Coffee Grinders For Pour Over - Tom’s Picks
If you've climbed aboard the pour over coffee train, a coffee grinder is a game changer.
I must admit that I’m a bit of a pour over fiend. I’ve been enjoying pour over coffee for quite a few years now and I’ve tried and tested a few grinders along the way.
With so many options available in the market, selecting the best grinder for pour over coffee can be another deep dive stealing valuable Netflix or doom scrolling through Instagram time.
There are a couple of stand out grinders out there that I think are perfect for filter.
So sit back and let me talk you through everything you need to know about pour over coffee grinders.
Overview
-
Wilfa Svart Aroma Coffee Grinder
Jump To Details⤵ | £119.51 at Amazon - Check Stock
-
Sage Smart Grinder Pro BCG820BSSUK
Jump To Details⤵ | £209.95 on Sage - Check Stock
-
Sage Dose Control Pro BCG600SILUK
Jump To Details⤵ | £168.95 on Amazon- Check Stock
-
Jump To Details⤵ | £255 at CoffeeHit- Check Stock
-
Baratza Encore Conical Burr Coffee Grinder
Jump To Details⤵ | £156.95 on Amazon - Check Stock
-
Timemore C2 Manual Coffee Grinder
Jump To Details⤵ | £56 on Amazon - Check Stock
Why Do You Need a Coffee Grinder For Pour Over?
A good coffee grinder can enhance the flavour and aroma of your coffee beans by providing a consistent and uniform grind size.
This is essential for pour over methods, as it allows for a more even extraction of the coffee.
Nobody wants a grinder that's overly complicated and hard to clean, so ease of use is something worth considering.
Of course, high quality material and smart design can make a grinder last for years, allowing you to enjoy an efficient and fun coffee brewing process.
Size
Chances are, you don't want a hefty monstrosity of a grinder cluttering up cupboards and worktop space.
A small compact grinder should do the trick and will be easier to clean and maintain.
For those who bring their coffee paraphernalia on their travels, a portable hand grinder can be well... handy.
Material
To guarantee your grinder providing years of use, try to get one made from high-quality materials, like ceramic or stainless steel.
You might be able to grab a plastic grinder on the cheap, but they're a little more prone to overheating during the grinding process than their slightly more expensive cousins.
This overheating can affect the flavour of the coffee as well as cause the device itself to deteriorate.
Shape
A conical burr grinder is the best option for pour over coffee, as it produces a consistent grind size.
A flat burr grinder can also work, but it may not produce as consistent of a grind.
Additionally, a hand grinder with a conical burr is a great option for pour over coffee, as it allows you to control the grind size with precision.
Grind Settings and Consistency
The grind settings will give you the option of adjusting your grind size to your personal preference and allow you to tailor-make your powder in a way which suits the type of coffee bean you've gone for.
A good grinder will maintain consistency, so that the selected grind setting has minimal variation each time you use it.
This will ensure that your coffee brews evenly and tastes great.
Ease of Use and Cleaning
A good coffee grinder is easy to use and clean, with intuitive controls and parts which can be removed for cleaning.
After all, nobody wants a device which has bits which snap off at the slightest nudge.
Best Coffee Grinder for Pour Over
Ok, don't worry - I'll stop over explaining it and share with you my favourite coffee grinder for pour overs.
1. Wilfa Svart Aroma Coffee Grinder
Brew Methods: All methods
Burrs: Stainless Steel
Dimensions: 15.5 x 20 x 31.2 cm
Bean Hopper Capacity: 450g
Container/Portafilter Rest: Both
Features: Programable, Consistent, Precise
Pros: ✅ Ease of Use ✅ Robust
Cons: ❌ Inconsistent Coarse Grind
Price: ~ £130
This Wilfa Svart device is a high-quality burr grinder that is perfect for pour-over coffee.
It is also my go-to pour over grinder and I’ve been grinding the majority of my morning pour overs with the Svart grinder for some years.
With 34 grind settings and 64 mm flat burrs, you can easily adjust the grind size to your preference.
The Wilfa Svart is sleek, small and consistanly the perfect grind for pour over. It’s pretty quiet too so it doesn’t wake Laura up at 6am (although she is quite a heavy sleeper).
Additionally, the grinder features a timer function, enabling you to grind precisely the amount of coffee needed.
2. Sage Smart Grinder Pro BCG820BSSUK
Brew Methods: All Methods
Burrs: Conical 40mm Stainless Steel
Dimensions: H420 x W250 x D200mm
Bean Hopper Capacity: 340g Coffee Bean Capacity
Container/Portafilter Rest: Portafilter x 2
Features: Great value home espresso grinder
Pros: ✅ Small Increments in dose and grind
Cons: ❌ Only for espresso
The Sage Smart Grinder Pro is a great choice for anyone looking for a burr grinder for their pour-over coffee.
With a staggering 60 grind settings, you can easily adjust the grind size to your preference, or bean type.
The digital display makes it easy to choose your settings and track the progress of your grind.
The grinder pro has a capacity large enough to grind sufficient coffee for 12 cups in one go.
The stainless steel burrs ensure that the coffee is ground evenly and consistently, resulting in a delicious cup of coffee every time.
3. Sage Dose Control Pro BCG600SILUK
Brew Methods: All Methods
Burrs: Conical 55mm Stainless Steel
Dimensions: 26 x 20.7 x 44.9 cm
Bean Hopper Capacity: 340g
Container/Portafilter Rest: Both
Features: 55mm Burrs, LCD Display
Pros: ✅ Precise ✅ Capacity
Cons: ❌ Expensive
A bit more compact than its smart grinder pro sister, the Sage The Dose Control Pro.
Just like the smart grinder, it has 60 grind settings, allowing you to choose the perfect grind for a cup of pour-over coffee.
Its conical burrs are made of stainless steel and are designed to grind the coffee evenly and consistently.
The dose control even allows you to pause the grinding process if you need to adjust the size of the grind.
Read more here about Coffee Grinders From Sage
4. Fellow Ode Brew Grinder
Brew Methods: All Methods
Burrs: Conical 63mm Stainless Steel
Dimensions: 239mm x 105mm x 241.5mm
Bean Hopper Capacity: 80g
Container/Portafilter Rest: Both
Features: Professional Burrs, Zero Waste
Pros: ✅ Professional Consistency ✅ Waste
Cons: ❌ Expensive
The Fellow Ode Brew Grinder is a high-end burr grinder that is perfect for pour-over coffee.
With 31 grind settings, you can easily adjust the grind size to give you the consistency you need.
The Fellow Ode is both chic and cutting-edge designed to fit in any kitchen.
The stainless steel burrs in this high-end beauty are ingeniously designed to provide a consistent, even grind.
With a unique single-dose loading system, you can rest assured that you will get the perfect amount of coffee every time you use it.
It also has a magnetically aligned catch designed for easy cleaning.
One final note is the two-year warranty which makes the grinder a reliable and long-lasting investment.
5. Baratza Encore Conical Burr Coffee Grinder
Brew Methods: Espresso (Pressurized Basket), Stovetop, Aeropress, Pour-Over, French Press
Burrs: Conical 40mm Stainless Steel
Dimensions: 16 x 11.9 x 35.1
Bean Hopper Capacity: 227g
Container/Portafilter Rest: Both
Features: Scales, Programable
Pros: ✅ Grinding Technology ✅ Value
Cons: ❌ Not Easy To Use
If you need a grinder which is both versatile and reliable, the Baratza Encore Conical Burr Coffee Grinder may be the one.
The Baratza Encore has 40 grind settings, so you can adjust the grind size to your preference.
The user-friendly Encore has a polished and sophisticated design and has a convenient pulse button, giving you optimum control of your grind.
It's easy to clean and comes with a one-year warranty to give you some confidence in your purchase.
6. Timemore Chestnut C2 Manual Coffee Grinder
Brew Methods: All Methods
Burrs: Conical 38mm Stainless Steel
Dimensions: H146 x W52 x D52mm
Bean Hopper Capacity: Single Dose
Container/Portafilter Rest: Container
Features: Professional Burrs, Transportable
Pros: ✅ Quality Burrs
Cons: ❌ Manual Grinding
A great option for anyone looking for a portable and efficient grinder, the Timemore Chestnut is perfect for travel use.
It features stainless steel conical burrs and 38 easily adjusted grind settings.
The grinder has a sleek and compact design that is perfect for travel.
The burrs are made of stainless steel and are designed to grind the coffee evenly and consistently.
The grinder also has a convenient magnetic lid, which keeps the beans in place during the grinding process and makes it easy to clean.
AVOID - Krups Coffee Mill F203438 Electric Grinder
Not all grinders are made the same and it might be good to keep an eye on the limitations of some of the cheaper devices.
We always recommend if possible opting for a burr coffee grinder.
Essentially when you use a blade coffee grinder like the one pictured, you are blending the coffee beans.
This will leave you with a huge disparity in the size of the coffee grounds and ultimately end up in an unbalanced and unpleasant tasting coffee.
FAQs
What is the ideal grind size for pour over coffee?
The ideal grind size for pour over coffee can vary depending on the type of coffee beans and the brewing method being used.
In general, a medium-coarse grind is recommended for pour over coffee, as this allows for optimal extraction of flavour and aroma from the coffee beans.
Can I use a blade grinder for pour over coffee?
While it is possible to use a blade grinder for pour over coffee, it is not recommended.
Blade grinders produce an uneven grind size, which can result in a subpar cup of coffee.
Burr grinders are recommended for achieving a consistent and even grind size.
Should I choose a manual or electric grinder for pour over coffee?
Although a little bit more expensive, electric coffee grinders are fast and efficient and can produce that delicious fresh ground coffee scent in your kitchen in less than a minute.
On the other hand, there's something quite satisfying about grinding your coffee by hand, even at the trade of time and effort.
If you're travelling, hand grinders are a little bit more.. well.. handy!
How and how often should I clean my coffee grinder?
When you grind coffee beans, they tend to release oils and residue which can build up over time.
To avoid this build up becoming unhygienic or clogging up the device, it's best to give the grinder a clean with cleaning tablets and a rag every so often.
To clean it, unplug it and remove any remaining beans or half-cut beans from the grinder chamber.
If you have a soft, dry brush use this - some grinders even come with a brush.
If you're using the grinder every day, you should clean it every two weeks or so.
Most grinders have removable parts that can be washed in the dishwasher or by hand - the stainless steel burrs aren't prone to rusting.
How much should I spend on a coffee grinder for pour over?
For a good coffee grinder, you can expect to pay somewhere between £80-200.
Cheaper options do exist, but you run the risk of buying a model prone to overheating.
What is the difference between a flat burr grinder and a conical burr grinder?
Both flat burr grinders and conical burr grinders can produce high-quality coffee grounds for pour over brewing.
Flat burr grinders are usually a bit more on the expensive side, but offer a much higher level of consistency, producing a more uniform grind size.
In getting this consistency, they can be a little bit on the noisy side and without ventilation can overheat, so if you opt for a flat burr, keep an eye out for this issue.
Flat burr grinders might offer more control, but they're more suited for cafes and commercial uses, to cater for the espresso connoisseur.
On the other hand, conical burr grinders tend to be cheaper, quieter and a little bit more user friendly.
Most home baristas should opt for one of these instead.
How do I know which grind setting to use for my pour over coffee?
For the most part, a medium-coarse grind will make the best pour over coffee.
Take a look at the manual of the grinder to find which settings will provide this, though if there's a dial, you can probably safely assume that setting will be right in the middle.
Can I use pre-ground coffee for pour over brewing?
Pre-ground coffee will work for pour over brewing, but whether it works well depends on how much of a coffee connoisseur you are.
Not only can pre-ground coffee lose its taste and aroma quickly, but when compared to freshly ground beans, the coffee never seems to taste quite as nice.
If you want the best possible cup, then you're best off grinding coffee beans immediately before brewing.
Can I use a coffee grinder for other types of brewing methods besides pour over?
Yes a good coffee grinder is typically quite versatile and you should be able to use your ground beans for other brewing methods, such as drip brewing, French press and espresso.
Again, you may want to take a look at the grinder for the best setting for the fineness involved.
Alternatively, you can have fun experimenting with those setings.
Conclusion
There you have it!
Choosing the best coffee grinder for pour over can make a difference in the quality of your pour over Joe!
Once you've got your grinder ordered, you can start exploring the wide range of beans that us "Coffee pros" of Batch Coffee have selected over the last fifteen years.
