Cuisinart Burr Grinder Review: Why You Need The Supreme Grind

Whether you’re looking for alternatives to your current grinder, or hoping to upgrade your daily cup of joe by beginning to grind your own favorite coffee beans, there are many coffee grinders on the market from which to choose. It can be an overwhelming process.

That’s why we have provided this thorough overview and product review of the Cuisinart DBM 8 Coffee Grinder, the number one best budget coffee grinder available. We’ll provide all of the information you need about this grinder, and then evaluate it across several analysis fields. That way, you can decide once and for all if this is the best coffee grinder for you.

CHECK PRICE →

---

The Cuisinart DBM 8 Coffee Grinder

This supreme grind automatic burr coffee grinder grinds whole coffee beans into grounds that can be used to make a variety of types of coffee, including drip coffee, French press, filtered, and pour-over.

What is a Burr Grinder?

The Cuisinart DBM 8 Supreme Grind is a burr grinder, which is distinctly different from a blade grinder. A burr grinder grinds coffee using two revolving burrs; it grinds the beans between the two burrs as they rotate. The 8 supreme grind automatic is a conical burr grinder. A blade grinder, on the other hand, utilizes a quickly rotating blade to grind the coffee.

Generally speaking, burr grinders are superior to blade grinders because they have a more complicated mechanism. However, they are typically more expensive. Thus burr grinder is operated by a heavy-duty motor. It has an automatic shut-off function that works by an electric timer and turns off when it has produced enough grounds at the selected size.

More Specifications of the DBM 8 Supreme Grind

The DMB-8 is made of brushed stainless steel. It is 6 inches long, 7.13 inches deep, and 10.75 inches tall. It weighs 5.6 pounds when empty. It is BPA-free. Cuisinart sells replacements for the bean chamber, the grinding chamber, and the bean chamber lid should yours become damaged or broken.

It is a supreme grind automatic burr, which means that you tell it the grind size and amount you want, and it does the math for you.

Grind Consistency and Capacity

In terms of grind size, this burr mill has a grind selector that can grind coffee beans to 18 different levels, from very course to ultra fine.

For capacity, it can grind enough beans at a time to make 18 cups of coffee or as little at a time to make 4 cups. You can leave leftover or unused grounds in the storage chamber for later use, capable of storing enough grounds for 32 cups of coffee.

Finally, the product comes with an 18 month warranty from Cuisinart. Be sure to register your coffee grinder with the manufacturer as soon as you bring it home, just in case. 

About Cuisinart

Cuisinart is one of the world’s leading brands in small kitchen appliances. Their signature food processor helped launch the business in the early 1970s when it was lauded by the likes of James Beard and Julia Child.

Now owned by Conair Corporation, most of their products are made in China. They offer a wide range of items; in terms of home coffee brewing, they sell coffee makers, coffee grinders, and espresso makers.

Since the grinder in question here comes with a warranty, it’s worth mentioning that Cuisinart doesn’t have the best reputation for customer service, at least according to online reviews. It looks as though many people who have issues with their products end up giving up and buying new instead.

Cuisinart Coffee Grinder Review

Now that we know everything we need to know about the product and the company let’s dive into the actual Cuisinart DBM 8 review. 

CHECK PRICE →

---

Design: 4/5

The Cuisinart DBM-8 is a lovely machine. It is small and sleek. Most of the exterior is made from aluminum and brushed stainless steel, which gives a modern look and allows it to match nicely in most kitchens.

It is also relatively small and well-shaped for easy storage, whether you keep it on the countertop or in a cupboard. Similar to many Cuisinart products, it has convenient cord storage within the base.

We took a point off because some parts are made from plastic and feel and look a bit flimsy or cheap, especially the storage chamber. In addition, this is a particularly loud burr grinder; none are especially quiet, but this one stands out as louder than most.

Performance: 3.5/5

The Cuisinart DBM 8 coffee grinder will certainly grind your coffee beans well, but it falls a bit short in terms of delivering everything that it promises.

We love that there are 18 grind sizes available; that level of customization is ideal for people who like to drink different types of beans and experiment with other variables to achieve the perfect cup of coffee.

We also love that the actual grinder has ceramic block burrs instead of blades. To put it nicely, blade grinders are awful. If you’re currently using a blade grinder, you won’t believe how much better this Cuisinart model works for you.

That said, the fact that there are so many grind sizes available on such a basic machine means that it isn’t always accurate. Some other reviews from users mention this in their automatic burr mill review. This is especially true since the grind depends in part on the timer and the automatic shut-off function.

You will definitely find inconsistencies in the grind size when you use this product. However, they will still a better and more reliable grind consistency than those you get with any blade grinder on the market.

Ease of Use: 4.5/5

This is an incredibly easy burr coffee grinder to use. Make sure all of the parts are in place, and add your beans to the bean hopper bin. Select your desired grind size and the number of cups of coffee you want to make, and hit start.

One essential item to note about this step can be a bit confusing for new users. The DBM-8 makes enough coffee grounds to brew at least four and as many as 18 cups of coffee. That does not mean that it yields four or more cups of grinds.

What is more, Cuisinart is also using a relatively standard ratio of grounds to water for coffee making. Many, if not most coffee drinkers, prefer to customize this ratio (some prefer their coffee a bit weaker, although most like it to be a bit stronger). Keep this factor in mind when you’re grinding.

There are also a couple of safety features that can make using it better for beginners. For example, the motor will not run if the bean hopper or grind chamber is not properly fitted.

This might be a pain for experts since they may want to collect grounds in their own coffee receptacle, but we love this feature for beginners since they never have to worry whether they have set everything up correctly.

It isn’t only easy and safe to use; it is also easy to clean (except when it’s not). The burr hopper detaches entirely from the machine, so there are no worries about getting moisture in the electrical mechanisms.

It also allows you to completely clean coffee dust and residue from the burr grinder and the grind chamber. That way, the flavor of your next bean won’t be tainted with the ghosts of grinds past.

That being said, you need to clean this machine and perform regular maintenance on it to extend its life as long as you can. Disassembly, brushing out any stray grounds, and getting into the nooks and crannies of the burrs are all musts to keep it working in tip-top shape.

Still, we found that it was easier to clean than some other burr grinders. It’s also one of the reasons its large capacity is excellent: the more you can grind at once, the less frequently you’ll need to use it, and the less frequently you will need to clean it.

Another perk? The machine comes with a handy cleaning brush.

Value for the Price: 5/5

This burr grinder is inexpensively priced, but buyers be warned: you get what you pay for. Don’t expect this grinder to be of perfect quality or last for years without breaking, and it is certainly not appropriate for commercial use.

That being said, for the casual home coffee drinker, it is a quality coffee grinder for the price. This is especially true for beginners who are just beginning to try grinding their coffee beans. The grind size is so customizable that it allows you to play around with different beans and their flavors and aromas.

It’s a great starter machine that can help you learn what features are most important to you when you are ready to invest in something higher-end. It is also a far superior product to blade grinders, which are often comparably priced or even more expensive.

In addition, it is better than the best blade grinder, and it is well worth going up in price a little bit to choose this inexpensive burr grinder over a blade grinder, which is the main reason we gave it a 5 out of 5 in terms of value for the price. You probably won’t find a less expensive burr grinder.

So, even though it isn’t a perfect machine by any stretch of the imagination, it is an excellent deal for the price. Not everyone needs to spend the kind of money that a perfect machine that grinds perfect coffee costs. Especially for the price, this is a great little grinder.

CHECK PRICE →

---

Who Won’t Love the Cuisinart DBM 8?

It might be pretty evident by now, but this machine is meant for middle-of-the-line folks. On one end of the spectrum, people who douse their brew in cream and sugar and don’t even want to taste the actual coffee don’t have a purpose for it. They’re much better off with pre-ground.

On the other hand, very serious coffee drinkers will also be disappointed with this product. They especially won’t like the sometimes inconsistent grind sizes. For them, the Baratza Encore might be a better option.

Suppose you can taste the difference between coffee grown in Brazil and Indonesia, or even the difference between robusta and arabica. In that case, this burr grinder might not be up to your level.

For Whom is the Cuisinart DBM 8 Perfect?

Despite its drawbacks, this coffee grinder is perfect for those of us in-between. If you like the actual taste of coffee and enjoy sampling different kinds of coffee from various shops, regions, and brands, then you might be ready to start grinding your own beans.

Another thing about the Cuisinart DBM-8 that we love is its large capacity. With the Cuisinart DBM 8 Supreme, you can grind a lot of coffee at once, making it very convenient for busy professionals. While your grinds won’t be super fresh this way, they will be fresher than the pre-ground coffee you can buy in the store.

We recommend storing your fresh grounds in an airtight container in the freezer to preserve freshness.

It is also a good grinder for those of us who love to DIY. If you enjoy trying different methods, unusual blends, and personalizing everything, then this is an excellent grinder for you. You can play around with grind sizes and even combine other beans for your personal favorite cup of coffee.

Break it Down: The Pros and Cons of the DBM-8

We have already discussed many of these features in-depth in other sections of this article, but here is a quick breakdown of some of the best and the worst qualities of this Cuisinart coffee grinder.

Pros:

• Brand recognition: Cuisinart is a well-known brand not only for coffee products but all kinds of small kitchen appliances.
• Especially considering that it is a name-brand product, it is reasonably priced.
• Compact size and sleek design.
• Eighteen grind sizes from which to choose make it suitable for drip coffee, filtered, pour-over, or sometimes French press coffee.
• Safety features make it beginner-friendly.
• Cuisinart offers an 18-month warranty.
• It’s fast (it only takes about a minute to grind enough coffee for 32 cups).
• It’s relatively easy to clean and comes with a custom cleaning brush to make the task simpler.
• Working according to the grind size and amount selected, the automatic grind takes the guesswork out, especially for newbies. 

Cons:

• This Cuisinart Supreme sometimes yields a less than consistent grind.
• Not an exceptionally durable machine; it probably won’t last more than a few years.
• While capable of holding a lot of grounds, the grind chamber is not airtight, which means it is not a smart place to store coffee grounds if you care about the flavor and aroma.
• It is very loud, especially compared to other burr grinders. That’s not ideal for early mornings.
• Not usable with espresso beans, and this isn’t the best machine for French press coffee, either.

Final Verdict: 17/20

If you’re new to burr grinding or grinding in general, then the Cuisinart DBM-8 is an ideal purchase. It consistently delivers flavorful, aromatic coffee grounds for delicious coffee. Your homebrew will get a serious upgrade, as will your morning as a whole.

It is not a top-of-the-line machine, and proper coffee fiends may be disappointed with some inconsistencies in the grind size. In addition, since it is an inexpensive model of a complex machine, it is not designed to last a lifetime; you’ll be lucky to get 3-5 good years if you use it moderately frequently and clean it regularly.

Despite some issues, not everyone needs a superior product such as the Baratza Encore, and the Cuisinart DBM 8 Coffee Grinder is a solid product. One of our favorite things about it is that it makes fantastic, aromatic, flavorful coffee more accessible to more people through its low price. For most people, the benefits will far outweigh any drawbacks to this product, and it is an excellent investment in better tasting, more enjoyable coffee!

CHECK PRICE →

---