It is hard to believe that Cuisinart produces an electric burr grinder at a significantly lower price than its competitors. Although a lower price may symbolize less quality and performance, there are many positive qualities about the company’s Supreme Grind Automatic Burr Mill.
We examine the benefits you receive for this compact grinder and how it stacks up with the competition. Before diving into the details, we also highlight the critical factors to consider before making your significant purchase.
Check out our complete coffee grinder buying guide here!
Things to Consider Before Buying a Coffee Grinder
As you compare the Cuisinart Grind Automatic Burr Mill to other products on the market, it is vital to examine the following factors: type of coffee grinder, grind size, doser or no doser, and grind capacity. Each of these considerations impacts the coffee’s taste, smell, quality, and ground consistency.
Evaluate each one carefully before making your purchase decision for the best coffee grinder for you.
Burr or Blade
Most coffee grinders come in two types: burr or blade. One of these is a durable option that produces consistent coffee grounds. The other one is cheaper, inconsistent, and may not be a good investment.
Blade grinders all come in the same double-pronged design with a blade towards the bottom, which spins quickly. Most of these grinders have one button that makes the blade spin. Coffee beans that touch this blade are cut into different pieces that tend to be inconsistent, and this inconsistency usually causes an inferior flavor compared to burr grinders.
Burr grinders are different because they contain two burr pieces that filter and funnel the beans into the grinding area, producing a more uniform result. Manufacturers normally create these burrs with stainless steel or ceramic materials, and they are longer lasting than the cheaper blade alternatives. Burr coffee grinders also enable you to adjust the burrs to prepare the optimal size of coffee grounds.
Grind Size Adjustment and Settings
The grind size adjustments determine the number of control options offered on a grinder. Depending on the type of coffee grinds you desire, it is essential to look at this grind size adjustment on the grinder before buying it.
Stepless grinders can produce an endless variety of grind options for the coffee fanatic. It gives them full control over the coffee quality they want to make, although it has very few grind options. Espresso coffee grinders usually pair well with stepless grinders because the user or barista has full control. A stepped grinder has limited control options and only allows you to adjust factors like grind time.
Doser or No Doser
The doser’s primary responsibility is to retain the optimal amount of coffee grounds for the filter. It also ensures that the amount of crushed coffee beans is optimal for the coffee flavor you aim for. If you are typically making coffee for larger groups of people or commercial use, go for a grinder with a doser.
For home or single-use, a doser is not necessary.
Grind Capacity
Grind capacity is another critical factor to consider. Manufacturers make every coffee grinder to hold a certain level of coffee. A larger capacity does not always mean it will be a better option.
If you make coffee for yourself, you will not need to hold a large amount of coffee since the best coffee is ground right before brewing. Excess ground coffee could go bad, which means wasted coffee.
However, if your coffee grinder will be put to commercial use or to satisfy a larger household, you may need to invest in a larger capacity. To get the most out of your coffee beans, consider who will use them beforehand.
Product Overview
The Supreme Grind Automatic Burr Mill by Cuisinart is a stainless-steel burr mill, which offers 18 adjustment levels for your beloved coffee beans. You can set the machine to produce extra-coarse or ultra-fine grounds, which allows for a variety of different coffee flavors.
Cuisinart’s burr mill also contains a button for it to stop automatically, which ensures consistent grounds. It also maximizes aromas, flavors, and oils for the best cup of coffee possible due to its adjustment options. This grinder is versatile and can make between 4-18 cups of coffee, storing leftover grounds within its chamber.
Things We Like
- Included with safety specifications and features
- Delivers 18 different grind settings for a variety of coffee flavors
- An ideal option for French press machines, drip, and pour-over
- Burr grinders produce a consistent grind for a tasty cup of coffee.
- Electric time paired with an automatic grind makes it easy to use
- It comes with a forgiving warranty of 18 months.
- Stainless steel materials ensure a long-lasting product
Room for Improvement
- Not a good option for specialty blends
- The grinding process is noisier than other alternatives on the market.
- It does not always pair well with an espresso maker.
Features & Benefits
Cuisinart designed the perfect grinder for the beginner coffee lover. It combines a functional design, ease of use, convenient maintenance, and optimal grinding capacity for a valuable set of benefits.
Functional Design
When Cuisinart designed this grinder, the company made it easy to use for the beginner and home coffee fanatic. It includes the motor and burr design with ceramic block burrs, which is standard for a beginner product. Although Cuisinart does not detail the motor power or burr size, it is a louder grinder when operating, which is one downside.
The Cuisinart DBM-8 supreme does deliver a few quality safety features for a smooth blend. It also ensures that the grinder does not run until the product’s ground bin and bean hopper are in the correct position. This benefit prevents you from spending extra time moving the grounds from the bin to your equipment.
The hopper and removable grind chamber bin also add another level of convenience. The removable plastic hopper holds an 8-ounce capacity, producing anywhere between 4 and 18 cups of coffee. Although the grounds bin is not fully insulated, it can contain up to 32 cups of grounded coffee.
Even though the DBM-8’s body is all plastic, the finish and fit adhere to Cuisinart products’ premium standards. The outside of the grinder showcases black accents and an aluminum finish, elevating your kitchen’s aesthetics.
Portability is another positive feature of the Cuisinart product. Its grinder measures 6 x 7.13 x 10.75 inches, including the attached hopper. It weighs 4.7 pounds, making this a lightweight, compact product.
Whether you are taking it with you on a long trip or storing it within a smaller cabinet, it will not take up too much space.
Overall Value
We believe that the Cuisinart DBM-8 is a fair price for a few reasons. Its price points are slightly higher than the low-quality blade grinders, but when you compare it to some of the best hand grinders on the market, it is equivalent. If you pay just a slightly higher fee than a blade grinder, you receive a machine with various options for a premium coffee cup.
Grinding Capacity & Capabilities
The grinding options are nothing short of impressive for the DBM-8. Cuisinart’s product has 18 grind size adjustments, ranging from “coarse” to “fine.”
You might be able to prepare a drink close to the espresso on the finest setting, but it is only possible with a pressurized filter. If you want to make ground for a French press, you can choose one of the course settings.
We like this machine because it delivers a fresh product for all types of coffee lovers. The company claims that the DBM-8 can prepare 12 cups of coffee within 40 seconds and 18 cups within 55 seconds. Although grind time is contingent on the type of coffee you use, this is still impressive.
Maintenance and Ease of Use
Cuisinart DBM-8 made sure its product was easy to clean and maintain. To keep the burr grinders functioning correctly, you should clean them at least once per month.
The grinder allows you to remove the hopper. One of the burrs attaches to the hopper’s base will be removed with it as well. This feature helps you remove the coffee residue and dust from the hard-to-reach places.
Because this product is for beginners, it is straightforward to operate. You dump the beans into the hopper and ensure the bin is in the correct position. To select the grind setting of your choice, you then twist the hopper and choose the desired cup number before hitting the start button.
Alternatives & Conclusion
The Cuisinart DBM-8 is a cost-effective option that offers an array of 18 features for a quality cup of coffee. Its compact design and grind process makes it an excellent opportunity for drip, press machines, and pour-over. When it comes to durability, your investment goes a long way because of the stainless-steel exterior materials.
But maybe the Cuisinart DBM-8 is not for you. If you are looking for a premium product with more robust features and grind settings, check out these other alternatives:
- Baratza Virtuoso – This conical burr grinder offers over 40 grind settings for much more brewing methods than Cuisinart.
- Mueller Ultra-Grind – the conical burr grinder provides a more technically-advanced option for a much more precise grind than Cuisinart.
Depending on your needs, there’s an option out there for every coffee lover!
Happy Caffienating!
Cuisinart Supreme Grind Automatic Burr Mill Review
Did someone say Cuisinart? If you're a coffee lover and you happen to be a Cuisinart household, check out this electric burr grinder!
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