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Burr Grinder Showdown:
Hand vs Electric at Every Budget

Master grind consistency, compare 12 grinders across 4 budgets, and choose the one that transforms your daily cup.

5 Lessons ~2 Hours Free Forever
Enroll Free — Start Learning

What You'll Master

The grinder is the single most important piece of coffee gear you'll own. This course breaks down exactly which burr grinder fits your method, budget, and morning routine — with zero brand bias and real extraction data.

Why grind consistency controls 60% of your cup quality — and which burr type delivers it
Hand grinders from $30 to $200: the 4 worth buying and why the rest waste your money
Electric burr grinders under $50, under $150, and under $500 — tested and ranked
A decision framework: match your brew method, daily volume, and budget to the right grinder
Module 1 of 50%

Course Modules

5 structured lessons. Each builds on the last. Start with grind science, end with your perfect grinder.

1

The Grind Consistency Principle

18 min
  • Burr vs blade: particle size distribution data and why it matters
  • The 60% rule: how grind consistency controls extraction uniformity
  • Burr geometry: flat, conical, and ghost burrs explained with grind charts

You'll never look at a blade grinder the same way after seeing the particle data.

2

Hand Grinders: $30 to $200

24 min
  • Budget tier ($30–60): Hario Skerton Pro, Timemore C2 — grind quality vs effort
  • Mid tier ($80–130): 1Zpresso JX-Pro, Timemore C3 — where hand grinders beat electrics
  • Premium tier ($150–200): Comandante C40, 1Zpresso K-Max — competition-grade results

At the mid tier, hand grinders outperform electrics costing 3x more. Here's the data.

3

Electric Grinders: Under $500

28 min
  • Under $50: Cuisinart DBM-8, Krups GX — acceptable for drip, poor for pour-over
  • $80–150: Baratza Encore, Ode Gen 2 — the sweet spot for most home brewers
  • $200–500: Baratza Vario+, Eureka Mignon, Fellow Opus — espresso-capable territory

The Baratza Encore at $150 is the most-recommended grinder in specialty coffee. We break down why — and when you actually need to spend more.

4

Hand vs Electric: The Data Showdown

22 min
  • Grind time: 30g batch — hand (90 sec) vs electric (12 sec) — when speed matters
  • Particle distribution comparison: Timemore C3 vs Baratza Encore — same price, different results
  • Noise, workflow, portability, and counter space — the practical tradeoffs

A $100 hand grinder produces tighter particle distribution than a $150 electric. But that's not the whole story.

5

Your Grinder Selection Framework

18 min
  • Match your brew method: French press needs coarse range, espresso needs fine adjustment
  • Budget decision tree: under $100, $100–200, $200+ — one clear winner per tier
  • Upgrade path planning: start smart, know when and what to upgrade next

By the end of this module, you'll have one grinder picked out and a clear reason why it's the right one.

Your Instructor

Learn from someone who's tested 40+ grinders across every price point.

Elena Marchetti

SCA-certified brewer · 8 years in specialty coffee · Former lead barista at Counter Culture Coffee training center

2,400+
Enrolled
4.8
Rating
100%
Free Forever

Start the Burr Grinder Course

5 lessons. ~2 hours. Zero cost. Your mornings will never be the same.

Welcome aboard! Check your email for Module 1.