A good grinder is perhaps the first BIG purchase you should make when getting into speciality coffee. It can make the biggest difference in your brewing, and different styles of grinder can even have big impacts on flavour! In this post, we’ll look at the key elements of why grinding fresh matters, so you can make an informed decision when you buy your first grinder.

Aromatics and Freshness

Although buying pre-ground coffee is more convenient, grinding your own beans with a quality grinder makes a significant difference in flavour. Pre-ground coffee loses its freshness much faster because of oxidation - when coffee is ground, its surface area increases, accelerating this process. Grinding also releases the beans’ aromatic compounds, which are essential to a rich, flavourful brew. These aromas are at their peak for only about 15 minutes after grinding. That’s why it’s always best to grind your coffee fresh at home!

Good Grinder vs Bad Grinder

Even though grinding fresh coffee is always better, the type of grinder you use can greatly affect the flavour of your brew. That’s why we recommend avoiding blade grinders and choosing a burr grinder instead. Blade grinders chop the beans unevenly and can even generate heat that burns them, while burr grinders crush the beans consistently and evenly - resulting in a smoother, more balanced cup. So when you’re shopping for a grinder, make sure it’s a burr grinder!

SAY NO TO BLADE COFFEE GRINDERS

Grind Size and Steps

Different brewing styles need completely different grind sizes. Espresso requires very uniform, super fine coffee which extracts under pressure, whereas filter requires a coarser grind. Often one grinder will only excel at one brewing style, with some grinders being good (but not excellent) at all brewing styles. For this reason, you should be considering what your main brewing style will be. 

3 Good Grinders for the New Home Brewer

The All-Rounder

Fellow Opus - RRP £195 (often on sale for closer to £150)

Who’s it for? The home brewer who wants to have it all, and wants it to look nice! The Fellow Opus is a cafetiere, filter and espresso capable grinder for under £200.

Pros: Stylish, capable of many grind sizes, consistent, surprisingly quiet

Cons: Plastic build, weird micro/macro grind adjustment, coffee grounds retention

Happy to Hand Grind

Timemore C3S Pro Handgrinder - RRP £89

Who’s it for? If you’re a filter or cafetiere brewer, the Timemore C3S Pro is a great, capable grinder. The benefit of hand grinders is they’re significantly cheaper than electric grinders, and often make much better coffee than electric grinders twice their price!

Pros: Compact, can go in a travel bag, makes great coffee

Cons: Takes a while to hand grind, not practically espresso capable

Filter Brews 4 You

Wilfa Svart Aroma - RRP £135

Who’s it for? If you exclusively brew filter/cafetiere, and want an affordable electric grinder, you can’t get much better than the Wilfa Svart Aroma. It’s quiet, consistent, and you’ll be happy with it for a long time!

Pros: Good coffee, consistent, quieter and faster than comparable models

Cons: Not espresso capable, the grinds container can be a tad messy

To Grind or Not to Grind?

Investing in a good grinder is one of the best steps you can take to improve your coffee at home. Freshly ground beans unlock the full potential of your coffee’s flavour and aroma, and the right grinder ensures you’re getting the most out of every brew. Whether you’re hand-grinding for a morning filter or dialing in your first espresso shot, choosing a quality burr grinder will set you up for success - and tastier coffee - every time.

So take your time, pick the grinder that suits your brewing style, and enjoy the satisfaction of coffee that’s truly made your way.