If you like to travel a lot or go camping occasionally then there is probably no change in your daily routine in the sense that you want fresh brewed coffee from your own special coffee beans. If you like to grind them yourself then an electric grinder won’t do the trick especially if there are no electrical outlets nearby. That’s why you need the best manual coffee grinder that money can buy.
They also allow you to grind your coffee beans a particular way you want them so they also make some manual coffee grinders you can use at home that are much bigger and made to be used on the countertop of the kitchen.
In this article, we will go over what to look for when choosing a new manual coffee grinder as well as the different types that are made. We will also cover some of the best manual coffee grinders available for purchase on the market today and which one may be the best fit for you and your wants.
How to Choose the Best Manual Coffee Grinder
When purchasing a new manual coffee grinder, the same rules apply with just about any other type of kitchen tool. You want to make sure that you buy a manual coffee grinder that is constructed of high-quality materials. More specifically you want to make sure the inner workings or the burr is made of either ceramic or stainless steel to ensure it will last longer than most. The shell of the coffee grinder is less important but it is still best to go with one that is stainless steel or ceramic to avoid future damages or accidents.
If you plan on buying an older or antique coffee grinder you may want to reconsider simply because if it breaks, then it is game over. Usually, there are no replacement parts or returns when it comes to these types of models. If you take this route then you might as well just get a Nespresso machine to solve your coffee problems.
If you buy a newer manual coffee grinder then try to get one that comes with some kind of manufacturer guarantee or a warranty to protect it in case any damages or defects occur while in use or during the shipping process. You also want to think about how much the coffee grinder will produce. If it is just for you then a smaller capacity will be just fine but if you have a large grinder and you just want a cup or two of coffee then you may not be able to get the correct coarseness of the coffee grind that you want.
Construction and Design
Manual coffee grinders and coffee percolators have been made for centuries and there have been many different types, shapes and sizes produced. You may be able to go into an antique store and find several different coffee grinders from all over the world that will produce many different levels and kinds of coffee grinds.
It is important to know how you want your manual coffee grinder to work and what level of coarseness you want the grounds to be. If you plan on using your espresso machine under $200 then you are going to want a very fine ground to get the best cup of joe possible. Some manual coffee grinders are able to be set to different levels of coarseness to produce very fine grounds or a much rougher ground. If this is important to you and you would prefer not to use a coffee sifter after using your manual coffee grinder then look for a machine that comes with different settings.
You also want to make sure the burr, which grinds the coffee beans into grounds, is very strong and will not break. Try to stay away from plastic materials as they will break fairly often with these machines, even if they come with replacement parts, it is not wise to get one you will constantly be having to make adjustments to or that require a lot of maintenance.
You want the burr to be very sharp and last forever. Most stainless steel and ceramic burrs will last a long time but there is a chance of them breaking so make sure to read reviews of others that have purchased the item previously so you can have your bases covered.
Also, make sure to buy the manual coffee grinder that will suit your needs. If you are planning on traveling or camping a lot with it then you don’t need a very large and heavy coffee grinder. Usually, those are to be used at home and left on the kitchen countertop. You want something small and lightweight that won’t be hard to pack in a small suitcase or carry around willingly.
When it comes to the design of the manual coffee grinder that is really all up to you or the user. As long as the machine will do its job well, then the design, color and shape will all depend on you. You might even be able to find one that will match your old coffee percolator as well. There are many old antique manual coffee grinders that have very cool and unique designs and shapes that you just can’t find anywhere else and probably won’t either.
Best Manual Coffee Grinders
JavaPresse Manual Coffee Grinder
The Best Manual Coffee Grinder
This manual coffee grinder is one of the best on the market. It is very affordable but it does not come with a warranty to protect it. The body of the grinder is made of stainless steel and the inner workings otherwise known as the burr is a combo burr made of ceramic and is tested to last 5 times longer than other stainless-steel burrs.
The grinder comes with a removable hand crank that eliminates 90 percent of the noise that comes with most manual coffee grinders. It also has 18 different grinding levels that is easy to change from click to click. It also comes with a complimentary bag of coffee with every purchase.
- The patent ceramic combo burr system is tested to last 5 times longer than most stainless-steel burrs
- The grinder comes with a removeable hand crank which eliminates most loud grinding noises
- Every grinder comes with a complimentary bag of coffee beans
- While it is very affordable, it does not come with a warranty to protect it
Hario Ceramic Coffee Mill -“Skerton Pro”
The Large Portable Coffee Mill
This manual coffee grinder may not have a lot of bells and whistles but it has a large capacity and great construction. The hand grinder is a little more expensive and it does not come protected by a warranty. The body of the coffee grinder is made of very strong glass. In fact, the name Hario means king of glass in Japanese.
The burr is made of stainless steel and is also very strong. The grinder is able to hold up to 100 grams of ground coffee which is one of the highest capacities when it comes to manual hand grinder, especially the portable kind. The handle has a very comfortable and ergonomically shaped grip. There are several settings that are easy to switch back and forth from to ensure your favorite coarseness of the coffee beans.
- The portable coffee mill has a very large 100-gram capacity
- The body is made from very strong glass and the burr is made of stainless steel
- There are several settings to choose from for grinding coarseness
- The manual coffee grinder costs a little more and it does not come with a warranty
Porlex 345-12541 Jp-30 Stainless Steel Coffee Grinder
The Modern Portable Coffee Mill
This coffee mill is one of the more basic models from looks but will still operate like any of the other top tier grinders. The grinder does cost a little more and it does not come with a warranty to protect it. The body of the grinder is constructed of 100% stainless steel and is also static proof. There are very strong ceramic conical burrs on the inside to grind your coffee and many different settings to choose from between a fine powder to a coarse French press.
The handle is removable and will not stick during the grinding process as well. The grinder is able to hold up to 30 grams of ground coffee and yet it is still small enough to fit in any small bag or purse for on the go grinding.
- The body is constructed of stainless steel and is small enough to fit in any carry-on bag
- The burrs are very strong ceramic construction that will stand the test of time
- The grinder is able to hold up to 30 grams of ground coffee and has many different levels of coarseness
- The manual coffee grinder is fairly expensive and does not come with a warranty to protect it
LHS Manual Coffee Grinder with Ceramic Burrs
The Professional Grade Coffee Grinder
This coffee grinder not only looks great but also works like a champ to bring you the freshest coffee grounds. The manual coffee grinder is very affordable when compared to other products, but it does not come with a warranty to protect it.
The manual coffee grinder is made with quality materials such as a stainless-steel hand crank and sharp ceramic burrs to make sure the grinder will last forever and will stay stable when in use. The container that catches the coffee grounds is also glass and clear so you can see when it fills up.
Everything is dishwasher safe which makes it easy to clean and it is also whisper quiet when in use so you don’t wake anyone up when making coffee in the morning. The manual grinder also has four adjustable settings from fine to coarse that can be set for different ground applications.
- The manual coffee grinder has four different settings on the hand crank to give the best coffee grounds whether it is fine or extra coarse.
- The manual coffee grinder is constructed of high-quality stainless-steel hand crank, a clear glass grounds catcher to see when it fills up and sharp ceramic burrs to grind any coffee bean.
- The coffee grinder is easy to use, very quiet when in use and everything is dishwasher safe to make clean up a cinch.
- While the product is very affordable, it does not come with a warranty to protect it.
Hario Mini-Slim Plus
The Smaller Version
This is another Hario coffee mill that is almost identical to the other one except it is more compact. It is about half the cost of the other coffee mill but it does not come with a warranty to protect it. The body is constructed of strong glass and the burr system is a ceramic construction.
It is small and lightweight so it will store in anything and can be transported easily. It grinds about 2 cups of coffee and has multiple settings for the coarseness of the coffee.
- The body is constructed of very strong glass and holds about 2 cups of coffee
- The grinder has a very strong ceramic burr system
- It is very small and lightweight and able to be placed in any bag for transporting
- While it is very affordable, it does not come with a warranty to protect it
Khaw-Fee HG1B Manual Coffee Grinder
The Super Quiet Manual Coffee Grinder
This manual coffee grinder will make sure you get the freshest and tastiest coffee grinds possible. It is a little expensive for a manual coffee grinder but it does come with a lifetime warranty to protect it.
The manual coffee grinder is constructed with high quality stainless steel and ceramic parts to ensure the product is stable and durable. It will grind coffee beans quickly and will be whisper quiet while doing it.
The size of the grind is also adjustable to make perfect ground beans for espresso, coffee, French press, stovetop or whatever your needs may be. The catch all container is also see through so you can see how much is in the container. It is all dishwasher safe except for the crank which makes it easy to clean as well.
- The manual coffee grinder is made of quality stainless steel and ceramic inner parts to ensure stability while in use and durability to last forever.
- The hand crank is very quiet and very efficient and the catch container is glass to see how much you have ground up.
- The hand crank is adjustable to suit your fine or coarse ground needs for espresso, coffee, French press and much more.
- While the manual coffee grinder does come protected by a lifetime warranty, it is rather expensive for doing the work by hand.
Zassenhaus “Santiago” Mahogany Beech Wood Manual Coffee Mill
The Fancy Manual Coffee Grinder
This manual coffee grinder is smaller but is meant to be used at home and stay on the kitchen counter. It is very expensive but does come with a 25-year warranty to protect the burr system. The body is constructed of rich mahogany wood with a bright finish and gold-plated metal features. The burr system is a conical ceramic build and will grind coffee to several different settings. The hand crank is sturdy and also ergonomically correct.
- The body is constructed of rich mahogany wood with a bright finish and gold-plated features
- There is a conical ceramic burr system with a 25-year warranty
- The machine has many different settings for levels of coarseness
- While it does come with a warranty, it is very expensive to purchase
Kalita Сoffee Mill KH-3 Retro
The Basic Manual Coffee Grinder
This coffee grinder has kept the same classical shape and design of antique coffee grinders and is meant to be used at home. It is very affordable to purchase but does not come with a warranty to protect it.
The body is constructed of wood with a nice finish and everything else is constructed of cast iron. It is heavy enough that it will not move around while in use and the burr system is constructed of stainless steel. It also has several different settings of coarseness to choose from.
- The body is constructed of wood and all other parts are cast iron
- The burr system is constructed of stainless steel
- There are several different levels of coarseness to choose from
- While it is very affordable, it does not come with a warranty to protect it
Conclusion
Depending on what you will be using the coffee mill for should determine the type of grinder you need. But in all honesty, there is no reason to jump at the bigger models when you can get a portable one for cheaper and that will probably last longer, and store easily.
