5 Best Coffee Grinder for Cold Brew – Reviews and Buying Guide
In the last few years, cold brew coffee been popping up on menus all over the place. As you will taste it’s not the same as just hot coffee poured over ice. It has an entirely different taste to it. The acidity is much lower, and the flavor is more vibrant and more chocolaty. If you have discovered this for yourself, you may want to try making it at home.
Best Coffee Grinder for Cold Brew
1. Hario Ceramic Coffee Mill – “Skerton”
The Hario Ceramic Coffee Mill ‘Skerton’ is an economical choice and is one of the best manual coffee grinders for cold brew coffee. The clean glass exterior looks good on a countertop and is easy to clean. It has a range of coffee grind coarseness to choose from so can be used for other coffee making too. It is also practical with a non-slip rubber base and a large enough cup that holds 100gms.
Overview
- Hand crank
- Adjustable for precise grind
- Dishwasher-safe
- Ceramic Burr
- Non-skid rubber base
- Glass Bowl 100g capacity
Product Highlights
- Easy to use
- Low Price
- Slow grind creates rich flavor and aroma
- Long wearing ceramic mechanism
- Easy to clean
- Quiet when in use
- Easy to travel with
The Good/What I like
This is a very handy and easy to use product. It has all the features that you need for a good cold brew coffee grind. You can adjust the coarseness of the grind to get the perfect size needed. The slow grinding – due to it being a hand crank helps to preserve the flavor and the richness of the aroma.
It is very compact and can even be used when you travel. he handle detaches to make it easy to pack. This means if you are going out in the wilderness you don’t need to compromise on a good cup of coffee.
The Bad/What I don’t like
While having a hand crank makes a better cup of coffee it does mean you have to do a bit more work if you are catering for a large family or dinner event. It also has a small cup compared to other options.
2. Chefman Electric Burr Coffee Grinder
The Chefman electric burr Coffee grinder has an intelligent design that is easy to use and has over seventeen settings to suit any kind of coffee grind preferred. The 100W motor achieves a consistent grind each time it is used. It also has a large hopper that holds up to 8 oz of ground coffee. This makes up to 12 cups of coffee at a time. So if you have a big family or have a strong addiction to high-quality coffee this is a good choice for you. This is also a good quantity of grounds to use to make cold brew coffee in one grinding.
The container and grinding discs are detachable which makes them easy to clean. This is important as you can get into all the nooks and crannies so no bacteria can develop that will alter the taste of the coffee over time.
Overview
- Customizable with 17 grinding options
- Large Hopper holding up to 8 oz
- Burr Mill system does not heat coffee beans which results in full flavor
- Detachable parts for easy cleaning.
- Free cleaning brush included
- 1 year warranty
Product Highlights
- Customizable with 17 grinding options
- Large Hopper holding up to 8 oz
- Burr Mill system does not heat coffee beans which results in full flavor
- Detachable parts for easy cleaning.
- Free cleaning brush included
- 1 year warranty
The Good/What I like
If you have a big family or drink a lot of coffee this is a good choice for you. It can grind beans for up to 12 cups of coffee at time so you can make a large amount of cold brew coffee the night before to last through the whole day. It is also very easy to clean. The detachable parts make it hygienic as you can get into all the nooks and crannies and stop any bacteria growing. It also has 17 grinding functions.
The Bad/What I don’t like
It’s a little more expensive but the additional functions balance this out.
3. Bodum Bistro Burr Grinder
The Bodum Bistro Burr Grinder sturdily constructed grinder is very durable. It is capable of making a coarse grind that is perfect for a cold brew coffee. It has a scratch resistant plastic that is also static-free. This makes it very easy to clean and hard to clog. It has a slim profile and looks good in your kitchen.
This grinder featured with 12 stepped grind setting from coarse to fine. The conical steel burrs make it ideal for grinding your fresh coffee beans. While this is a few less settings it is more than adequate for cold brew coffee.
Overview
- Small footprint
- Stainless steel burr grinders
- Easy to use
- Static-free plastic
- Consistent grind for all settings
- 12 grind settings
Product Highlights
- Modern sleek design with a small footprint
- Stainless steel burr grinders that preserve the flavor and aroma
- Added friction clutch to protect the grinding gear
- Dishwasher safe
- Easy to clean
- Can make up to 7.7 Ounces of coffee grinds at a time
The Good/What I like
The sleek look of the grinder makes a good addition to a kitchen while being a very useful product. It is large enough to make a decent quantity of coffee grinds which are enough to make cold brew coffee the night before.
The Bad/What I don’t like
It has a few less grind settings than the other ones and is quite a bit more expensive.
4. Ariete -Delonghi Electric Coffee Grinder
The Ariete -Delonghi Electric Coffee Grinder is in a different class. It is a professional level product that is a heavy-duty. It is ultra fast and delivery a high-quality grind. It comes in a compact, sleek design that also looks great on the counter top. It has 15 different grind settings.
The bean hopper holds over 13 ounces of beans and the ground coffee container olds 6.5oz which is a good amount for cold brewed coffee. The bean hopper is also detachable and sealable. Which means easy storage if you don’t want to use it right away.
Overview
- Large bean hopper of over 13oz
- Removable bean hopper
- Ultra fast
- Heavy duty stainless steel burr grinder
Product Highlights
- 15 grind settings
- Easy to use
- Very fast grinding procedure
- Heavy duty stainless steel mechanism
- Easy to clean
- Professional quality product
The Good/What I like
This is a professional and heavy duty product. It is very sturdy and can do a large amount of coffee in a very fast time. It is efficient and easy to use. There is a handy cup selector so you can pick how many cups you want and it will grind just that.
The Bad/What I don’t like
It’s more expensive and bigger than the others. This is a pro if you are looking for a professional product or if you need to make a lot of coffee. It’s a bit much for just a couple or small family.
5. Baratza Virtuoso Conical Burr Grinder
The Baratza Virtuoso – Conical Burr Coffee Grinder is a much more precise machine than any other. It has 40 individual grinding settings. This gives a very wide range of settings to experiment with until you find the perfect one for your cold brew coffee.
It is a very classy looking machine with a sculptured metal shape and a small footprint.
Overview
- 40 grinding settings
- 40mm high-quality stainless steel burrs
- Efficient DC motor
- 450 RPM Grind
- Holds 10 oz of coffee beans
Product Highlights
- Small footprint
- 40 different settings to choose from
- Slow grind creates rich flavor and aroma
- Stainless steel burrs
The Good/What I like
This machine is a very sophisticated and looks great in the kitchen without taking up a lot of space. It delivers a good quality ground coffee as it has a stainless steel bur and a dc motor that does not heat up. The grind is very consistent.
The Bad/What I don’t like
There are too many settings on the machine. If you are buying this machine for a cold brew you will not use all the settings and this adds to the price. If you are using this for an office or more professional setting then this might be something to sue.
Buyer’s Guide
It’s easy enough to buy ground coffee however, freshly ground coffee beans make all the difference. The freshly ground beans give a much richer taste. But what is the best grinder to use? Here is what we have searched out and found as the best coffee grinders for the cold brew with a comprehensive buying guide.
Firstly, how do you make cold brew coffee? To get the best results and taste the grounds need to steep for at least 12 hours in cold water. It is the time that extracts the rich flavor of the coffee not the heat as in a traditional method of making coffee.
The benefits of cold brewing include:
- This method makes very smooth flavor and a less acidic coffee that is not as bitter as hot coffee.
- Due to the fact that there is no heat the natural antioxidants found in the coffee are retained.
- These antioxidants and free radicals have many benefits including increasing heart health and lowering the risk of cancer.
- These also help increase blood flow to the brain. This helps with motor function and brain function.
Cold Brew Coffee Vs. Hot Brew Coffee
Here is a comparison table to show you the differences at a glance:
- Cold Coffee Hot Brew Coffee using more energy
- Made with cold water Made with hot water
- Slower oxidation and degradation Faster oxidation and degradation
- Longer brew time Shorter brew time
- Smoother and less acidity More bitter and higher acidity
- Uses coffee grounds Uses more coffee grounds
What Grind Size should you use for the Cold Brew Coffee?
Cold brewing takes at least 12 hours to brew and this should be done at room temperature or below. This time is needed to draw all the flavor out of the coffee. This is done at or below room temperature and requires at least 12 hours to complete brewing process.
During this time, water soaks the coffee and extracts all the flavor from coffee.
A medium grind will take less time but will take longer to filter. This results in a coffee that is not as clean.
A finer grind takes a shorter time to steep but results in a bitter more cloudy coffee.
The extra coarse grind is the easiest to filter and the best to make a cold brew.
So therefore the best grinder to purchase is one that makes a consistent extra coarse grind.
How to Choose Best Coffee Grinder for Cold Brew?
1.Burr grinder or Blade Grinder?
A Burr grinder works best as it does not overheat the beans as it grinds them. This preserves the flavor and aroma of the coffee.
2. It should be easy to clean. The last thing you want is a coffee grinder that takes a long time to clean. So having removable parts makes this a breeze? This is vital to avoid bacteria growing that will alter the taste and lower the quality.
3. Choose one with a large enough hopper. Choose one that can do 100g – 200g at a time.
4. Coarseness selectionMake sure your grinder can do an extra coarse grind.
Cold Brew Coffee FAQs
How long can I keep cold brew coffee after I have made it?
It is best to use within 7-10 days. Remove the coffee grinds after 12-16 hours or it will continue to get stronger and more bitter.
Should I refrigerate the cold brew coffee?
Yes this is important or it will go off.
What is the optimum time to brew the coffee?
It needs to steep for a least 12 hours but can go for up to 18 hours. Beyond 24 hours it will start to get more woody and less pleasant to taste. If you want a stronger coffee add more ground beans to the water.
Will Decaf beans work?
Yes these work just as well in the same method.
What is the right water to coffee ratio?
The ratio is 4 to 1 water to coffee. However you want to use at least 100g of coffee or you will get a very weak blend. You can experiment a little until you find the strength you like that works with the beans you are using.
Can I use tap water or is filter water?
The better quality water you use the better results you are going to get. A filtered water or even spring water will work very well and keep a consistent taste to the coffee.
Is cold brew coffee the same as iced coffee?
No as covered above cold brew coffee is ground beans seeped in cold water whereas iced coffee is just hot coffee that has been allowed to cool or poured over ice.
Final Verdict
The coffee grinders shown above are have a wide variety of functions, sizes and prices. My personal recommendation is the first one. The Hario Ceramic Coffee Mill – “Skerton” is easy to use and very compact. It has a hand crank which might be a down side for some but for me it works well as it delivers exactly what I need and no more. It is easy to clean and easy to take with you when you travel. This is a big plus point from where I stand as I travel often and having a good cup of coffee is a must.
No matter where you are in the world you can grind your own beans, leave them to steep over night and wake up to a good coffee in the morning. Depending on your lifestyle and the quantity of coffee you drink you may choose to pick a larger or more robust option. But for me simplest is the best.
