For those looking to buy their first coffee grinder, the Capresso Infinity is a popular choice. As a well established coffee grinder brand, Capresso has a solid reputation as being committed to quality, high performance, and reliable service.
The Capresso Infinity is a conical burr grinder as opposed to a blade grinder. The rotating burrs provide both consistency and control over how finely the coffee beans are ground. This is much more preferable than the metal blades found in blade grinders that chop and bash beans at random. Metal blades also create heat while grinding, and that can affect the taste of your coffee.
Though the Capresso burr grinder is not perfect, it comes at an affordable price point and offers reliable performance. It provides a consistent medium and fine grind, which will enhance your morning coffee experience. If you’re just getting into brewing your coffee at home, read on to see if the Capresso Burr Grinder is the right choice for you.
Capresso Infinity
The Capresso Infinity grinder is a good option if you are looking for a step up from a blade coffee grinder. This burr grinder produces consistent grinds for the most part, although coarser grinds may be less even. It is a great starting point with a very affordable price tag.
Specifications
- Burrs: conical steel
- Hopper Capacity: 8.8 oz.
- Power: 100W / 120V / 60Hz
- Dimensions: 5” L x 7¾” W x 10½” H
- Weight: 3 lbs.
- Includes cleaning brush and measuring scoop
Review Of The Capresso Infinity
About The Capresso Burr Grinder
Capresso got its name by combining the words cappuccino and espresso. The U.S. company was founded in 1994. Its original owner owned it for more than two decades before being sold to Jura AG, the Swiss coffee machine manufacturer.
Many Capresso products are innovative and Capresso have pioneered many firsts in the industry, such as the first electric burr grinder with sensors, the first integration of a drip coffee maker and a conical burr grinder, and the first automatic milk frother. Their products are known for their reliable functionality and durable design.
It is still a well-recognized and dependable brand that has sold coffee-related products in over 50 different countries.
Build Quality
The Capresso Infinity is well-built and would look the part in any beginning coffee setup. The outer body is made with sturdy ABS housing, while other parts of the body are made of plastic, such as the coffee and bean containers. Overall the grinder has a sturdy build that is well able to stand up to daily use. There is also the option of upgrading to the Capresso Infinity grinder made of die cast zinc, which while more durable, does come with a higher price tag.
The burr design reduces the amount of heat and friction produced by slowing down the gears. This preserves the aroma and flavor of the coffee.
Grind Consistency and Adjustment
The Capresso Infinity has 16 grind settings ranging from coarse to extra fine. You can adjust the consistency using a knob. Each grind type–coarse, regular, fine, and extra-fine–has four settings in each.
The machine provides relatively consistent grinds for regular and fine settings . However, the coarse settings may not always come out evenly. This can lead to the over-extraction of coarser grinds, which then affects the taste of your coffee. If you are intending on using this grinder to brew for French Press or Cold brew we would recommend opting for the Baratza Encore instead. Also it is worth noting that this is not an espresso grinder, so if you are looking to brew espresso this is not a good choice. The machine uses a safety-locking system, requiring the bean container to be locked in place before operating.
Ease of Use
The Capresso burr grinder is easy for any beginner to pick up and use. The knob makes adjusting between grind settings simple. It also has a timer, which can be used as a reference point when grinding beans. You can set it from 5 to 60 seconds by turning the knob and the grinder automatically turns off once the timer has finished. While this is a handy reference point as to how much coffee you need to grind, we would always recommend weighing your ground coffee for your desired brewing method to ensure accuracy.
The various parts of the grinder are easy to remove and clean. The upper conical burr is removable, and you can lift off the bean container for cleaning. Coffee grounds may get stuck in the grinder due to static from the plastic, but there is a brush included that can clean the grinding chamber.
Different Models Of The Capresso Burr Grinder
The Capresso Infinity comes in the standard model or a more expensive version (the 560.05) that has a sturdier build. It uses the same burrs and technology and carries the same design. However, the difference is that this housing is made of die-cast stainless steel. Steel housing makes the grinder sturdier and less noisy.
However, there are other cheaper alternatives if you are looking to expand your options beyond Capresso.
What Might Be The Alternatives to the Capresso Infinity?
You may have decided that the Capresso Burr Grinder is not for you. Maybe it’s the design, the price, or something else. Whatever the reason, there are other alternatives you can consider.
Baratza Encore
The Baratza Encore is a terrific option for those looking to up their coffee game across a range of brewing styles. It is a quality burr coffee grinder from a highly respected coffee company. But best of all it is well known to grind accurately across a range of manual brewing styles (not espresso) for a very affordable price. With 40 grind settings to choose from, the Baratza Encore is an excellent grinder to invest in for entry-level coffee enthusiasts. It is a definite step up from the Capresso Infinity.
Oxo Brew Conical Burr Grinder
For a coffee grinder with a comparable price point, the OXO Brew is another good alternative. It has 15 settings so you can adjust the grind to suit your taste. The grounds container can hold up to 110 grams, or 12 cups, while the hopper can hold up to 0.75 pounds of coffee beans. It has a one-touch start, which conveniently keeps your last setting. However, this grinder is louder than the Capresso.
Capresso Infinity – How Does It Stack Up?
The Capresso Infinity is a good choice if you are upgrading to your first electric burr grinder. It is made of high-quality materials that will last a long time. Its design is quieter and sturdy to cause less disturbance in the mornings. The Capresso is also easy to clean by removing its parts and using the brush that is included. Perhaps the greatest selling point of the Capresso Infinity really is its selling point … this grinder has a very low price for a burr grinder!
You can experiment with the 16 different grind settings. This machine produces consistent grinds for the most part, though coarser grinds may be less even. Overall, this is a reliable choice for any entry-level coffee connoisseur. However if you do have an extra $50 lying around we would recommend paying the extra and investing in the Baratza Encore. With 40 different grind settings this is an excellent quality grinder highly recommended for manual brewing methods.
Pros:
- Low price for an electric burr grinder
- Grinds consistently for most brewing methods
- Durable and long-lasting construction
- Easy to clean with the enclosed brush
- Gear reduction motor creates less noise and heat while grinding
Cons:
- No anti-static coating
- Leftovers may remain after grinding
- Does not provide consistent coarse grinds
- Much of the body is made of plastic
Happy Buying!