.
Ability to grind a lot of coffee in a short period of time. This is especially valuable if you are hosting guests or there are many people in your family who like to treat themselves to a cup of fresh coffee.
Always at hand. An electric coffee grinder, as a rule, has its permanent place in the kitchen, so it does not have to be taken out of the cabinet, installed and checked for readiness.
Ease of Management . Setting the operating mode and changing the degree of grinding is done with one finger movement.

Cons of electric coffee grinders

Grinding quality may suffer. This depends on the type of electric coffee grinder you choose. A blade device will not produce a good, uniform grind. An electric millstone is better in this sense. However, when using electric coffee grinders, there is still a danger of burning the grain if the motor heats up too much.
High noise level. No matter how hard manufacturers try, the motors of the devices make noise, and nothing can be done about it. The more powerful the coffee grinder motor, the more noise it makes.
Price . The most affordable options will cost from 1000-1200 rubles, and if you decide to buy an electric coffee grinder with ceramic millstones, the cost will be about 5000 rubles. and may well reach five-digit numbers.
Staticity and dependence. An electric coffee grinder takes up some space. In addition, any device is dependent on a power source, so it will have to be located closer to the outlet. All this makes an electric coffee grinder quite cumbersome, especially if it is purchased for small kitchens.

So, what can be deduced from a brief analysis of the properties of an electric coffee grinder? It saves a lot of time and effort and is indispensable if you need to quickly grind coffee, especially in large quantities. However, a good model that provides high-quality grinding will not be cheap. The device is quite noisy in operation and takes up a lot of space on the kitchen table.

Everyone gives a clear answer to the question of which coffee grinder is better, manual or electric, based on their habits, lifestyle and needs.

We have noticed that an electric coffee grinder is ideal for a spacious and modern kitchen, for a large family or for those who make every minute count.

A manual coffee grinder is an excellent solution for a small family, as well as for those who will not spare a little time and effort to get the perfect grind. Many lovers of an invigorating drink acquire both versions of the device, which are used based on the circumstances.

How to choose the right electric coffee grinder

Thanks to modern grinder models, anyone can prepare a drink from any type of coffee beans preferred for your recipe. All you have to do is pour in the required amount and press “start” - the machine will cope with its task in an instant. However, it is worth taking into account the different grinding degrees of a particular coffee grinder model.

Read on to learn how to choose an electric coffee grinder for your home wisely.

Characteristics

The devices are divided into two groups:

Knife type choppers (rotary). The tool is a sharp knife rotating at high speed. The operation of the device depends on the time of use: the longer, the finer the grind. This type of technology has one main drawback - the output coffee particles are of different sizes. Therefore, the ready-made mixture is not suitable for coffee machines and geyser-type coffee makers, but it is quite suitable for brewing in a Turk.
Grinders with millstones. The grinding quality of the equipment is excellent. The mixture turns out homogeneous. It is possible to choose the degree of grinding: fine to dust, medium and coarse. According to the principle of operation, the device with millstones is similar to a manual coffee grinder.

Reference . Coffee grinders with conical burrs boast the highest productivity. They process from 20 to 75 kg of coffee beans per hour. Devices with plane-parallel millstones have much less power - up to 10 kg per hour. Of course, the cost of the first type of device is several times higher.

Let us describe the main characteristics of coffee grinders:

Capacity . The indicator reflects the maximum mass of grains that can be ground at one time. There are coffee grinders with a capacity from 30 to 250 g. Tip: when choosing a device based on the capacity factor, proceed from your family’s daily drink needs. For example, for one serving of coffee you will need 7 g of ground beans. Accordingly, with a capacity of 30 g, you can prepare 4 cups of coffee at a time.
Power . The parameter is directly proportional to the previous indicator: the greater the capacity, the greater the power. Power range: from 80 to 280 W. For example, with an average coffee grinder power of 150-180 W, the capacity will be up to 80 g.
Types of coffee grinders . We already know that there are knife and burr coffee grinders. However, each type has its own characteristics. Compare: rotary devices work faster, but the ground coffee is not uniform in consistency, while millstones do a better job of grinding, but the price for quality automatically increases.
Case material . Plastic is often used for the body, but in terms of reliability it is inferior to metal, which is not so popular.

We also recommend paying attention to additional parameters:

Automatic blocking . The device simply will not turn on, since if the parts are assembled incorrectly, there is a risk of injury. Rotary coffee grinders often have a similar function.
Overheat protection . The option will work if the motor temperature exceeds the set value. This will avoid breakdowns.
It is better if there is a device for winding the cord , otherwise you will have to wind it around the body of the coffee maker itself.

Reliability rating

It may seem that choosing a coffee grinder is not difficult to make. This is true if, before purchasing, you study in advance all the functional features of the group of products you like.

To make it easier to answer the question of which coffee grinder is the best, we analyzed customer opinions and identified 10 popular models of high-quality devices.

Table: Rating of coffee grinders that exceeded user expectations.

№	Name of product	Main technical characteristics					Market price
№	Name of product	Power, W	Capacity, g	Grinding system	Adjusting the grinding degree	Peculiarities	Market price
1.	Bosch MKM 6000/6003	180	75	rotary knife	No	switching is blocked when the lid is removed, grinding uniformity inside the bowl is achieved due to a slight slope	from 1000 rub.
2.	Erisson CG-M12S	200	100	millstones	yes, 2 speeds	container for ground coffee	from 1000 rub.
3.	First FA-5486	200	70	rotary knife	No	overheating protection, pulse mode, power-on blocking when the cover is removed	from 1900 rub.
4.	De'Longhi KG 89	110	120	millstones	yes, from small to large	container for ground coffee, cord winder, double protection system against accidental activation	from 5000 rub.
5.	Mikma EKMU IP-30	115	30	rotary knife	No	light weight - 700 g	from 1200 rub.
6.	Polaris PCG 0815A	150	70	rotary knife	No	pulse mode, switching lock when the cover is removed	from 1400 rub.
7.	Simbo SCM-2934	110	56	rotary knife	No	pulse mode, switch-on lock when the cover is removed, cord winder	from 1000 rub.
8.	Polaris PCG 1017	170	50	rotary knife	No	switching lock when the cover is removed	from 1500 rub.
9.	VITEK VT-1542	130	70	rotary knife	No	switching lock when the cover is removed, device for winding the cord	from 1900 rub.
10.	UNIT UCG-112	150	50	rotary knife	No	switching lock when the cover is removed, device for winding the cord	from 1000 rub.

Reference . The pulse mode is a cycle of alternating processes - work is replaced by periodic stops. Thanks to this function, it is possible to visually regulate the grinding of grains and other solid products. The coffee granules mix better and the grind becomes even. The pulse mode protects the device from overheating during long-term operation, which extends its service life.

It must be said that not all devices are equipped with this feature, so when asked which coffee grinder is better, the choice becomes obvious.

We hope that the given rating of electric burr coffee grinders and rotary models will help you quickly make your choice and purchase the appropriate type of equipment that will last for many years.

Negative rating, or what is better not to take

If, when buying a coffee grinder, you have not yet finally decided on your choice, then first you should find out which devices are less practical:

Avoid products made from plastic; their service life is much shorter than their stainless steel counterparts.
It is better not to purchase a coffee grinder without an additional bowl for ground coffee, which is usually the case with rotary machines. Getting the finished product out from under sharp knives is not only problematic, but also dangerous. Remember that caring for such a device is also difficult.
If you have a small kitchen, you should not purchase a device that does not have a device for winding the cord, otherwise it will be inconvenient to store it. However, this aspect is not decisive.
Do not purchase a device without rubber “feet”; they provide the coffee grinder with good stability in operating mode.