The Top Coffee Grinders to Use with Your French Press

A cup of coffee is a wonderful thing. Even better is coffee brewed with a French Press. What can take that French Press brewed cup to the next level? Fresh ground beans.

Grinding your own coffee may seem a little overwhelming but it is without a doubt worth the effort. So, put away the pre-packaged coffee and get started grinding your own with this list of grinders.

1. Krups F203 Electric Coffee and Spice Grinder

The Krups F203 grinder tops this list for both its versatility and its value. For anyone just getting into grinding their own beans, you cannot go wrong with this grinder.

The oval shape blades ensure an even grind every time and the capacity can yield up to 12 cups worth of beans, although to get a consistent grind you will want to not over fill it. The less beans, the better the grind.

The Krups is easy to clean, meaning no leftover residue, leaving every cup of coffee as fresh as the last. By no means is this a high-end coffee grinder, but rather a great grinder for a reasonable price. The perfect machine to get anyone started.

• Oval shaped blades give a nice uniform grind.
• The large capacity means you can grind as many, or as little beans as you need.
• The ease of operation means less time grinding and more time brewing the perfect cup of coffee.
• Krups offers different variations of the machine making it easy to get the coffee grinder that suits your specific needs.
• Even the lower priced models boast a two-year warranty.

Amazon Rating: 4.6 out of 5

2. OXO BREW Conical Burr Grinder

The Oxo Brew burr grinder is on the higher side of the price range on this list, and for good reason. The Oxo Brew is a burr grinder as opposed to a blade grinder.

Many coffee enthusiasts consider the burr grinder superior to the blade grinder as they often result in a more uniform grind and create less heat in the process, ultimately leaving a better tasting coffee.

The fifteen different settings ensure that the perfect coarse grind often needed for a French Press is achieved while still offering a range of grounds for other brewing methods. Both a large hopper, and grounds container allow for ample grinding for up to 12 cups of coffee at a time.

The Oxo Brew will offer a high-end grinding experience for a fraction of the price of most high-end coffee grinders.

• Durable stainless-steel burrs for a uniform grind.
• Multiple grind setting provides the perfect grind for any situation.
• Large grounds container holds enough for up to twelve cups of coffee.
• The one touch start timer holds previous settings. Just push the button and start grinding.
• The easy to clean construction means not having to deal with completely dis-assembling the unit to get a good clean.
• The compact design takes up little space and is esthetically pleasing.
• The Oxo Brew offers a two-year warranty giving peace of mind that the machine will consistently continue to provide quality trouble free grounds.

Amazon Rating: 4.5 out of 5

3. Bodum Bistro Blade Grinder

The second blade grinder on the list, the Bodum Bistro grinder is a compact powerful machine that creates a quality grind for a reasonable price. The compact design does mean that it will not hold as many grounds as others on this list.

Not holding a large amount of grounds is not a huge downfall by any means, but rather something that is relative to the user and something to keep in mind when making a purchase. Where it lacks in capacity it makes up with its compactness.

With convenient cord storage located in the base to the unit the Bodum Bistro grinder will take up truly little space on the counter or in the cupboard.

The push to pulse or hold for continuous grind button leaves the user in control over how coarse or fine the grounds are and may require a little trial and error to get the perfect French Press grind.

• Compact design takes up little space.
• Strong and durable stainless blades spin at a precise speed ensuring a uniform grind done smoothly, quickly and quietly.
• The push button design allows for more user control over the coarseness of the grounds.
• Convenient cord storage in the base of the unit means easy storage.

Amazon Rating: 4.5 out of 5

4. Kaffe Electric Coffee Grinder

Like the first coffee grinder on this list, the Kaffe Electric Coffee Grinder is a great grinder for the budget minded, or those new to grinding their own coffee and are not looking to break the bank on a high end machine.

The Kaffe’s compact design allows for simple storage, but do not let the compactness fool you, it still packs a powerful punch and will grind coffee beans right alongside of other budget machines.

The one touch operation is coupled with a transparent lid so the user can see the grounds and easily identify when the desired coarseness is reached.

The Kaffe’s quiet operation means an early morning cup of coffee can be achieved without the worry of waking the household.

• Compact and easy to store.
• Push button design makes the unit easy to use.
• Transparent lid allows the user to closely monitor the grinding process and easily achieve the perfect coarseness for French Press brewing.
• With an easy to clean design the Kaffe includes a cleaning brush.
• Boasts a money back guaranty, two-year warranty that covers both defects as well as damage.

Amazon Rating: 4.5 out of 5

5. JavaPress Manual Coffee Grinder

The only manual grinder on this list, some coffee enthusiasts may say that this is the best way to grind coffee beans. While not disagreeing, the best way to grind coffee beans really is based on the person doing the grinding.

Some may not like the idea of having to manually grind their beans and prefer to have the grinder do the work. The JavaPress grinder is a burr grinder with eighteen different settings that ensure the perfect coffee grounds.

The hand crank eliminates the noisy motors that many electric grinders use, and the super compact design makes this the perfect grinder for coffee drinkers on the go. Be it in a hotel room or sitting beside a morning campfire the JavaPress is a great companion to a French Press coffee maker.

• Super compact design and removable handle not only make this coffee grinder easy to store but also makes it a great travel companion.
• The adjustable grind selector with eighteen different settings make it easy to achieve the right coarseness.
• Ceramic burr grinder blades offer a longer lasting blade when compared to stainless steel.
• Eliminating the electric motor means a virtually nose free grinding experience.
• Manually grinding coffee beans leaves the user in complete control over the speed that the burrs turn which removes the possibility of heat from fast spinning blades damaging the quality of the bean.

Amazon Rating 4.3 out of 5

6. Quiseen One-Touch Electric Coffee Grinder

The Quiseen One-Touch is another compact electric coffee grinder and is the smallest electric grinder on this list. While not a bad thing, its compactness means it will only yield about seven cups worth of grounds as opposed to many on this list that will yield up to twelve.

Its modern, sleek design means it can be displayed on the counter without the worry of it being an eyesore. Similar to the Kaffe Electric on this list, the Quiseen One-Touch offers single touch operation with a transparent lid allowing the user to visually determine the coarseness of the grounds.

• Sleek, modern, compact design makes this grinder esthetically pleasing and easy to store
• One touch operation and transparent lid leaves the user in control of the consistency and coarseness of the grounds.
• Easy to clean design means little maintenance is needed.

Amazon Rating: 4.3 out of 5

7. Sboly Conical Burr Coffee Grinder

On the higher end of the grinders on this list, the Sboly Conical Burr grinder offers a high quality, precision grind unmatched by most at this price point.

The Sbloy boasts nineteen precise grind settings with a one touch button operation that makes grinding beans to any coarseness a thing of ease. The Sboly also has a large twelve cup holding capacity allowing for versatility in the amount of coffee grounds produced.

The stainless steel burrs will grind coffee beans with ease, however the machine does create a considerable amount of static which can not only lead to a messy, tough to clean grinding experience, but may, to some degree, affect the quality of the finished grounds.

• High quality stainless steel conical burr design helps ensure rich, quality grounds.
• Nineteen grind settings mean many coarseness levels to suit a French Press perfectly. Set it to the desired coarseness, press the button and let the grinder do the work. It will automatically shut of when the selected coarseness is reached.
• The large capacity means the user can grind up to twelve cups worth of grounds at one time.
• Lower RPM electric motor keeps both heat and noise down making for a more enjoyable, higher quality grinding experience.
• Removable upper burr and included cleaning brush make cleaning easy.

Amazon Rating 4.3 out of 5

What Makes a Good Coffee Grinder?

If you are in the market for a coffee grinder specifically for use with your French Press, then you are probably well aware that the options out there can be overwhelming.

Most grinders are going to do basic grinding, and they are going to do it well, even the budget options. But some are going to do specific things better than others. The focus here is on getting the right grounds for a French Press brew, so there are certain things that are going to set some grinders apart and make them stand out from the rest of the pack

• A good grinder does not mean an expensive grinder. Many people equate expense with quality, and while this may hold true in a lot of cases, it does not define a good grinder. Many of the qualities needed in a good coffee grinder are found in less expensive machines.
• A good coffee grinder will put the emphasis on the beans, after all, the bean is the key to a quality cup of coffee. The flavor of a coffee bean exists in its fat and oils. To get the best brew, those fats and oils need to be used to their full advantage, which is why many coffee enthusiasts prefer a French Press over any other brew methods. With no filter there is nothing trapping these fats and oils and keeping them out of the brew. A good coffee grinder should focus its attention on doing the same. Preserve those fats and oils, preserve the flavor.
• Blade speed is a key factor. A good grinder should use the lowest speed possible while still grinding the beans properly. Speed equals friction, friction leads to heat, heat can damage the bean and its flavor.
• Whether the coffee grinder is an entry level, budget machine or a high end, expensive one, durability is an important factor. The last thing anyone wants is to be grinding their way through their morning brew and the machine stop working. Not getting that morning cup because of a faulty machine is a good way to spoil the day.
• Most manufacturers now focus on ease of cleaning their grinders. When trying to get the best tasting cup of coffee it is important that the grinder is thoroughly cleaned every time. No one wants old, stale bean residue effecting the taste of their next coffee, but if the machine is hard to clean people are less inclined to do so every time they use it and in turn do not get the most out of the grinding experience.

Things to Consider Before Buying a Coffee Grinder for Your French Press

A cup of coffee brewed with a French Press really is second to none when done well. The right coffee grinder will only enhance that experience.

The wrong grinder for your needs may do nothing more than collect dust on a counter or take up space in the back of a cupboard. There are a few things everyone should consider before buying a coffee grinder for a French Press.

• These days it seems that almost everyone is a very conscious consumer. Near the top of just about everyone’s list when making a purchase is the price point. Like most products these days, coffee grinders offer an incredible range from the very cheap to the very expensive. Consider what you plan on doing with the machine. Is it something you will use every day, maybe even multiple times a day? Is it something you may only use occasionally, perhaps for a Saturday morning cup of coffee, or when having guests over?  Asking yourself these questions will help determine exactly what price point works for you and ultimately help you make the right decision on what to spend
• If budget isn’t as much of an issue and you’re looking to buy a quality machine, consider a burr grinder over a blade grinder. While a blade grinder will do the job, burr grinders typically provide much more consistent grounds, an important factor to getting the most out of your French Press brewed cup of coffee.
• Consider buying a grinder that has ceramic blades. Ceramic blades may be a little more susceptible to damage than stainless steel blades are, but if you’re careful with the grinder and not banging it around or dropping it on the ground, ceramic blades will stay sharp and last longer than stainless steel blades, needing to be replaced less often and offering more long term value.
• While many love the convenience and ease of use of an electric coffee grinder, consider getting a manually operated one. Typically cheaper than an electric grinder a manually operated one provides the user with complete control over the grounds produced, which can be a key factor in getting the proper coarse grind needed for use with a French Press. Manually grinding your own coffee beans can lead to a higher sense of satisfaction when that perfect cup of coffee is achieved.

How to Properly Use a Coffee Grinder for Your French Press

Properly ground coffee beans are the key to getting the most out of a French Press and coarse, even grounds are what is going to make the right brew. While not always easy to achieve, there are a few things you can do get those perfect grounds.

• Whether using a manual grinder or an electric one, taking control over the grinder will help to get the right grounds. With a manual grinder you have complete control over the speed and time needed to create a consistent, coarse ground. Keeping a close eye on the beans while grinding means you can stop as soon as the right grounds are achieved. Electric grinders, on the other hand, often have multiple settings that are design for a set and leave type of grinding process. While one of those settings may provide the perfect grounds for your French Press, more often than not they will need a little tweaking. The nice thing is that a lot of electric coffee grinders have an option to manually pulse the grinder. This provides the control of a manual grinder. Pulsing the grinder as opposed to setting it and letting it do its thing lets you determine when the grounds are exactly right, instead of letting the machine determine that for you.
• Not all grinders have the option to manually pulse. If this is the case, then it’s going to take a little more trial and error. Don’t expect the grounds to come out perfect the first time. Do a test batch. Set the grinder settings to the coarseness that you think would be best for your French press and test it. If the grounds are not to your liking, adjust the settings to a different speed and run time and try it again. Yes, doing this can be a little time consuming and tedious, but it will result in the best possible grounds. Don’t settle for grounds just because the machine tells you the settings it thinks you should use.
• Every coffee bean will grind different than the next. You may achieve the right setting for the perfect grounds with one bean but put in a different bean and the results could be drastically different. You should always be willing to adjust the settings, especially when using an electric grinder.
• Measure out your beans. How much ground coffee you need to make the perfect brew depends both on the type of grounds you’re going to be using and the taste you want to achieve. A coarser ground needed for a French Press will require less beans but will result in a less strong brew than the same amount of fine ground coffee. Again, this is a process that requires some trial and error but will result in a much better brew than if you simply dump a bunch of beans into the grinder and hope for the best.

Risks and Warnings

There are certain things you are going to want to be conscious of when using a coffee grinder. When done correctly, grinding your own coffee beans for your French Press can be extremely rewarding and can give you an unmatched cup of great coffee but there are somethings to be aware of.

• Don’t force things. Patience can be key when grinding your own coffee. While many electric grinders claim to give you the perfect brew with the touch of a button don’t fall into the trap that the machine will do all the work for you. If you do, you risk the quality of your cup of coffee.
• Heat and static build up are the enemy when grinding coffee beans. Both are created by the speed of the blade. The higher the blade speed the higher the heat and static created by friction. This heat and static can damage the bean and rob it of the essential fats and oils that create the best French Press cup of coffee.
• It is imperative that the grinder get cleaned after every use. While many may overlook this, it’s important that no grounds or residue is left in the grinder. That old, stale residue with transfer to the next batch of grounds and completely change the quality.