Having a good coffee grinder can definitely increase the taste and quality of your coffee. The good news is that you don’t have to spend heaps of money buying one as there are many affordable coffee grinders out there. With an inexpensive coffee grinder, you can enjoy fresh and flavorful coffee without spending tons of money. However, a word of warning, not all inexpensive coffee grinders yields the best results. Read on to learn what cons to look for in getting an inexpensive coffee grinder.
What is a Coffee Grinder?
Before we check what cons to look for in getting an inexpensive coffee grinder, let’s first have a look at what coffee grinders are.
A coffee grinder is a tool or machine used to grind roasted coffee beans to brew the coffee. There are various types of coffee grinders around which work in several ways.
Types of Coffee Grinders
- Conical Burr Grinders
- Flat Burr Grinders
- Manual Grinders
- Electric Blade Grinders
Disadvantages of Inexpensive Coffee Grinders
Everything greatly depends on the budget that you have set in choosing your coffee grinder, and we do recommend that you decide on your budget first, then select the best one available in that range. This will ensure you great value for money.
Now, let’s discuss some disadvantages of each one for you to make an informed decision.
Burr Grinder:
Burr grinders have two grinding heads – conical and flat type. The conical one is the best among all grinders available.
1. Conical Burr Grinders:
The conical burr grinders are presumably the best coffee grinders that your money can give you. Some of the best ones typically range from $200 to $500 or more. Its teeth can be either made of steel or ceramic steel that is less costly and has more longevity but has a little tradeoff when it comes to the grind’s quality.
While the ceramic ones are often installed in pro-level devices. Although the difference is very slim in terms of quality, the steel grinders are often bought for home use.
Cons:
- These grinders are not the cheapest devices in the market and can actually cost tons of money but are a good investment.
2. Flat Burr Grinder:
Flat burr grinders are the next best thing you can have to grind roasted coffee beans.
These tools feature two flat blades with teeth on them and chew through the coffee bean, slowly grinding it to the required texture.
There are two variations of the flat burr grinders. The less pricey one has big unsharp steel blades, while the expensive one has small sharp blades that can easily and smoothly cut through the coffee beans and with fewer vibrations.
The device’s original design has some flaws, which puts it at a disadvantage, unlike the conical burr grinder. However, these grinders are far better than the manual and blade grinders.
Cons:
- The flat blade device might create heat while grinding and, frequently, gives off a burnt smell to the coffee.
- They are more prone to generating static charges, which make the coffee grounds stick together.
- The blades are difficult to replace and need to be taken to the service center for changing when necessary.
Manual Grinders
Manual grinders, as the name suggests, are operated manually. They are also of the burr type but much smaller than their electronic counterparts, so they are more portable. The process is the same as the regular burr grinder.
This grinder is ideal for carrying around while going on a trip or camping. But it is not recommended for everyday use — the reasons for which would be much clear if you check its disadvantages.
Cons:
- It can be quite slow sometimes.
- It is not the right choice for day-to-day use, as you will feel the pain of hand cranking after several days and might take away your pleasure of sipping a cup of coffee in the morning.
- The device can’t grind enough beans in just one go if you want to serve a bigger number of people.
- It tends to give inconsistent results from at times.
Electric Blade Coffee Grinders
The electric blade coffee grinder can be considered at the bottom of the hierarchy for all coffee grinders for home use and apparently should be your last choice in getting an inexpensive coffee grinder for your home. However, some people use them as they can have multiple purposes.
Cons:
- The process this grinder use is not grinding but chopping instead. The coffee beans are chopped with a high-speed blade, and the coffee grounds can be inconsistent between several batches.
- It is not suitable for brewing espresso.
Conclusion
Having a trusted coffee grinder at home sure does elevate your coffee experience. From manual to electric, budget-friendly to expensive ones, there are indeed tons to choose from. Who wouldn’t want a fresh and aromatic cup of coffee every day without having to spend too much money on expensive coffee grinders? However, it is worth it to weigh and know the cons to look for in getting an inexpensive coffee grinder. Find out more about coffee grinders.