If you’ve been endlessly searching for the best coffee grinder for French press coffee – look no further! There are more than a few fabulous options on the market, and you can select from manual or electric, depending on which best suits your fancy.
Treating yourself to a top-quality burr grinder can help you take your love of fine grind to the next level and make you excited to jump out of bed in the morning and whip up that first delicious brew!
So, without further ado, let’s put our heads together and figure out the best coffee grinder for French press.
Why You Need Your Own Coffee Grinder
Anyone looking to become something of a coffee aficionado will know that the best way to enhance the rich, deep flavors of their morning coffee is to invest in a coffee grinder for their French press instead of opting for pre-ground coffee, as it can bring those favorite coffee shop flavors into your own home, and can work out much more cost-effective than taking a quick detour to grab a coffee to-go every morning!
Coffee grinders are also a great way to enjoy the finer side of coffee without forking out for an expensive coffee machine – because there’s no need! A manual or electronic coffee grinder and a great French press cafetière achieve the same effect. Why?! Because the beauty doesn’t lie in the appliance – it’s all in the beans!
That said, those transitioning from instant coffee and thinking about treating themselves to a swanky coffee machine further down the line may find a simple coffee grinder as a wonderful way to dip their toe in the vast and delicious pool of good coffee in the interim.
The Benefits of Coffee Grinders
If you’re not quite convinced yet, here are some of the benefits owning a coffee grinder can (quite literally) bring to the table:
- They’re better for the environment. That is – in comparison to grabbing coffee to-go every day. Did you know that more than 50 billion disposable coffee cups are thrown away yearly in the U.S. alone? That’s a lot of cups!
So, investing in a coffee grinder and a good reusable cup or thermos can make you feel like you’ve got your favorite Starbucks beverage for your morning commute – without our beautiful Earth footing the bill!
- Coffee grinders are quick and easy to use, meaning you can have a steaming mug of your favorite flat white in minutes.
- Nothing – and we mean NOTHING – beats the smell of fresh coffee in the morning, right?!
- Most coffee grinders are much quieter than machines.
- They provide a consistent grind and allow you to achieve the desired coarseness.
Our Top Coffee Grinder Choices For Your French Press Coffee
So, if you’re unsure whether to opt for a manual coffee grinder or an electric grinder, we’ve included a mix of both for you to muse upon.
1. JavaPresse Manual Coffee Bean Grinder with Adjustable Settings
This chic JavaPresse manual coffee grinder for French press has a stainless steel body and boasts eighteen manual grind settings, giving you full control over the coarseness of your grind. It is also lightweight, portable, and easy to use.
Because of the manual crank mechanism, you won’t need to rely on batteries or a nearby power socket – oh, and it eliminates up to 90% of the noise you might get with other types of coffee grinders.
Delicious, fresh French press coffee is a mere few cranks away!
2. Capresso Infinity Best Conical Burr Grinder
This swanky electric grinder is ideal for both French press coffee and Turkish coffee. It boasts 40 mm conical stainless steel burrs that rotate at 450 RPM, which is actually pretty low as coffee grinders go, but this also means it’s quieter than other burr grinders. It also comes with an auto-off feature that kicks in when the hopper isn’t fully locked into place.
If you haven’t the time or patience for manual grinding for your French press brew, this burr grinder is a match made in heaven for you.
3. Breville Smart Grinder Pro
This electric coffee grinder absolutely looks the biz in any modern kitchen and has an impressive 60 settings. Like the Capresso, it rotates at 450 RPM but is a little louder when it’s doing its thing, which may be worth bearing in mind if this is a buying factor.
It might look slightly techy, but it’s super easy to use – even for grinder newbies. The only potential downer is that this machine is quite sizable and weighty (8.5 x 12.5 x 16.3 inches and 2.9 kg), which may be an issue for folks with kitchen space restrictions. Gadget fanatics will love the LCD screen that allows you to select a grind setting and program a dose (either number of cups, espresso shots, or a set time, precise to 0.2 seconds).
4. Kitchenaid Burr Coffee Grinder 5KCG0702
Known for its high-tech, good quality (not to mention colorful) kitchen appliances, this Kitchenaid Burr grinder is no exception. This coffee grinder comes in a range of 3 colors (red, cream, or black) and is simple to use and easy to clean. It also has useful accessories, such as a coffee scoop and a burr-cleaning brush.
This grinder is fairly sizable (30cm deep, 34cm high, 15cm wide) and weighty (4.5 kg), so this can be ideal for larger households brimming with coffee lovers.
Choose between 15 grades to grind your beans with for the ultimate French press cup of coffee in the morning.
5. Hario Skerton Pro – Best Ceramic Burr Grinder
Back to manual coffee grinders for a second – this burr grinder may be Japanese, but it is ideal for French press enthusiasts. This grinder features ceramic conical burrs and has a hopper capacity of 2.1 oz and a container capacity of 3.5 oz, which is more than your average manual coffee grinder.
Most coffee grinders are made from stainless steel; however, this Hario coffee grinder for French press is predominantly made from glass and plastic, making it more lightweight – but this also means it is a bit more fragile.
Previous Hario burr grinders weren’t traditionally designed for French press coffee – however, that’s not the case with this model, so get grinding!
Choosing the Best Coffee Grinder for French Press
Factors to consider when choosing the best coffee grinder for French press include:
- Which do you prefer, electronic or manual? Each has its pros and cons. For example, electric coffee grinders are quicker and easier but can be noisier and will use additional energy resources, whereas a manual coffee grinder is quiet, smaller (therefore easier to stow away or move), portable, and more inexpensive but require more effort from yourself and might not guarantee a fully even grind.
- Size. For those with limited space, a bulky electric coffee grinder may not be the best option. Bear in mind that if space is an issue, it can be worth skipping the French press middleman and opting for a coffee machine to do the whole job for you.
However, if your beloved French press is not something you wish to forsake just yet – and kitchen space is an issue – a manual grinder can be the perfect solution, as it (along with your French press) can be easily stored away in a cupboard when not in use.
- How often do you plan on using your grinder? If French press coffee is a treat in an otherwise busy lifestyle, where instant coffee and regular trips to your favorite take-out coffee place is how you roll, forking out an electric grinder for it to be used intermittently may not be the best investment.
So, why not get a manual grinder (likely much cheaper) later down the line if French press becomes a more frequent part of your routine? Then, treat yourself to an electronic grinder.
- Your coffee beans of choice. Certain beans grind better with certain grinders. So if you prefer coffee beans for your French press, research what appliance (manual or electric) is best suited for your beans of choice.
- Quality. The quality of your coffee grinder often influences the quality of your coffee’s flavor and texture. Seeking out online reviews and recommendations can be a good indication of the best option for your French press coffee.
- Simplicity vs. complexity. If techy objects with multiple buttons, functions, and settings can be a bit bamboozling, maybe avoid ones that require a power source. Sometimes less is more, and opting for a manual grinder is a good call.
French Press Coffee Grinder: The Verdict
So, the moment we’ve all been waiting for – which is the winning grinder?!
Well. We couldn’t choose just one, so all five competitors above are the winners! Both manual grinders and electric alike have pros and cons, and all are designed for grinding your coffee into coarse grounds of excellence – so it all depends on your personal preference!
When picking the best coffee grinders, it is wise to consider the above factors, plus your budget, and choose one based on its glowing reviews. That way, you can’t go wrong!
French Press Coffee Grinders: FAQs
What kind of coffee grinder is best for French press?
According to JavaPresse*, you’re advised to use burr grinders instead of blade grinders. This is because burrs will grind the coffee beans into consistent coarse grounds and will not generate heat, which can burn and damage the beans, leaving an unpleasant, bitter taste. No one likes burnt beans!
What coarseness should coffee be for French press?
Size matters, friends! French press coffee requires a coarser grind, and the ideal grind size should be between 0.75 mm and 1 mm. However, a grind that is a bit too coarse side will have a weaker flavor.
Can I use fine grind in French press?
The French press is a form of brewing that involves immersion, meaning that the beans extract for longer than in other methods. Because of this, it is wise to use a coarser grind to slow the extraction process and avoid over-extraction.
Why is my French press coffee bitter?
French press coffee requires your coffee beans to be coarse. So, if these beans are ground too fine, your coffee will probably taste rather bitter. As mentioned above, beans that are too coarse will have the opposite effect and will be bland and weak, which is why striving to get the optimum coarseness will achieve the best results.
How long should you steep French press?
This depends on how strong you like your coffee to be. The longer you steep it, the stronger it will be. It also depends on how coarse the grind is. Your best bet is to play around with grinding and steeping to find the perfect combo for your preference.
Should you filter French press coffee?
You certainly can. In fact, it’s advisable, as naturally, it will eradicate any rogue bits of ground coffee beans, ensuring an even smoother texture.
How many scoops of coffee do you put in a French press?
According to GreenStreetCoffee.com**, you’re advised to use one tablespoon of coffee granules for every four ounces of water. Although, this can be tweaked, of course, to suit personal tastes.
