Buying guide for best Cuisinart coffee grinders

For many people, freshly ground beans are essential for great-tasting coffee. That’s why coffee grinders are such a popular kitchen appliance. If you need help grinding coffee beans for your morning cup of joe, you might want to consider a Cuisinart coffee grinder.

Cuisinart coffee grinders are all automatic, so you only need to press a button to get the perfect grind for your beans. The brand offers multiple types of grinders, which differ in how they crush the beans. Cuisinart also provides a range of features to offer greater control over the grind and make using the appliance as easy as possible. Some grinders are programmable, so you can create custom grind settings that suit your preferences.

But sorting through all of Cuisinart’s coffee grinder options can be confusing. With our buying guide, you have all the facts you need to find the best one for your kitchen. Still unsure? We offer some of our favorite models in the product recommendations above to help you start shopping right away.

With a blade grinder, you only need 8 to 10 seconds for a coarse grind, 10 to 15 seconds for a medium grind, and a few seconds more for a fine grind.

Key considerations

Blade vs. burr

Cuisinart offers two types of coffee grinders: blade and burr.

Blade: This type of grinder is usually the most affordable option. It features a spinning blade that cuts the coffee beans into smaller particles. You typically get less consistent grinding results with a blade grinder, so it’s best for casual coffee drinkers. A blade grinder can also be used to grind spices.

Burr: This grinder is a higher-quality option, so you’ll pay more for it. It features two cones or wheels, called burrs, that grind the beans between them. The burrs turn slowly, so they provide much more consistent results. More consistent grounds generally lead to better-tasting coffee, so coffee connoisseurs tend to prefer burr grinders.

Size and capacity

Cuisinart coffee grinders are available in different sizes and capacities. You should consider the grinder’s overall size to make sure that it can easily fit on your counter or in the cabinet where you plan to store it. If you plan to leave it out on the counter, you’ll definitely want a more compact model. Most Cuisinart coffee grinders have a fairly small footprint, but those with a larger capacity may be slightly larger.

In terms of capacity, consider how much coffee you usually make in a day. You should grind the beans fresh for each pot of coffee you brew, so you don’t necessarily need a grinder that can hold a large amount of ground coffee. Cuisinart coffee grinders can grind enough coffee for 12 to 18 cups at a time, depending on your needs.

Some Cuisinart coffee grinders come with a cleaning brush to make it easier to keep your grinder in top shape.

Features

Burr

If you opt for a Cuisinart burr grinder, you should consider the burr’s type and material.

Type: You can choose from two burr grinder types: flat and conical. Flat burr grinders have two flat, ridged plates that sit parallel to each other for grinding. Conical burr grinders have two ridged cones, with one cone sitting inside the other to grind the coffee beans.

Flat burr grinders are typically more affordable, but they usually make more noise and a larger mess. While conical burr grinders are more expensive, they provide more consistent results and are easier to clean.

Material: You’ll find coffee grinder burrs made of either steel or ceramic. All Cuisinart coffee grinders have burrs made of steel. Steel burrs are more affordable, but they usually aren’t as durable as ceramic burrs.

Settings

Depending on the types of coffee drinks you prefer, you’ll need to adjust the grind’s size and texture. For example, espresso requires an extremely fine grind, while cold brew coffee does better with an extra-coarse grind.

Most Cuisinart coffee grinders are stepped, which means they have a set number of grind settings. You want to make sure that the model you choose has a wide range of settings if you want to prepare various coffee drinks. High-end Cuisinart coffee grinders can have as many as 18 settings for plenty of options.

Cuisinart blade grinders don’t have specific grind settings. Instead, you control the size and texture of the grounds by how long you run the grinder. Grinding for a short period provides a coarser grind, while grinding for a longer time creates a finer grind.

Noise

All coffee grinders are noisy, which can be an issue if you’re grinding beans early in the morning while the rest of your household is sleeping. If you’re concerned about keeping the volume down, opt for a Cuisinart burr grinder over a blade model. Blade coffee grinders tend to be noisiest because they’re essentially chopping the beans rather than grinding them.

Touchscreen

Cuisinart coffee grinders are all fairly easy to use, but some are more user-friendly than others. If you want the most intuitive grinder, opt for a model with touchscreen controls and LCD display. With touchscreen controls, you can easily adjust the grinder’s settings at the press of a button. The display allows you to see the grind setting you’ve chosen at a glance, so you can be sure you wind up with the best grind for your coffee.

Accessories

Cuisinart coffee maker: Cuisinart Coffee Center Coffeemaker and Single-Serve Brewer
You can’t make a great-tasting cup of coffee without a top-of-the-line coffee maker. This one from Cuisinart is a standout because it can brew either an entire 12-cup pot or a single serving to give you the best of both worlds.

Sugar and creamer set: Le Creuset Cream and Sugar Set
If you like to add sugar and cream to your coffee, you’ll appreciate having a high-quality sugar and creamer set for the breakfast table. We love this stoneware set from Le Creuset because it’s available in nine fun colors and doesn’t stain or hold onto odors.

Cuisinart coffee grinder prices

Cuisinart coffee grinders vary in price based on the type, size, and special features. Most grinders cost between $20 and $100.

Inexpensive: The most budget-friendly Cuisinart coffee grinders are basic blade models. They don’t have individual grind settings, display, or touchscreen controls, and they may not provide the most consistent grind. You’ll usually pay between $20 and $35 for these coffee grinders.

Mid-range: These Cuisinart coffee grinders are burr models that offer up to 18 grind settings. These models usually don’t have touchscreen controls or an LCD display. You’ll typically pay between $35 and $60 for these coffee grinders.

Expensive: The most expensive Cuisinart coffee grinders are burr models that provide up to 18 grind settings. However, many of these models have touchscreen controls and an LCD display for more user-friendly operation. You’ll pay between $60 and $100 for these coffee grinders.

Like other appliances from the brand, all Cuisinart coffee grinders have a sleek appearance, so you won’t mind leaving yours out on the counter.

Tips

• Grind beans right before you use them. For the best-tasting coffee, grind your beans as close to the brewing time as possible. It helps to use the freshest beans possible, too, so use beans roasted no more than a month before.
• Grind in pulses. With a blade grinder, it’s important to grind for only a few seconds at a time. If you continuously grind the beans, the grinder can get hot and burn the coffee.
• Match the grind size to the coffee type or brewing method. You want a coarse grind for cold brew, a French press, or a percolator. For a traditional, flat-bottom drip coffee maker, aim for a medium grind. With a conical drip coffee maker or espresso machine, you’ll need a fine grind. If you’re not sure that the grind is correct by looking at it, rub a bit between your fingers to see how fine or coarse it really is.
• Clean your grinder regularly. Wipe the exterior at least every other day, and deep clean the grinder every couple of months.

If you want to use a coffee grinder to grind spices, it’s a good idea to have two grinders to avoid mixing flavors. Have one dedicated solely to grinding coffee beans and a second to use solely for spices.

FAQ

Q. Why is freshly ground coffee better than pre-ground coffee?

A. When coffee is exposed to air and moisture, it starts to lose the flavor and aroma compounds that make it taste so good. Pre-ground coffee has a greater surface area exposed to air and moisture, so it isn’t the most flavorful option.

Grinding your own coffee beans also allows you to control the grind size, so you can have different sizes for the different types of coffee you drink. With pre-ground coffee, you only have one grind size, which limits your beverage options.

Q. How should I wash my Cuisinart coffee grinder?

A. Start by making sure the grinder is unplugged. If your model contains dishwasher-safe components, you can place them in the top rack on the regular cycle. Use a damp cloth to wipe down the grinder’s base. Carefully wipe out the grind release portion with a brush. Never immerse the entire grinder base in water or you may damage the motor.

Q. What type of warranty coverage does Cuisinart offer on its coffee grinders?

A. Most Cuisinart coffee grinders come with a limited 18-month warranty. It provides protection against any problems that arise from defects in the materials or workmanship for 18 months from the date of purchase.