Getting the perfect cup of coffee involves several key aspects. Grinding is one of these essential aspect and plays a significant role in the quality of the coffee you brew. Grind size and consistency both help govern the extraction and consequently the flavour of the coffee brewed.
So grinding matters and hence grinders matter. The grinder you opt for can end up making or breaking your coffee. And as you likely know there are innumerable different grinders on the market. Today we are going to review a popular entry level grinder, the Cuisinart.
Cuisinart supreme grind automatic burr mill
The main selling point of this grinder is its price. This is one of most affordable burr grinders on the market. However, as expected the cheap price point does translate into poor grind consistency. This is a step up from a blade grinder, but a step down from almost any other burr grinder.
Specifications
Cuisinart Supreme Grind Automatic Burr Mill
Several things can attract you to the Cuisinart coffee grinder. For most people, the unbelievably low price is a significant pull. Here, we will discuss some of the key features and drawbacks of this grinder.
Build Quality
Like most products from Cuisinart, this coffee grinder is aesthetically pleasing and has a classic design that will blend well with most kitchens. It has a plastic body with an aluminum finish. Given that it is all plastic, it is unfortunately prone to static. This is where the coffee fines stick to the grounds bin making it messy to clean up.
The Cuisinart grinder is relatively compact and lightweight. It measures 10.75 x 7.13 x 6 inches and weighs about 4.5 pounds. This design means it can be conveniently stored either on the countertop or inside a cabinet.
In terms of durability, it has a good build quality considering the price. It also comes with an 18 month warranty. However given that it is a cheap burr grinder you can’t expect it to last for years. The grinder has a powerful, heavy-duty motor, making it capable of grinding large amounts of coffee at a time. The downside is that it is very noisy when in use though.
The Cuisinart is a burr grinder. However, the burrs are block burrs rather than conical burrs. Block burrs are a type of flat burr that are often found in lower priced grinders. While being a step up from a blade grinder they do produce a lot of fines, leading to poor grind consistency.
Grind Consistency
When investing in a coffee grinder, grind consistency is the most important consideration. The Cuisinart coffee grinder has 18 different grind settings from fine to coarse. However with the block burrs, it doesn’t have the best grind consistency. This is more noticeable with the coarse settings, such as would be needed for french press. A lot of fines (small coffee particles) are produced resulting in a bitter, unpleasant brew and poor extraction. As mentioned we believe that in terms of grind consistency it beats a blade grinder, but does fairly poorly in comparison to other entry level burr grinders.
Ease Of Use
The Cuisinart coffee grinder is very simple to use making it great for beginners. You simply fill the hopper with coffee beans, select your desired grind setting by twisting the hopper. To make things easier for users, the grinder allows for automatic time settings: for 4 cups (20 seconds), 12 cups (40 seconds), and 18 cups (55 seconds). Simply select how many cups you want to grind for then push the start button.
Ease of Cleaning
As we mentioned above the Cuisinart grinder is prone to static which can make it difficult to clean. However when it comes to doing a proper clean it is relatively easy to take the grinder apart. The hopper is removable and the top burr is attached to the base of the hopper allowing easy access to the burrs. See here for a guide on how to clean a coffee grinder and it’s burrs.
Accessories
The Cuisinart comes with everything you need to get started, including a hopper and grinds container (which isn’t airtight), a scoop and cleaning brush. The only thing we would recommend investing in is an airtight container to store your coffee beans in.
Who Is The Cuisinart Coffee Grinder Not For?
We would not recommend this grinder for the serious coffee brewer. If you are wanting to experiment with different brewing styles, you really need a grinder that has more grind settings and better grind consistency. If you want to go places with coffee, then this isn’t a great choice and isn’t necessarily much better than using pre-ground coffee beans (especially if you are using some of the best coffee grounds). For most people we would recommend either forking out a bit more cash to get a burr grinder that is at least semi-good or else just sticking with pre-ground coffee. For other entry-level grinders you can see our alternative below or check out our review of the best coffee grinders here.
Baratza Encore – Best entry level Grinder
The Baratza Encore is our favorite entry level burr grinder and a great option for those looking to try 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 Cuisinart Coffee Grinder.
Capresso Infinity- Best Budget Grinder
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. The Capresso Infinity is quieter when in operation and is also easier to clean than the Cuisinart. You can experiment with the 16 different grind settings and the 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 at a great price point. See our extended review here.
Who Is The Cuisinart Coffee Grinder For?
The Cuisinart grinder may be an acceptable option for those who are upgrading from a blade grinder or looking for a seriously cheap coffee grinder. However, again I am not yet convinced the Cuisinart is a step up from pre-ground coffee.
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