Manual Coffee Grinder: Is It Worth the Investment?


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If you’re a coffee aficionado, you know that brewing the best coffee boils down to the type of grinder you use. And for most people, a manual coffee grinder is the way to go. I know what you’re thinking; there are tons of electric coffee grinders on the market. Why not just buy that and save yourself the hassle?

Well, it depends on whether you want an okay cup of coffee or the best coffee you can brew at the comfort of your home. But the question is, is a manual grinder the best option?

First Things First, What Are You Looking For?

When it comes to choosing coffee grinders, everyone has different preferences. Some people just want to throw in their coffee beans and walk away. For them, an electric coffee grinder is the best choice.

Others don’t mind the elbow grease and thoroughly enjoy the grinding process. Therefore, your choice solely depends on what you like.

However, there are certain things you need to consider before deciding to go for either an electric or manual coffee grinder.

Consider how much you’re willing to spend, how much coffee you plan to brew every day, what type of brew you’ll prepare, and how much time and energy you’re willing to invest.

Grind out the details of your choices before settling on one to ensure you choose the right one for your needs.

Reasons to Invest in a Manual Coffee Grinder

For people who’ve never used a manual coffee grinder before, getting one can seem like an absurd idea. Why would you trade the convenience that comes with an electric grinder for something that takes so much time and energy?

Well, as we mentioned, the majority of people consider a manual coffee grinder as an excellent option for anyone who wants to brew the best coffee at home. Here’s why.

It’s all about grind quality

One of the primary reasons to invest in a manual coffee grinder is the grind quality. With a manual grinder, you can achieve a consistent grind size, which isn’t the case with most electric burr grinders.

So what’s the big deal with having unevenly ground coffee? Well, different sized coffee grounds dissolve at different rates. As a result, you’ll have some over-extracted and under-extracted grounds in your coffee. The result? Bitter flavors you won’t want to recreate.

You can’t get this benefit from an electric grinder

The other reason people love manual coffee grinders is the fact that they’re portable. If you travel a lot, a manual coffee grinder will save you a lot of money that you would otherwise spend on expensive cups of coffee.

Not to mention, you won’t have to deal with the bitter taste of some store-bought cups of coffee. It’s almost like taking a piece of home with you everywhere you go.

This benefit will leave you smiling

A manual coffee grinder is also an excellent choice because it’s easy on the wallet. Because these coffee grinders don’t have motors, the manufacturers focus on what matters most, the burrs.

Hence, you won’t just be paying less for a manual grinder but also getting top-notch features you won’t find in most affordable electric coffee grinders.

Another great benefit you’ll always enjoy

I don’t know about you, but I don’t want anyone waking me up every time they want to brew some coffee. With an electric coffee grinder, this is inevitable because it makes so much noise.

You don’t have to worry about that with a manual grinder because it’s silent. It’s the perfect option for a household with small babies and anyone who loves uninterrupted morning sleep.

A satisfying process

Some people choose manual coffee brewing over other more convenient methods not because they like tiring themselves out, but because they enjoy the process.

In a world where you can get anything delivered to you instantly, it helps to have something that keeps you grounded to avoid the burnout of being always connected.

A manual coffee grinder also gives you a mental break and allows you to focus on the activity at hand, which is an excellent way to unplug.

Why Getting a Manual Coffee Grinder May Not Be the Best Choice

There’s no doubt that manual coffee grinders have a plethora of benefits. But they have disadvantages too. Consider these limitations before you decide to invest in a manual coffee grinder.

Cheap may be expensive

Although you can achieve uniform ground size with a manual coffee grinder, the majority of them have limited grind size settings. With this limitation, it means you’ll have to eyeball your results as you go when you want to achieve different ground sizes. And let’s be honest, some of us suck at eyeballing things.

Shopping for one can be a hassle

Unlike electric coffee grinders, manual coffee grinders are quite tricky to shop for because it’s challenging to find the right grind.

With electric versions, all you have to do is to ensure the grinder has the right grind settings, capacity, and power. But it’s not that easy with a manual grinder. Sometimes you can only tell if it’s the right choice based on the results you get.

May not be the best for large families

If you live alone, chances are you only need to make a few cups of coffee in a day. And a manual coffee grinder will serve you well. But if you have a big family or you’re expecting guests, manual brewing may not be a good idea.

It takes time, and you have to prepare small batches at a time to achieve uniform grounds. What’s more, the majority of manual coffee grinders have a low capacity — another reason why it may be impossible to brew large quantities of coffee at a go.

In such cases, you’re better off investing in an electric coffee grinder. Electric grinders have more capacity, is fast, and extremely convenient.

Don’t Compromise

The type of coffee grinder you use determines the taste and quality of your coffee. So don’t cut corners when you’re looking for a quality coffee grinder. A manual coffee grinder may not be the fastest, but it will always deliver in terms of quality and taste. Not to mention, you can take it anywhere with you, and it doesn’t cost a fortune.

Yes. You may have to work a little harder to achieve a perfect grind, but you won’t remember that when you’re sipping your fantastic creation.

Between electric and manual coffee grinders, which one do you prefer and why? Please share your thoughts and views in the comments section below. We’d love to hear from you.

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