Bodum Bistro Burr Coffee Grinder Review 2024: From The Soul Of Slow Coffee

The Bodum Bistro Burr Grinder is constructed for one very simple task. Grinding whole coffee beans. But do you require to grind your coffee beans at home? We know that grinding whole beans or ground coffee at the store will get stale at home. Provided you do not use it regularly enough. There’s also a fear that your Columbian dark-roasted decaf might be intermingling with the light-roasted Arabica from a preceding customer.

We are strong believers that freshly ground coffee makes the prime brew. As we expressed in the Bodum Bistro Burr Coffee Grinder review, you’ll get the freshest grind. With the Bodum grinder, you can play with coarser to finer grinds for various kinds of coffee makers. You can find out what happens when you take this grinder for a spin. Testing its coarse, medium, and fine grind modes and brewing results.


Overview Of Bodum Bistro Electric Burr Coffee Grinder

Coffee lovers are aware that many variables contribute to the taste of their precious cup of Joe. Such as the temperature and method of brewing. But the most important thing is the freshness of the coffee beans. With the Bodum Bistro burr grinder unshackle the potential of your coffee beans.

The premium electric burr grinder effortlessly grinds beans. The stainless-steel conical burrs crush rather than slice beans. Making this the top-notch electric coffee grinder for flavorful coffee that’s oozing with flavor. With 12 different grind settings, you can go from espresso to French press and everything in between with perfect ease.

From the sealed container (sealed) to the catcher of borosilicate glass, it guarantees the freshness of your beans. The nifty preset timer helps you only to grind the specific amount needed. There’s a built-in guide on the lid for measuring.

This smart coffee grinder looks impressive on the kitchen worktop and rounds off other cookware in your kitchen.


Bodum Bistro Burr Coffee Grinder Review: Key Features

The Bodum Bistro burr grinder appears less like regular cookware and more like a hip restaurant gizmo. Its appearance alone may force you to put it front and center on the countertop. But the beauty of the model is not just skin deep.

Burr And Motor Design

The 160 Watt motor drives at a steady speed of 720 RPM, and the 35 mm steel conical burrs. It is not the quietest motor. But it does produce a consistent grind. The burrs might not be the best of the bunch in the market, yet they will leave any blade grinder machines biting the dust when it comes to factor consistency.

Hopper And Grounds Bin

The plastic transparent hopper has a capacity of 7.8 ounces. But the grounds bin works the charm for Bodum Bistro electric burr coffee grinder. From the ground coffee beans, the 11 oz borosilicate glass container helps discharge the static. So there’s no need to be anxious about fine coffee dust spilling all over the kitchen when you pull out the grounds bin right after the grinding. Please do note that the electric grinders are three times as expensive and come with plastic static-prone grounds bins.

Aesthetics

All of Bodum’s machines are chic and funky, but not overdone. They are contemporary with a minimalist playful flair. The Bistro burr grinder casts into the same mold. It has a snazzy appearance. Like an appliance that you might see in a hipster cafe rather than inside a home kitchen. It’s available in five distinctive colors with contrasting buttons. The shiny copper-colored model is especially beautiful. In the crowded space, undoubtedly this grinder stands out.

Ease Of Use

The contrasting colored buttons of the Bodum Bistro burr coffee grinder provide an intuitive system. It smoothens your daily grinding routine. Load the beans into the hopper; twist the hopper to adjust the grind size; on the side press the power button; set the timer dial, and finally, next to the timer push the on/off button. It all seems convenient and awfully easy. But there is a flaw. Among this grinder’s simplicity, you can only do the grinding for 20 seconds maximum at a time. And if you need to grind more, Bodum advises that you should give the machine a 5 minutes interval to avoid the motor getting overheated.

Portability/ Storability

The Bodum Bistro burr grinder has a dimension of 7.6 x 7.1 x 12.5 inches. Its 4.71 lbs weight poses it as a small and lightweight machine. It’s absolutely easy for a user to pull it forward, reload the bean hopper, or even store it beneath the cabinet after grinding.

Ease Of Cleaning

The Bodum Bistro being virtually static-free is unique. It means you won’t have to worry about the oily, pesky coffee bean residue. The residue can habituate within your burrs. As a result, creates a jam over time. A group of plastic spokes keeps the grounds flowing fluently through the burrs. They take to the static-proof coffee grounds bin; which is dishwasher safe also.

All of these steps keep the grinder functional and clean for a long time. But that does not mean that you should ignore brushing out the accumulated grind residue and coffee dust from time to time.

Durability

The grinder’s burrs seem to be constructed to last. But the parts of the machine are not of the finest quality. So in a couple of years, they will likely require a replacement. This grinder’s body is built with a special plastic. Which is both smooth and scratch-resistant to the touch without being shiny. However, the buttons and switches don’t feel durable. A few customers have complained about the base cracking when they set it down on their countertops with a bit of force.

Grinding Capability – Settings, Consistency, And Range

The Bodum Bistro offers 12 grind settings. Ranges from French Press level coarseness to espresso fineness. The best part is that their steel burrs guarantee an even grind at each mode. But it’s not as accordant as some of its expensive rivals. It is more than enough for amateurs with a manual brewing daily schedule. If you are looking for a bean grinder to pair with an espresso machine, you might not be able to keep the Bodum Bistro burr grinder around for very long. But for the rest, from French Press to Aeropress, this grinder gives a respectable level of quality and versatility.

Value For Money

You’d think an entry-level grinder to be an inexpensive one. But the Bodum Bistro surprises you there. Its price point is usually reserved for the “really bad ones”. Yet, Bistro gives the quality and the price that will push you to do a double-take. Any newbie will admit the Bistro as one hell of a deal, even after a year of regular use.

Additional Features

Bodum Bistro burr coffee grinder has equipped this model with a friction clutch. This means that if any stones sneak into the burrs, the grinder will create a rattling noise. Indicating the stone’s presence inside. That’s your moment to turn off your machine. It’s a nifty touch for a budget grinder.


Product Specifications

  • Product Brand – Bodum
  • Product Dimensions – 7.6” x 7.1” x 12.5”
  • Grinder type – Burr
  • Grind settings – Manual. Fine to coarse
  • Time settings – Variable. 5 to 20 seconds
  • Power – 160W
  • Capacity – 227g
  • Color – Black, red, white, chrome, shiny copper, die-cast copper
  • Sizes Available – 1EA, 12 inches
  • Material – Multiple materials
  • Warranty – 2 years
Bodum Bistro Burr Coffee Grinder (Black)

  • 12 Adjustable grind settings allow users to go from Espresso to French Press with ease
  • Push button, the pre-set timer allows users to grind the exact amount of coffee needed, keeping beans fresh and preventing waste
  • Consistently crushes beans between stainless steel conical burrs. Preserves the bean’s intrinsic flavor and aroma better than a blade grinder
  • Equipped with a friction clutch, which protects the grinding gear from the presence of small stones
  • Dishwasher-Safe Borosilicate glass catcher with grip reduces static cling of coffee grounds


How Does It Function?

The Bistro is pretty simple to comprehend. After the beans are loaded into the bean hopper, it utilizes stainless steel conical burrs to crush them. It’s all an automatic process with the assistance of an electric motor. No use of any elbow grease. Not only it saves your sweat, but electric grinders offer a more uniform grind than hand-powered grinders. So you are having the best of both worlds.

When the Bodum Bistro burr grinder is finished grinding, simply collect your fresh grounds from the machine. Now brew them as your wish. Voila! You’ve now made your own grounded coffee!


How To Use Bodum Bistro Electric Coffee Grinder

The Bistro isn’t sophisticated. You don’t have to be a veteran to understand its controls and settings.

In fact, we’d even go to the extent of saying that the Bodum Bistro burr grinder is amateur-friendly. There are a few buttons with advanced settings. You can even ignore them unless you really need them.

  • The only bigger button is the power switch. It’s a simple one-touch affair. Located on the side of the grinder that lights up when your press it. So it has a dummy-proof facility
  • The top controls are a bit more complex
  • Around the hopper, an adjustable ring will let you select between 12 grind settings. Whether you need something very coarse or very fine, the Bistro can make do
  • An adjustable timer will have you maintain the period of the grind. It’s a simple pre-set dial. So you’ll have to set a timer between 1 to 20 seconds. But you can pick it freely within the range rather than just at a fixed interval
  • And finally, a push button to start the grinding procedure


Maintenance

  1. Before cleaning always disconnect this electric burr grinder from the mains
  2. The coffee bean container, grinding ring, and ground coffee container are detachable without any trouble cleaning
  3. With a soft brush, clean the grinding ring. Use a damp fabric to clean the housing and coffee bean container. The lid and ground coffee container are dishwashers safe


Few Things We Do Like…

Price

The Bodum Bistro conical burr coffee grinder is an absolute budget-friendly option. Coming in incredibly cheaper than something like the Encore model from Baratza.

The Design

On top of a wide array of colors, the real shape of this machine is unique nonetheless. And it is definitely a conversation starter piece in your kitchen. Bodum Bistro burr grinder prides that its grinder is made of a material that is declared naturally static-free. It means coffee grounds are easier to clean out of them.


Few Things We Are Not Fan Of…

The Bodum Bistro burr grinder limits grinding time to 20 seconds in one go to avoid overheating. It is understandably annoying. If you are used to grinding a large number of beans at a time. For an everyday user, this is most likely an acceptable term.

The build of the grinder is top quality, but its mechanical parts are not of the best quality. Like the built-in mechanism that restricts the grinding time. It does such to prevent the motor from overheating. Yet this does not look to be enough to stop the machine from breaking down over time. However, Bodum is a sizeable company with a strong history of offering decent customer service. They can replace any parts for you if you order parts from them.


Verdict

The Bodum Bistro burr grinder is a competent first electric burr grinder for someone who is looking to start out in coffee gear.

It should serve you a good amount of time. It produces consistent enough grounds for any brewing method ranging from Aeropress to French press.

The grinder provides a limited spectrum of grind settings. The quality of each grind setting more than makes up for that limitation. Because this is way more important in brewing an excellent cup of Joe.

This consistency level also enables experimentation with one or two brewing formulas possible. If you can carefully track the different notes of flavor you get from the same beans.

The grinder is cheap enough to not consider it a serious investment. But the actual quality, it offers may be good enough for some users to not even think of upgrading it.

Sale


How It Will Look In Your Kitchen?

  • One of the most striking aspects of the Bodum Bistro burr grinder is that it will not eat up a lot of counter space. Measuring 7.6 X 7.1 X 12.5 inches. It weighs 4.71 lbs. It’s a machine relatively compact with a top-loaded design. It won’t crowd out your toasters and blenders
  • The parts are a mix of plastic, glass, stainless steel, and rubber. At the bottom of the base, there’s a friction clutch. It keeps it from slipping and sliding around
  • The Bistro is also found in multiple colors. If you have a quirk for that sort of thing. You can pick between white, black, red, chrome, copper, and “glossy” copper
  • Regardless of your color preference, the buttons of the machine will always be specifically contrasted with the rest. For example, a black-colored Bistro will have red buttons. A red machine will have black buttons. You will like the thoughtfulness of their design when it’s 5 in the morning and you’re desperately pawing at your machine to make it deliver some indispensable caffeine


Alternatives

Baratza Encore

The Baratza Encore is often considered as possibly the best entry-level burr grinder found on the market. Of course, it’s way more expensive than the Bistro. But the difference isn’t that much. If you are serious about your equipment and coffee this is hands down a better option.

Baratza Encore Conical Burr Coffee Grinder (Black)

  • Specialty coffee association award winning grinders
  • Go-to entry-level grinder
  • 40 grind settings
  • User friendly

Capresso 560 Infinity Conical Burr Grinder

Another fan-favorite option that’s even way cheaper is the Capresso Infinity version.

The Capresso 560 Infinity Burr Grinder has 16 sizes of grinds. With 4 different levels of coarseness. This enables you to have a more precise definition of the exact size of your brewing. It has the exact same stainless steel burrs as the Bodum brand. It has a less shiny design but greater durability. Also carries a similar price tag to the Bodum Bistro Burr Grinder.

Capresso Infinity Conical Burr Grinder

  • Precision grinding
  • Wide grinding range
  • Preserves aroma
  • Large capacity
  • Easy to clean


FAQs

What Makes The Bistro Different From Other Grinders?

All parts are either made out of borosilicate glass, stainless steel, silicone, rubber, and lastly, plastic. The core parts are stainless steel. Pre-set timer to grind a specific amount of beans. The grind size is adjustable in 12 different settings, from the pretty coarse to the extra fine.

What Type Of Coffee Is Best Suited For The Bodum Bistro?

Turkish coffee. This requires ultra-fine grinding. Which is an easy match for the Bodum Bistro. Meaning it’s a nice fit for the espresso lovers out there too! As the espresso grind is familiarly powdery and fine.

How Does The Bodum Bistro Compare To The Baratza Encore?

The Bodum Bistro has an edge over the Baratza Encore. As far as longevity goes. Because of the quality of the parts they use to manufacture. The Baratza Encore is usually a bit pricier too! But you might actually be able to get one for not much more cash than the Bodum Bistro model if you are that lucky enough.

How Long Does A Burr Grinder Last?

On average, if you use a burr coffee grinder on a regular basis, it should last for 5 to 7 years.

Which Is Better Burr Or Blade Coffee Grinders?

Burr Coffee Grinders almost hands down! A blade grinder will improve your coffee game slightly but a burr grinder will totally amp it up with flavor notes and opportunity. When it comes to the return on your investment part, you just can’t beat the burr grinders. Especially if you need a less-expensive manual grinder.

Does A Finer Grind Make Stronger Coffee?

In short, the answer is no. Finer grounds do not give you a stronger coffee, but they do brew way faster than other sizes.


Conclusion

According to the Consumer Reports big grinder comparison, the Bodum Bistro Burr grinder is currently ranked the top model. It even beat models such as the Baratza Encore. Encore has been renowned for ages as the golden standard.

In this comparison, the Bistro is specifically marked out as a grinder. It excels when it comes to coarse-level grinding. They stated that this makes it compatible with cold brew and the French press.

This machine is also an entry-level grinder. So it is a solid choice to begin your journey as a home barista. This model does not grind with a similar level of uniformity obviously; compared to something double its price. But it is remarkably consistent compared to the other entry-level models. This is quite important if you already spent money to buy specialty-grade beans.

Enjoy Your Coffee!

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