Over 1 billion people in the world drink coffee every day, so it’s no wonder that coffee technology is growing at a seemingly exponential rate.
And those who love a coffee as soon as they wake up usually also love a peaceful morning! Therefore, understanding coffee grinders and how to reduce their noise is of vital importance.
Grinding coffee beans fresh is preferable in most cases because it creates a smoother, fresher coffee flavor compared to instant or plunger coffee. Quiet burr coffee grinders are a type of grinder that uses burr technology to reduce this noise.
Having a quiet coffee grinder can be really helpful in shared or small living situations so that you don’t wake up your flatmates or neighbors.
It can also provide a better early-hours coffee experience than a grinder screaming in your ear (perhaps after a big night out!). In this article, we’ll discuss:
- Understanding burr coffee grinders
- Our top three picks for quietest coffee grinders in every price range
- Features to consider when choosing a burr coffee grinder
- Maintenance tips for quiet burr coffee grinders.
Let’s get straight into it!
Understanding Burr Coffee Grinders
The two main types of coffee grinders are burr or blade grinders.
Blade grinders have a blade like a food processor or blender. They are cheap and easy to use, but create an inconsistent and uneven grind as well as heating the beans slightly during the process.
Most coffee connoisseurs therefore prefer burr grinders. Burr grinders use two abrasive rotary files or ‘burrs’ to grind the coffee.
While more expensive, burr grinders are consistent in their grind and provide high-quality coffee. Within the category of burr grinders, there are also two main varieties.
Conical burr grinders have a cone-shaped center burr and an outer serrated burr. Conical burr grinders are energy-efficient but don’t produce a perfectly even ground.
Flat burr grinders have two flat circular burrs with sharp edges which face each other. Flat burr grinders offer a much more symmetrical grind because the coffee beans stay between the two surfaces until they’re perfectly even.
Burr grinders are a little quieter than blade grinders, which is a clear advantage. Noise is generated through the motor housing in electric grinders, and also as beans are ground down. The faster the grinder, the louder it typically is!
There are some very quiet, high-quality burr grinders on the market. You’ll also find manual grinders that don’t have much in terms of motor noise, but the grinding process is a lot slower.
Top Picks: Quietest Burr Coffee Grinders
High-End Quiet Burr Grinder
The Eureka Mignon Silenzio Quiet Burr Grinder is one of the best on the market. Boasting specially made burrs, a sound-insulated case, easy maintenance, and patented stepless micrometric regulation, this grinder will blow your coffee grinding expectations out of the water (while not blowing your eardrums!).
Mid-Range Quiet Burr Grinder
The Baratza Encore Coffee Grinder is a great entry-level, mid-range grinder for those wanting something a little beyond the basics.
It is a conical burr grinder with a holding capacity of 225g and the ability to produce consistent smooth coffee every time.
With 40 grind settings, budding coffee entrepreneurs will be able to explore the entire range of brew methods from Aeropress to Chemex!
Budget-Friendly Quiet Burr Grinder
The Breville Smart Grinder Pro Coffee Grinder is the perfect entry-level grinder for at-home brewing.
Its stepped adjustment allows an easy grind setting, and the burr mechanics minimizes heat to create a delicious cup of joe.
Features to Consider When Choosing a Quiet Burr Coffee Grinder
The following are the most important features to consider when deciding on a quiet burr coffee grinder:
Noise Reduction Technology
There are constant innovations in terms of new technology to ensure the quietest coffee grinding experience.
One of the more useful is actually an app on your phone! Using your phone to monitor the noise of your coffee grinder is a great way to tell when something is out of the ordinary.
Some grinder models incorporate anti-vibration materials into their design. These could be in the form of rubber feet or silicone housing to dampen the noise of the grinder.
Some grinders pad out the motor housing with noise-absorbing materials which severely reduces the grinder noise. These models are usually quite a bit more expensive.
Ceramic burrs are quieter than metal burrs, so some grinders use ceramic varieties to reduce noise.
Similarly, quieter motors can be used to reduce noise as well. It may even be possible to upgrade the motor on your existing grinder to make it quieter if you wish.
Grind Settings and Consistency
The reason that an even grind is such a big deal in the coffee world is that the taste of the coffee can change depending on the ground.
You can change the grind setting on most grinders to find the best grind for you. A finer grind will create a bolder coffee, whereas a coarser grind will create a lighter flavor.
As in many things, consistency is key. If your grounds are uneven, they can cause an uneven coffee extraction which can affect the final taste.
Some grinders have stepped grind adjustments with set grinds which are easy for beginners to use.
Stepless grinders have no settings and require micro adjustments and intuition to master. As such, they are better for experienced coffee drinkers.
Size and Capacity
Another factor to think about when buying a coffee grinder is its size and capacity.
Grinders come in lots of different sizes, and depending on your uses for them, you may want a bigger or smaller one.
Commercial cafes will want a bigger grinder than a solo person at home because a cafe will naturally be making a lot more coffee!
The capacity of coffee that can be ground at once also differs between grinders. A grinder that holds up to 100 grams of beans can produce approximately 10 cups of coffee.
Again, depending on your uses, this may be an important factor.
Price and Warranty
If you want a decent grinder that is going to look after your coffee needs, then you should be willing to spend a little dosh.
Coffee grinders can range from basic versions for $60 to high-quality espresso grinders for $600 plus. Usually, the more you pay, the better quality materials and mechanisms you’ll enjoy.
Most grinders have a 1-year warranty, which may not seem much for an expensive product. However, a product with a longer warranty isn’t necessarily a better product!
Make sure to read the warranty thoroughly and note if it has extensive cover. After all, you want peace of mind that a solution can be reached if something happens to your grinder!
Also Read: Reasons Why Are Good Coffee Grinders So Expensive?
Maintenance Tips for Quiet Burr Coffee Grinders
Regular Cleaning and Maintenance
In order to keep your coffee grinder working smoothly, it is important to keep it clean and maintain it. Otherwise, unnecessary noise can arise and interrupt those peaceful mornings.
The most common reason grinders need regular cleaning is because of the oil and coffee build-up.
Coffee beans release oil when they are being ground, and this oil (as well as residual grounds) can coat the burr or blade of your grinder – making your coffee taste stale.
These oils and residual grounds can also cause blockages in the grinder which could contribute to a bad extraction and excess noise.
Some helpful cleaning tips: you can use a small handheld vacuum to get most of the residual grounds off the burrs! This means that you won’t lose your grind setting like you would when taking the grinder apart to clean it.
If you are pushed for time, use a soft brush like an old toothbrush to clean the residual grounds off the burrs.
Your grinder should be cleaned approximately every 3 days with special grinder cleaning products. To do this, you can buy food-safe cleaner pellets that are put through the grinder which then absorb the oils and expel residual grounds.
If you want a cheap way to clean your grinder without having to buy special products, one surprising solution is rice! Running rice through the grinder will absorb oils and residual grounds quite well and is a cheap alternative.
Addressing Common Issues
One common issue that causes excess noise in your grinder is when it gets locked up.
This usually means there is a bean stuck somewhere it shouldn’t be! To fix this, turn the grinder off and set it to a coarser setting. Then, try grinding again. Once it is unlocked, return to your original grind setting and you are good to go.
Another tip is to make sure the burrs are aligned. If they are even slightly out of place, the noise of your grinder will increase. If your grinder starts making excessive noise, turn it off immediately!
FAQs
To reduce the noise of your coffee grinder, make sure all the burrs are aligned and working. You can also reduce sound by adding noise-reduction materials, like rubber feet.
Manual grinders are quieter than electric ones because they do not have motor noise. However, they do take longer to grind.
It is worth investing in a high-quality burr grinder if you drink a lot of coffee and understand how to set your own grind. If you are just starting out on your coffee journey, a low to medium-end grinder will suit your needs just fine.
Grind consistency directly affects coffee taste. The finer the grind, the bolder the coffee! The coarser the grind, the more subtle the flavors are. Uneven grinds can negatively affect the final flavor of the coffee.
Yes, you can grind spices in your coffee grinder. Just make sure you clean it between uses so your coffee doesn’t have residual spice grounds and start tasting a bit funky!
