KitchenAid Burr Grinder Review: What the reviews are saying (Updated)

kitchenaid coffee grinder review

KitchenAid appliances are known for their budget-friendly prices and easy-to-use designs. But what kind of coffee can you expect to enjoy after using a KitchenAid coffee grinder? 

The answer depends on which grinder model you choose, but even the most straightforward KitchenAid blade grinders can help you enjoy a fresh cup of joe. Still, it's challenging to select the best possible coffee grinder if you're not familiar with your options.

That's why we pored over the different KitchenAid coffee grinder models and performed rigorous tests to find out more about them. In this review, we'll reveal everything we learned about these handy machines, helping you select the model that's best for your habits, preferences, and budget.

Just so you know, if you click on a product and decide to buy it, we may earn a small commission.
CHECK PRICE →

KitchenAid Burr Coffee Grinder

4.6 ⭐out of 5

Specifications:

  • Height: 15in
  • Depth: 5in
  • Gross Weight: 9lbs
  • Hopper Capacity: 7oz

Before we go into greater detail on how this device functions, let's explore some of its most notable advantages and potential drawbacks.

✅ This model is slim enough to fit neatly onto most kitchen countertops, helping you maximize your kitchen space.

✅ Unlike blade coffee grinders, this option utilizes professional-grade burr grinders to help you achieve the ideal level of coarseness.

✅ While other coffee grinders feature a blend of metal and plastic components, this option is almost solely made of high-quality stainless steel and durable glass.

✅ Users can select a type of brewing style (percolate, drip, espresso, french press), set a grind level, and choose the desired brewing amount (1 to 12 cups) using this model's automated features.

✅ Instead of standing at the grinder during use, you can simply set this burr grinder and walk away.

✅ A one-year KitchenAid warranty protects this option.

🚫 It can be challenging to keep clean.

🚫 This model is pricier than other KitchenAid coffee grinders, which could be off-putting to the average customer. 

KitchenAid: A Brief Brand History

KitchenAid appliances have been a popular choice among US consumers since the 1920s. However, they weren't initially as diverse as they are now. In the beginning, the only KitchenAid appliance was a miniaturized version of a standing mixer.

For many years, "KitchenAid" was a term that was used synonymously with "household mixer." In fact, the only KitchenAid appliances hitting the shelves between 1920 and the late 1940s were food mixers. By the 1950s, there were also a handful of KitchenAid dishwashers available.

But in 1986, the Hobart Corporation sold KitchenAid to the Whirlpool Corporation. From there, the product lineup expanded to include refrigerators. But the brand wouldn't become a household name until its appearance on several Julia Child cooking shows, including The Way to Cook.

Thanks to repetitious endorsements from various celebrity chefs, KitchenAid mixers and appliances became even more popular among home cooks. By the 1990s, the average US consumer could easily find a slew of KitchenAid appliances, including blenders, on store shelves. 

KitchenAid Coffee Grinder Review

kitchenaid coffee grinder

Firstly, it's crucial to note that there are three primary models of KitchenAid coffee grinders. However, for this article, we'll be focusing on the KitchenAid Burr Coffee Grinder.

If you're more interested in choosing a blade-based option, you may want to opt for the KitchenAid Blade Coffee Grinder or the KitchenAid Coffee and Spice Grinder. That said, both of these more budget-friendly models pale in comparison to the KitchenAid Burr Coffee Grinder's abilities.

When you're serious about enjoying gourmet-level coffee and espresso from the comfort of home, there's no better choice. Still, we're getting ahead of ourselves.

Without further ado, let's explore this coffee grinder in more detail and discover what aspects stand out and which could use a little extra work. After several caffeinated hours of tests and trials, we believe we've learned everything we can about this device, and we're happy to share our findings with you. Let's begin!

CHECK PRICE →

Design 4.4/5 ⭐

Overall, the design for the KitchenAid Burr Coffee Grinder is solid. At about 5in deep and just about equally long, you can slip this grinder between nearly any other countertop appliance. However, you'll need to measure your cupboards, as this model stands at 15in tall.

Part of this machine's tall design stems from its automatic nature. Other grinders might have a push-and-hold button or mechanism that gets the motor running. But this machine allows users to set their desired options, press a single start button, and walk away.

Consequently, it's slightly heftier than the average handheld option. But then again, this is no handheld coffee grinder! It also seems to make far less noise than a standard handheld option. As such, we feel it's earned an excellent design rating. 

Performance 4.9/5 ⭐

The area where the KitchenAid Burr Coffee Grinder truly shines is performance. With a hefty 7oz capacity, this grinder can tackle nearly twice the standard capacity of similar devices. It also adjusts for each user's desired type of brew.

If you wake up tomorrow morning with a keen taste for espresso, but you haven't got any ground espresso at home, you can make your own using this grinder's espresso function. This machine even comes with two adjustable portafilters for quick espresso packing.

And should you find yourself craving a simple pot of drip-brewed coffee later on in the week, you can adjust this grinder's settings and enjoy up to 12 cups of freshly ground coffee beans. Whether you're brewing with professional-quality at-home equipment or a simple glass drip pot, this grinder can ensure you get the ideal grind consistency.

Ease of Use 4.7/5 ⭐

To use the KitchenAid burr grinder, you need only fill the upper glass hopper with the coffee beans of your choice, program your desired settings, and press the start button. You don't need to keep your hand on the grinder and keep a watchful eye on your grounds.

This unit is automated to do all of the hard work for you. Indeed, the only potentially challenging aspect of using this model is cleaning it. Still, a helpful cleaning brush is included to help you scrub away any rugged coffee bean remnants.

To select your ideal coarseness (as well as your other settings), you need only spin the main dial. You can also remove this dial to calibrate the motor mechanism attached to it. However, you'd only need to do this if you prefer very coarse coffee grounds.

Even better, your beans will travel through a series of conical burr blades designed to crush them down to a preselected size. Once they've reached the bottom hopper, they're ready for brewing. This function is notable, as many other grinders eviscerate the beans in their initial container.

By having the grounded beans travel down into a separate hopper, you're eliminating the possibility of uneven coffee grinds. Because you need a consistent grind to enjoy high-quality coffee, this feature is one of the most vital. 

In short, you'll never find a whole coffee bean sitting in the bottom hopper of this coffee grinder!

Features 4.8/5 ⭐

One of the most alluring aspects of the KitchenAid Burr Coffee Grinder is its list of features. At its most basic, a coffee grinder is simply a tool that you can use to turn whole coffee beans into a powdery substance. But they're not all equal.

Some coffee grinders are manual, meaning you'd need to use your upper body strength to spin a blade and chop the beans. Others are handheld electric models with push-down tops or one-start buttons. But this model is automatic.

In addition to its easy-to-use automatic start/stop function, this grinder also offers a wealth of customization options. Users can select up to 70 unique customization settings and options to keep their grounds perfect, no matter the brew type.

The addition of two espresso portafilters makes short work of espresso brewing, and the small looped handles along the hoppers help users avoid accidental drops and breaks. The only feature that this grinder is missing is a self-cleaning function. 

Value For Money 4.1/5 ⭐

In terms of affordability, the KitchenAid burr grinder isn't the natural choice. After all, there are far smaller, handheld burr grinders that can achieve a similar effect but with slightly less convenience and panache.

That said, this model isn't the priciest high-quality coffee grinder available. Instead, it falls near the middling price range, being neither budget-friendly nor overly expensive.

And if you're determined to enjoy the best possible cup of coffee or espresso, you'll recognize that the trade-off between capability and price is a worthwhile one. The KitchenAid Burr Coffee Grinder isn't a bargain buy, but it can do several things that more affordable burr grinders cannot.

Consequently, we feel that this model provides excellent value for the money you spend. However, we do think that a slight price reduction would make it a more accessible option. 

KitchenAid Grinder Models

kitchen aid coffee grinder

Though we've reviewed the only KitchenAid burr coffee grinder, this brand also produces two-blade grinders that may be preferable to the budget-minded customer.

In total, KitchenAid creates four different coffee grinders. They are as follows.

  1. KitchenAid Blade Coffee Grinder
  2. KitchenAid Coffee and Spice Grinder
  3. KitchenAid Burr Coffee Grinder
  4. KitchenAid KCG8433BM Burr Coffee Grinder

Let's briefly describe and compare these models to learn more about them. After all, not every coffee lover needs a professional-level coffee grinder to enjoy their morning cup of joe. If you'd instead choose a less complicated grinder, one of the blade grinders might be a better pick.

1. KitchenAid Blade Coffee Grinder

The most affordable KitchenAid coffee grinder is the standard bladed model. It's primarily a housed motor with an attachable stainless steel bowl (blade included) and plastic cover.

This option is the simplest to operate, as users need only add coffee beans to the bowl, snap the bowl and cover in place, and press firmly down on the top cover. To stop grinding, you simply take your hand away from the unit.

With a bowl capacity of four oz, you can grind enough coffee to brew a 12-cup pot. However, it's challenging to grind your beans to a specific coarseness, even after several days or weeks of practice. As such, this model is better suited to coffee lovers with standard drip coffee makers.

  • Model Number: BCG111ER
  • Grind Type: Blade
  • Capacity: 4 oz.
  • Colors: Red or Black

2. KitchenAid Coffee and Spice Grinder

If your kitchen counter space is limited, you may want to choose an appliance that's capable of performing multiple tasks. The KitchenAid Coffee and Spice Grinder could be that ideal multipurpose machine.

Like the standard KitchenAid Blade Coffee Grinder, this device utilizes a stainless steel bladed bowl to grind hard ingredients. However, this option comes with two steel bowls and two tight-fitting bowl lids.

These extra components allow you to grind multiple ingredients back-to-back without having to wash your bowl each time. And if you'd like to prepare a few spices ahead of time, you can grind them to a coarse or fine grind consistency, then pop the lid onto the bowl and store it in your fridge!

However, this model is essentially the same machine as the standard blade grinder but with a few more accessories. If you're searching for better features and more grinding options, you'll want to move along to burr grinders.

  • Model Number: BCG211OB
  • Grind Type: Blade
  • Capacity: 4 oz.
  • Colors: Red, Black, and Grey

3. KitchenAid Burr Coffee Grinder

kitchen aid

Next, there's the KitchenAid burr grinder. We've already covered this item in our coffee grinder review, so we'll keep additional details relatively brief. This coffee grinder offers the most incredible range of grinding abilities and can produce coarse, medium, and fine coffee grounds.

And while this model omits an easy-to-use pressurized on/off button, it does come with several dozen grinding settings to ensure the perfect grind every time. Whether you enjoy brewing french press coffee or sipping on a rich espresso, this grinder has a setting to meet your needs and leave you feeling satisfied.

  • Model Number: KCG8433BM
  • Grind Type: Burr
  • Capacity: 7 oz.
  • Colors: Black

4. KitchenAid KCG8433BM Burr Coffee Grinder

Lastly, the best model on the list is the KitchenAid KCG8433BM Burr Coffee Grinder. Featuring 70 precise settings, this grinder can provide anything from a coarse cold brew grind, to a fine espresso or Turkish grind.

Like some of the higher-end machines you'll find in the market, this Kitchen Aid coffee grinder features automatic smart dosing to provide the perfect amount of ground coffee based on the beverage you choose. 

With the ability to store 10 oz. of coffee beans, this machine shines as a dominant countertop appliance. Simply buy a bag of Black Ink coffee and pour it into your grinder. 

  • Model Number: KCG8433BM
  • Grind Type: Burr
  • Capacity: 10 oz.
  • Color: Black

Frequently Asked Questions

kitchenaid burr grinder

Below you will find answers to some of the most frequently asked questions concerning KitchenAid coffee grinders. Remember, if you cannot find the answer you're looking for here, you're always welcome to reach out to us with additional questions or concerns.

Can You Use KitchenAid Coffee Grinder for Spices?

You can use KitchenAid coffee grinders for spices. However, if you plan to use your KitchenAid coffee grinder for both beans and spices, you may want to opt for the KitchenAid Coffee and Spice Grinder.

This blade grinder comes with two stainless steel bowls and two airtight sealing lids. These accessories help you avoid cross-contamination when performing multiple food preparation tasks at once.

You can grind your morning coffee beans in one grinding bowl, then prepare some finely chopped garlic, cinnamon, or black pepper in the other! Truly, the KitchenAid Coffee and Spice Grinder is a hard-working, high-value option for multitasking chefs. 

How Do I Clean My KitchenAid Coffee Grinder?

Keeping your KitchenAid coffee grinder clean is a simple process, though it does vary slightly from model to model. If you're using a blade-based grinder, you need only remove the stainless steel bowl and hard plastic cap or lid.

The stainless steel bowl and removable plastic components are all dishwasher-safe. The only bit you won't want to wash or get wet is the motorized base and its attached cord. Still, clean-up might be as simple as popping the bowl and lid into your dishwasher.

However, if you're working with a burr-based grinder, you may need to take a little extra care during the cleaning process. Firstly, to get rid of any trapped coffee grounds, you'll need to empty the top hopper of any remaining beans.

You'll then need to reattach the top hopper and run the grinder until there are no longer any coffee grounds entering the bottom hopper. You can then switch the machine off, unplug it, and carefully remove both the top hopper to access the internals burrs.

Using your included cleaning brush, carefully dislodge any remaining coffee grounds or residue. You can also choose to soak the grinder's hoppers, grounds-catching tray, and portafilters in warm water and mild soap. Always refer to your owner's manual for deep-cleaning tips and safety guidelines.

Final Verdict

The KitchenAid Burr Coffee Grinder is one of the best options for passionate coffee enthusiasts looking to enjoy the complexity of a five-star cafe's best-selling brew from the comfort of home. With 70 unique customization options and plenty of settings, you're bound to enjoy the bliss of perfectly-ground coffee each time you use this device.

That said, this grinder can be challenging to keep clean, particularly if you use it every day. Fortunately, the included cleaning brush can help dislodge any stubborn coffee particles, and you can even use a gentle handheld vacuum to help you clear things away. Additionally, this model might be the most convenient option.

While a blade coffee grinder might require constant attendance and supervision, this burr model is a set-and-forget alternative. Overall, this machine ensures that you never have to stress about grinding the ideal cup of joe ever again.

CHECK PRICE →
Author Profile Picture

Parker Russell is a coffee professional and the founder of Black Ink Coffee. As an expert in the field of coffee roasting, cupping (professional Q-Grader) and brewing, Parker has established Black Ink as brand that fuels the grind of dreamers.