Comparison De'Longhi KG 89 vs Cuisinart Programmable Conical

— Knives. The grinding system is based on the use of a rotary blade (or blades) that spin at high speed. The main advantages of such a system are its low cost combined with decent efficiency. However, its capabilities are quite limited. For instance, the grind size in blade coffee grinders depends on the operating time and in most models is controlled solely manually, by turning it on for the desired duration (which requires some skill and familiarity with the device's features). And even if a separate grind size adjustment (see below) is provided in the design, the product turns out to be less uniform than when processed with burrs. Additionally, blade coffee grinders require caution when in use due to the presence of the blades themselves (though most modern devices have appropriate safety systems). Nonetheless, given the combination of cost and capabilities, such devices are considered optimal for home use.

— Burrs. In these systems, grinding is carried out by crushing coffee beans between two rotating discs (metal or ceramic) — the burrs.

Metal burrs are valued for their durability and speed, which is why they are often used in models for daily coffee and for those who love espresso and need precise grind consistency. However, metal burrs can heat the beans more during long grinding sessions and usually react more noticeably to build quality and cleanliness,...so regular cleaning and reasonable pauses are important.

Ceramic burrs are more often chosen for their “calmer” operation and less heat generation during grinding, which helps preserve the aroma, especially if grinding longer or frequently. Ceramic doesn't rust and is usually neutral to odors, so the taste is purer with careful maintenance, and the grind is even for alternative brewing methods and home use. However, ceramic burrs are more sensitive to impacts and hard particles, making careful handling and quality beans without foreign inclusions more important.

The maximum number of coffee beans that the grinder can hold and process at one time, without "refilling". Note that we are talking about the maximum capacity — a smaller amount of coffee can be loaded into the grinder.

The standard portion of coffee per cup is 5-7 g, and the capacity of a pack of coffee is 100 g. Accordingly, it is worth choosing a model according to capacity, taking into account how much coffee you need to grind at a time. For domestic use, a capacity of 100-200 g is considered quite sufficient, but in professional models designed for coffee shops, bars, etc., this value can reach 1.5 kg or even more. There are coffee grinders that allow you to grind only part of the coffee loaded into them.

The maximum power consumed by the device during operation. In coffee grinders, productivity is primarily associated with this parameter: the higher the power, the faster the grinder handles with the task (ceteris paribus). The suitability of the coffee grinder for working with solid products also depends on the power — more powerful models are better suited for these purposes.

Buying powerful models for everyday use in life is hardly justified: they are expensive, and the time savings are small. But in the professional sphere (for example, in a cafe), where the speed of preparation is crucial, high-power coffee grinders are very useful.

The number of grinding levels provided in the coffee grinder.

For different cases may require different degrees of grind, see “Adjusting the grind” for more on this. The same parameter determines how many fixed settings are provided in the coffee grinder. The more of them, the wider the capabilities of this device, the more accurately you can choose the option for a particular situation.

Note that this characteristic is given only for models with millstones (see "Grinding system") — it is not relevant for knife devices. In the most advanced models, the number of grinding degrees can be in the dozens.

The presence of a display in the design of the coffee grinder greatly simplifies the work with the device, allowing you to more clearly monitor the process and mode of operation.

The presence of a dispenser in the design of the coffee grinder. This device is designed to dispense ground coffee in portions. Most often, this portion is 7 g (the standard for one cup of espresso), however, there are models where the volume of the dispenser can be changed at will. Coffee grinders with a dispenser will be useful for lovers of exact recipes, as well as in cafes, restaurants, etc., where both strict accounting of coffee consumption is required, as well as compliance with each portion of the specified standards.