A quality grinder is an ideal option for those who prefer to use fresh coffee beans.
This is especially true for households or businesses that need to grind larger amounts of beans.
That kind of use requires a device that can handle it all.
Luckily, there are some really great grinders out there that will be able to meet your needs.
In this article, we’re going to take a look into two fantastic devices, the Bodum Bistro and the Cuisinart CBM-18N.
These are two larger, heavy-duty grinders with a lot to offer.
To help you with choosing the ideal option for your household, we’re going to look at the features as well as pros and cons of these machines.
We’ll also take a deeper dive in comparing the two so that you can fully see the benefits of both.
Take a look and enjoy!
Bodum Bistro Burr Grinder
Features
The Bodum Bistro is a coffee grinder with a very modern look.
It comes in multiple colors as well as as few different price varieties to allow you to choose your ideal option.
In addition, you’ll be able to choose from 12 settings to allow you to choose how coarse the resulting grounds are.
The convenient glass container also works as both a catcher for the grounds as well as a place to store them.
That alone can help you with having fewer dishes to wash after grinding up some beans for the next few days, or week.
Because it uses burrs for the grinding process, the results are also able to be a lot more uniform than what you’d get from some other types, such as blade or manual grinders.
Furthermore, the device is very user-friendly.
It allows you to set a timer in order to ensure you get just the amount of grounds you want, after which the machine will automatically stop.
For those who are on the hunt for reliability, this device is also made largely from aluminum.
The included container is also made from strong borosilicate glass, to ensure it’s highly durable as well.
Pros
- It’s an affordable option.
- There are several colors to choose from.
- Glass grounds container works as a place to keep the grounds between uses.
- includes 12 settings for your grounds.
- Offers a pre-set timer to help with getting just the right amount.
- Machine made from 100% aluminum.
Cons
- The drive gears in the device can sometimes break easily.
- There can be some cases where the machine stops unexpectedly.
- Clearing stuck beans can be a difficult process.
Summary
Among those who need something that can handle more grinding than some of the standard options, this is a very affordable device.
It’s also an aesthetically pleasing machine that won’t become an eyesore in your home.
The adjustments and settings are rather easy, so you won’t need to worry about the process being too complicated.
In addition, it’s a machine that is built to be long-lasting.
That said, it is important to keep in mind that some customers may find that the drive gears in the device may break somewhat easily.
It can also sometimes get stuck, and clearing out trapped beans can get messy.
Cuisinart CBM-18N Conical Burr Mill
Features
Another great option for those who need to grind a lot of beans is the Cuisinart CBM-18N.
This machine is able to make anywhere from a single cup to 14 cups.
You can also choose from 18 different levels of coarseness for your grounds.
That way, you’ll be able to choose the correct level of coarseness for a wide range of different types of coffee.
Furthermore, this heavy-duty device is able to handle just about anything you can throw at it.
Due to the use of burrs, it’s also able to provide uniform grounds that allow for the ideal amount of flavor.
In addition, this machine offers a relatively simple design that will be pretty easy to store in most homes.
It also offers a convenient LCD screen that will allow you to adjust the settings as you need for the perfect grounds.
You’ll also be able to easily store the cord on the base of the device so that it’s out of the way when you aren’t using it.
Overall, many customers have found it to be an option that works well and is easy to use.
Because of that, it has received a relatively high rating by many who have had the chance to try it out.
Pros
- Capable of holding up to half a pound in the bean hopper.
- You can grind anywhere from 1 to 14 cups.
- You’ll be able to choose from 18 grind settings.
- It’s a highly user-friendly device.
- LCD screen makes it easy to see what you’re doing.
- Made to grind very uniformly.
Cons
- It is a more expensive option.
- The device isn’t very compact.
- This machine can be very loud during use.
Summary
This grinder is an ideal option for those who are looking for a compact device with heavy-duty capabilities.
In most cases, it can easily hang out on the counter next to your coffee machine.
It also offers a lot of different settings to make sure your grounds turn out exactly as you need them.
Overall, it’s a rather easy-to-use machine.
It is important to keep in mind that some users consider it to be a loud machine during use.
Because of that, you may want to avoid using it in the early morning.
Comparison
Price
What’s convenient between these two grinders is that the price difference between them isn’t all that large.
Depending on where you choose to make the purchase, you may find that the Cuisinart is maybe around $5.00 more expensive than the Bodum Bistro.
That said, it’s always worth checking multiple sources to see if you can find either option at a lower cost.
You can also always look at some of the other burr grinder options out there, to get a rounded idea of what’s on the market.
Based on that, the value is really going to be placed on the features these devices offer.
Weighing those features can give you a clearer view on which grinder is going to be able to provide the most for your money.
Features
For the most part, these two devices are pretty similar.
However, some of the smaller differences might be very important to those who want to make sure every penny of the price is accounted for.
One of these differences is in the available grind settings. The Bodum Bistro claims to offer 12 settings whereas the Cuisinart grinder provides 18.
That’s really going to be important for those who like variety in their coffee brewing.
As far as how much each option can hold, it’s important to know that both machines can hold up to half a pound of beans in the hopper.
Another difference that sets these two devices apart is the amount of grounds they can make at a single time.
The Bodum Bistro is able to create up to about 10 cups at a time, according to users.
However, the Cuisinart allows you to make up to 14 cups.
This is important to keep in mind if you’re going to need to make large quantities at once.
Which is best?
For the most part, this decision is going to come down to how much you want to pay versus what amount of grounds you hope to be able to make.
The appearance of these machines might also play a role if you want something that will specifically fit well with your decor.
You may also want to consider how many different grind settings you need.
If you tend to stick to one or two different brewing methods, then you may not need many settings.
However, if the machine is in a coffee shop setting or a household that just likes to experiment, you may want more setting options.
What’s most important is to take your time, weigh your budget and options and consider carefully what will suit your needs best.
Following that, you’ll surely be able to find the perfect grinder for your kitchen.
