5 Best Coffee Grinders for Chemex – Ideal for the Method

Manual and electric grinders for Chemex to get s smooth and flavorful cup of coffee.
By
Samanta Fryer
Samanta Fryer
Writer
Samanta Fryer is our senior editor and content writer, at CoffeeVibe. Apart from writing and reading, she’s fond of the coffee brewing process and enjoys tasting new coffe read more
reviewed
Reviewed By
Ryan Hendricks
Ryan Hendricks
Expert
Ryan Hendricks is our tester, who puts products through their paces. He used to be a barista and is now a full-time coffee enthusiast. He’s always testing out new gadgets, read more
Last updated: August 17, 2023
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Wanna make coffee like a mad scientist? Well, you’ll need the right tools, like the Chemex, filters, coffee, and… hm, it seems like we forgot something… a special tool! No mad scientist coffee without the right grinder for it! But which one should you use? Let’s get started on your journey to becoming a coffee alchemist!

We’ve tested 17 products and selected the 5 best coffee grinders for Chemex that provide you with the ideal medium-coarse grind. The OXO Brew Conical Burr Coffee Grinder took our Editor’s Choice nomination. There are electric options with several settings, but we’ve also included a manual grinder option for those who want more control over their grind. These are made of high-quality materials like stainless steel, alloy steel, and ceramic to ensure durability and a consistent ground coffee.

Quick Summary

Top 5 Coffee Grinders for Chemex Review 2024

?
Consumer Engagement
Chosen by 9379 people in the past 30 days
9.9
Customer Feedback
Customer Feedback
9.5
Brand Reputation
Based onweb analytics
9.8
Features & Benefits
Product Review
9.4
9.9
Features
  • Type: electric
  • Capacity: 0.75 lbs.
  • Burr material: stainless steel
  • Dimensions: 7.4 x 12 x 16 inches
  • Weight: 4.5 lbs.

More features: one-touch start timer; 15 settings; optimal flavor extraction

OXO BREW Conical Burr Coffee Grinder is a durable 40-millimeter stainless steel grinder that creates uniform ground every single time for optimal flavor extraction. It comes in three helpful settings for your desired use: fine, medium, or coarse.

What we liked: Beautiful and clean looking design with the shiny silver and sleek matte black. While powerful, this coffee grinder is surprisingly quiet. The grinds are constant every time, which will give you the peace of mind you deserve.

What could be better: Some customers have noticed that the grounds container does not lock into place well, and sometimes it will vibrate out during the grinding process. You also cannot remove the bottom burr to clean it, which makes it difficult to fully clean the entire machine since it is non-attachable. One of the burrs is stuck inside the grinder, and there is no way of getting it out.

Also Product Ranking:
?
Consumer Engagement
Chosen by 4804 people in the past 30 days
9.8
Customer Feedback
Customer Feedback
9.3
Brand Reputation
Based onweb analytics
9.6
Features & Benefits
Product Review
9.3
9.8
Features
  • Type: electric
  • Capacity: not specified
  • Burr material: alloy steel
  • Dimensions: 4.7 x 6.3 x 13.8 inches
  • Weight: 6.83 lbs.

More features: small footprint; 40 grind settings; powerful DC motor; one-year warranty

Baratza Encore Conical Burr Coffee Grinder is the perfect grinder for those who have just discovered the beauty of Chemex. This coffee grinder is super easy to use with its convenient on and off switch. Do not let the simplicity of the coffee grinder fool you because Baratza grinders are award-winning-they are preferred by many coffee professionals.

What we liked: Super, easy to use, and is beginner-friendly. It is able to grind coffee beans quickly and efficiently. Did we mention it quietly? While it is not silent by any means, compared to other coffee grinders, customers were pleasantly surprised by its noise. You do not have to worry about waking up any family members or pets with this coffee grinder.

What could be better: Unlike some coffee grinders, you cannot make a custom amount. You have to scoop out what you need and save the rest for later, which some customers find to be quite wasteful. Also, because the coffee grinds are not fresh, when the customers would use them hours later, it does not taste as good. So, either you make a big batch and drink all of it right away, or you make a big batch and share it with friends/family members.

Also Product Ranking:
?
Consumer Engagement
Chosen by 4093 people in the past 30 days
9.7
Customer Feedback
Customer Feedback
9.5
Brand Reputation
Based onweb analytics
9.6
Features & Benefits
Product Review
9.5
9.7
Features
  • Type: manual
  • Capacity: 3 ml
  • Burr material: ceramic
  • Dimensions: 1.8 x 7.5 x 1.8 inches
  • Weight: 9.4 oz

More features: adjustable; precise; easy to use; quiet

A fresh take on the coffee grinder- a manual coffee grinder that grinds the perfect amount every time. The JavaPresse Manual Coffee Grinder has a unique look that will impress and intrigue all of your guests.

What we liked: Unlike other coffee grinders, the JavaPresse Manual Coffee Grinder lets you be in control of how much coffee you want. There is no waste here. The JavaPresse Manual Coffee Grinder has a removable hand crank system that consistently eliminates over 90% of the noise that an electric grinder produces. It also looks super cool as well since it looks like a bigger version of a pepper or salt grinder.

What could be better: Customers have noted that while the coffee grinds are always fresh, the process is very slow. This is especially true if you are grinding coffee beans for more than one person. Or, if you are in a rush in the morning and want a quick cup of coffee, then you will not be able to do so with the JavaPresse Manual Coffee Grinder.

Also Product Ranking:
?
Consumer Engagement
Chosen by 4539 people in the past 30 days
9.5
Customer Feedback
Customer Feedback
9.0
Brand Reputation
Based onweb analytics
9.0
Features & Benefits
Product Review
9.0
9.5
4
Features
  • Type: electric
  • Capacity: 200 g / 0.45 lbs.
  • Burr material: stainless steel
  • Dimensions: 12.3 x 9.5 x 7.6 inches
  • Weight: 7.68 lbs.

More features: 19 settings; adjustable; FDA and ETL Certificates; 12-cup capacity; noise level is less than 62dBA

The Sboly Conical Burr Coffee Grinder is the burr grinder for Chemex because it has 19 precise grind settings. This is the coffee grinder to get if you are picky with sizing.

What we liked: It comes with a convenient dial selector so you can choose how much coffee you want to grind. You will not grind more than you need, and you can always have fresh coffee grounds with no waste. We also find it impressive that the Sboly Conical Burr Coffee Grinder has the FDA and the ETL certificates.

What could be better: Although very aesthetically pleasing, some customers did note that it was difficult to set up/put it together initially.

Also Product Ranking:
?
Consumer Engagement
Chosen by 4665 people in the past 30 days
9.2
Customer Feedback
Customer Feedback
9.1
Brand Reputation
Based onweb analytics
9.0
Features & Benefits
Product Review
8.8
9.2
5
Best Hand Coffee Grinder

SHARDOR Coffee Grinder Electric

Features
  • Type: electric
  • Capacity: 70 g
  • Burr material: stainless steel
  • Dimensions: 3.7 x 3.7 x 8 inches
  • Weight: 2.2 lbs.

More features: dishwasher safe; rapid grinding; multipurpose; comes with a brush and a spoon; safe locking

The SHARDOR Coffee Grinder Electric is a great hybrid between a manual coffee mixer and an electric one. Unlike a manual coffee grinder, you do not have to physically grind the beans yourself, which can be tiring. However, you do use your hand to press the top of the coffee grinder, but it is powered by electricity.

What we liked: We like how easy this is to use-just; by pressing the lid for a few seconds, you can control the size of your coffee grinds. We also liked that the SHARDOR Coffee Grinder Electric has a safety locking feature. This is perfect if you have kids that like to copy what you are doing. It is also great just as an added safety feature in general.

What could be better: Not practical if you just want to grind enough coffee for one single cup.


Things to Consider

With all the great coffee grinders for your Chemex Coffee Maker listed above, we can understand if you are feeling a bit overwhelmed. That is not a problem. Sometimes there is such a thing as choice overload. We are here to help ease those worries in our buying guide. We will break down each coffee grinder and its specialty as well as answer some frequently asked questions about the popular Chemex Coffee Maker.

Why do you need a special coffee grinder for Chemex?

Being named the best Chemex coffee grinder is no small feat. In fact, many people wonder if you would even need a special coffee grinder for Chemex. We understand the confusion, but there is a good reason why you need a special coffee grinder for Chemex.

Chemex has a thicker filter. Because of this, it is crucial to use a medium-coarse grind as opposed to a finer grind, which will produce a longer brewing time.

This longer brewing time can then over-extract the coffee beans. Also, if you use a finer grind, the grind will end up doing most of the filtering instead of the actual filter.

Features to consider before you buy a coffee grinder for Chemex

When it comes to finding the perfect coffee grinder for your Chemex, there are a lot of features to factor in. Features such as type, capacity, burr material, dimensions, weight, and warranty. These are all important features to look into, and we have divided them up so you can choose the best coffee grinder for you based on your most preferred feature.

Type

5 Best Coffee Grinders for Chemex - Ideal for the Method

If you are looking for a unique coffee grinder, look no further than the SHARDOR Coffee Grinder Electric. It is a hybrid of a manual coffee grinder and a purely electric one. You will feel more in control of the SHARDOR Coffee Grinder Electric.

Capacity

The OXO BREW Conical Burr Coffee Grinder is our Editor’s Choice for many reasons. One of them is that it can really do it all. It is also super easy to use even if this is your first coffee grinder, and you have never used one before. This grinder is also super easy to clean, which is nice since who wants to spend their whole morning cleaning, right? The removable/detachable parts on the OXO BREW Conical Burr Coffee Grinder are dishwasher safe.

However, we would recommend washing it by hand, just in case.

Burr material

When it comes to a burr grinder, we have to recommend the Sboly Conical Burr Coffee Grinder. Why? Because it has 19 different (and precise) grind settings. It is very difficult not to find what you are looking for with this grinder, especially if you are particular about your burrs.

Dimensions

What is great about the JavaPresse Manual Coffee Grinder is the fact that it does not take up much room. If you are someone that is tight on space, then it is perfect for you. Unlike another traditional coffee grinder that demands space on the kitchen counter, the JavaPresse Manual Coffee Grinder can be stored away in the cabinet if needed.

It is also on our list for the best value, which means if needed, you can buy more than one. This is if you use your coffee grinder to grind more than just coffee.

Weight

The Sboly Conical Burr Coffee Grinder once again makes it on our list. It is light but mighty – coming in at 4.5 lbs. This makes it perfect for moving around when it is not in use. It also means that the Sboly Conical Burr Coffee Grinder is a great coffee grinder to take on the go.

Warranty

The Baratza Encore Conical Burr Coffee Grinder is our Premium Pick because it is a bit more costly than the other coffee grinders on our list. However, just because it is more expensive, it does not mean that it is for naught. It comes with a full, one-year warranty. Customers have also raved about their great customer service.

Even if your Baratza Encore Conical Burr Coffee Grinder is not broken, but let’s say a certain part does not fit right, or if there is a scratch on your new grinder, then the company will replace it without any hassle.

It is good to know that this company stands behind their products, and they also support their customers. If you buy the Baratza Encore Conical Burr Coffee Grinder, then you can feel good about supporting such a good company.

FAQ

How to clean a coffee grinder?

It is quite easy to clean a coffee grinder, fortunately. You first have to unplug the coffee grinder. The removable parts of the coffee grinder are usually dishwasher safe (please note: only use on the top-rack, and it should be on a gentle cycle). However, we recommend washing all parts by hand. Do not use soap if possible because it can distort the coffee taste. Remove all the ground particles from the lid using a soft brush or a cloth. If you are not sure which parts can be washed and which parts should be left alone, please refer to the product’s manual. Some parts can stain easily if not washed properly. Also, note lighter colored coffee grinders are prone to stain.

Can you use a coffee grinder to grind anything else?

You can. Many people love to use their coffee grinders to grind up: spices. Coarse sugar, herbs, small amounts of flour, chopped nuts and seeds, as well as hot pepper flakes for pizzas and pasta. As a warning, though, most people suggest having two coffee grinders if you plan on using your coffee grinder for other items. This is because it will distort the taste of the coffee. Even if you wash it well with soap and water, your coffee might not taste the same. Most coffee grinder companies ask their customers to simply wash the grinder (only the removable parts) in warm water. Soap is not recommended.  If you chose to just use one grinder, it is perfectly okay but knows that there is a chance your next cup of coffee might taste different.

What’s the best grind for Chemex?

What one of the most frequently asked questions aside from, “What is the best coffee grinder for pour-over on the Chemex?” is “What is the best grind for Chemex?”. According to the Chemex website, they recommend using a medium-coarse grind. This is because a medium-coarse grind will allow for the best extraction. The flow rate will also work better with medium-coarse coffee grinds as well. This is the best coffee grind for pour-over coffee. For reference, a medium-coarse grind will be similar in size to a French press grind. However, it is less chunky, and it should also have a smoother feel.

Our verdict

When it comes to buying the best coffee grinder for your Chemex, we understand why the task is so daunting. There are so many great coffee grinders out there but the five listed are some of the best money can buy. If you are looking for a product that has great reviews all around from various people, we would recommend our Editor’s Choice: OXO BREW Conical Burr Coffee Grinder. If you do not spend a little more for a more luxurious coffee grinder, then you can’t go wrong with our Premium Pick: Baratza Encore Conical Burr Coffee Grinder. If you are someone that wants the best value for your money, we would recommend our Best Value: JavaPresse Manual Coffee Grinder. You will be surprised at what you get for what you pay.

9,9
Total Score
OXO Brew Conical Burr Coffee Grinder - Editor’s Choice
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