Why Are Coffee Grinders So Expensive (4 Reason)

You probably know by now that the best way to get the most out of your coffee beans is to grind them just before you brew them. But if you’ve looked at prices recently, you’ll know that grinders aren’t cheap. It’s not uncommon to see high-end manual grinders cost upwards of $100 or even $200. Why are they so expensive? What kind of value do they bring? Are there cheaper alternatives with similar performance? If you’re currently weighing up whether it’s worth spending so much on a grinder, read on for everything you need to know about Why Are Coffee Grinders So Expensive and what alternatives are available.

Coffee grinders that are of great quality are expensive. A manual blade coffee grinder or electric blade grinders are inexpensive but do not produce a high-quality grind.

It is the electric burr coffee grinders or manual burr grinders that are expensive and which produce the highest quality grind. With these burr grinders, you can be assured a more even grind and a better cup of coffee as a result.

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What’s the difference between a Burr and Blade grinder?

The two main types of coffee grinders are Burr Grinders and Blade Grinders.

A Burr grinder is better for getting a consistent grind because it uses gears to crush the beans rather than chopping them. However, they need to be regularly cleaned and can be more expensive.

A blade grinder is more affordable but doesn’t produce as consistent an output. If you’re looking for something that’s both affordable and will perform well, a conical burr grinder might be worth considering. They are usually made from ceramic or stainless steel so they won’t impart any flavor on your coffee beans and they produce a consistently ground product.

You can also find reasonably priced manual grinders that still produce a good quality product – the only difference being that you need to do all the work yourself!

Why Are Coffee Grinders So Expensive

Much like anything, you pay for quality, but it also has a lot to do with the complexity of something that can grind beans into so many different grind sizes! Of course you also are paying for the design of the unit as well.

Quality of the grind

Recently, I took a class to learn more about coffee and how to make coffee, and I continue to be surprised how incredibly important it is to have a good coffee grinder. It’s even more important than the coffee maker itself, or even the coffee itself.

That is why you will notice so much care being put into the quality of the coffee grinder you are looking at. They use quality materials, and quality craftsmanship to give you the best quality grinder you can buy.

Design of the unit

It costs a lot of money to build a coffee grinder from the ground up, and to make sure it is reliable, effective, yet also something people aren’t afraid to keep on their counter.

This time and effort ends up going into the final product, causing the price to raise, the more difficult the task.

During the design phase, they even have to solve small issues like keeping heat away from the ground coffee, which will start the extraction process before the brew even starts.

Amount of different adjustments

Most burr grinders have many, many different adjustments that can be made to get different coarseness levels of the grind. Expresso needs finer grinds, while cold brew needs the largest grind you can get.

A machine that at a click of a button can easily do this for you, needs a lot of ingenuity and engineering to be put into it.

Paying for the industry

Manual burr grinders can also get pricey and it is also important to get one that stands firmly, usually made of metal to avoid movement during grinding to get the most even grind possible.

These manual coffee grinders are actually going to be the best alternative to an electric burr grinder, as they use similar burr technology, yet you can buy them for under $25.

This one right here is cheap, but should work awesome for really any coffee you plan on making.

Why Is A Coffee Grinder Important?

When it comes to making a cup of Joe, the coffee grind is what will determine the quality of your brew. In fact, many coffee lovers insist that a good grinder is a vital piece of equipment in your coffee kit. If you own a low-quality coffee grinder, you’ll always brew terrible coffee no matter how sleek your coffee machine is.

So, why are coffee grinders so important?

It lets you brew fresh coffee all the time.

The finest coffee is made with freshly ground coffee beans. You have never experienced good quality java if you always purchase pre-ground coffee. Pre-ground coffee has already lost most of its freshness by the time you buy it.

It is common for pre-ground coffee to lack good flavours and to taste overly bitter. When you grind your coffee beans just before you brew them, the coffee elements are minimally oxidised because they are not exposed to oxygen for a long period of time. As a result, freshly ground coffee always has stronger flavours and odours, and that’s why you should buy a coffee grinder.

Flexibility to change between brewing methods.

Investing in a quality coffee grinder will give you the freedom to switch between brewing methods. Coffee grinds require different settings to produce the best cup of coffee. Therefore, you’ll have a better experience if you purchase a grinder with various grind settings—from espresso’s fine grind to a cold brew’s coarse grind.

Opportunity to refine your brewing technique.

Owning a coffee grinder will allow you to fix your brew by adjusting your grind settings.

So if you are looking to find that perfect grind for your daily dose of caffeine, you can try to twitch the consistency of your ground coffee until you find your preferred taste, thanks to the coffee grinder.

Different types of coffee grinders

Now that we have talked a bit about why coffee grinders do cost so much, let’s dig into the different types of coffee grinders, and a bit more reasoning behind their price.

Burr grinders

Burr grinders, especially the electric ones, are the most expensive. These consist of conical or plate surfaces that really grind the coffee, as opposed to blade grinders that just pulverize the beans.

An even grind is what makes these burr grinders so great, as it reduces the risk of an unpleasant or sharp-tasting coffee. Despite the fact that electric and manual burr grinders are frequently quite expensive, you should be able to find one for around $100.

A quality burr grinder will be made of metal and stand firmly to avoid shaking during grinding. This also enhances the ability of the grinder to grind evenly and thoroughly.

You can expect to spend about $300 or more on a quality electric burr grinder for your kitchen at home.

Ready To Buy: 7 Best Burr Coffee Grinders Under $100

Blade grinders

Blade grinders are usually the least expensive grinders available. They come in manual and electric versions.

These types of grinders basically brake open the coffee beans at high speeds, and actually don’t really grind. This means that it grinds the coffee beans unevenly in that some of the grinds are not the same size as the rest.

With an uneven grind, when the hot water is added to it, some of the coffee becomes over extracted or under extracted depending on the size of the piece. This produces an acidic or bitter taste that is generally not wanted in your coffee. You can avoid this by purchasing a burr grinder.

Blade grinders like this one can be bought for under $30, making it the easiest coffee grinder to buy at a great price. Not the cheapest though, as that would go to the manual coffee grinder.

Manual grinders

Manual grinders, can be inexpensive starting at around $25.

Grinding with a manual grinder will give you a little workout in the morning but it will be worth it especially if it’s a manual burr grinder that will give you fresh grinds to brew your coffee.

Manual burr grinders can also get pricey and it is also important to get one that stands firmly, usually made of metal to avoid movement during grinding to get the most even grind possible.

These manual coffee grinders are actually going to be the best alternative to an electric burr grinder, as they use similar burr technology, yet you can buy them for under $25.

This one right here is cheap, but should work awesome for really any coffee you plan on making.

Manual vs. Electric: Which is better and why are they so expensive?

The main difference between manual and electric grinders is time. Manual grinders need to be turned by hand for 8-10 minutes before enough ground coffee will have been produced for a cup, making them more suitable for those who enjoy making individual cups of coffee at home.

Electric grinders, on the other hand, can produce a cup in seconds. As with many things in life, there are pros and cons to both methods. Manual grinders require less upkeep and are cheaper than their electric counterparts. They also give you control over how your beans are ground and allow you to store enough ground beans for around two weeks’ worth of cups of coffee (though some people may find it difficult to turn the handle for 8-10 minutes every day).

Where they lack is in speed: it can take up to ten minutes before enough ground coffee will have been produced for a single cup of joe. Electric grinders require electricity but they do the grinding work much faster than their manual counterparts, meaning that they’re better suited to busy lifestyles and large families.

These hand grinders are also portable; hence they are excellent for traveling and camping. On top of that, they are more durable than most electric coffee grinders.

Electric coffee grinders, on the other hand, are more expensive compared to the manual versions. Their convenience is that they are simple and fast to use – just fill the grinder with coffee beans, select your preferred grind setting, then press a switch, and have fresh coffee in seconds.

So, if you are a beginner, I recommend starting with the pocket-friendly manual grinders. You can then switch to the more expensive electric ones once you master the art of brewing fresh coffee.

How much should you budget for a coffee grinder?

So you have read through this article and are still wondering really how much you either need to spend now, or save up for.

Honestly, what I would do, is buy yourself a cheap manual burr grinder to hold yourself over until you can save up around $300 to buy the last automatic burr grinder you will ever need.

That budget should get you a quality grinder that works well, but that you aren’t wasting your money on something that you don’t need.

Conclusion

We Hope You can learn Why Are Coffee Grinders So Expensive.

Coffee grinders can be expensive but it all depends on how much you want to spend to enjoy the perfect cup of coffee. If you are like most people you will be content with a 100 dollar burr grinder.

As you have seen above, the most expensive coffee grinders produce the best coffee. They are built to last and are easier to use compared to the cheap ones. So if you want to upgrade your daily coffee experience, I advise you to invest in a quality coffee grinder. Look at the kind of job the grinder will do instead of what it costs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are cheap coffee grinders worth it?

Amazingly, inexpensive manual grinders can achieve espresso fineness better than electric grinders three or four times the price.

Do you save money by grinding your own coffee?

Yes, grinding your own coffee beans is cheaper. Though pre-ground coffee might come at the same price, you will get sub-par coffee that has a stale flavor.

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