Which Coffee Grinder Should You Buy?

Okay, here it is; you should buy... the best one that fits your needs.

Haha, very funny. How do I know what that even is? Or what to look for? What do different burrs mean? And what does "end-game" mean?

There are so many questions online when it comes to investing in a grinder (yes, investing, because coffee takes a lot of time, patience, and sometimes money to find a system that works.) We take your investment seriously, and we want to set you up for success!

Okay... Well, why should I worry about grinders anyways?

We tell people that it's better to invest more in a higher quality grinder because that's doing all the "work" for you. The way in which you grind your beans is the main difference between a bad, good, and great shot of espresso, which is why it takes so long to dial in a bag of beans. So, if you're ready for an amazing cup of coffee, read on!

So, what are some of the main things we should be looking for?

1. The Quality
2. Burr Size
3. Custom Specs
4. The Price

We'll throw in a couple extra things here and there to consider, but let's get right into it!

#1: It's All About Quality

It's difficult to justify any purchase if it isn't built to last. Like many kitchen appliances, we have gotten into the habit of using it until it breaks, and then replacing it: I'm here to say that espresso machines and coffee grinders are not designed to work this way. We've had customers come in for routine cleaning and maintenance with machines they've had for 10, 20, even 30 years! 

When purchasing a new grinder, consider if it's coming from a reputable brand and it's serviceability. Is this grinder the "new kid on the block," or is it coming from a company that has been around for several years? Consider it's serviceability: is it relatively easy to work on yourself, will you have to bring it into technicians, or will it break within the first 5 years?

Another important part is, well... the access to parts! There are a few companies that do not sell replacement parts for their grinders. We're primarily a parts supplier, so double check with us to see if we have the inventory available (or if we can special order parts in for you!) 

#2: Repeat After Me: Burr Size Matters

Okay, let's get down to the nitty gritty: burrs. First of all, we need to understand the difference between a conical and flat burr style. Conical burrs have a cone-shaped ring that sits in another hollow cone ring, allowing the beans to funnel through the burrs in a vertical pathway. Flat burrs have two rings that sit on top of one another (one faces upwards, the other downwards). Beans drop between the burrs, grind through the first burr, and then drop again. 

Which one is better? That's for another blog post (or any Reddit thread you can find). 

Overall, we've been finding across the board that larger burrs give us a faster, cooler, and more consistent grind. We want these things because it leads to better coffee and longevity in our machines! 

Worthwhile to mention: the ability to replace your burrs changes the quality of your coffee significantly, but the option to replace burrs isn't possible with every coffee grinder. Depending on the burr type and size, you can fine-tune the taste of your coffee to cater towards espresso, drip, or an all-around great burr. The main thing is as you continue on your coffee journey, the more options you have down the line, the better!

#3: Actually, You Can Have It All!

There is 100% a grinder out there for you that will fit all of your needs, I promise! It all depends on how much research you're willing to do, or how many customizations you're willing to do yourself. Any great customer service representative would be more than willing to talk through any specs with you and give you advice on how to select the best one for your needs, or how to enhance the user experience. 

Here are some popular considerations we've been asked (or have asked!)

• What kind of coffee are you making?
• Does the burr type and size matter to you?
• What about extra additives, like noise reduction or anti-clumping systems?
• How easy is it to use?
• Do you prefer a single dose or hopper?
• Is it important that you have a timed or weighted dose grinder?
• Does it come in different colours or finishes?

These questions can help you narrow down what is important to you and your coffee making experience!

#4: The Price Has to be Right

This is probably the most important factor in many people's experience. I'll be honest: coffee can be an expensive hobby, but it doesn't have to be! We are often led to believe that a higher price tag leads to higher quality, but that isn't always the case. We would recommend cross-examining different grinders, seeing the different features each have, and then letting the price be the final factor. I always remind people that if they invest in a good quality grinder that has great burrs and fits their lifestyle, they're more likely to use it, which saves them a ton of money in the long run!

So, what are my options?

There are a ton of options, and we're happy to answer any questions you have! I do want to illustrate a grinder that I believe checks all the boxes, and that is the DF64 Gen 2 Coffee Grinder.

This one is the best on the market solely for the quality and price. I'd especially recommend this model because it is a V2 of the Generation 2, meaning it currently features the "best of the best" of all the DF grinders. With 64mm burrs that lead to a better, more consistent, and faster grind, an updated anti-static plasma generator, and the option to upgrade the burrs, this one is a no-brainer. Plus, with a powerful motor and an easy to use interface, many people are happy with this grinder and has dubbed it the "end game" grinder after replacing the burrs with SSPs, meaning you will not be looking at upgrades down the road. 

Side note: we've updated the burrs in every DF64 we sell to feature the DLC burrs (which stands for "Diamond-Like Coating"). We loved the durability, the longevity, and the higher quality of these burrs, and knew everyone who purchased these grinders would feel the same! But, for extra durability and customization, we have the SSP burrs available for an even better grind. 

Finally, the price: from now until May 31st, we're offering our DF64s on-sale for 30% off, which literally. never. happens! We believe in high quality products and believe that they should be available to any coffee addict!

As for my other recommendations, stay tuned for another blog post (:

What are your thoughts? Let us know down below!