Best Overall← Back to article

Cuisinart DBM 8 Supreme Grind Automatic

$53.99

★4.5(3,200 reviews)

Best for: serious French press enthusiasts who grind daily and prioritize consistency over convenience

Check price on Amazon— $53.99

Pros

18 grind settings provide precise coarse adjustment ideal for French press — eliminates guesswork and produces consistent particle size across 3,200 reviews
Grinds 2 cups of beans in under 60 seconds — sufficient for a full 8-cup French press without multiple batches
Conical burr design minimizes heat buildup — keeps beans cooler than blade grinders, preserving volatile flavor compounds

Cons

Burr chamber is not dishwasher-safe — requires manual cleaning with included brush after every 5-10 uses to prevent oil buildup
Audible grinding noise reaches 80+ dB — loud enough to disturb early morning household members
Hopper capacity of 110g may feel limiting for daily users grinding multiple batches

Performance

9.1

Grind Consistency

9.3

Ease of Use

8.2

Cleaning

7.1

Value

8.5

Full review

If you brew French press every morning and want to stop thinking about your grinder, this is it. The kind of person who reaches for this machine grinds fresh daily, owns a proper 8-cup press, and has been frustrated at least once by muddy, over-extracted coffee from an inconsistent grind.

18 grind settings is the headline spec — and it earns that billing. The coarse range is wide enough to dial in exactly the texture your press needs, and owners across 3,200 reviews consistently report that the results hold steady batch after batch. One buyer summarized it well: once you find your setting, you just leave it there and the grinder does the rest every time.

Speed matters at 6 a.m. This machine grinds 2 cups of beans in under 60 seconds — enough for a full 8-cup French press in a single cycle. No second batch, no waiting. The conical stainless steel burrs also run cooler than blade grinders, which means the volatile aromatic compounds in your beans survive the grind intact. That's not marketing copy; it's the reason burr grinders exist.

The downsides are real. At 80+ dB, this grinder is loud — if you're up before your household, expect company. The burr chamber requires manual cleaning with the included brush every 5-10 uses, and it's not dishwasher-safe, which is the most common complaint owners raise. The 110g hopper is also on the smaller side; heavy users who grind for two or more people may find it limiting.

Rating Scores:

Performance: 9.1/10
Grind Consistency: 9.3/10
Ease of Use: 8.2/10
Cleaning: 7.1/10
Value: 8.5/10

Pros:

18 grind settings dial in coarse French press texture precisely — consistent particle size confirmed across 3,200 reviews
Grinds 2 cups in under 60 seconds — one cycle covers a full 8-cup French press
Conical burr design runs cooler than blade grinders — preserves flavor compounds that heat destroys

Cons:

Burr chamber is not dishwasher-safe — requires brush cleaning after every 5-10 uses to prevent oil buildup
Grinding noise exceeds 80 dB — loud enough to wake light sleepers in the same apartment
110g hopper capacity may require multiple loads for users grinding for two or more people

Best for: serious French press enthusiasts who grind daily and prioritize consistency above all else.

Cuisinart DBM 8 Supreme Grind Automatic

serious French press enthusiasts who grind daily and prioritize consistency over convenience

Check price on Amazon— $53.99

FAQ

Do I really need a burr grinder for French press?▾

Yes — and it's not close. French press uses no paper filter, so every particle your grinder produces ends up in your cup. Blade grinders chop beans unevenly, producing a mix of fine powder and large chunks. The powder over-extracts and turns bitter; the chunks under-extract and taste weak. A burr grinder crushes beans between two abrasive surfaces at a consistent gap, producing uniform particles. That consistency is the difference between a clean, full-bodied cup and a gritty, muddy one.

What grind size should I use for French press?▾

Coarse — roughly the texture of coarse sea salt or breadcrumbs. If your grounds look like table salt or finer, you'll get over-extraction and sediment. Most burr grinders label their coarsest settings clearly; on the Cuisinart, settings 15-18 are the target range for French press. If you're getting a bitter, heavy cup, go coarser. If it tastes weak and watery, go slightly finer.

How often should I clean my coffee grinder?▾

For daily users, a quick brush-out of the burr chamber every 5-10 uses prevents coffee oil buildup, which turns rancid and affects flavor. A deeper clean — removing the burrs and wiping down all surfaces — is worth doing once a month. Blade grinders with dishwasher-safe bowls like the KRUPS are obviously simpler, but the grind quality trade-off makes that convenience less relevant for serious French press use.

Is a $13 blade grinder good enough for French press?▾

For occasional use — once or twice a week, small batches — it's functional. You'll notice more sediment at the bottom of your cup and some bitterness compared to a burr grinder, but it won't ruin the experience entirely. For daily brewing or anyone who's serious about flavor, the $32.39 SHARDOR is a much better investment. The grind consistency difference between a blade and a burr grinder is the single biggest quality upgrade you can make to a French press setup.