While the idea of freshly ground coffee sounds appealing, it may seem a bit complicated. But thanks to coffee machines that have built-in grinders we can now enjoy freshly ground coffee every time.
These coffee machines not only make delicious drinks, but the heavenly fragrance they emit can make getting out of bed in the morning easier. Moreover, there are machines that are so simple to operate that even our pre-coffee brains can make coffee with ease.
Short Answer: The best coffee machines with grinders, according to my research, are the Breville Grind Control Coffee Maker, Black+Decker Coffee Maker, and Cuisinart Grind & Brew Coffee Maker (DGB-900BC).
Let’s continue reading to learn more about what distinguishes a coffee machine with a grinder from a standard coffee maker and whether there’s a way to grind your beans at home even if you don’t have a grinder.
Difference between grind and brew coffee makers
If you’re reading this article and wondering what’s the difference between the coffee maker you have now with a coffee maker with a grinder? Well, I feel you because I wondered about this too.
A coffee maker with a built-in grinder can transform physical coffee beans into a delicious cup of joe with the push of a button. If you have that right now then good for you!
You basically get a fresher and better-tasting drink than you would with pre-ground coffee brewed in a standard drip coffee maker.
Grinders have different types too that affect the taste of your coffee.
Burr vs. Blade Grinder
Now that you’ve figured out the built-in grinder thing, your next concern may be the words “burr” and “blade” grinder which you may come across frequently in this post.
A blade grinder has rotating blades, like a blender, that chop up the beans into grounds whereas a burr grinder is a more specific piece of equipment, where 2 burrs that are either flat or conical slowly grind the beans into fine, even grounds.
Which one do you think is better? According to what I’ve discovered, a burr grinder is far more efficient at grinding down beans to produce consistently delicious coffee.
However, they’re usually more expensive than a blade grinder.
You probably won’t be able to tell the difference if you’re drinking coffee for the first time but if you’re a coffee aficionado, the added freshness and flavor of a burr grinder is well worth the investment.
If you’re interested to know more about coffee grinders, you can check out my in-depth post on this topic right here.
What is the best coffee machine with grinder?
You will find a lot of coffee machines with built-in grinders in the market and I’ve picked 3 of the best and they are:
Breville Grind Control Coffee Maker – Best overall
This is the best grinder-equipped coffee machine so far. It has a simple and clear LCD screen for beginners that displays your grind time, grind setting, and the number of cups or shots you want, allowing you to customize each brew to your preferences.
It contains a programmable “auto-start” feature that lets you set the time you’d love to enjoy a steaming cup of coffee and automatically begins the grinding and brewing process – all without you needing to move out of your bed.
Its powerful built-in burr grinder has 6 settings that let you control how finely ground you want your beans to be. But there’s more of it!
You can choose from 7 different serving sizes and it delivers a single cup directly into your travel mug. Its 8.5-inch width makes it ideal for a small apartment kitchen.
Pros
- Burr grinder
- Programmable auto-start
- Long-lasting
- Thermal carafe
- Sleek stainless steel design
- Brew up to 7 cups
Cons
- Requires regular cleaning
- More compact
Price: $300
Black+Decker Coffeemaker – Best value
If you’re on a tight budget and looking for a coffee machine with a built-in burr grinder – well, this is it! This user-friendly coffee maker has the same features as the Breville model such as auto start, grind capacity, and brew strength but costs less than $100.
Its smooth touch display screen lets you pre-select the coffee grind size and the number of cups you want to brew (from 4 to 12), and begins the brewing process before you even get up in the morning.
Its burr grinding feature has 8 settings making you do a course ground for a traditional drip coffee and a fine grind for an espresso-style cup. It also has a “sneak-a-cup” feature that temporarily stops the flow of coffee so you can pour your first cup without spilling it.
Pros
- Affordable
- Burr grinder
- Programmable auto-start
- Brews up to 12 cups
Cons
- Less durable
- Glass carafe
- Not single serve
- Plastic design
Price:$70
Cuisinart Grind and Brew Coffeemaker (DGB-900BC)- Easiest to use
It comes with a 12-cup thermal carafe and a double-walled temperature seal to ensure that your last cup of coffee tastes just as good as the first.
The built-in automatic burr grinder can hold up to a half-pound of beans and features a power selector with grind control, allowing you to fine-tune the volume and intensity of your brew.
My favorite feature of this model is its brew-pause feature which allows you to enjoy a cup of coffee before the brewing process is finished.
It’s energy-efficient too as this one automatically shuts off after brewing, saving you from the “uh-oh” moment of realizing you left the machine on while on your way to work.
Pros
- 24-hour programmable
- Burr grinder
- Integrated charcoal filter
- Brew-pause feauture
- Double-wall thermal carafe
- Easy to operate
Cons
- Bigger
- More expensive
- Hard to clean the burr
- Its strongest brew isn’t up to par
Price:$300
Are coffee machines with grinder any good?
A reliable coffee machine with a built-in grinder will definitely change your coffee experience because:
- your coffee will be more flavorful and aromatic
- you can control the strength and flavor of your coffee
- you can brew a drink at home that’s as good as the one made by your favorite coffee shop
There is no doubt that freshly ground coffee is the best coffee! Pre-ground coffee stales much faster than whole bean coffee.
According to experts, coffee is only fresh for thirty minutes after it has been ground. Whole coffee beans, on the other hand, can keep their freshness for up to 2 weeks after being roasted.
You certainly don’t want to waste your time with stale coffee. You should only use the best!
If you’re interested to know more about why coffee goes stale, you can read my article right here.
Only a coffee maker equipped with a burr coffee grinder can provide you with the freshest and full-flavored cup. Once you’ve tried one, you’ll never want to go back to pre-ground coffee again.
Do espresso machines have coffee grinders?
Most espresso machines include more features than a traditional coffee maker such as the ability to froth milk, prepare cappuccinos, and built-in grinders which allow you to freshly grind your beans without purchasing another appliance.
Espresso is a great drink to start your day or energize you in the afternoon. But if you’re tired of waiting in coffee shop lines, you might want to invest in an espresso maker with a built-in grinder to enjoy a drink similar to what you get at your favorite coffee shop.
Many people are unaware of the differences between an espresso machine and a standard coffee maker. The table below summarizes some of their key differences:
| Basis of comparison | Espresso machine | Coffee maker |
| Brewing method | Gives you finer grinds of espresso within 25-30 seconds | The coarser grind of drip coffee takes about 10 minutes. |
| Roasting method | Darker bean roast which is more full-flavored and less acidic. | Roasts are lighter and more acidic. |
| Grinding method | Produces fine, powder-like coffee grinds | Produces coarse and thick coffee grinds |
If you can’t decide which espresso machine with a grinder to get, I recommend the Delonghi Magnifica Super-Automatic Espresso Machine and let me tell you why.
Pros
- Easy to use and clean
- Compact
- Gives you great-tasting espressos, cappuccinos and lattes every time.
Cons
- It’s expensive at $700
How can you grind coffee without a grinder?
Do you want freshly ground coffee beans but you don’t have a grinder at home? Here are tried and tested methods for grinding coffee beans without a grinder:
- Mortar and pestle: This is an old-fashioned way of grinding coffee. With this, you’ll have a fine coffee grounds.
- Use a blender: You can get coarse coffee grounds in no time with your home blender. But try not to let the built-up heat ruin the flavor of your coffee beans.
- Crush with a rolling pin: This method will let you achieve a medium to fine texture of uniform coffee grounds but it requires a lot of effort.
- Hammer: Using a hammer to pound your coffee beans will give you coarse to medium coffee grounds.
- Knife: You can also use a butcher knife to crush the coffee beans and get medium-fine grounds.
You can learn more about the smart ways to grind coffee without a grinder by watching the video.
To sum it all up
The top picks for the best coffee machine with grinders are the Breville Grind Control Coffee Maker, the Black+Decker Coffeemaker, and the Cuisinart Grind and Brew Coffeemaker (DGB-900BC).
All 3 use burr grinders which produce finer coffee grounds that enhance the flavor of your cup making any of them a worthwhile investment.
If you need an espresso machine with a built-in grinder, I recommend the Delonghi Magnifica Super-Automatic Espresso Machine as it’s compact, easy to use, and makes espresso, cappuccino and latte perfectly but pricey.
Coffeeholics agree that freshly ground coffee beans produce a superior cup of coffee. Grinding coffee beans immediately before brewing saves the fresh flavor and prevents it from becoming stale due to environmental exposure.
I hope you’ll find my selection of coffee machines with grinders not only informative but helpful. Let’s enjoy brewing!
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