Best Manual Coffee Grinder: Reviews, Buying Guide and FAQs 2022

by Jeanette Kierstead

Any true coffee enthusiast will tell you that when it comes to making a perfect cup of coffee having a good coffee grinder is as important as having a good coffee machine or high quality coffee. Coffee mills AKA hand crank manual coffee grinders are so simple and yet so useful machines.

You grab the handle, you turn it, and voila! - freshly ground delicious coffee courtesy of the all-important coffee grinder burrs contained within. Some people tend to use coffee grinders not just for grinding coffee beans but also to grind spices or chop and slice herbs.

Although coffee grinders are fully capable of grinding spices or chopping and slicing herbs, we highly recommend you not to use the same grinder for grinding coffee and spices.

... You wonder why?

Well, some spices have very strong scents that can affect the aroma of your coffee. Even the tiniest left-overs of spices from your grinder will make your coffee taste weird. If you really want to make a perfect cup of coffee each time, we suggest you buying two separate grinders, one for coffee and the other for spices and herbs.

But, before we move on to the reviews, let us talk a bit more about these amazing machines.

Reasons for Grinding Your Own Coffee Manually

Reasons for Grinding Your Own Coffee Manually
Reasons for Grinding Your Own Coffee Manually

Fresh Ground Coffee Tastes Better

After you grind your coffee beans, they start to lose their flavor and aromas more rapidly than they would if they were left as whole beans.

Fresh Ground Coffee Tastes Better
Fresh Ground Coffee Tastes Better

Many coffee lovers believe that pre-ground coffee can lose up to 60% if its flavor. The math is simple; if you grind your own coffee, you extract 60% more flavor from your coffee.

Manually Grinding Your Own Coffee Is Cheaper

Any coffee distributor will charge you a bit more for pre-ground coffee. Although a package of pre-ground coffee doesn't cost much more than a package of whole beans, you can save some money by grinding your own coffee.

Manually Grinding Your Own Coffee Is Cheaper
Manually Grinding Your Own Coffee Is Cheaper

Nowadays you can buy a coffee grinder for as low as $20 and grind your coffee anytime you want.

You Have Control Doing It the Manual Way

You Have Control Doing It the Manual Way
You Have Control Doing It the Manual Way

Any coffee lover will tell you that you will have better chances of brewing an exceptional cup of coffee if you have greater control over your brewing process.

A coffee grinder will let you control how you grind, when you grind, and how much you grind. It will let you decide what grain size you want to achieve in order to make an amazing cup of coffee.

Next, we talk about what makes hand crank coffee grinders so amazing…

What Are the Advantages of a Hand Crank Coffee Grinder?

Hands down, the biggest advantage of hand crank coffee grinders over electric grinder is the price. Hands grinders are much cheaper for buying and they don't affect your electricity bill.

What Are the Advantages of a Hand Crank Coffee Grinder?
What Are the Advantages of a Hand Crank Coffee Grinder?

Manual grinders are also more durable than their electric counterparts. As they are very simple machines, there is no much that can fail. Unlike electric grinders, manual coffee grinders are travel-friendly. They are very small and don't take u much space when travelling. As they don't require electricity to work, you can take them anywhere you go.

Electric grinders can sometimes create heat while grinding which can burn your coffee. Manual coffee grinders don't create so much heat which means you get to preserve all those precious aromas in your coffee.

Electric grinders can sometimes create heat while grinding which can burn your coffee
Electric grinders can sometimes create heat while grinding which can burn your coffee

Manual coffee grinders are incredibly quiet. As they don't have electric motors, they don't produce a lot of noise. You can use them whenever you want, not worrying about waking up a person sleeping in the next room.

Here is what you need to consider when buying a hand crank coffee grinder…

Top 7 Best Manual Coffee Grinder Reviews 2022

1Zpresso JX Manual Coffee Grinder

1Zpresso JX Manual Coffee Grinder Light Gray Capacity 35g with Assembly Stainless Steel Conical Burr - Numerical Internal Adjustable Setting, Portable Mill Faster Grind Efficiency to Coarse for Filter
1Zpresso JX Manual Coffee Grinder Light Gray Capacity 35g with Assembly Stainless Steel Conical Burr - Numerical Internal Adjustable Setting, Portable Mill Faster Grind Efficiency to Coarse for Filter

Are you looking for a high-quality grinder at an affordable price? 1Zpresso JX grinder is well worth the money. A long-lasting 48mm conical burr increases the effectiveness of grinding. Internal fastening between the burr and the central shaft, resulting in an exceptionally consistent grind.

More than 40 different grind settings are available, all of which are appropriate for your filter coffee. You will get freshly ground coffee with a full-bodied taste. Additionally, if you like drinking espresso on a regular basis, there is a 20-click range for espresso for you. Grinding coffee does not have to be a time-consuming chore; instead, it can be a pleasurable experience.

It provides for the greatest grinding results as well as the best flavor in the cup since it dismantles pieces without using any instruments. You won't even have to readjust your system if you construct it correctly. A complimentary cleaning brush is also supplied as a bonus.

The burr was calibrated and put in place by the 1Zpresso team, ensuring that there are no wobbling components or burrs that come free over the course of time. By using a general purpose grinder, it is estimated that around 300KG will be ground. There is a one-year limited warranty included, and you will undoubtedly get 100 percent customer assistance.

Everything about freshly ground and brewed coffee, both as an indulgent pleasure and as a means of getting through the day, is better when it's done well the first time. Ground only as much coffee as you need for each brew, and throw away any unused ground coffee.

All 1Zpresso grinders may be dismantled without the need of any special tools, allowing for comprehensive cleaning and maintenance without the need to re-calibrate the burr. The stainless steel burr with a 48mm diameter creates uniform grinds and makes grinding easier and efficient, resulting in a more pleasurable grinding experience.

Product description

1Zpresso JX grinder is well worth the money. A long-lasting 48mm conical burr increases the effectiveness of grinding. Internal fastening between the burr and the central shaft creates a consistent grind. The stainless steel burr with a 48mm diameter creates uniform grinds.

Features

  • Easy to clean
  • Adequate grinder

JavaPresse Manual Coffee Bean Grinder

JavaPresse Manual Coffee Bean Grinder with Adjustable Settings - Patented Conical Burr Grinder for Coffee Beans, Stainless Steel Burr Coffee Grinder for Aeropress, Drip Coffee, Espresso, French Press
JavaPresse Manual Coffee Bean Grinder with Adjustable Settings - Patented Conical Burr Grinder for Coffee Beans, Stainless Steel Burr Coffee Grinder for Aeropress, Drip Coffee, Espresso, French Press

With over 18 custom grind options, this Manual Coffee Grinder from JavaPresse Coffee Company gives you complete accuracy and flexibility over your grind's coarseness; it is compatible with all coffee brewing techniques and will offer you with the ideal coffee to begin your day.

Instead of using electricity, batteries or long plastic cords to function an electric burr coffee bean grinder, the JavaPresse hand coffee grinder doesn't require any of these, allowing you to savour your freshly ground coffee beans on the go or at home. It is especially useful when hiking, camping, or backpacking.

JavaPresse coffee grinders are equipped with a professional-grade ceramic conical burr, which helps to bring out the flavors of the most exquisite coffees in the world while producing the lowest amount of noise. Breathe in the fresh sweet smell of the freshly ground coffee as you're brewing it in your Aeropress, espresso machine, Pour Over Coffee Maker or french press.

After going through three quality examinations, it was discovered that this revolutionary coffee grinder burr outperforms equivalent stainless steel coffee grinder burrs by a factor of 5. With an impeccably finished stainless steel frame and a compact footprint, this coffee grinder is at the peak of travel accessories.

With a revolutionary dual plated ceramic burr component which is ideal for all coffee brewing processes, this manual coffee grinder is built to last. It comes with a one-year manufacturer warranty and a money-back guarantee that is 100 percent refundable.

Product description

With over 18 custom grind options, this Manual Coffee Grinder from JavaPresse Coffee Company gives you complete accuracy and flexibility over your grind's coarseness. It is compatible with all coffee brewing techniques and will offer you the ideal coffee to begin your day. Comes with a manufacturer warranty and a 100 percent money back guarantee.

Features

  • Portable
  • Easy to use
  • Durable

1Zpresso K-Max Manual Coffee Grinder

1Zpresso K-Max Manual Coffee Grinder with Assembly Consistency Grind Stainless Steel Conical Burr, Intuitive Numerical External Adjustable Setting, With 90 clicks per round, All-Round Grinder
1Zpresso K-Max Manual Coffee Grinder with Assembly Consistency Grind Stainless Steel Conical Burr, Intuitive Numerical External Adjustable Setting, With 90 clicks per round, All-Round Grinder

More than 90 clicks on the number dial guarantee that you have complete control over the coarse or fine grind you choose. As you would expect from the electric grinder, the adjusting setting is straightforward.

The conical heptagonal burr is a versatile brewing tool that may be used with a number of brewing processes. Consistency and excellence in performance result in a bright and clean taste experience. Using other grinders, this would be tough to do.

The catch cup may be removed much more easily by twisting it. It has an increased capacity, as well as a spacious area to store your coffee. The 1Zpresso team calibrated and put the burr in place, ensuring that there are no wobbling components or burrs that come free over the course of time. By using a general purpose grinder, it is estimated that around 300KG will be ground. There is a one-year limited warranty included, and you will undoubtedly get 100 percent customer assistance.

Make 1Zpresso a part of your coffee adventure by selecting them! Allow the remarkable everyday experience to enhance your life rather than only being reserved for the purchase of a non-electric item.

All 1Zpresso grinders may be dismantled without the need of any special tools, allowing for comprehensive maintenance and cleaning without the need to re-calibrate the burr. The specialist stainless-steel heptagonal conical burr is appropriate for a range of brewing procedures and is made of high-quality stainless steel.

The magnetic catch cup can contain up to 35-40g of coffee grinds and can be removed in less than a second by just flipping it over.

Product description

The heptagonal conical burr is a versatile brewing tool that may be used with a number of brewing processes. Magnetic catch cup can contain up to 35-40g of coffee grinds and can be removed in less than a second by just flipping it over.

Features

  • External adjustment ring
  • Quick release magnets catch up

Hario "Skerton Pro" Ceramic Manual Coffee Grinder

Hario
Hario

Coffee newbies and seasoned experts alike like this blend. Having such a small footprint, it is an excellent grinder for both travel and home use. No matter what your choice is, this grinder can produce a wide variety of grind sizes. In addition to having a sleek appearance with clean lines, the Skerton Pro has burr settings that are easy to change, which results in enhanced grind uniformity.

Precision and uniformity are ensured by these ceramic conical burrs, which transmit less heat and shave coffee beans rather than shattering them like blade grinders do. The crank handle, which has been ergonomically designed, detaches for convenient storage and transportation. Freshly ground coffee is readily available thanks to a design created by Hario in Japan for coffee enthusiasts. The Skerton Pro was created to be portable and simple to use, making it ideal for usage when traveling or while on the road.

With the Hario Skerton Pro, you can completely transform your coffee experience. This grinder, which is made of plastic and glass and has ceramic burrs, can store enough ground coffee to make up to eight cups. If you wish to use a different brewing technique, it may be modified to make finer or coarser coffee, respectively. Whether making specialty coffee at home or at a café, Hario signifies outstanding quality. Hario Skerton Pro portable filter coffee maker is perfect for anybody who is just getting started with filter coffee at home or who wants to update their current setup.

In any brewing setup, it is impossible to exaggerate the significance of freshly ground coffee. When it comes to capacity, the Hario Skerton Pro is a tough, long-lasting coffee grinder that can contain up to 100 grams of ground coffee. It's perfect for brewing fresh coffee for up to eight cups at a time. Simple assembly makes it simple to use, clean, and reassemble. Its small design, huge capacity, and readily removable components make it the ideal grinder for both home coffee enthusiasts and professional baristas alike. The Skerton Pro is a must-have for every coffee maker's routine since it is easily adjustable, rapid, and reliable.

Every time you grind, you can count on a dependable and consistent result. In addition to a stronger body and a smoother customizable grind, the Hario Skerton Pro Coffee Mill has been updated. For a smoother, more consistent grind, the manufacturers have strengthened the grind shaft and upgraded the easy-fit handle to make them more durable than before.

Read our full review of the Hario Skerton here

Product description

The Skerton Pro was created by Hario in Japan for coffee enthusiasts. This grinder can store enough ground coffee to make up to eight cups. It is made of plastic and glass and has ceramic burrs, which transmit less heat and shave coffee beans rather than shattering them.

Features

  • Perfect grind
  • Japanese design
  • Small, light weight, and portable
  • Great travel grinder
  • Adjustable burrs
  • Inexpensive
  • Easy to use
  • Easy to clean
  • Professional experience
  • Made by Japanese glass experts at Hario
  • Consistent grind
Hario Skerton
Hario Skerton


TIMEMORE Chestnut C2 Manual Coffee Grinder

TIMEMORE Chestnut C2 Manual Coffee Grinder Capacity 25g with CNC Stainless Steel Conical Burr - Internal Adjustable Setting,Double Bearing Positioning,French Press Coffee for Hand Grinder Gift
TIMEMORE Chestnut C2 Manual Coffee Grinder Capacity 25g with CNC Stainless Steel Conical Burr - Internal Adjustable Setting,Double Bearing Positioning,French Press Coffee for Hand Grinder Gift

The Timemore C2 is, in our opinion, the best budget-priced hand grinder on the market currently. Despite the fact that Timemore is a relatively new company in the coffee industry, they are rapidly gaining recognition in the specialty coffee industry. The Timemore C2 is one of the factors contributing to this. Premium grind quality is provided at a low entry-level price by this stylish grinder.

The Timemore C2 is loaded with conical steel burrs measuring 38mm in diameter. They are sharp and aggressive, making quick work of your coffee beans, and they are made of stainless steel. Furthermore, they not only provide a rapid grinding speed but also produce an excellent grind that is consistent throughout the range of settings, particularly at the medium to coarse settings. If you're looking for different grind sizes, the C2 has 36 different grind sizes available thanks to its stepped grind adjustment system. These grind settings provide a comprehensive grind range, accommodating everything from the Moka pot to the French press and everything in between and beyond. The manual brewing methods make use of this hand grinder, which is ideal.

However, while the Timemore C2 has a contemporary design, its construction is less expensive than that of some of the other grinders on this list. Timemore has chosen to use some plastic components in the construction of the vehicle in order to keep the price as low as possible. This results in a plastic lid and crank pommel on the outside, and plastic adjustment knobs and stabilizers on the inside of the C2. The burrs and hand crank, on the other hand, are made of stainless steel.

Product description

The Timemore C2 is loaded with conical steel burrs measuring 38mm in diameter. They are sharp and aggressive, making quick work of your coffee beans, and they are made of stainless steel. The C2 has 36 different grind sizes available thanks to its stepped grind adjustment system.

Features

  • Portable
  • Excellent burr
  • Roughness adjustment function

Brillante BR-MCG-SS1

Hario Skerton
Hario Skerton
  • Easy-Grip Handle
  • Sturdy construction
  • Great for traveling
  • Great for all brewing methods including French Press, drip, or espresso
  • The SS1 is the superior model to similar looking grinders
  • Stainless steel construction
  • Grind-viewing window
  • Easy to dismantle and clean
  • Perfect for spices as well
  • Ceramic conical burrs a preferred type of burr set
  • Handy "click" feature to keep track of adjustment of burrs
  • Grind enough for 2 people in about a minute or so (38 grams / 6 tbsp)
  • Diameter of body: 1.89 in / 48mm - Total length: 7.5 in / 190.5mm
  • Weight: 8.95 ounces / 254 grams

Hario Canister Coffee Mill

Hario Canister Coffee Mill
Hario Canister Coffee Mill
  • No slip rubber cover at bottom
  • Adjustable burrs
  • Works great for any style of grind, from coarse to fine
  • Capacity : Makes 120g of coffee grinds
  • Easy to use
  • Easy to Clean
  • Once again made by the glass masters at Hario

Buying Guide for Choosing a Good Manual Coffee Grinder (Hand Crank Coffee Grinder)


What to look for when buying a hand crank coffee grinder?
What to look for when buying a hand crank coffee grinder?

Here are the key features you need to pay attention to when buying a hand crank grinder:

  • Capacity
  • Design
  • Build quality
  • Functionality
  • Warranty
  • Grind adjustment
  • Handle design

Capacity

Capacity
Capacity

Before you go buying a coffee grinder you have to think about how much coffee you want to grind daily or weekly.

Of course, the amount of coffee you plan to grind will depend on whether you will be brewing a cup of coffee just for yourself or a batch for your family or work colleagues.

You should look for a grinder with the capacity that will fit your needs. You don't want to under grind or over grind coffee, ending u wasting your precious time or wasting excessive amounts of freshly ground coffee.

Design

What to look for when buying a hand crank coffee grinder?
What to look for when buying a hand crank coffee grinder?

Do you want to buy a coffee grinder you could take with you on your business trips? Or, do you want a coffee grinder that could add style to your kitchen.

Coffee grinders come in different shapes and sizes.

If you plan on taking your grinder with you during your travelling, you're better off buying something small.

On the other hand, if you want a grinder that will look great on your kitchen desk, you could go for something better and premium looking.

Build quality

Coffee grinders are made of all sorts of materials. Plastic, wood, metal, ceramic, glass, you name it! The best grinders are those made of ceramic or stainless steel.

What to look for when buying a hand crank coffee grinder?
What to look for when buying a hand crank coffee grinder?

These materials are very easy to clean and look amazing.

We highly recommend you avoid buying a plastic coffee grinder. They break easily and don't do the job properly.

Functionality

You need to buy a grinder that will be able to turn whole coffee beans into the perfect grind.

Look for a coffee grinder with a solid mechanism that will provide you with precision. A well built grinder will always produce the same grind, day after day.

You should also look for a grinder that is easy to use and clean. Try to avoid buying a grinder that is hard to clean and maintain. You don't want to spend your precious time on completely disassembling your grinder just to give it a good cleaning.

Warranty

Manual coffee grinders are usually very simple machines that rarely break. However, they do occasionally break!

Sometimes the mechanism in your grinder will jam, making the grinder useless. Also, some parts can break or fail.

If you buy a coffee grinder with a warranty, you will avoid spending extra money on repairs or buying a new grinder.

If possible, buy a grinder with a lifetime warranty. If the lifetime warranty is not available, a long term warranty will do the job.

Grind adjustment

If you are a true coffee lover you are probably using different brewing methods. If this is the case, you need to look for a grinder that will let you adjust the settings for a finer or coarser grind.

What to look for when buying a hand crank coffee grinder?
What to look for when buying a hand crank coffee grinder?

The different grind sizes will let you make a perfect cup of Espresso, French press or Moka.

Handle design

Grinding coffee manually can sometimes be tiring, especially if you manual coffee grinder is poorly designed.

When buying a manual grinder you should always choose the one with a long handle as the length of the handle is crucial for leverage.

The longer the handle, the easier it is to grind coffee.

If possible, try out the grinder before buying it. The handle should feel natural in jour hand and you should be able to turn it with ease.

If the grinder is poorly designed it will feel like a piece of gym equipment rather than a simple kitchen appliance.

We move on to the reviews. Let's start with Hario Skerton.

Types of Manual Coffee Grinders

Coffee beans are an important part of the coffee-drinking experience. They can be responsible for how your coffee tastes, smells, and feels. The most common way to grind coffee beans is with a blade grinder, which chops up the beans into random sizes (i.e., they give you more surface area on which water can react and therefore you can extract more flavor and caffeine).

While blade grinders work well for some, others want to have a little bit more control over the size of their coffee grounds. This is why manual burr grinders exist: they give you this level of control over your ground sizes so that you can tailor them to your tastes and your brewing method (for example, espresso requires a fine grind). Here is a look at some of the manual coffee grinders out there.

Hand Coffee Grinders: Burr Grinders

Blade grinders chop up beans into random sizes; burr grinders give you more control and allow you to choose your ground size (some grinders give you only one size, but the more expensive ones allow you to choose between two or three different sizes). Burr grinders are great for those who want to brew coffee using pour-over methods (like Chemex), French press, or even espresso.

Types of Burr Grinders

There are three types of manual burr grinders: wheel burr, conical burr, and industrial burr.

An example of a "wheel" type manual coffee grinder is the Porlex JP-30 Stainless Steel Coffee Grinder.

Wheel grinders are typically made with ceramic or metal wheels. Larger models can be difficult to use, but they are great for those who want to make large batches of coffee like for office or large gatherings.

A "conical" burr grinder is the Hario Skerton Ceramic Coffee Mill.

Conical burr grinders are typically made with ceramic materials. They are often considered to be more stable (and better quality) than wheel burrs.

Industrial burr grinders are usually much larger. The Baratza Encore Conical Burr Coffee Grinder is an example of this type.

Industrial-sized burrs can be made from aluminum, plastic, or steel depending on the manufacturer and the model you choose. They are typically much more expensive than both wheel and conical burrs.

Manual Coffee Grinders: Can vs. Should

Some argue that electric grinders are better because you do not have to bear weight on the handle of your grinder-you just turn a knob or push a button. Hand-powered grinders, on the other hand, require you to apply pressure to get the blades to move. This can lead to you tiring much faster than if the grinder was electric (and also much louder).

Zero Power Consumption

For those who are concerned with the power consumption of their coffee grinder, or for those looking for an eco-friendly option, hand grinders are typically seen as more environmentally friendly than blade grinders.

While hand grinders are usually cheaper than electric ones, you should still do your research to ensure that you are getting a quality product. Read online reviews, look at what other customers have to say about the product (Amazon is great for this), and make sure the grinder claims to be high-quality (for example, conical burrs are generally considered to be better than wheel ones).

How to Use a Manual Coffee Grinder

Whether it's for an espresso, a cappuccino, or just a simple cup of coffee, enthusiasts can all agree that using fresh ground beans is the way to go. Instead of buying pre-ground coffee from your local grocery store, grinding coffee beans at home ensures optimal flavor and aroma extraction for whatever you are making. Once the coffee beans have been ground, they start to lose their flavor and aromas almost immediately.

The traditional way of grinding coffee is using either a blade or burr grinder.

A blade grinder consists of a round container with a lid which houses the beans and blades. To use a blade grinder you add the desired amount of whole coffee beans, replace the lid and press down on it to start the machine. The blades chop up all of the beans. A burr grinder can be a bit more complex since there are several different types to choose from; however, typically you will place whole coffee beans into a container or chamber and then press a button or pull a lever which rotates a set of teeth to grind the beans against a surface. In the end, both types of coffee grinders will produce ground coffee - it is just a matter of preference.

Regardless if you choose a blade or burr grinder, freshness affects the amount and quality of flavor that your brewed cup will have. That is why using a manual coffee grinder is the best way to ensure you grind your beans at their peak flavor. With a manual coffee grinder, it also allows for more control over the consistency of the ground beans which in turn allows for more precise flavor extraction.

Manual Coffee Grinders

The most common types of manual coffee grinders are called "mill" grinders. They produce a consistent grind, and are portable making them great for any type of situation. The most common types of mill coffee grinders produce either a medium or fine grind consistency which is perfect for your typical drip brew coffee maker, French press, percolator, etc. There are also other variations such as Turkish coffee grinders to make the finest grind possible which is perfect for making espresso.

Most of these mills are made up of three components: a handle, a burr set, and an adjustment cap.

The handle is used to move the burr set back and forth grinding the beans against the surface within. The distance between the burrs is what determines how fine or coarse the ground beans will be.

The adjustment cap determines the size of the space between the burr set. If you want a coarser grind, choose a smaller space which causes more contact between the beans and surface of the grinder, producing a larger surface area which in turn creates a coarser grind. The opposite would be true if you had a finer grind.

To use the mill, simply fill the top of the grinder with desired amount of whole coffee beans. Place the adjustment cap on top and then begin to turn the handle clockwise. Make sure that you are not turning it too far or too short otherwise you may damage your burr set, but rather try to find a balanced turning pattern that moves the burrs back and forth. Once you have ground your desired amount of coffee, simply remove the top portion of the grinder and pour out the required amount for brewing.

The Best Way to Clean a Manual Coffee Grinder

Coffee grinders are one of those appliances that need a little extra care and attention when it comes to keeping them clean. If you have ever used a grinder that has not been cleaned regularly (especially a metal one!) you will know this first hand, as the coffee it produces can be very bitter and unpleasant to taste.

Common problems with uncleanly coffee grinders:

Burning or overly hot coffee

When residues of old ground coffee build up and mix together, the heat from the grinder can cause these to burn or over-heat, giving the coffee a bitter taste.

Coffee ground too coarse

The build up of residue in the grinder mechanism can sometimes cause it to grind inconsistently, resulting in larger particles than you would usually expect. This affects how the water flows through the system and can result in a very poor tasting cup of coffee.

Coffee ground too fine

Excessive residue on the burrs can also cause over-grinding and a super fine grind. This will then clog up your filter, making it hard for water to pass through. It will also make your drink taste more bitter as larger particles of coffee are more prominent.

To help avoid these problems and keep your grinder clean, here's the best way to clean a manual coffee grinder. I have also listed some further resources for you at the end of this guide.

What You Will Need:

Your dirty/ uncleanly ground coffee grinder

Before you start, you will need to have a dirty/ uncleanly grinder. If your coffee grinder has not been used for some time, or if it is giving off any of the problems mentioned above, then this is the perfect opportunity to clean your grinder.

Cleaning product

Obviously you are going to need something to clean your grinder with. You can use a manual coffee grinder cleaning product if you want, otherwise white vinegar and water is a great alternative.

Water

In order to help remove any residue from the burrs and mechanism of the grinder, it's best to use hot water or boiling water from time to time. Water alone isn't always at boiling temperature, so it's best to heat the water in a kettle or microwave first.

Small brush

You will need something small and stiff to remove any residue from inside the grinder housing and around the burrs. I find a toothbrush works well.

Tea towel / cloths

Lastly you will need something to dry the grinder with, otherwise it could start rusting.

Step 1: Unplug your coffee grinder and remove any batteries (if applicable)

It might sound obvious, but if you are using an electric coffee grinder then make sure that it is unplugged before you place it in water or cleaning solution! If you are using a manual coffee grinder then remove the battery, if it has one.

Step 2: Remove any residue from inside the grinder housing and around the burrs

There may be some residue left in your grinder after using it for a while, so this next step will be to scrub away at this with a small brush. If you are re-using your old coffee grinder, then it's even more important to clean this thoroughly as there will be some left over residue.

Using the small brush, scrub away at any build up around the burrs and inside the grinder housing. Don't forget about all of those little nooks and crannies that you often can't see! If there is any particularly stubborn residue, then try soaking the grinder housing in a small bowl of hot water for a few minutes first.

You should finish up with a nice clean looking coffee grinder! Once you have removed all of the residue from around the burrs and inside the housing, rinse away any left over solution with some water. Be sure to dry it up once this is done, otherwise rust might start to form if your grinder is untreated

Step 3: Clean the burrs on your coffee grinder

If you are using manual coffee grinder then you will need to take things a little further than just cleaning the outside of the machine. You will need to disassemble the grinder and clean out the burrs. If you are using an electric coffee grinder then this step can be skipped (and I recommend that you do skip it).

If you are using a manual coffee grinder, begin by removing the handle if your grinder has one. You might need to twist it a little to remove it. Next remove any other pieces that might be held in place by screws, nuts or bolts. Be careful when doing this, you don't want to lose the parts and have them roll away from you!

Next take your small brush and scrub away at the burrs until they look clean again. If there is too much build up to get rid of with the brush, then soak them in a small bowl of white vinegar for 5-10 minutes. Once all of the residue has been removed, rinse away any leftover vinegar using some hot water and dry it up again.

Step 4: Reassemble your coffee grinder

Now that you have taken everything apart and cleaned thoroughly you can put it back together. First replace the burrs and any other small parts that you removed earlier. If there were any larger pieces then I would recommend replacing those also, once they have been washed and dried again of course!

Once everything is back in place put the handle back on if your grinder has one, otherwise pack everything back in the box. Make sure you are thorough here, if anything looks damaged or worn then replace it.

Replace any batteries (if applicable) and plug your coffee grinder back in again to make sure it works before use

Note: You might find that some of the parts still feel a little wet after you have cleaned them. If this is the case, leave them somewhere to dry off for a few hours before you use your coffee grinder again! This will reduce the chances of rust forming and it won't be as messy either.

Step 5: Clean your coffee beans before grinding them with your clean coffee grinder

The final step is to clean your coffee beans before you grind them. Even if your coffee grinder has just been cleaned, the leftover residue might stick to the beans and reduce the quality of your next brew!

To clean your coffee beans I recommend that you put them in a cloth bag or something similar. Next you will need to shake this bag vigorously for a couple minutes, or until all of the old residue has been removed.

Once the beans have been cleaned, you should find that they produce a much nicer taste and aroma than before, especially if you normally use pre-ground coffee.

Tips for Getting the Perfect Cup of Coffee With a Manual Coffee Grinder

  1. The finer the grind, the longer it will take to produce a cup of coffee. This is because a finer grind exposes more of each bean's surface area which causes a slower extraction process.
  2. Make sure that you read the manual included with your grinder so you understand how to properly use and maintain it.
  3. If you are brewing coffee in a coffeemaker, be sure to use a filter so that no coffee grounds inadvertently find their way into your cup.
  4. Regardless of the type of grinder being used, be sure that it is always kept clean.

As with any manual coffee equipment, a manual grinder requires a little extra attention and care to maintain optimal performance. So be sure to clean up any coffee grounds that have fallen out of the grinder as they can cause a mess or may even damage your appliance. A manual grinder can also reduce noise created during the grinding process which is ideal if you are brewing coffee early in the morning before your family wakes up.

Buy them at Etsy, Walmart, eBay (subject to availability)

1Zpresso JX Manual Coffee Grinder Light Gray Capacity 35g with Assembly Stainless Steel - Walmart, Etsy, eBay

Comandante C40 MK3 Nitro Blade American Cherry, one size, multi - Walmart, Etsy, eBay

1Zpresso K-Max Manual Coffee Grinder with Assembly Consistency Grind Stainless Steel - Walmart, Etsy, Ebay

TIMEMORE Chestnut C2 Manual Coffee Grinder Capacity 25g with CNC Stainless Steel Conical - Walmart, Etsy, Ebay

1Zpresso Q2 Manual Coffee Grinder Mini Slim Travel Sized Fits in the plunger of - Walmart, Etsy, Ebay

1Zpresso JX-PRO Manual Coffee Grinder Light Gray Capacity 35g with Assembly Stainless - Walmart, Etsy, eBay

1Zpresso Q1 Manual Coffee Grinder Mini Slim Travel Sized Fits in the plunger of - Walmart, Etsy, eBay

Lido 3 Manual Coffee Grinder | 48mm Swiss Conical Steel Burrs | Stepless Grind Adjustment - Walmart, Etsy, eBay

Hario "Skerton Pro" Ceramic Manual Coffee Grinder, Black - Walmart, Etsy, eBay

Handground Precision Manual Coffee Grinder: Conical Ceramic Burr Mill (Black) - Walmart, Etsy, eBay

ROK Coffee Grinder, Aluminum - Walmart, Etsy, eBay

Hario Ceramic Coffee Mill - 'Mini-Slim Plus' Manual Coffee Grinder 24g Coffee Capacity - Walmart, Etsy, eBay

Zassenhaus "Santiago" Mahogany Beech Wood Manual Coffee Mill - Walmart, Etsy, Ebay

1Zpresso JX Manual Coffee Grinder - Walmart, Etsy, eBay

JavaPresse Manual Coffee Bean Grinder - Walmart, Etsy, eBay

1Zpresso K-Max Manual Coffee Grinder - Walmart, Etsy, eBay

Hario "Skerton Pro" Ceramic Manual Coffee Grinder - Walmart, Etsy, eBay

TIMEMORE Chestnut C2 Manual Coffee Grinder - Walmart, Etsy, eBay

Conclusion for Manual Coffee Grinder Buyers

So, if you are looking for a quality manual coffee grinder that will last for years to come, the JavaPresse is definitely the one to buy. It's easy to use, makes great-tasting coffee, and is built to withstand heavy use. We highly recommend it! If you want to purchase your very own JavaPresse Manual Coffee Grinder, click here. Thanks for reading our review!

About Jeanette Kierstead

Jeanette has been testing and reviewing kitchen appliances for over six years now, so she knows her stuff when it comes to finding the best ones. In her spare time, she loves nothing more than baking cakes and cookies – especially if she can do so with one of her favorite stand mixers! When she's not in the kitchen, Jeanette is usually looking after everything homes-related; from garden tools to smart home products.

Thoughts on "Best Manual Coffee Grinder: Reviews, Buying Guide and FAQs 2022"

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