If you’d rather not use an auto-drip coffee maker, you can try the french press. For those who prefer a more refined taste in their coffee, a french press is an excellent choice.
In addition, a growing number of eco-conscious individuals are now using french presses. Why? It doesn’t produce any waste at all! Instead of using a disposable filter or plastic cup like a Keurig or other single-cup coffee makers, the french press uses a reusable metal plunger.
There are, however, a few caveats to using a french press to brew your coffee. Coarse ground coffee is required first. A fine mesh strainer is included in French presses, but these strainers are not as fine as the paper filters you would use in a traditional coffee machine. As a result, if you use fine-ground coffee in a french press, you run the risk of getting coffee that tastes gritty.
Using a manual coffee grinder adds time and work to your daily coffee routine.
Pros of a Manual Coffee Grinder
Precision
A common misconception is that hand-ground coffee is of worse quality and consistency than that produced by an electric’machine.
This is frequently not the case.
Some of the manual burr grinders available today can achieve a degree of precision that is on par with, if not better than, the best commercial coffee grinders on the market.
Best hand grinders for various sizes of powder
A high degree of control over the grind is possible since the settings may be modified with great precision and almost little waste (many electric grinders need to expel the previous grind settings coffee).
Portability
The mobility of a hand-held coffee grinder is its most attractive feature for me.
Mine have been crammed into numerous bags, including backpacks, suitcases, and even the rare purse. They’re incredibly light but surprisingly sturdy for their size.
Durability
Most manual coffee grinders are made of plastic or stainless steel, and their few moving parts are designed to be as durable as possible.
You’d have to put in a lot of effort to crack one of these.
Price
When I initially started dabbling in home coffee brewing, a manual burr coffee grinder proved to be the ideal starter tool.
You can pick one up for pretty cheap today and whether you’re seeking one for a trip or just to try out some freshly ground coffee at home like me they are surely amazing value for money.
Soundlessness
Have you ever been up extremely early and, clearly, in need of a cup of coffee, but faced with the dilemma of brewing that coffee without waking anyone up with the clatter of your electric coffee grinder?
If this sounds like your morning ritual, a hand coffee bean grinder might be the perfect accessory. There is still some noise, but it is much lower in volume, so you won’t disturb the upstairs residents.
Limitations of Hand-Owned Coffee Grinders
Effort
If you’ve read thus far, you probably already know the ins and outs of how a manual coffee grinder operates.
There is a range in the amount of force required to spin the arm from one model to the next.
The time it takes me to grind enough coffee for an Aeropress is typically around 60 seconds with significant effort.
It gets easier as you get going, learn the proper technique, and strengthen your arms.
Capacity
One or two cups of coffee at a time is the recommended grinding capacity for manual coffee grinders.
An electric coffee grinder could be useful if you have a large family and want to prepare several pots of coffee at once.
How do you use a french press to make coffee?
To get the best flavor, use coarsely ground coffee, as previously mentioned. Therefore, manual coffee grinders are ideal for french press use, as they provide much higher precision in your grind consistency than electrical grinders. We’ve compiled a list of the best coffee grinders for french presses in the section below.
Once your beans are coarsely ground, you’ll need to take an accurate weight of them. You can adjust the amount of coffee to your preference by adding more or less to the standard two tablespoons of ground coffee per eight fluid ounces of water ratio.
Add the correct amount of coarse-ground coffee to your french press. ” As soon as the water is hot, you can drink it. In a French press, add water to the desired amount of water, then add the ground coffee and let it brew.
The next step is to let the coffee brew for a few minutes. Set a timer for four minutes, then wait. Using the plunger (the top part of the french press), slowly and steadily press down for four minutes.
10 Best Manual Coffee Grinder for French Press
All of the evaluations and recommendations found on this site are written by us, and we only endorse items or services that we truly believe in.
Reviewing the top manual coffee grinders is what we’ve done down below.
Normcore V1.1 Manual Coffee Grinder – Hand Coffee Grinder
For coffee lovers who are always on the go, the Normcore manual coffee grinder is the ideal choice.
Adjuster for grinding
There are 24 different coffee grind settings on this grinder, so you can fine-tune your grind. If you’re looking to make the best cup of coffee possible with your french press, this is the grinder for you.
Designed to withstand the test of time
The Normcore grinder’s stainless steel, conical Burr design is long-lasting, so you can be sure to have a precise grind for your coffee for years to come. As an added benefit, this design is resistant to cracking and breaking if dropped.
There is also the stainless steel Burr, which grinds more efficiently so that you don’t have to work as hard to get the perfect cup.
Portable
It weighs just 1.5 pounds and can be held in your hand like a glove. It’s perfect for on-the-go because it comes with a free carrying case. Coffee drinkers who don’t need a lot of grinding power will appreciate this grinder’s 25-gram capacity, which makes it a great option for most.
Drawbacks
Customers have only noticed a few minor flaws with the product so far. To begin, some users complained that getting used to the 24-position grind adjuster was a hassle. Even though this grinder is made of slip-resistant material, the top can fall off if you’re not careful.
Overall
As a result, this manual coffee grinder is an excellent choice for coffee lovers, especially those on the go, because it is sleek, stylish, and compact. It’s an excellent first manual coffee grinder because of its high performance and long-lasting design.
Handground Precision Manual Coffee Grinder
For a sleek and glossy look on your kitchen counter, choose the Handground Precision Manual Coffee Grinder with a ceramic design.
Enormous Storage Capacity
To begin, this coffee grinder has a large capacity: you can put up to 100 grams of coffee beans in this grinder at a time. Because of this, heavy coffee drinkers, large families, and households with multiple coffee enthusiasts will all enjoy this manual grinder’s convenience.
A Grind Adjustment.
There are 15 different grind settings available on this manual grinder, which isn’t quite as precise as the Normcore grinder mentioned above but is still precise enough to grind coarse coffee for your french press.
Portability
However, even though this grinder is a bit larger than the Normcore grinder, it’s still small enough to fit in the palm of your hand and is fine to take camping or traveling with you. However, this grinder is made of breakable ceramic and does not come with a carrying case, so take extra care when transporting it.
Assistive cleaning
This coffee grinder has been praised for its ease of disassembly, which makes cleaning it a breeze.
Drawbacks
There are a few drawbacks to this coffee grinder, but some users have reported that it wears out quickly. In addition, this grinder is made of ceramic, so if you’re prone to dropping things, you may want to avoid it.
Overall
Precision, ease of cleaning, and a large capacity make the Handground coffee grinder a must-have. As long as you’re not concerned about the grinder breaking, this is a great option for frequent coffee drinkers.
Eparé Manual Coffee Grinder
Large capacity stainless steel grinder with a ceramic grinder and slip-resistant grip on the bottom to keep it in place on your counter as you grind coffee.
Enormous Storage Capacity
The Eparé grinder holds up to 60 grams of coffee beans, which is more than enough for the average or even moderately heavy coffee drinker, despite its smaller size compared to the Handground grinder.
Dishwasher Safe
The ceramic burr in this grinder is a big difference from the other two grinders reviewed here. A less precise grind can be expected from ceramic grinders due to their brittleness and proneness to breakage. However, for the price of this grinder, you can expect to get a great deal.
A Grind Adjustment.
The Eparé grinder, like the Handground grinder, has 15 grind settings that allow for a precise finish.
With a Non-Slip Grip
The non-slip bottom of this grinder is one of its most notable features. As a result, you don’t have to hold the grinder in your hand while grinding your coffee beans, and you don’t have to worry about the grinder moving around as you crank the crank.
Drawbacks
The ceramic Burr in the Eparé grinder has been reported by some users to seize up while grinding on occasion (rather than a smoother stainless steel Burr). Many people have found that while the slip-resistant bottom is a nice feature, it can quickly become covered in dust and dirt. For the complete list of issues, please refer to the user reviews.
Overall
The Eparé manual coffee grinder is a solid choice for anyone looking for a reasonably priced manual coffee grinder.
Bretani Manual Coffee Grinder
An excellent choice for coffee lovers on a tight budget, the Bretani grinder has a luxurious appearance that belies its low price tag.
A Grind Adjustment.
The Bretani manual coffee grinder has 18 different grind settings, which makes it slightly more precise than the Handground and the Eparé, which are both more expensive. For a truly exceptional cup of coffee, use your preferred grind.
Design
On a kitchen counter, the Bretani grinder’s stainless steel exterior stands out. A stylish drawstring bag is included for travel, making it even more convenient to take with you.
Brush for Cleaning
Unlike the other grinders, this one comes with a free cleaning brush. If you want to keep your Burr grinder in top shape, you’ll want to use the brush to clean the hard-to-reach areas inside of it.
Capacity
However, for those who only drink a couple of cups of coffee a day and don’t mind a smaller grinder, the Bretani is a great option.
Drawbacks
The grinder’s crank is prone to breaking off, so be careful and gentle when using it.
Overall
The more expensive manual coffee grinders may last longer. The Bretani grinder, on the other hand, is an excellent entry-level option for those looking for a manual coffee grinder on a budget.
Silva Manual Coffee Grinder
The Silva grinder is another low-cost manual coffee grinder with an incredibly sleek yet basic design, perfect for those looking for a basic coffee grinder without the need for preppy and overly stylish exteriors. The Silva grinder.
A Grind Adjustment.
In a similar vein to the Bretani grinder, which has 18 grind settings for precise grinding, the Silva grinder has 18 grind settings.
Portability
Small enough to fit in the palm of your hand or a suitcase or backpack, this travel-friendly coffee grinder is only six inches tall and two inches wide. With no glass parts, this grinder can be taken anywhere without fear of breaking.
Durability
Since the Silva grinder is less expensive than the Bretani grinder, users have noticed that this inexpensive product lasts longer.
Ceramic Burr on Stainless Steel Exterior
For camping or outdoor use, the stainless steel exterior provides a clean, dirt-resistant design. The ceramic Burr is brittle and can break, but most users have found that it holds up well over time and repeated use in the lab.
Drawbacks
Only the unevenness of the ground coffee has been reported by users when using this coffee grinder in comparison to other high-end manual coffee grinders.
Overall
It’s hard to beat the Silva grinder in terms of value for money, portability, style, and precision when looking for a manual coffee grinder.
We hope you’ve found the right manual coffee grinder for your French press! You can find a manual coffee grinder to suit your every need, whether you’re taking it camping, hiking, to the office, or simply using it every day at home. While grinding your coffee manually may take a little longer and require more effort, if you use a French press, the effort is well worth it.
JavaPresse Manual Coffee Bean Grinder with Adjustable Settings
The grinder has a total of 18 simple click settings, allowing you to fine-tune your grind. If you like to brew a French press cup of Joe while camping or on the road, this gadget is for you.
A smooth and virtually noiseless hand crank is used to operate the machine To ensure that the ceramic burrs will last five times as long as stainless steel blades, they are put through a rigorous testing process.
While traveling, this grinder is ideal for those who need to grind a small amount of coffee. A grinder with a larger capacity may be preferable for those who prepare their coffee in large batches.
Khaw-Fee HG1B Manual Coffee Grinder with Conical Ceramic Burr
An easy-to-grip crank handle and a quiet motor make this grinder ideal for home use. If you want to grind your French press coffee while you’re at work or on the road, you can do so.
Using the unit’s multiple coarseness settings, you can find the perfect grind size for a french press.
As a sign of their faith in their product, the manufacturer offers a warranty that lasts the lifetime of the product. To put it simply, if for any reason you don’t like their product, all you have to do is return it to them and they’ll refund your money.
Secura Electric Burr Coffee Grinder Mill
Electric grinders like the Secura can grind up to 12 cups of coffee at a time, with a variety of grind sizes to choose from.
The Secura grinds coffee evenly and preserves the aroma, making it ideal for professional use. If you forget to turn it off, it will shut itself off automatically.
In addition, the Secura has a few optional extras that we think are particularly useful.
You can use these nonsliding tabs to keep your grinder in place and secure on your kitchen countertop.
Capresso Infinity Conical Burr Grinder
Solid, conical steel burrs on the Capresso conical burr coffee grinder allow for extremely precise grinding. This machine has a wide range of grinding options, from ultra-fine to coarse.
It can hold up to 8.8 ounces of beans and 4 ounces of ground coffee in the transparent bean container.
With a gear reduction system that reduces noise and static buildup, the motor is operated. For maximum flavor and aroma, no matter what setting you choose, the machine has the slowest grinding speed in its class, resulting in less friction and heat.
Even though this coffee grinder costs a little more than others, you’ll get better results from it because of the superior grind quality.
Porlex Mini Stainless Steel Coffee Grinder
A one- or two-cup capacity makes the Porlex Mini one of the tiniest grinders on the market. Even if you only brew one cup of coffee per day at home, this is an excellent home manual grinder.
A travel grinder needs to be both compact and sturdy, and the Porlex Mini delivers on both counts. For schlepping around town or camping, you can simply toss it in your purse or backpack thanks to its stainless steel body
When it comes to grinding performance, the Porlex Mini isn’t constrained by its diminutive size. Even when grinding coarsely for a French press, it maintains impressively consistent coffee grinds thanks to its dependable grind adjustment system. Because the ceramic burrs are razor-sharp and static-free, you won’t have to worry about making a chaffe-like mess when using this at work.
Buyers Guide
After that, we’ll talk about coffee grinders: why do you need one, and what are the best features to look for when purchasing a hand-operated grinder?
You must grind your own beans if you want the best possible cup of coffee, according to coffee experts. It’s easy for pre-ground coffee to go stale and produce a tasteless cup of joe.
In the same way that you will need a specific grind when using a french press, a manual coffee grinder provides the best precision. Manual coffee grinders, on the other hand, are less expensive than electric ones.
So, how do you choose the best one out of all of them? Let’s take a look at the various options for features and styles that are available when purchasing a manual coffee grinder.
Quality
Manual coffee grinders have improved greatly over the years, and today you can get a wide variety of models that all produce drinkable results.
I mention this because many modern electric coffee grinders employ blades instead of burrs, resulting in a blending action rather than a grinding one. This is a surefire way to ruin the careful preparation that went into bringing the coffee beans to your home.
Because burrs are used in every manual coffee grinder, even the cheapest manual grinder produces a drinkable cup of coffee.
The quality of the coffee grounds is affected by things like the variation between the different grind settings and the strength of the grinding burrs.
The burrs of a high-end hand grinder for espresso will be of superior quality, and the increments between coarsest and finest grind will be smaller.
Material
In addition to stainless steel and plastic, ceramic and even vintage wood have all been used in the production of manual coffee grinders over the years (if you buy a grinder in an antique shop).
To begin with, let’s talk about metals. Several factors make stainless steel coffee grinders the most long-lasting: they aren’t easily scratched or scuffed, and they won’t chip or crack. Stainless steel of the highest quality also has a particular professional appearance. As far as a disadvantage goes, stainless steel is easily scratched and stained.
However, a less expensive alternative is to buy a plastic coffee grinder, which is more durable and can last for years. Plastic, on the other hand, is porous and susceptible to scratching, fingerprinting, and a weathered appearance over time.
Ceramic coffee grinders, the third option, are the most visually appealing on your kitchen counters. These are a great choice for those who are looking for a coffee grinder that is both stylish and functional. Ceramic coffee grinders, on the other hand, can be broken by a single drop.
Wooden coffee grinders can also be found online or in antique stores. There aren’t many of these around anymore, so any wooden coffee grinders you come across may be worn out and ineffective. It’s up to you if you want to take on an antique restoration project.
Size
If you brew a lot of coffee daily, the size of your coffee grinder matters.
For manual coffee grinders, you’ll see two options: those with a capacity of 20-30 grams, and those with a capacity of 30-40 grams. Some people drink an entire 12-cup pot of coffee every day, or even more often. Assuming you drink more than 20-30 gallons of water a day, you’ll probably need to go with the larger capacity.
Lastly, if you intend to take your coffee grinder on the road, larger grinders are probably out of the question. Make sure you’re looking for something light and small enough to fit in your suitcase.
FAQs
Is It Preferred to Use a Manual Coffee Grinder Rather Than an Electric One?
The quality and uniformity of coffee grinds produced by manual and electric grinders of varying prices are essentially same.
When compared to manual alternatives, electric grinders are clearly the most convenient and fastest option. Manual burr grinders, on the other hand, have the advantages of being inexpensive and easy to transport.
Does It Matter If a Manual Coffee Grinder Has a Burr or Blade?
The burrs used in hand-cranked grinders are the gold standard. The burrs in a hand grinder can range in quality, material, and even shape.
How Much Time Does It Take to Grind Coffee Beans by Hand?
The time it takes to manually grind beans for one cup of coffee averages one minute.
It depends on the coffee’s strength, the grind size (a finer espresso grind takes longer than a coarser cafetiere grind), and the manual coffee grinder you use.
Why Are Manual Coffee Grinders so Expensive?
The price of a manual burr coffee grinder might be high. The reason for this is that the materials used (often the burrs themselves) are of exceptionally high quality.
When it comes to brew procedures that require a finer grind, more expensive hand grinders are just as well engineered and designed.
When grinding coffee beans manually, what steps are involved?
A hand burr grinder typically consists of two separate chambers. The coffee beans go in the upper chamber, and the grounds end up in the bottom one.
Coarseness (the size of the coffee grinds) is adjusted by moving steel or ceramic burrs closer together or further apart between the two chambers. The coffee beans are ground using a rod with a revolving handle that is fastened to the top burr and manually rotated.
How to Clean a Manual Coffee Grinder?
First, remove the chambers’ screws, and then take the burr’s grind adjuster apart. Everything should come apart, but watch out for the springs! Remove any lingering oil with an ear bud and the rest of the coffee grinds with a tiny brush.
Can Coffee Beans Be Ground the Night Before?
In order to get the most flavor from your coffee, grinding the beans right before brewing is recommended. Though it’s preferable to grind beans the night before rather than buy pre-ground coffee (since they’ll be fresher), the coffee’s flavor begins to degrade as soon as they’re ground.
Can you re-grind coffee?
Do not re-grind coffee grounds after they have been extracted from the bean.
Because coffee grinders are made to grind entire beans, doing so will cause them to break down.
How to Adjust a Manual Coffee Grinder?
Take apart the grinder by unscrewing the upper chamber and twisting it away from the lower chamber.
In order to fine-tune the grinding experience, most manual grinders feature an adjustment dial below the burrs in the top chamber.
Turn the dial clockwise to tighten the burrs, bringing them closer together and producing a finer grind (this may be the opposite on some grinders). A click can be heard and felt as the dial is turned, allowing you to accurately adjust the grind size. For a coarser consistency, go in the opposite direction.
When preparing coffee, is it best to have it preground or to grind it yourself?
Having your own coffee grinder is an advantage. Almost immediately after coffee is ground, its flavor begins to degrade.
Coffee that has been pre-ground retains some of its nuanced flavors depending on the quality of the roast, but it can’t compare to coffee that has been freshly ground.
Alternatively, if you’re in need of specialty coffee but don’t have a coffee grinder, you may find out where to get The Best Ground Coffee Subscriptions.
How Long Does a Manual Coffee Grinder Last For?
More than ten years ago. This is certainly a challenging number to define as there are numerous variables including the quality of the grinder and the amount of use.
Electric coffee grinders frequently fail due to faulty electrical components or motors, whereas manual grinders have neither.
A lot of the hand grinders available nowadays are constructed of durable materials like stainless steel.
The revolving lever wears out occasionally, and occasional burr cleaning is all that’s required for lifetime use otherwise.
How Does an Overly Fine Coffee Grinder Affect the Coffee?
Hand-ground coffee that is too finely ground for the intended brewing process can result in an overly bitter cup.
If the coffee is ground too finely, the water won’t be able to go through, rendering the brewing process impossible; this is especially true for stovetop and espresso coffee.
What Sets a Coffee Grinder Apart From a Spice Grinder?
Aside from the consistency of the coffee grinder’s burrs, there can be few discernible changes between various models of spice and coffee grinders.
However, some cheaper spice grinders are vastly different and employ a system wherein two revolving lids seal the spices inside while the teeth inside grind the coffee beans.
