KitchenAid is a brand that needs no introduction. We know it as a leader in cooking and baking appliances, but as of late, it’s also been leading the way with impressive coffee appliances.
In this post, we look at KitchenAid’s KCG8433BM Burr coffee grinder, what it does and what it offers as well as how it compares to other prominent grinders like Baratza’s, for example.
- Our grinder automatically produces the ideal amount and consistency of grounds for every drink selection with Smart Dosing Technology.
- Getting consistent grind size means delicious brewing every time. Achieve consistent grind sizes for all brew methods from French Press to Espresso with the KitchenAid Burr Coffee Grinder.
- Discover your perfect grind, for every kind of brew. With 70 precise settings for a wide variety of grind sizes - from coarse for Cold Brew and French Press, to fine for Espresso and espresso drinks.
- Commercial-grade, stainless steel conical burrs provide superior grinding precision, producing uniformly-sized grounds for optimal flavor extraction.
- No need to flip your machine upside down—simply twist and lift the removable bean hopper to empty, exchange or refill with fresh beans between brews.
Whether you’re grinding for drip coffee (electric or manual), French press or espresso, with this grinder’s whopping 70 grind settings, you’re set for any kind of brewing method. Right under the hopper, you’ll find there are icons that reference brewing methods to help you get started. French press (coarse), Percolator (Medium-coarse), Drip (Medium), Espresso (Fine). Adjustment between these settings allow you to even get more grind precision. Although it’s worth noting that you’ll have to understand what grind setting these icons refer to because the grind setting you want will not always match what brewing method you’re doing. For example, using the French Press grind setting, which is coarse, will also be used for a variety of other methods like Cold Brew.
When it comes to dosing, the grinder does it automatically, too. Using the LCD display, you can select the number of cups or shot (for espresso) will get you the right dose. If you’re grinding for espresso, a built-in portafilter holder allows for handsfree grinding, whether you’re using a 54mm or 58mm portafilter size.
This KitchenAid grinder promises less mess due to its Anti-static technology that reduces static charge when grinding.
Design wise, like everything KitchenAid makes, it looks beautiful and it comes in different colors. The body is mostly made of plastic, but has some metal accents that give it an upscale look. The LCD display and presets make it easy to use for a beginner.
Comparisons
The comparison selection would be based on grinders that are also considered to be Entry-level and fall in the price range of under $300 (as of the time of writing, at least).
KitchenAid vs. Baratza Encore
- SPECIALTY COFFEE ASSOCIATION AWARD WINNING GRINDERS - Baratza grinders are preferred by coffee professionals and backed by Baratza’s world class support.
- GO-TO ENTRY LEVEL GRINDER - Baratza’s best-selling grinder, with its small footprint, is THE choice for brewing coffee at home. Available in White or Black.
- USER FRIENDLY - A convenient, front-mounted pulse button, plus a simple ON/OFF switch make it easy to grind fresh coffee.
- 40 GRIND SETTINGS - Engineered with 40mm commercial-grade conical burrs that help you explore the extensive range of brew methods (espresso, Aeropress, Hario V60, Chemex, French Press, and automatic brewers).
- WARRANTY/QUALITY PARTS - Hardened alloy steel burrs manufactured in Liechtenstein, Europe, plus a powerful DC motor. This combination creates a consistent grind and durability to ensure the longevity users have come to expect from the Baratza brand. The Encore is backed by Baratza’s world class support and a 1 year warranty. 2020 Update has exact same trusted functionality with a sleek new exterior.
Baratza Encore is by far one of the most popular entry-level conical burr grinders. It’s one I use on a daily basis and I absolutely love it.
This is a simple grinder that delivers consistent results every time. It has 40 grind settings, from coarse to fine. However, I must say it performs better with coarse grinds than fine. If you’re looking for a grinder for fine settings mostly, this isn’t it.
It excels at medium to coarse grinds, so if you’re doing pour-over, drip coffee, french press, the Encore is an excellent choice.
There are no fancy settings on the Encore, the grind settings are adjust by twisting the hopper and you can start the machine by using the knob on the side or the pulse button. It does not have automatic dosing, so you’ll have to manually dose/measure your coffee.
If this is going to be your first time using a burr grinder, you may need to experiment with grind settings until you get it correctly. The grinder’s manual has a grind setting chart that will help you get started.
Between the Encore and KitchenAid, which do you pick?
It might seem like the KitchenAid is an easier grinder to use, especially if you’re a beginner. And it is quite easy to use, thanks to the presets and reference icons. It also has more grind settings to use. But you need to ask yourself what will you be using the most, and do you really need 70 grind settings?
If you’re going to be grinding for filter/pour over/french press coffee only, I highly recommend going for the Baratza Encore because it has been around for a longer time and has a track record for providing great results. I’ve personally used mine daily for over 3 years now without any issues.
KitchenAid vs. Breville Dose Control Pro Grinder
- Stainless Steel conical burrs designed to minimize grinding heat and protect the essential oils in the coffee bean
- 60 precise grind settings from the finest Espresso to the coarsest French Press Grind
- Precision Electronic Timer allows users to adjust grind time in 1 second increments and consistent dose every time
- 12oz coffee bean capacity with locking system for easy removal, storage, and transfer of the bean hopper
- Grind directly into porta filter, grinds container, gold tone filter basket or paper filter
Breville has been a leader in coffee appliances, too. One of its highly rated grinders is the Breville Dose Control Pro which comes with 60 grind settings for all your brewing method needs.
This grinder has a precision electronic timer that allows the use to adjust the grind time in 1 second increments for a really consistent grind. This sort of thing is a bit intimidating to a beginner, however, it is not hard to learn over time until you get your perfect dose.
The Dose Control Pro also has a cradle to hold a portafilter for handsfree espresso grinding. The cradle can hold portafilters as small as 50mm and up to 58mm.
Using the Dose Control Pro is a matter of trial and error until you get things right. Since it’s a timed grind, it can be hard for a beginner to use. But once you get it right, you’ll get consistent results every time, especially for espresso.
