I used to be a huge coffee drinker and as I got older the acid began affecting me in negative ways. I tried store-bought cold brew in bottles and that seemed much better. It didn't bother me nearly as much. So, I began a quest to brew the perfect cold brew cup at home. I spoke to baristas at Starbucks and other coffee shops on how they do it and looked up recipes and stories on the web. Cold brew is easy to make but I was not having great success. Mine was more bitter and had an acid taste. I mentioned my results to a coffee maker at Starbucks one day and he said the trick is to use the right grind and well filtered water (which I was doing, I was using RO) . So, I asked about the grind. He said get a burr grinder and set it almost to maximum course grind. That is when I decided to pull the plug and buy this grinder.
Well, I love this machine. It is not perfect, but it is excellent. And if you get it on sale or with a coupon it is more than worth the money, really. I know it is hard to believe that a grinder type makes such a difference, but it does, and you WILL notice it on the first sip.
The CUISINART burr coffee grinder is a quality machine. It is easy to operate, offers quality grind from fine to course. I think the settings should allow for an even courser grind, but it works for me as is. Depending on what you are drinking, espresso to cold brew, you require a different grind and Rotary blade grinders don’t get it done correctly even if you try and time it to get the right coarseness. Don’t ask me why but they don’t. You get a much more consistent grind with this. The difference in the brew quality is noticeable, honestly.
What I really like about this machine is it dispenses the right amount of coffee at the right grind, once you dial in what you like you get a consistent cup like never before. All you do is pour in beans in the hopper, set the desired degree of grind and then slide the switch to the number of cups you plan to brew, then hit start. The machine runs and stops, and you’re done, you have the right amount at the right grind. Fantastic. Not too strong too weak or too bitter. Yes, you will have to experiment a little bit to get your settings to what you prefer but it will not take long and once you have it set it is a simple push of the button.
Positives:
• Produces a wide range of consistent grinds.
• Love that it dispenses the right amount of coffee.
• Reasonably priced for what it does and the quality of build
• Major brand (should have decent customer support)
Negatives:
• Could offer a little more course setting.
• A bit loud
• Takes up some space on counter (pain to put away and take out)
• Needs to be cleaned from time to time.
Overall, I love this grinder as I am drinking my best cold brew ever right now. It is not a perfect machine, but it is close enough for me, does what I want and is a good value. I highly recommend this machine if you are a coffee lover and appreciate a quality brew. I give this item 5 stars because of the results; the machine is about 4.75 stars because it could be courser and a bit quieter. Love the grind selector and the fact it dispenses the right amount, that is really great. It works very well.
3/17/24 UPDATE: Still loving this machine. No issue whatsoever. After reading some of these other reviews, you have to judge a product AND the cost for the best value and if it meets your needs. At this price, it is a very nice machine. Yes there are more expensive commercial style machines. This is a home machine that will grind your beans for whatever you are brewing. I feel some other reviews and feel some were a little biased because they had used commercial style grinders and this is not as nice. Well, Bentley's are better than chevy's but they both get you to where you are going safely. This is a home item, intended for intermittent use. All that said it gives you a quality grind for whatever coffee brew method you are choosing. Also, Cuisinart is a big-name company that stands behind your purchase. If your item is defective or for some reason breaks, I am sure they will remedy the issue. Over 10,000 of these were sold just on Amazon last month! THAT says something. It's a good deal for a home machine.
5 stars
This is my honest review of this item; I hope it was helpful to you in making a purchasing decision.