Gear Review: Hand Burr Grinders
Good, so you’re finally looking to upgrade from Mom’s old kitchen bean chopper. Or perhaps you don’t have a grinder and are looking for that first purchase. Either way, you’re in the right place! In terms of value, a good hand grinder is the best way to improve the quality and taste of your daily brew. As with anything, there are models that will fit any price point, but unless you are into glamping or have a lot of disposable income, I'd suggest the $25-50 price range will be a good bet. If you're spending more than $100 on a hand grinder for home use, you might as well pick up an decent quality electric burr grinder. Below I'll review two perennial favorites for home-baristas to get you started on the
right track, both of which will give you great quality and value:
Hario Skerton Ceramic Coffee Mill
Hario Mini Mill
Adding a hand grinder to your morning ritual is an easy first step towards brewing incredible coffee. You won't regret having one of these in your arsenal. Let's get started:
Hario Skerton - $35
Hario is a Japanese heat-ware glass company. They produce a number of items for the coffee market, among them the popular V60 pour-over dripper. The Hario Skerton is a durable piece of equipment that feels good in the hand yet is large enough to grind beans for two. This is a must have for beginner and enthusiast alike in the low-budget market. Unless you are worried about size (for camping/travel or simply have extremely limited storage space) you can't go wrong with this one.
Pros: durable ceramic burrs, large hopper and basket capacity, low cost, easily adjustable grind size.
Cons: glass basket (breakable), stepped-grind size, poorer consistency at coarser grind setting
Great for: pour-over, Aeropress, auto-drip, kitchen use, multiple people
Hario Skerton Ceramic Coffee Mill
Hario Mini Mill
Adding a hand grinder to your morning ritual is an easy first step towards brewing incredible coffee. You won't regret having one of these in your arsenal. Let's get started:
Hario Skerton - $35
Hario is a Japanese heat-ware glass company. They produce a number of items for the coffee market, among them the popular V60 pour-over dripper. The Hario Skerton is a durable piece of equipment that feels good in the hand yet is large enough to grind beans for two. This is a must have for beginner and enthusiast alike in the low-budget market. Unless you are worried about size (for camping/travel or simply have extremely limited storage space) you can't go wrong with this one.
Pros: durable ceramic burrs, large hopper and basket capacity, low cost, easily adjustable grind size.
Cons: glass basket (breakable), stepped-grind size, poorer consistency at coarser grind setting
Great for: pour-over, Aeropress, auto-drip, kitchen use, multiple people
Hario Mini Mill - $29
Another product by Hario. This one is a bit smaller and packs easily, making it a favorite for travelers and campers. The detachable handle makes it a quick stow, yet the durability is the same you would expect from a quality manufacturer like Hario. Due to the slim profile and smaller dimensions, the catch-basket only holds about 25 grams of ground coffee, so if you're making more than one cup, you'll have to unscrew the base and empty it more than once.
Pros: consistent coarser grinds, slim profile, low cost, plastic parts (shatter proof)
Cons: small capacity
Great for: all brew methods, single use, travel
Bottom line: If you are usually grinding coffee for 2+ people and brew on a pour-over, drip, or Aeropress at home, go with the Skerton. If you travel or brew using a french press, get the Mini Mill. If you only care about grind consistency at varying levels of coarseness, the Mini Mill is the better option of the two.
Pros: consistent coarser grinds, slim profile, low cost, plastic parts (shatter proof)
Cons: small capacity
Great for: all brew methods, single use, travel
Bottom line: If you are usually grinding coffee for 2+ people and brew on a pour-over, drip, or Aeropress at home, go with the Skerton. If you travel or brew using a french press, get the Mini Mill. If you only care about grind consistency at varying levels of coarseness, the Mini Mill is the better option of the two.
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