The Cuisinart Coffee Grinder Range
Three burr mill coffee grinders are widely available from Cuisinart. Check out their features below ...
Cuisinart DBM 8 Grinder
At around $50, the Cuisinart DBM 8 gets good reviews for its solid and substantial feel, weighing in as it does at 4lbs.
It has an attractive stainless steel casing, which gives it a stylish look and the hopper and grind chamber are of thick, good-quality acrylic. It's also easy and convenient to use. The entire hopper turns feely to adjust the grind, whether it is full or not, unlike some competitive models, which will not allow you to adjust until the hopper is empty, and even then, make it difficult. All the coffee is kept safely inside, without the sprinkling of coffee that some models leave on the counter top after use.
Consumers like the auto shut off feature and the grind settings, which are completely customizable from coarse to fine. The fine ground setting really does produce fine grounds that are suitable for espresso. It also gives a consistent grind, making it much easier to produce exactly the right cup of coffee in the morning.
Consumer reports for the most part suggest that it is reliable over long periods of daily use although there have been some problems with motor durability. For this reason, it is recommended that you clean it monthly to avoid build up inside which can overstrain the motor.
There seem to be only two major disadvantages of this grinder. First, the timer can only be adjusted in two-cup increments (minimum of 4 cups). Second, because of the weight of the machine and the large hopper, it can be a chore to empty it. Not only do you have to turn it upside-down, but also every which way to ensure that all the coffee inside the machine works its way out. It also slides around a bit when you are handling it. It is a little louder than is ideal but this does not appear to be a major problem for most users particularly since the grind time is shorter.
Cuisinart Supreme XL Grinder
The Cuisinart Supreme XL model is a newer grinder and claims to offer an even grind for richer flavor and to produce 32 cups of coffee without any messy clean up. Time will tell whether the durability issues that some consumers found with the DBM 8 also apply to this model. Certainly its heavier weight of 5 lbs should make it substantial enough to prevent any problems with slipping around the counter during use.
Cuisinart CBM 18 Conical Burr Mill
The CBM 18 Conical Burr Mill has been available since 2009 and is list priced at $185 but can be found online for around $100. The extra investment provides a higher quality product with a very easy-to-use LED display alongside a button clearly showing the grind selection and number of cups.
The noise level is much lower than that of previous models and the grind output is drier and more consistent, with less clumping and fewer clean up problems. One other difference between this grinder and many others are the handy lids, one for the hopper and one for the grinds bin which snap shut, preventing any spillage.
Cleaning is also much easier, with the bean hopper, hopper lid, grind chamber, and grind chamber lid, all being dishwasher-proof (top shelf). The manual also provides clear instructions for removing and cleaning the burr unit.
This product has received excellent reviews for its stylish appearance with sleek, brushed stainless steel body, and attractive blue LED display. Overall consumers are finding it quick and easy to use and appreciate the reliably great tasting coffee it produces.