The Best Coffee Grinders for Cold Brew at Home
Table Of ContentsWhile you might crave a steaming cup of coffee on those cold winter mornings, on a scorching summer afternoon, you need a cold, refreshing brew. This is when the icy cold brew steps up to offer you a glass full of flavor. However, making this brew correctly at home requires you to have the best coffee grinder for cold brew.
A cold brew perfectly highlights the true flavors of the coffee beans because the long brew time fully extracts the coffee flavors. To be sure you are getting the proper taste, it is important to grind your beans fresh at home with a proper coffee grinder.
If you buy pre-ground coffee beans or if you grind the beans up incorrectly, you could end up with a bitter-tasting brew. There is nothing worse than waiting 24 hours for your brew only to end up with bad coffee!. This lengthy brewing time fully extracts the oils from the coffee; if some grounds are too small, they will over-extract and ruin the whole brew.
The trick is to use a high-quality coffee grinder to ensure a consistent bean size. The best grinder for cold brew coffee is one that evenly and coarsely grinds the coffee beans. You can choose between manual or automatic, and with so many options on the market, it can be hard to find the right one. Read on to discover the right grinder for your needs.
TOP PICK
In a nutshell, the best grinder for your cold brew is the OXO Brew Conical Burr Coffee Grinder. This grinder is so simple to use with a one-touch button and has over 15 grind settings. The grounds container is also large enough to produce enough grounds for a large batch of coffee.The Best Coffee Grinders for Cold Brew Are:
Product | Key Features | |
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Best For Cold Brew |
OXO Brew Conical Burr Coffee Grinder
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SHARDOR Conical Burr Coffee Grinder
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Baratza Encore Conical Burr Coffee Grinder
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Capresso Infinity Conical Burr Grinder
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Hario Ceramic Coffee Mill -“Skerton Pro”
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KRUPS Precision Grinder
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Best Budget |
CUISINART Supreme Grind Automatic Burr Mill
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I have searched through the top grinders currently available and found a few options for you to choose from. All these grinders use a burr mechanism to produce even grinds and have the capacity to grind to a coarse grind for your cold brewing needs.
1. OXO Brew Conical Burr Coffee Grinder
OXO Brew Conical Burr Coffee Grinder
Key Features
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- Conical burrs
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- Stainless steel
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- 15+ grind settings
The OXO conical burr grinder is the best coffee bean grinder for cold brew because of its stainless steel conical burrs and removable top burr. This automatic grinder is easy to use with a simple one-touch start button.
The time settings are saved from the previous use, so you can simply press start and get your beans grinding away.
The grinder offers 15 main grind settings with additional micro-settings letting you choose the perfect grind size for your brew method. The grounds container holds enough for 12 cups of coffee, complete with anti-static technology to keep the container and unit clean.
The company partners with 1% for the Planet to donate 1% of their annual profits to good causes. You will also be getting a precise and consistent grind at a reasonable price with the OXO grinder.
Pros
- One-touch start
- 12 cup grounds capacity
- Anti-static technology
- Partner of 1% for the Planet
- Consistent grind
- Price is good
Cons
- The bottom burr can’t be removed
You can enjoy truly fresh coffee without the unwanted bitter taste as the conical burrs grind up your beans evenly. You can also appreciate the true flavors of your coffee with this grinder.
Check Amazon2. SHARDOR Conical Burr Coffee Grinder
SHARDOR Conical Burr Coffee Grinder
Key Features
- Anti-static technology
- 35 grind settings
- Customizable quantity
This SHARDOR grinder has been upgraded by the engineering team to improve the anti-static technology. The grounds container is now completely free from static to reduce the mess and loss of delicious coffee grounds that usually fly around due to static.
The 35 different grind settings offer a precision grind for whatever size you need for your brew. You can customize how much you want to grind with each cycle to ensure you are grinding the right amount of beans each time for a fresh brew.
The model is designed for easy cleaning with a built-in cleaning brush to help you clean out the burrs between use. Some parts are removable to enable complete cleaning. You can remove the upper burr, the bean hopper, and the grounds container to give your machine a full clean.
The SHARDOR grinder has built-in heat protection technology to prevent the machine from overheating and spoiling your tasty coffee beans.
Pros
- Easy to clean
- Removable upper burr
- Removable bean hopper
- Overheating protection
- Built-in cleaning brush
Cons
- A bit noisy
The machine makes a bit of noise, but this is the case with any electric grinder. The sound is, however, quieter than blade grinders. With an easy-to-clean-and-operate machine like this, you can sip on a fresh cup of coffee in no time (or within 24 hours for your cold brew).
Check Amazon3. Baratza Encore Conical Burr Coffee Grinder
The Baratza Encore grinder is a great user-friendly grinder that will produce coarse grinds for your cold brew. The 40 grind settings allow you to change up your grinding needs from the cold brew to a fine espresso grind.
The slim design will fit in well on your counter without taking up too much space while adding an elegant touch to your kitchen area. You can choose between a black or a white model with this grinder to match your interior look and feel.
The model boasts an easy pulse button on the front for grinding up small batches of beans for single-use situations. You can also use this button if you want to keep the beans fairly coarse, which is perfect for the cold brew.
The commercial-grade conical burrs are robust enough to last you a long time. However, the company does offer a one-year warranty for any manufacturing glitches in the machine. You can’t go wrong with this entry-level model, a perfect introduction to the Baratza brand.
Pros
- User-friendly
- Front-mounted pulse button
- Commercial-grade conical burrs
- One-year warranty
- Slim design
Cons
- Entry-level grinder
- It may take a few grinds to calibrate
The first few uses might not produce the perfect grinds; it takes a few runs before the grinder calibrates itself. This gives the machine enough time to set and gain some bean oil to let the burrs run smoothly.
Check Amazon4. Capresso Infinity Conical Burr Grinder, Black
Capresso is well-known for their higher-end espresso machines, and that reputation now extends to their grinders. The Capresso Infinity grinder offers homebrewers a slim-designed grinder with a large holding capacity. The 8.8-ounce bean hopper holds a good amount of beans in the airtight container, while there is capacity for four ounces of coffee grinds, enough to brew a batch of your cold brew coffee.
The outer pieces of the grinder are ABS plastic with commercial-grade conical burrs inside, offering a quality grind that produces even grinds for your coffee.
The machine has 16 grind settings, giving you a coarse option for a cold brew along with other options for your guests or yourself when choosing a different brew method. The adjustable timer gives you the option to customize the grind to your needs, providing the option to give a quick grind for your coarse cold brew grinds.
The grinder has removable parts, including the upper burr and grounds container, to give you an easy cleaning solution to keep your machine prime for grinding beans freshly. The clear top cover may confuse some if they don’t see the closed lid, but this can be easily fixed by marking it with a sticker.
Pros
- Commercial-grade burrs
- Four-ounce grounds container
- Removable upper burr
- Removable grounds container
- 16 grind settings
- Adjustable timer
Cons
- The top cover is too clear and easy to misplace
This model gives you a complete grinding solution for your homebrewing needs, as you can always have freshly ground coffee ready in minutes.
Check Amazon5. Hario Ceramic Coffee Mill -“Skerton Pro”
Hario Ceramic Coffee Mill -“Skerton Pro”
Key Features
- Ceramic conical burrs
- Non-slip rubber base
- Manual
While not everyone would like a manual grinder, this Hario ceramic mill may just change your mind. With an easy-to-use handle, you can grind up coffee in no time.
The grounds capacity is not too big, so it will only grind enough for one to eight cups at a time, which is perfect if you are grinding for yourself and one or two others at home.
The grinder has robust and durable ceramic conical burrs, providing you with a lasting solution to coffee grinding. The small design and manual mechanism mean you can pop this grinder in your bag and carry it with you everywhere. Perfect for holidays or camping trips where good coffee is still a must-have.
The grinder is fully washable, so each piece can be washed thoroughly, ensuring there are no stale grinds left behind. The conical burrs ensure a precision grind for your beans and will offer a consistently coarse grind for your cold brew.
Pros
- Detachable handle
- Improved burr shaft
- Fully washable
- Portable
- Small and lightweight
Cons
- The rubber sleeve may slide off easily
This manual grinder may require a bit more labor on your part, but you will have full control of how your beans are ground, allowing you to control the grind size properly.
Check Amazon6. KRUPS Precision Grinder Flat Burr Coffee
The KRUPS grinder is a great option if you are looking for a lower price tag for an automatic grinder. The mechanism includes flat burrs to grind your beans consistently and evenly while offering an easy one-touch operation.
There are 12 grind sizes to give you a wide range of options, from a fine grind to a coarse grind for your cold brew. The slim design of the grinder can easily slot in between kitchen appliances to accentuate your kitchen space.
This grinder is great for grinding in bulk as each grind cycle can produce enough grinds for up to 12 cups of coffee. This is great for preparations to cold brew in bulk, providing enough coffee to last through the week.
The machine consists of a removable upper burr as well as a built-in cleaning brush to create a smoother clean after you have finished grinding. The bean hopper holds up to eight ounces of beans, while the grounds container can serve up to 32 cups of coffee.
Pros
- Metallic flat burr
- Grind enough for up to 12 cups per cycle
- Eight-ounce bean hopper
- Removable top burr
- Built-in cleaning brush
- Slim design
Cons
- There is a slight bit of static
The grinder does come with a small amount of static which may lead to a bit of a counter clean-up after grinding; however, the machine makes up for this with its precision grinding abilities.
7. Cuisinart Supreme Grind Automatic Burr Mill
Cuisinart Supreme Grind Automatic Burr Mill
Key Features
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- Ceramic burrs
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- 18 grind settings
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- 8 oz. hopper capacity
When it comes to achieving the perfect grind for cold brew coffee, the Cuisinart Supreme Grind Automatic Burr Mill emerges as an excellent budget-friendly choice, providing a mix of versatility, convenience, and affordability.
Featuring a removable grind chamber and the capacity to hold up to 32 cups of ground beans, this grinder ensures ample space for your cold brew coffee needs. The 18-position grind selector allows for customizable grinding, catering to a range of preferences from fine to coarse and everything in between. What’s more, all control functions are conveniently located on the top of the unit, offering ease of access and intuitive operation.
Setting the grind level and desired quantity of grounds is a breeze with the Cuisinart Supreme Grind. Simply rotate the hopper to select the grind level, choose the desired amount of grounds (from 4 cups to 18 cups) using the slide switch, and tap on the start bar to initiate grinding. The automatic operation ensures consistency and efficiency, with the grinder stopping automatically once the internal timer reaches the desired setting.
- Easy to use
- One Touch Grind
- Multiple grind settings
- Comes with scoop and brush
- Easy to clean
Cons
- Can generate static
- A bit noisy
Despite some minor trade-offs like noise during operation and static generation, the Cuisinart Supreme Grind still stands as a dependable entry-level choice for cold brew coffee enthusiasts, especially considering its affordability.
Check AmazonChoosing the Best Coffee Grinder for Cold Brew
Grind Size Settings
When choosing a coffee grinder, one of the first features you should consider is the grind size settings. This will help you decide what grinder will be best for your preferred brewing method. In this case, you want a grinder that can keep the beans quite coarse to prevent the over-extraction of oils and flavors.
If you are not only going to make cold brew coffee, you should look for a grinder with multiple grind settings to switch between fine and coarse grinds as you need to. Luckily, most grinders offer a wide range of grind settings to give you this freedom.
Choose a Burr Grinder
As you begin your search for a coffee bean grinder, you will notice there are two main variations: the burr grinder and the blade grinder. This can be confusing if you are new to grinders, and due to the cheaper price tags on the blade grinders, you may be tempted to choose one of those.
However, blade grinders are not the best for creating a consistent grind for your beans. The blades spin around in the chamber, and some beans may elude the blades, resulting in an uneven grind. This will lead to bitter or sour coffee.
Burr grinders, on the other hand, force all the beans through the tight burrs, ensuring each bean is crushed at the same level, producing a consistent grind to allow an even extraction of flavors when brewing.
Manual or Automatic
Another factor when choosing the right grinder for your brewing is whether it is manual or automatic. This one comes down to preference as well as space and traveling needs. The automatic grinders are faster and easier to use by simply pressing a few buttons, but they will take up more counter space and use more electricity.
The manual grinders require more effort on your part when manually grinding the beans, yet they are smaller and lightweight. This means they can easily be placed in your carry-on and move with you when you travel or when you go camping. They are also much cheaper and quieter than the electric variations.
Bean and Grounds Capacity
Coffee grinders offer different bean hopper sizes and grounds container sizes. This can also sway your decision depending on how much coffee you would like to grind at a time. Electric grinders usually have larger containers, so you can grind up a large amount at a time.
When brewing a cold brew, you will most likely do large batches at a time due to the long time it takes to brew. You will then need a larger hopper and grounds container if you want to save some time when grinding.
FAQs
Why do you need a coffee bean grinder for cold brew?
Coffee beans start to oxidize and lose their flavors as soon as they are ground. This means you should be grinding your beans at home right before you brew your coffee. Since a cold brew has a very long brew time, you want to ensure you keep the flavor of the coffee beans right up until brewing.
What is the best grind size for a cold brew?
Cold-brewed coffee is perfect for highlighting the bold flavors of the coffee beans, and this requires a coarse grind size. The larger surface of the coffee beans allows you to fully extract these flavors throughout the brewing time.
This also prevents an over-extraction of the oils from the coffee and prevents the beans from overheating, which may occur with longer grind cycles.
What beans are best for a cold brew?
There are several quality coffee beans for a cold brew, and if you enjoy the beans in your hot brew, you will likely enjoy them cold too. However, light to medium roasts really shine with this method because the subtle flavors come through during the long brew time. A dark roast may become too bitter and heavy with this method.
If you have your beans and your grinder ready, all you need is a quality cold brew coffee maker, and you are all set to start brewing your delicious summer beverage.
Get Your Cold Brew on…
The verdict is in, and I have found the best grinder for this brew method. Ensuring all the priority bases are covered, you can enjoy a flavorful brew when using the OXO Brew Conical Burr Coffee Grinder. With over 15 grind settings, you will get a precision coarse grind for your brew.
This grinder is also great for grinding up large batches at a time with the large bean hopper and grounds container. This allows you to make your cold brew in bulk for the week ahead.
Owen is a writer and editor at Caffe Streets who considers himself a coffee fanatic. He spends his time researching and testing different coffee beans and brewing methods and sharing what he learns with others.