The Best Spice Grinder for your Favourite Whole Spices

Ian Mutuli
Updated on
Ian Mutuli

Ian Mutuli

Founder and Managing Editor of Archute. He is also a graduate architect from The University of Nairobi, Kenya.
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Are you looking to create a custom marinade or blend your favorite whole spices? A spice grinder can help you take your dishes to the next level? With the right spice grinder, crushing your whole spices like cumin or cloves is a breeze, and you can take advantage of the complex flavors that are lost sometimes in the pre-ground version of spices. Even though most chefs praise the traditional mortar and pestle, it's easier to get the job done with an electric or a manual spice grinder.

Below we have listed some of the best spice grinders on the market with their advantages and a detailed buying guide to guide you through the shopping process and make an informed decision.

1. Secura Electric Coffee and Spice Grinder

Sale
Secura Electric Coffee Grinder and Spice Grinder with 2...
  • Two removable Stainless Steel bowls, one grinder bowl and one...
  • Grind Coffee beans & spices; chops nuts and vegetables
  • Secura Coffee grinder comes with build-in smart Overheat...
  • Stainless Steel blades and Stainless Steel exterior
  • Safety-lock lid, on/off switch, cord wrap base. 2-Year...

Secura Electric Spice and Coffee Grinder have a multi-purpose design that features two different grinding cups for the best grinding experience. One cup is the two-blade cup designed to grind coffee beans, spices, nuts, and the four-blade chopper bowl suitable for chopping vegetables, chilies, garlic, or herbs. The two bowls ensure your flavors don't meld when grinding, but the blade systems ensure that you are getting the proper grind for every whole spice or ingredient. The bowls also have measurement markings on the inside, which helps you add what you need without using measuring spoons.

The Secura Electric Coffee Grinder has lids that you can use to store ground spices, which keep your extras fresh and fastens cleaning. The grinder also with a 200-watt motor that easily handles most spices, even the larger items like coffee beans and nuts, and with overheat protection, you are guaranteed that it will last for a while. Additionally, it packs a two-year warranty that guarantees you feel more confident with your purchase.

Pros:

  • Two removable bowls that are designed for chopping and grinding ingredients.
  • It can handle both moist and dry ingredients.
  • It features a motor that automatically shuts down to avoid overheating.
  • It comes with an internal lid that keeps the contents from spilling.
  • Two years limited warranty.

Cons:

  • The cord wrap is awkward to use because it has been poorly designed.
  • It has a rubber shock-absorbing foot that can fall off easily.

2. Cuisinart Electric Spice-and-Nut Grinder

Cuisinart SG-10 Electric Spice-and-Nut Grinder,...
  • Electric spice-and-nut grinder with durable stainless-steel...
  • Heavy-duty motor; push-top lid for simple on/off control
  • Bowl holds 90 grams; extra storage space in lid; nonslip rubber...
  • Dishwasher-safe lid and bowl; instruction manual with recipes...
  • Product Built to North American Electrical Standards

Cuisinart Electric Spice-and-Nut Grinder is a stylish grinder with a metallic grey-blue base and a transparent lid that is the most suitable model for grinding many coffee beans, nuts, and spices. The bowl can hold 90 grams more than other electric spice grinders and has a 200-watt motor designed to tackle the large spice grinding jobs, and constructed from heavy-duty stainless steel. Cuisinart blade grinder can whizz up spices such as whole nutmegs, cinnamon sticks, cardamons into a fine powder and in another bowl create a wet paste using fresh garlic, ginger, and chilies.

Cuisinart Spice-and-Nut Grinder comes with a cord that easily tucks away into the base for tidy storage, and you activate the grinder by pressing down on the lid. The Cuisinart Spice push top lid is uncomplicated to use and has extra storage space if you need it, and cleaning is a breeze because both the lid and bowl are dishwasher friendly. Cuisinart electric grinders come with rubber feet that prevent the machine from falling and a safety lock that prevents any grinding unless the spice grinder lid is secured in place.

Pros:

  • It has dishwasher-safe bowls.
  • Cuisinart does not require elbow grease.
  • It comes with an instruction manual that doubles up as a recipe book.
  • Suitable for both dry and wet spices.
  • Generous 90-gram capacity.
  • Compact unit.
  • Detachable bowls that are not difficult to clean.

Cons:

  • Lacks extra accessories.

3. Krups Silent Vortex Electric Grinder

Sale
KRUPS Silent Vortex Electric Grinder for Spice, Dry...
  • POWERFUL, EFFICIENT AND SUPER SILENT: Grinds coffee beans for 12...
  • INNOVATIVE TECHNOLOGY: Patent Pending Vortex Spin Technology...
  • VERSATILITY: 3-in-1 Grinder for coffee, spices, and dry herbs....
  • LARGE CAPACITY AND DISHWASHER SAFE: The removable dishwasher-safe...
  • MESS-FREE: The removable bowl comes with a dedicated storage lid...

If you are looking for the grinder best for silence when grinding spices, then Krups Silent Vortex electric grinder should be your pick. It has been tested to be among the most silent electric spice grinders that have a patent-pending "Vortex Spin" technology that pulls any ingredients to the blades for a one-touch, consistent, and quick grinding of different spices with different toughness and size levels such as coffee beans, nuts or dry spices.

Krups Electric grinder comes with a one-touch push button that holds you down and allows continuous grinding, or you can tap to pulse grind the spices. Krups is a stainless steel grinding bowl that is one of the best functional and fast machines in the market that won't have you breaking your bank and comes with useful additional accessories like lids for storing excess freshly ground spices.

Pros:

  • Uses a patent-pending Vortex Spin technology.
  • Very quiet operation.
  • Compact unit.
  • Easy to clean
  • The spice grinder does not take a lot of space on your counter.
  • Works very well for tough cinnamon sticks, fennel seeds, or cumin.

Cons:

  • The spice grinder comes with only one grinding bowl.
  • Made of plastic parts.

4. Kuhn Rikon Ratchet Manual Spice Grinder

Sale
Kuhn Rikon Adjustable Ratchet Grinder with Ceramic...
  • Features a high-performance ratchet operating system and...
  • Simply move the ratchet handle back and forth to grind - easy on...
  • Delivers a highly consistent grind - can be adjusted from fine to...
  • Quick and hassle-free filling via the door on the front and...
  • Wipe clean as necessary or wash by hand (not dishwasher safe)....

Kuhn Rikon's manual spice machine is the best manual choice for someone who is not looking for an electric unit to easily and effectively grind spices. The unit has a door to the front of the body that you can easily open and use to fill your chamber with either one or a combination of spices to come up with your blend. These spice grinders are suitable for small kitchens because they are compact, and they also feature a modern century modern look with a silver body.

Unlike other manual grinders, Kuhn Rikon has an ergonomic ratchet handle that you switch back and forth to grind and not turn the handle in a full circle. Kuhn Rikon grinder is made of a tough ceramic stone and therefore does not rust or break down even after frequent use. This spice grinder unit can handle most spices with a dial at the bottom that allows adjusting between fine and coarse, but some like star anise or cloves should be avoided because they have a high oil content.

Pros:

  • The spice grinder features an ergonomic ratchet handle design.
  • Easy to clean.
  • It won't rust or break down easily.
  • Little effort is needed to operate this grinder.
  • The spice grinder is suitable for small kitchens because it's compact.

Cons:

  • It can be hectic because of the back and forth motions.

5. KitchenAid Blade Coffee and Spice Grinder

Sale
KitchenAid Blade Coffee and Spice Grinder Combo Pack -...
  • One-touch control for easy grinding - push down on cover to begin...
  • The stainless steel blade performs powerfully, quickly grinding...
  • The 4 oz. stainless steel bowl features markings to measure beans...
  • Add fresh flavor to any dish with the stainless steel spice...
  • Model BCG211 includes (1) Burr grinder, (1) Coffee grind bowl,...

The KitchenAid company is one of the best companies for kitchen gadgets, and it is a multipurpose machine with a dual coffee and spice grinder. It is unique because it comes with three separate stainless steel grinding bowls and these bowls enable you to easily grind three spices at a time without mixing the flavors that usually happen when using the same cup.

KitchenAid spice and coffee grinder are very durable and can withstand any roughness while being used daily without wear and tear. It also comes with two storage lids that can help you grind more than you need; then use one of the two bowls of the spice grinder to store it in your pantry for later use. Furthermore, the grinder packs a one-year warranty that will give you the confidence to use it.

Pros:

  • Clear lid that helps you see how you are grinding.
  • One of the electric grinders that can grind three different spices at a go.
  • Two removable storage lids.
  • Not difficult to clean1-year warranty.

Cons:

  • No programmed settings to allow the user to control the grind size.
  • Opaque lid.

What to Consider Before Purchasing the Best Spice Grinders

It would be best to consider various things before choosing the best spice grinder for your home or business because every spice manufacturer has its requirements. Below are some of those considerations:

1. Speed

Speed is one of the most important things to check before purchasing a spice grinder because a grinder taking a lot of time to grind can be frustrating and might cause uneven grinding. When choosing spice grinders, go for the ones that will have your freshly ground spices in no time and can also provide you with coarse grains that help change your texture. However, you don't want to purchase a grinder that gets your job done too quickly because rapid movements result in heat release, affecting the spices' flavor due to the heating of the oils.

Also, some machines will work for a few seconds and will need to be paused for a few minutes. Find a spice grinder model that is powerful enough to grind your spices but doesn't fire up through the process.

2. Electric or Manual Grinder

Whether to get the best manual grinder or the best electric grinder is among the first things to consider because both types work well but have significant differences. Some of the differences are ease of use, the best grinding, and the type of blades. Electric grinders are easy to use, but manual grinders provide the best grinding depending on the blade types equipped on the grinder. They are also difficult to store, noisy, and clunk, but they are very suitable for grinding large spice batches, seeds, or nuts.

On the other hand, manual grinders can be broken into mill-type and ratchet grinders that may be preferred by other people who don't want the inconveniences of the electric models.

3. Blade or Burr

For effective spice grinding, you need to check this feature, and there are two designs for the best internal workings of the spice grinders. The first design is the effective blade, and it spins and chops your spices, seeds, or beans with the spice jumping around the bowl, leaving large and small bits. The other design is the burr style that uses two rough surfaces and brings the spices between them to get a consistent grind every single time.

Some people prefer the burr grinders while others don't, but they are not easy to find. Stainless steel blade grinders are durable, sharp, and powder spices quickly, and they are rust-resistant, preventing any residue buildup after grinding. These blades are arguably the most important parts of a spice grinder, and they ensure you get a fine powder with each grind.

4. Capacity

When choosing your spice grinder, it's important to go for one that allows you to grind the maximum amount you want instead of going back and forth. However, a small capacity will also work for a single dish because if you choose a large capacity, you always have to fill it even if you need just a small teaspoon of spice. Your needs should determine what size of spice grinder best works for you and your home, and it should fit in your kitchen countertop without occupying so much space.

5. Power

Motors sometimes heat up when used for more than a few seconds, so it's important to purchase a spice grinder that has overheat protection to avoid any mishaps from happening. The power tells a consumer how tough the grinder will be when cutting their food. Most home grinders have a 150-200 watt motor level, but for commercial grinders, they go up to 500W, which works great for big spice batches.

5. Fixed Or Removable Bowl

A spice grinder with a fixed grinding bowl is hard to clean and quite hard to clean. Some of these types can be cleaned using a dishwasher, and others can only be cleaned with a wet cloth or a brush. On the other hand, buying a removable grinder bowl can be a good choice because it's easy to clean and convenient to use often.

6. Type of Grinder Top

a). Adjustable grinders

These lid types usually create a coarse and fine grind using one lid, and they work best for pepper, salt, or any coarse spices that would benefit from a mixed grind. They are made from high-quality materials for maximum efficiency and are not suitable for finer spices.

b). Fixed grinders

This lid produces the same grind every time, and it is the grinder type suitable for individuals selling spices that require a fine grinding like finely ground salt or pepper. Consumers should reuse these fixed lids to add to the optimal value after purchase, and then customers can refill their spice packs at minimized prices.

c). Sprinkler Tops

These are the best tops for people selling pre-ground spices and herbs, and there are various types of sprinkler tops, and you should consider which one to use depending on the nature and weight of the herbs spices. Large rosemary or garlic flakes can be sold with single or large hole sprinkler tops, while fine particles need closures with few holes that distribute efficiently.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Is it better and cheaper to grind your spices?

Yes, it is better to grind your spices because you can achieve all the freshness and a nice aroma, and also sometimes, grinding your whole spices are cheaper than buying finely ground spices.

2. What is the difference between a spice grinder and a coffee grinder?

The major difference between the two is how they handle the grinding process. Spice grinders commonly use blades, while the coffee grinders sometimes prefer using burrs, and this small detail makes the whole difference. You can choose to get an electric spice grinder or purchase a second coffee grinder that will uniquely turn whole spices into fine powder. 

Ian Mutuli

About the author

Ian Mutuli

Founder and Managing Editor of Archute. He is also a graduate architect from The University of Nairobi, Kenya.
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