Top 10 Manual coffee grinders
We live in a world of coffee drinkers, and over the last few years the method of getting our coffee fix has moved away from high street coffee chains when out and instant coffee when home, to artisan coffee from independents when out, to grinding your own beans for the finest coffee at home. With regards to your taste buds, this is the best possible thing to ever happen, but for your brain (and wallet) it can be a bit of a nightmare.
The home coffee market is ever growing, and where do people start with all the devices and makes? As a coffee lover, you understand that grinding your beans right before brewing your drink is the only way to effectively capture the full flavour and aroma of your brews.
Electric grinders may be the modern approach to successfully starting the process of making a coffee, but for many they like the authentic nature of grinding your own beans by hand. Whether you want something a bit quieter for the early morning grinds or need a small travel-sized companion for your trips, manual handheld coffee grinders are the way to go. And as many coffee drinkers will tell you – the grinder is just as, if not, more important than the coffee beans used, and although you may be tempted by the electronic variety, manual grinders offer their own benefits.
So, if you want maximum value for money when purchasing a grinder, you can’t go wrong with a manual design.
- Top 10 Manual coffee grinders
- The Verdicts
- Akirakoki Manual Coffee Bean Grinder review
- Hario Skerton Pro Coffee Mill review
- Hario Smart G Coffee Mill Transparent review
- HARIO Ceramic Burr Hand Coffee Grinder Canister Mill review
- HEIHOX manual Coffee Grinder review
- Zassenhaus Santiago Black Coffee Mill review
- TIMEMORE Chestnut C/C2 review
- 1Zpresso Q2-Series review
- TIMEMORE Chestnut SLIM review
- Henry Charles Manual Coffee Grinder review
- Top 10 Manual coffee grinders Buyers Guide
The Verdicts
1
Akirakoki Manual Coffee Bean Grinder
Our Verdict
Product Dimension: 19.6 x 8.7 x 8.4 cm
Coffee capacity: 55g (bottom)
A budget-friendly minimalist device that ticks all the boxes for a manual grinder, from design to functionality
If you’re dipping your toes into the world of home grinding, then you could do far worse than this design from Akirakoki. The solid wood body is slick and clean and has been crafted from a single piece of wood, so don’t expect it to crack over time. The cast iron burrs performed well during our test, and because of the material will not rust over time. A reliable tool with very little embellishments, this grinder is a perfect ‘on the move’ grinder and also can easily slot into a well-designed kitchen and not look out of place.
The grind capacity states that it’s 35g, though we found it closer to 30g, and the bottom holder can hold around 55g, which is perfect for brewing for you and 2 friends.
Unique features
- Adjustable grinding means you can go from fine to coarse
- Easily cleanable
Pros
+ perfect for newbies
+ beautiful design
Cons
– small capacity
2
Hario Skerton Pro Coffee Mill
Our Verdict
Product Dimension: 10.41 x 9.91 x 20.57 cm
Coffee capacity: 100g (bottom)
The Skerton Pro’s is Hario’s response to the feedback they received for the original design, and adds impressive improvements to an already quality build
An easy-to-handle and budget-friendly manual grinder that is capable of grinding nearly every different type of coffee grind, the Pro is a great addition to the coffee grinding market. The price means that it may not equal other higher quality competitors, but it easily out competes previous Hario brand designs. Ceramic burrs instead of metal can seem like a downside, but a positive of them is they remain cool when in use, and do not alter the natural oils and aromas of the coffee you grind. As with nearly all Harios designs, the hopper is made from heavy-duty plastic and the grind is heat-proof glass. A great feature of the Skerton Pro is that the glass grind catcher also comes with an airtight lid for storage.
The 100g hopper makes it perfect to grind for up to 4/5 people, or if you’re looking to make cold brew coffee (you can grind coarse coffee which is perfect for cold brew, which the large hopper is also ideal for).
Unique features
- Hario has made the design of the handle more efficient allowing for a smoother and gentler grind
Pros
+ great capability
+ easy to maintain
Cons
– requires a bit of strength to grind
3
Hario Smart G Coffee Mill Transparent
Our Verdict
Product Dimension: 9 x 6 x 16 cm
Coffee capacity: bottom – 24g (bottom)
Unique in its design, the Hario Smart G science lab look stands out when compared to others on the market
A hand coffee grinder with ceramic burr and a fantastic transparent plastic body, perfect for seeing the fruits of your grinding labour. The compact, light and durable casing means it’s ideal for traveling and heavy use, and when tested, survived in a backpack and constant use throughout the day. Unlike other grinders, the solid stainless steel handle slots easily into a silicone band holder on the side, so it’ll never go missing.
The base is easily detachable, granting quick access to ground coffee. Like many handheld grinders the burrs can be set to different methods of grinding, so you can adjust them accordingly, whether for Aeropress of Chemex.
Unique features
- Measurements on the side, helpfully letting the useful workout when they have 1 or 2 cups
Pros
+ compact and durable
+ novel design
Cons
– can show wear over time
4
HARIO Ceramic Burr Hand Coffee Grinder Canister Mill
Our Verdict
Product Dimension: 0.79 x 0.61 x 0.41 cm
Coffee capacity: 120g (bottom)
Incorporating a beautiful nostalgia design which harkens back to an era of elegance and charm, Hario’s Canister wouldn’t look out of place in any stylish kitchen
This modern equivalent of the classic coffee grinder design. For some it’s a bit too out there, with a huge mason jar attached to the bottom of the grinder, but for others its design is a winner that puts it ahead of other makes. And when you add it to the dark metal finish, and when classic looking handle, you have a beautiful handheld grinder that stands out in a crowded market.
When using the device, you’ll instantly feel it’s weight, which makes it’s sturdier to use than its competitors, though because of this you’re unlikely to take it traveling with you. Because of the huge mason jar component, you can grind a lot of beans over a short sitting, though it doesn’t come without a suitable lid, which means you can’t fill the top part up to the rim, for fear of beans flying everywhere.
So, if you’re looking to add a vintage style coffee grinder to your kitchen, as opposed to one that’s more about substance, then this is the handheld grinder for you,
Unique features
- Vintage look ages real style to any home
- The canister sticks to counter tops, which helps when grinding
Pros
+ Perfect for home use
+ Beautiful design
Cons
– Not suitable for travel
5
HEIHOX manual Coffee Grinder
Our Verdict
Product Dimension: 17.0 x 5.6 cm (17.8 cm handle)
Coffee capacity: 30g (bottom)
Attractive combination of colours and materials showcase HEIHOX’s attention to detail and style
When this arrived the first that instantly attracted us to this grinder was the beautiful design and matt brush metal colours. Of course, design isn’t everything, and in the world of manual coffee grinders the mechanics always win out. Luckily, HEIHOX isn’t just about beauty, and their attention to manufacturing details means that you get a lot of bang for your buck. The grinder is made of brushed food grade stainless steel and aluminium, so is easy to clean and won’t get stained with old coffee beans smell.
The metal is lightweight too, and tough to boot. The handle is well-made and sleek, topping off an already well-designed piece of kit. The hopper capacity size is a small but serviceable 30g, so can easily serve 2 people on a trip away, though you made have to do two grinds. The burrs are easy-to-adjust ceramic, and surprisingly works its way through a set of beans in under 40 seconds.
Unique features
- Easy to clean and take apart, with no need for tools
Pros
+ Great design
+ perfect travel grinder
Cons
– hopper size a bit small for home use
6
Zassenhaus Santiago Black Coffee Mill
Our Verdict
Product Dimension: 13.97 x 8.89 x 19.81 cm
Coffee capacity: 100 (bottom)
Zassenhaus are the leading manufacturers of manual coffee mills, widely regarded as best in the world, and with their Santiago Mill they once again don’t disappoint
Zassenhaus have been doing this for a long time (over 100 years in fact), so when it comes to designing a great working coffee mill, we know what to expect. Their patented mechanism is harder than steel, completely wearproof and corrosion free.
Fully adjustable and with the grinding mechanism guaranteed for 25 years, you know you’re getting great quality. Expertly crafted, and with a beautiful matt finish, the Santiago is regarded as one of the best on the market due to its conical burr. It’s surprisingly smaller than we anticipated, though still has that expensive weight you expect when buying a grinder that’s pricier than others on the market.
The grind function produces consistent results and has an absolutely massive amount of grind settings, from Turkish to espresso. As you might have gathered from the photos, you won’t be taking this on holiday with you as it’s bulky compared to designs, but if you’re looking for a great grinder for the home you can’t do better.
Unique features
- Conical burrs protect the integrity of ground coffee beans
Pros
+ 25 year no break warranty
+ world class materials
Cons
– on the expensive side
7
TIMEMORE Chestnut C/C2
Our Verdict
Product Dimension: 16 x 5.08 x 17.02 cm
Coffee capacity: 20g (bottom)
TIMEMORE’s light, stylish design knocks it out the park on looks, and impresses on the tech side too
TIMEMORE have been making waves in the coffee world for a few years now, from grinders to scales and even a suitcase to fit all your necessary travel coffee tools to make sure you’re always ready on the go.
The C2 manual grinder is considered to be their entry level grinder, but that’s not because of the quality of the grind. Some of the materials can seem on the inexpensive side, with a few plastic items hidden in there, but for what it lacks in some areas it makes up for in power and style. Able to produce 20g of clean powder with steady uniform coarseness is not something to turn your nose up at, especially as it takes under 40 seconds. The handle is made from high quality plastic and metal which felt light but strong in the hand, while the body is made from aluminium steel. The design is beautiful, ribbed diamond effect, and you’ll want to show it off whenever you’re out.
The plastic components may put some off, but the price tag takes them into consideration. Having said this, we found the important parts like the body and steel burrs are the exact same as those found in their higher-level modals, so you still get the same grind quality.
Unique features
- This grinder is designed with 2.0 inches diameter, grid pattern housing, and diamond joystick, which is non-slip and labour-saving
Pros
+ sleek design
+ Similar grind quality to the other Timemore models
Cons
– The plastic lid is thin and fragile
8
1Zpresso Q2-Series
Our Verdict
Product Dimension: 14 x 5 x 5 cm
Coffee capacity: 24g (bottom)
The 1Zpresso Q2 perfectly blends style, quality, functionality for a great travel grinder with professional materials
Just because the 1Zpresso Q2 is the smallest of the 1ZPresso doesn’t mean it can’t hold its own with its weightier brothers, in fact, because of its slighter frame it may actually hold more cards.
The reduced size comes with a lower price tag, though there’s been no sacrifices made on the build quality or materials. For us we found it to be a premium product hidden inside a tiny, travel-friendly model that packs way more power than you’d expect for something so small. Because of the size, as anticipated, it grinds your coffee in small batches, measuring at about 24g at a time, so it’s perfect for you and your friend on a camping trip, or a quick coffee during your lunch break.
The design holds up against more expensive manual grinders, to the point where we prefer this over some pricier models. Overall, the 1Zpresso Q2 has a winning combination of quality and style
Unique features
- Stainless steel burrs provide a clean and efficient grind
- The adjustment is simpler than many of its rivals due to using a numbered adjustment
Pros
+ a great grinder for travel and work
+ equal to more expensive grinders
Cons
– some may find the capability a bit small
9
TIMEMORE Chestnut SLIM
Our Verdict
Product Dimension: 14.48 x 4.5 x 17.02 cm
Coffee capacity: 25g (bottom)
The slim model of C2 allows you to enjoy the pleasure of hand-made coffee anywhere and anytime
To the naked eye it can be relatively hard to tell the difference between the slim and the C2, in fact when opening up the box, we thought we had been sent the same model twice. With its slate grey diamond pattern gripped body it looks almost exactly the same as it’s slightly larger model but hidden in the design is an extra 50mm of space, perfect for packing in your backpack for a weekend away.
Packed with 38mm titanium-coated stainless-steel burrs, which work best grinding for espresso, moka pot, and other fine grind methods, the slim doesn’t hold back with its quality because of its size. For such a compact shape, it has a relatively large hooper at 25g so more than equals other travel grinders of slightly larger sizes.
Unique features
- Because of the size of the grinder slots perfectly into an AreoPress for a clean and easy transition
Pros
+ diamond pattern easy to grip when using
+ large handle for minimal effort
Cons
– adjustment system is a bit clunky, making dialling in difficult
10
Henry Charles Manual Coffee Grinder
Our Verdict
Product Dimension: 22.4 x 6.4 x 6.1 cm
Coffee capacity: 40g (bottom)
A great priced grinder that does what it says on the tin
Compared to other grinders on the list, the Henry Charles grinder comes with no shocks or crazy features. From the price you can probably work out that this is an entry level grinder that offers no frills, but don’t let that fool you into thinking you’re paying for something that you’ll bin after 30 days.
The grinder held up well, and we experienced no issues over the month of using it daily. With its clean metal design, and easy functions, it’s easy to see why so many people new to the world of grinding choose this model.
Using a conical ceramic burr for the grinding, that ensures both an even grind on a consistent basis, so this is perfect for home use or travel. It does take a lot of work to produce a grind, but with a capacity of 40g you get enough for 3 coffees.
Unique features
- Delivers a consistently uniform grind time after time which is rare for grinders at this price
Pros
+ great value
+ quiet
Cons
– ceramic burrs take time to grind
| Image | Product Name | Our Rating | Our Verdict | Check Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Akirakoki Manual Coffee Bean Grinder |
Product Dimension: 19.6 x 8.7 x 8.4 cm Coffee capacity: 55g (bottom)
A budget-friendly minimalist device that ticks all the boxes for a manual grinder, from design to functionality
If you’re dipping your toes into the world of home grinding, then you could do far worse than this design from Akirakoki. The solid wood body is slick and clean and has been crafted from a single piece of wood, so don’t expect it to crack over time. The cast iron burrs performed well during our test, and because of the material will not rust over time. A reliable tool with very little embellishments, this grinder is a perfect ‘on the move’ grinder and also can easily slot into a well-designed kitchen and not look out of place.
The grind capacity states that it’s 35g, though we found it closer to 30g, and the bottom holder can hold around 55g, which is perfect for brewing for you and 2 friends.
Unique features
Pros + perfect for newbies + beautiful design
Cons – small capacity | CHECK PRICE | |
| Hario Skerton Pro Coffee Mill |
Product Dimension: 10.41 x 9.91 x 20.57 cm Coffee capacity: 100g (bottom)
The Skerton Pro’s is Hario’s response to the feedback they received for the original design, and adds impressive improvements to an already quality build
An easy-to-handle and budget-friendly manual grinder that is capable of grinding nearly every different type of coffee grind, the Pro is a great addition to the coffee grinding market. The price means that it may not equal other higher quality competitors, but it easily out competes previous Hario brand designs. Ceramic burrs instead of metal can seem like a downside, but a positive of them is they remain cool when in use, and do not alter the natural oils and aromas of the coffee you grind. As with nearly all Harios designs, the hopper is made from heavy-duty plastic and the grind is heat-proof glass. A great feature of the Skerton Pro is that the glass grind catcher also comes with an airtight lid for storage.
The 100g hopper makes it perfect to grind for up to 4/5 people, or if you’re looking to make cold brew coffee (you can grind coarse coffee which is perfect for cold brew, which the large hopper is also ideal for).
Unique features
Pros + great capability + easy to maintain
Cons – requires a bit of strength to grind | CHECK PRICE | |
| Hario Smart G Coffee Mill Transparent |
Product Dimension: 9 x 6 x 16 cm Coffee capacity: bottom – 24g (bottom)
Unique in its design, the Hario Smart G science lab look stands out when compared to others on the market
A hand coffee grinder with ceramic burr and a fantastic transparent plastic body, perfect for seeing the fruits of your grinding labour. The compact, light and durable casing means it’s ideal for traveling and heavy use, and when tested, survived in a backpack and constant use throughout the day. Unlike other grinders, the solid stainless steel handle slots easily into a silicone band holder on the side, so it’ll never go missing.
The base is easily detachable, granting quick access to ground coffee. Like many handheld grinders the burrs can be set to different methods of grinding, so you can adjust them accordingly, whether for Aeropress of Chemex.
Unique features
Pros + compact and durable + novel design
Cons – can show wear over time | CHECK PRICE | |
| HARIO Ceramic Burr Hand Coffee Grinder Canister Mill |
Product Dimension: 0.79 x 0.61 x 0.41 cm Coffee capacity: 120g (bottom)
Incorporating a beautiful nostalgia design which harkens back to an era of elegance and charm, Hario’s Canister wouldn’t look out of place in any stylish kitchen
This modern equivalent of the classic coffee grinder design. For some it’s a bit too out there, with a huge mason jar attached to the bottom of the grinder, but for others its design is a winner that puts it ahead of other makes. And when you add it to the dark metal finish, and when classic looking handle, you have a beautiful handheld grinder that stands out in a crowded market.
When using the device, you’ll instantly feel it’s weight, which makes it’s sturdier to use than its competitors, though because of this you’re unlikely to take it traveling with you. Because of the huge mason jar component, you can grind a lot of beans over a short sitting, though it doesn’t come without a suitable lid, which means you can’t fill the top part up to the rim, for fear of beans flying everywhere.
So, if you’re looking to add a vintage style coffee grinder to your kitchen, as opposed to one that’s more about substance, then this is the handheld grinder for you,
Unique features
Pros + Perfect for home use + Beautiful design
Cons – Not suitable for travel | CHECK PRICE | |
| HEIHOX manual Coffee Grinder |
Product Dimension: 17.0 x 5.6 cm (17.8 cm handle) Coffee capacity: 30g (bottom)
Attractive combination of colours and materials showcase HEIHOX’s attention to detail and style
When this arrived the first that instantly attracted us to this grinder was the beautiful design and matt brush metal colours. Of course, design isn’t everything, and in the world of manual coffee grinders the mechanics always win out. Luckily, HEIHOX isn’t just about beauty, and their attention to manufacturing details means that you get a lot of bang for your buck. The grinder is made of brushed food grade stainless steel and aluminium, so is easy to clean and won’t get stained with old coffee beans smell.
The metal is lightweight too, and tough to boot. The handle is well-made and sleek, topping off an already well-designed piece of kit. The hopper capacity size is a small but serviceable 30g, so can easily serve 2 people on a trip away, though you made have to do two grinds. The burrs are easy-to-adjust ceramic, and surprisingly works its way through a set of beans in under 40 seconds.
Unique features
Pros + Great design + perfect travel grinder
Cons – hopper size a bit small for home use | CHECK PRICE | |
| Zassenhaus Santiago Black Coffee Mill |
Product Dimension: 13.97 x 8.89 x 19.81 cm Coffee capacity: 100 (bottom)
Zassenhaus are the leading manufacturers of manual coffee mills, widely regarded as best in the world, and with their Santiago Mill they once again don’t disappoint
Zassenhaus have been doing this for a long time (over 100 years in fact), so when it comes to designing a great working coffee mill, we know what to expect. Their patented mechanism is harder than steel, completely wearproof and corrosion free.
Fully adjustable and with the grinding mechanism guaranteed for 25 years, you know you’re getting great quality. Expertly crafted, and with a beautiful matt finish, the Santiago is regarded as one of the best on the market due to its conical burr. It’s surprisingly smaller than we anticipated, though still has that expensive weight you expect when buying a grinder that’s pricier than others on the market.
The grind function produces consistent results and has an absolutely massive amount of grind settings, from Turkish to espresso. As you might have gathered from the photos, you won’t be taking this on holiday with you as it’s bulky compared to designs, but if you’re looking for a great grinder for the home you can’t do better.
Unique features
Pros + 25 year no break warranty + world class materials
Cons – on the expensive side | CHECK PRICE | |
| TIMEMORE Chestnut C/C2 |
Product Dimension: 16 x 5.08 x 17.02 cm Coffee capacity: 20g (bottom)
TIMEMORE’s light, stylish design knocks it out the park on looks, and impresses on the tech side too
TIMEMORE have been making waves in the coffee world for a few years now, from grinders to scales and even a suitcase to fit all your necessary travel coffee tools to make sure you’re always ready on the go.
The C2 manual grinder is considered to be their entry level grinder, but that’s not because of the quality of the grind. Some of the materials can seem on the inexpensive side, with a few plastic items hidden in there, but for what it lacks in some areas it makes up for in power and style. Able to produce 20g of clean powder with steady uniform coarseness is not something to turn your nose up at, especially as it takes under 40 seconds. The handle is made from high quality plastic and metal which felt light but strong in the hand, while the body is made from aluminium steel. The design is beautiful, ribbed diamond effect, and you’ll want to show it off whenever you’re out.
The plastic components may put some off, but the price tag takes them into consideration. Having said this, we found the important parts like the body and steel burrs are the exact same as those found in their higher-level modals, so you still get the same grind quality.
Unique features
Pros + sleek design + Similar grind quality to the other Timemore models
Cons – The plastic lid is thin and fragile | CHECK PRICE | |
| 1Zpresso Q2-Series |
Product Dimension: 14 x 5 x 5 cm Coffee capacity: 24g (bottom)
The 1Zpresso Q2 perfectly blends style, quality, functionality for a great travel grinder with professional materials
Just because the 1Zpresso Q2 is the smallest of the 1ZPresso doesn’t mean it can’t hold its own with its weightier brothers, in fact, because of its slighter frame it may actually hold more cards.
The reduced size comes with a lower price tag, though there’s been no sacrifices made on the build quality or materials. For us we found it to be a premium product hidden inside a tiny, travel-friendly model that packs way more power than you’d expect for something so small. Because of the size, as anticipated, it grinds your coffee in small batches, measuring at about 24g at a time, so it’s perfect for you and your friend on a camping trip, or a quick coffee during your lunch break.
The design holds up against more expensive manual grinders, to the point where we prefer this over some pricier models. Overall, the 1Zpresso Q2 has a winning combination of quality and style
Unique features
Pros + a great grinder for travel and work + equal to more expensive grinders
Cons – some may find the capability a bit small | CHECK PRICE | |
| TIMEMORE Chestnut SLIM | Product Dimension: 14.48 x 4.5 x 17.02 cm Coffee capacity: 25g (bottom)
The slim model of C2 allows you to enjoy the pleasure of hand-made coffee anywhere and anytime
To the naked eye it can be relatively hard to tell the difference between the slim and the C2, in fact when opening up the box, we thought we had been sent the same model twice. With its slate grey diamond pattern gripped body it looks almost exactly the same as it’s slightly larger model but hidden in the design is an extra 50mm of space, perfect for packing in your backpack for a weekend away.
Packed with 38mm titanium-coated stainless-steel burrs, which work best grinding for espresso, moka pot, and other fine grind methods, the slim doesn’t hold back with its quality because of its size. For such a compact shape, it has a relatively large hooper at 25g so more than equals other travel grinders of slightly larger sizes.
Unique features
Pros + diamond pattern easy to grip when using + large handle for minimal effort
Cons – adjustment system is a bit clunky, making dialling in difficult | CHECK PRICE | |
| Henry Charles Manual Coffee Grinder |
Product Dimension: 22.4 x 6.4 x 6.1 cm Coffee capacity: 40g (bottom)
A great priced grinder that does what it says on the tin
Compared to other grinders on the list, the Henry Charles grinder comes with no shocks or crazy features. From the price you can probably work out that this is an entry level grinder that offers no frills, but don’t let that fool you into thinking you’re paying for something that you’ll bin after 30 days.
The grinder held up well, and we experienced no issues over the month of using it daily. With its clean metal design, and easy functions, it’s easy to see why so many people new to the world of grinding choose this model.
Using a conical ceramic burr for the grinding, that ensures both an even grind on a consistent basis, so this is perfect for home use or travel. It does take a lot of work to produce a grind, but with a capacity of 40g you get enough for 3 coffees.
Unique features
Pros + great value + quiet
Cons – ceramic burrs take time to grind | CHECK PRICE |
Why buy a manual coffee grinder?
Although most handheld grinders maintain a simple and classic design (inside and out), they must be well-engineered if they’re to efficiently and consistently produce the precise and equal grind you need. And it’s not just the engineering of the burrs that need to be considered, as materials, size, functionality and design all come into play when choosing the grinder for you.
Coffee compared to other drinks take time to produce, and we’re not just talking about growing the beans. Unlike tea that only needs hot water, or soft drinks that are ready at the twist of a cap, coffee has a process that is almost scientific. You need to grind the beans, and then correctly brew the drink depending on the method that you find best for flavour.
Coffee drinkers has always complained about the price of electric grinders, and with the influx of well-priced and well-made manual grinders, they no longer need to worry about spending huge amounts of cash to produce the grinds they need. So, what are you looking for when buying a handheld manual grinder? Well, it has to suit your needs. For example, if you’re looking to travel, you’re probably not going to invest in a heavy grinder with a size that can grind up to 120g at a time. Same goes for if you’re looking for a home grinder that grinds for the whole family – you’re probably not going to buy a grinder that only grinds 20g at a time
How to use a manual coffee grinder?
They can look complicated at first, and if you’re new to grinding your own coffee beans they can feel a bit cumbersome, but once you come to grips with a manual coffee grinder it’s as easy turning on a switch. You want to pick a grinder that doesn’t use blades as they’re usually designed for nuts and won’t provide you with a consistent texture and size, as they tend to pulverise beans, extracting different amounts of coffee crystals.
Instead, you want your grinder to have hard, preferably metal burrs. The burrs are one of the most important parts of a grinder, and all hand grinders have conical burrs for maximum efficacy. Metal burrs are a lot sharper than their ceramic and plastic counterparts, and because of this grind faster and more consistent. Handle length also plays an integral part of the grinding process, as the shorter than handle, the more energy you use grinding the beans into powder.
To grind your beans, pour the correctly measured amount of beans into the top compartment (bean hopper), and then if it has a lid, place on top and insert the metal handle. Turn clockwise to activate the burrs. Depending on the amount you’re grinding, this could take anywhere from 20 seconds to a few minutes. As the time pasts you’ll start to notice the coffee crystals drop into the container before. Continue until you’ve ground all your beans, or the bottom compartment is full.
