Cuisinart Supreme Grind Automatic Burr Mill

It’s true. I’m an absolute coffee snob. I can admit it. I merrily mock my co-workers for drinking the bland-brand coffee that the company buys while I sip my carefully crafted homebrew from my Thermos Leak-Proof Travel Mug.

I don’t mess around: I buy indigenous coffee beans and grind them myself. I have an engraved coffee scoop. I have my own secret system for measuring out the perfect amount of coffee grounds for the desired number of cups to be made. When I go on vacation? My coffee supplies are the first things I pack.

Naturally, I was initially attracted to the Cuisinart Grind-and-Brew Coffeemaker. I used this coffeemaker for the better part of 2 years before I realized that I was spending so much time washing it after each use. The problem with this system is that, once the beans are ground and the coffee is made, condensation gets into the compartment where the beans were ground and the bean debris gets caked onto the equipment so that even a high-pressure rinsing won’t break it loose; you have to actually get in there and scrub them out.

I eventually switched to a cheap $10 grinder, one that only grinds 4 cups worth of beans at a time and you have to sit there and push down a button to make it work. However, the problem with the cheapo grinder is that it’s nearly impossible to clean. You can’t separate the bean reservoir from the motor and it doesn’t appear to be safe to get near water. So, I’ve just had to tough it out because I didn’t think there was anything better.

Imagine my glee when I reluctantly entered a kitchen goods store with my wife and spotted the Cuisinart Supreme Grind Automatic Burr Mill. It was like Cuisinart read my mind and delivered the exact product I was needing.

Don’t get me wrong, this product isn’t magic. It grinds beans, pure and simple. But it performs this function with such grace and style that it’s hard not to stare at it in wonderment.

Let’s start from the beginning. When I first opened the box, I cringed when I saw two large stickers on the plastic facing of the grinder. This meant I’d be spending the next 30 minutes tediously scraping off the stickers followed by the sticky residue they left behind. However, once I got my fingernail underneath the stickers, they peeled right off. No hard-to-get-off sticky goo remaining. Sweet! This fact alone merits a positive review for this product. But, the goodness doesn’t stop there.[ad name=”250×250″]

Operation
Operation is pretty straightforward. You put the beans in the hopper, set the grind selector, choose number of cups, push the power bar, and you’re all set. Regarding the grind selector, there is a rotating scale so you can vary the intensity of the three main settings:

• Fine – Best for espresso
• Medium – Recommended setting for most automatic drip coffeemakers
• Coarse – Use for percolator or French press

After you set the grind selector, you choose how many cups of coffee you will be making. I don’t use this particular feature because I typically grind a half pound bag and store the grounds in an airtight container. However, you have the option of grind-as-you-go use by selecting the number of cups you wish to make, from 4-18. You can vary the strength of your coffee by adjusting the cup selection.

From there, simply press the “power bar” and wait for the burr mill to do its thing. The grounds are deposited into the grind chamber and you’re ready to make your coffee.

One thing I did notice is that it’s a bit awkward to empty the grind chamber of its contents. I have a wide mouth air-tight canister that I store my grounds in, so it’s easy for me to transfer the grounds from the grind chamber. However, it may be a bit of a challenge if you’re trying to pour the grounds directly into the filter. I’ve found that lightly tapping one of the bottom corners of the chamber against the counter helps to angle the grounds a little bit to one side and make it a little easier to empty the chamber.

Cleaning
Having spent several hours of my life thus far cleaning coffee equipment, clean-up is a big deal for me. I want something quick and easy and efficient. And the Cuisinart Burr Mill fits the bill perfectly. The hopper and grind chamber are easily removable and dishwasher safe (top rack), but can also be quickly hand washed if you don’t have a dishwasher.

Taste
I haven’t sampled each setting, but from the normal Medium setting I am getting a different taste from the beans I’ve been brewing the past few months. I can’t really say that the taste is better than the other grinder I’ve been using, but it is different, and it is good, so I can’t complain.

Extras
Priced at $49.99, the retail package contains a scoop/cleaning brush combo, which would come in handy for those who don’t have their own engraved coffee scoop already. There is also power cord storage at the base of the machine and the unit is covered by an 18-month warranty.

Pros

• Grinds beans evenly to help deliver great tasting coffee
• Easy to clean and use
• Wide variety of custom grind settings
• Automatic operation

Cons

• Price: $50 may be a bit higher than most casual coffee enthusiasts are willing to pay for a grinder
• Slightly awkward to empty the grind chamber

Conclusion
This Cuisinart coffee grinder has been quickly adapted into my coffee making workflow and I can easily recommend it as a gift or personal purchase for anyone who enjoys grinding their own coffee. It does a great job, it’s easy to use and easy to clean. If you have room in your budget for a cool, sleek coffee grinder, I’d say this is the one for you.

Ready to buy?
Click here to purchase the Cuisinart Supreme Grind Automatic Burr Mill.