Lance Hedrick|01. Mai
Do Grinders Improve Coffee that Much? Cheap vs Expensive Grinders
Summary: Do Grinders Improve Coffee that Much? Cheap vs Expensive Grinders
In this video, Lance Hedrick asks whether you can actually taste the difference between a cheap ($100) and an expensive ($3,000) coffee grinder. He conducts a blind taste test to highlight objective differences but emphasizes this is not a purchase recommendation.
The Grinders Compared
- Cheap Grinder (approx. $100 / ~€90): Features a plastic housing and carrier for the conical burr. The burr has a pentagonal shape with serrated edges. Alignment is non-adjustable.
- Expensive Grinder (approx. $3,000 / ~€2,750): A high-end device made of solid metal (anodized aluminum), designed for precision and durability.
The Method
- The goal was to adjust the grind settings so that the particle size distribution (the mode) was similar (within 10 microns).
- Two triangulation tests were performed: one with the expensive grinder vs. the cheap one, and another with the cheap grinder vs. a hand grinder (FIMO Book A2) of a similar price class.
The Blind Taste Test Results
- Expensive vs. Cheap Grinder: The difference was clearly noticeable. The expensive grinder produced a more tea-like, juicy, and balanced coffee without the drying, astringent finish of the cheap grinder.
- Cheap vs. Hand Grinder: The difference here was smaller but still present. The hand grinder performed slightly better, while the cheap grinder showed a slight hollowness and a metallic aftertaste.
Key Takeaways
- Yes, you can taste a difference: The particle distribution and shape are objectively different, which translates to the flavor.
- Expensive ≠ automatically better: More expensive grinders are often optimized for specific flavor profiles. You need to understand and use them correctly.
- The biggest lever is the coffee bean: Lance emphasizes that bean quality has the greatest impact on taste. He would rather use a cheap grinder with excellent coffee than an expensive grinder with mediocre coffee.
- No magic bullet: An expensive grinder does not guarantee better coffee overnight. You must understand the variables (grind size, brew ratio, etc.).
- Recommendation: The most important step is to upgrade from a blade grinder to a burr grinder (whether cheap or expensive).
There is an audible and tasteable difference between cheap and expensive grinders. However, price alone is not decisive. What matters is how well the entire setup (grinder + coffee + brewing method) aligns with your personal preferences. The single biggest improvement to your cup comes from buying higher quality coffee beans.
