In this article we are going to be focussing on the best manual coffee grinders that are available on the market today. The main advantage these little devices have over their electrical counterparts is that they are portable – you can take them away with you. But do they do as good a job?

It’s certainly more difficult, but it isn’t impossible. The first step is to purchase a manual coffee grinder that you can trust, which is why we have compiled this list for you.

Manual Coffee Grinders – What To Look For

Before we get into our list of the best manual coffee grinders, we thought it would be a good idea to discuss what you should be looking for when you are picking your grinder to help you make the best decision. There are so many different options, you need to know what you are looking for. Some things to consider:

Capacity

We’ll start with an obvious one – you are going to want a manual coffee grinder that can fit in all of the coffee that you want to use in your drink. It sounds obvious, largely because it is, but think about how you make coffee – do you have a small espresso machine that makes one dose at a time? Then a small manual coffee grinder will be fine.

However, if you make a big jug of filter coffee every morning, then you are going to need to consider what sort of capacity you’ll need. Perhaps you make more coffee at the weekend? Or do you regularly have guests that you like to treat to delicious coffee? Make sure you have a grinder that is big enough to suit your needs.

Range of grind sizes

Do you make the same drink every day? Then a range of sizes may not be that important to you – just make sure whichever grinder you buy can do that one size very well!

For everyone else, make sure that you get a grinder that has very precise grinder settings so that you can switch between a fine grind for drinks like an espresso, a coarse grind for filter coffees and everything in between. Grind size is absolutely crucial to getting the right kind of extraction for your drink, so make sure you get a grinder that you can rely on.

Size of the unit

Is your manual grinder going to take pride of place in your kitchen? Or are you going to want to take it with you on your travels? They come in all shapes and sizes, and made from all kinds of different materials, so choose one that will suit what you need it for.

While we are talking about their appearance, some of them are stunning little contraptions, which many people love to have out on show in their homes. Some of them have a far more compact appearance, which is much more practical if you are going to be moving it from place to place.

Longevity

It’s a fact of life that some things are built to last, and some things are built to provide us consumers with a ‘cheaper option’. Manual coffee grinders are no different, so it is important to consider how easy they are to maintain, and whether you are able to buy replacement parts, should anything go wrong.

This has hopefully given you a few things to think about as we now embark on our list of the 9 best manual coffee grinders. Here we go:

MLMLANT Manual Coffee Grinder

We’ll kick things off with this stylish offering from MLMLANT – a company that appears to be Chinese in origin, but with a base in New York (their website is difficult to draw any concrete conclusions from!). What we do know, though, is that they produce all kinds of home products, from steam cleaners to dog toys. A manual grinder is just one of hundreds of the products that they offer.

Straight away, I think you can tell why we like this grinder so much – it looks great. A beautifully sleek and stylish stainless steel cylinder – so simple but so effective. It manages to look classy as well as sturdy. It just gives you the impression that this is a grinder that is built to last.

At 17.5cm, it is quite tall without being so tall that travelling with it would never be an option. It won’t take up too much space if you are going to chuck it into the bottom of a bag, and it is built with materials that would be able to withstand a little bit of a crush.

In terms of grinding, there are 18 different ‘click’ settings to alter the size of the grind – working from ‘Pour Over’ to ‘Spice’ grinds. This is a good range, which offers you a lot of control over the taste of your drink.

It’s a burr grinder, which means the coffee beans are crushed between two plates, rather than chopped with blades. This tends to give you a much better, more even, grind, and we found that it worked really well. There was a great consistency to the coffee grounds.

What’s more, you are provided with a cleaning brush to help you keep the grinder in the best possible condition, and you can take it apart to give it a thorough clean.

Finally, the price – this is a really good price for a manual grinder that looks so good and performs so well – add this to your shortlist and try to find one to beat it.

Check Latest Price Of MLMLANT Grinder

Timemore C2

Next up we have something that is a little extra – a magnificent manual coffee grinder from Timemore. This is another Chinese company, but one that exclusively makes coffee related products, and founded by ‘a group of coffee lovers’ in 2012. They are committed to the ‘slow life’, which we have taken to mean the art of taking your time over your coffee to ensure it is perfect. A manual coffee grinder certainly fits into that lifestyle.

Let’s cut to the chase – the major appeal of this grinder is how it looks. It is a stylish looking unit – the tiny indents, the aluminium alloy body and the long, sleek crank handle give this a truly unique look. It would take pride of place on the counter of many kitchens – there would be no need to hide this one away in a cupboard!

The design isn’t just for show, though – there are practical reasons that make using this manual grinder much easier. Take the indents; these provide more grip when you are grinding, so that you can get more purchase on the cylinder. The long crank handle means that you don’t need as much force to turn it. And the aluminium structure means that it is hard wearing – it’s not going to get damaged if you want to take it away with you.

It is a small unit – with a capacity of 20g, which will be enough for two cups of coffee and makes it very handy for travelling with.

What cannot be overstated, though, is the performance of this grinder. It produces fantastic coffee, with easily adjustable grind settings to get the exact sized grain that you require. It’s consistent and quick, and in truth, everything you could ask for from a manual grinder.

The only drawback is the price – it is one of the most expensive coffee grinders on our list today, but if you can afford it, we’re not sure you will find one that is better. We love this grinder.

Check Latest Price Of Timemore C2

Henry Charles

When we review a product here at Ideal Grind, we always try to tell you a little about the manufacturer – we think that can be important or reassuring for you to know. It’s not always possible, though, as sometimes, there is just very little about a company anywhere on the internet – like a product just appears from out of nowhere.

That’s the case for this Henry Charles manual grinder. A quick look at the rest of their Amazon store (Oliver James) doesn’t tell us much other than they make a lot of battery powered handheld massagers and have a penchant for traditional English names. To be honest, this didn’t inspire much confidence in their coffee grinder.

It just goes to show, though, that you never can be truly sure of something until you have tried it, because this grinder really impressed us.

It looks great – a classic, stainless-steel cylinder with an attractive steel handle. We really liked the little window at the bottom of the unit, through which you can see the coffee so that you know when you have reached the desired size.

The major appeal, though, is that this is designed to make the perfect travelling grinder. All of the main parts are removable, and it comes with a handy travel bag so that you can pop all the parts in and off you go!

It does seem to require a little more effort than some of the grinders that we have looked at, but the results are decent – a uniformed grind size which is what you want. It is also one of the cheaper manual grinders on our list, so this is certainly worth your consideration – wherever it comes from!

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Taylor & Smyth

A pleasing little contraption now, from Taylor & Smyth – another company with very little online presence, but as we have just learned, that isn’t necessarily enough to put us off a coffee grinder – the proof of the pudding is in the eating.

The first thing that popped into our head when we saw this grinder was – pepper mill. This wouldn’t look out of place on your dinner table next to your salt, which shouldn’t really surprise us as they are very similar concepts.

It’s one of the smaller grinders that we will look at today, but still has a 70g capacity, so enough to make two or three cups of coffee while still being pretty easy to travel with. The best of both worlds.

It also comes with an airtight glass jar, in which you can store any ground coffee to keep it fresh. This is great if you don’t want to waste too much time measuring out your coffee before you grind it – you can just store any extra coffee in the jar. Our advice would be not to leave it in there for too long though, as even with an airtight lid, you will still lose some freshness over time.

It comes with a two-year warranty as well, which is reassuring, particularly for a grinder at the cheaper end of the scale. You would be forgiven for thinking that this was priced low due to poor quality, but the warranty should give you some reassurance on that front.

This makes a great entry-level manual coffee grinder – it isn’t the best on our list, but it is one of the cheapest. It does a solid job and is versatile enough so that you can use it at home or on your travels. It’s a decent grinder at a great price.

Check Latest Price Of Taylor & Smyth

Hario

Next up we have a manual coffee grinder from Hario, Japanese heatproof glass specialists that have been making exceptional products for over 100 years, with a particular focus on the hot drink market. These guys know what they are doing, so it is reasonable to expect that their coffee grinders are of a good quality.

What you may not expect, given that introduction, is that this is made from plastic, rather than glass. While they have compromised on their preferred material, they have not compromised on quality – this is a very good manual coffee grinder.

With a capacity of 24g, it is big enough for a couple of cups of coffee, and measuring under 18cm tall, it is also compact enough to make taking it away with you viable. The plastic that it is made from is durable, so there is nothing to worry about from that point of view either.

What we really liked was the hexagonal adapter for the lock, which gives the grinder a reassuringly sturdy feel while you are using it. This is a really well-built coffee grinder which you will be able to rely on over and over again.

If we had a criticism, it would be purely aesthetic. While this is incredibly well built and does an excellent job, it doesn’t look particularly special, compared to some of the other stainless-steel options on this list. It’s built for function, rather than to look nice.

This is around the average you can expect to pay for a manual coffee grinder, so there is nothing to put you off there. If you prioritise function over the look, then this could be the grinder for you – it won’t let you down and will help you make some excellent coffee.

Check Latest Price Of Hario Coffee Grinder

Astor & Kline

Astor & Kline are a peculiar company. Founded in 2020, they seem to only produce a few different coffee related products (including the manual coffee grinder that we have featured on this list) and one other product – a luxury bath pillow. Is that relevant to the grinder? Probably not, but it was odd enough that we felt we needed to mention it here.

Perhaps it is relevant, because they have gone to great lengths to establish this grinder as a luxury product. It is presented in a stylish gift box, and comes with a neat little bag to transport it in. There’s no getting around it – this is a stylish product, one that you would be proud to have out on show (next to your luxury bath pillow).

It’s not just about style here though – this does a great job. There are 18 different grind settings for you to choose from, which is more than enough for you to get the optimum size for your drink. It gives a really decent, consistent grind.

You also get a two-year manufacturer replacement warranty, which certainly does give us confidence. It’s a well-built mechanism, though, so we weren’t surprised that Astor & Kline put their money where their mouth is in this regard.

Here’s the kicker – this is one of the cheaper manual coffee grinders that we are featuring on our list today, and therefore you should give it serious consideration. This doesn’t feel like a cheap product, it is well presented and well-built.

Because of the way it is presented, it makes for an excellent gift. The coffee lover in your life will love opening this and get at least two years of use out of it!

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Staresso D6

One of the more expensive grinders on our list now, with the D6 from Staresso – coffee and tea device specialists that operate all over the world. They make high end products so that you can get the most out of your hot drinks – a philosophy we can fully endorse.

This manual coffee grinder is very much in keeping with their high-end portfolio. It is incredibly well designed in terms of looks and performance.

The coffee bean chamber is made with anodised aluminium, which is incredibly durable, and the indented lines both look great and help with grip when you are using the grinder. Inside the unit is a stainless-steel centre shaft, and a stainless-steel burr grinder with an adjustable coarseness selector.

On top of the unit is the handle with a walnut knob, which is easy and comfortable to use, whilst also looking great. The coffee ground catcher at the base of the unit is easily unscrewed, so that you can get your coffee on the go as soon as the grounds have been ground.

There are 12 different settings, which is a decent amount without being the most that we’ve seen on this list. The performance is truly excellent though – you’ll be impressed with how consistent the grind is – giving you the perfect size every time.

This is a premium manual coffee grinder, and it is priced as such. This is the sort of product that you would only buy if you were really keen on grinding your own coffee manually, but it is a really special unit that is fully worthy of the price tag. If you want a high-quality grinder, put this on your shortlist.

Check Latest Price Of Staresso D6

GrinderGC

For our penultimate manual coffee grinder, we are going to step things up a notch. Or several notches, really, because this is one of the most premium, indulgent coffee grinders of any kind. Made by ROK, a London-based company “with a passion for coffee, sustainability and mechanics”. You’ll quickly see how those three passions shine through in this product.

First of all, just take a look at it – it is a stunning little machine, and unlike any other grinder that we have looked at on this list. It is crafted from aluminium and a glass composite which gives it a beautiful, shiny finish and more than a touch of elegance. This is not just a pleasing-looking coffee grinder, this could be a centrepiece in your kitchen, an item to display proudly for everyone to see.

Now, let’s talk about the performance. Again, this differs from every other grinder on this list as the handle is positioned vertically, rather than horizontally. You load the beans into the open hopper, and then simply wind around the handle. Due to the position, your face is right above the beans as they are ground, so you get this magnificent hit of fresh coffee smell as you work away – it really is a wonderful user experience.

The grind size can be adjusted with a quick click of the adjustment wheel (2 clicks for very fine, 16 clicks for very coarse, to give you an idea of the range). Once you have clicked the desired number of times, you can get cranking, and your coffee grounds will be ready within a couple of minutes.

This isn’t just a manual coffee grinder – this is a kitchen ornament. This is a display of class and quality for people that want something beautiful and indulgent.

So, we come to the price. I think it is safe to say that this grinder will appeal to a minority of our readers, simply because of the price. It is a huge amount for a manual coffee grinder. But that is sort of the point. This is expensive, but that’s why it is so appealing. It is a fantastic grinder, but it is much more than that. It’s a statement.

Check Latest Price Of GrinderGC

Vzaahu

We complete our list of the best manual coffee grinders with this offering from Vzaahu – another company with limited online presence. They stock an extensive range of kitchenware on Amazon, from wine glasses to eco-friendly metal straws. This manual coffee grinder is one of their flagship products.

What we love about this is how easy it is to use, and flick between grind settings. While there are only 6 different settings, the smallest amount on our list today, there is a simple dial on the main cylinder with the numbers one-to-six on. All you need to do it rotate the unit to the number you require, and you are good to go. (As a guide, 1-2 for an espresso machine, 2-4 for a pour over and 5-6 for a French press).

From there, you can just rotate the handle and your coffee will be ground in a matter of minutes. The size of the unit, at under 16cm tall, means that it is also great to take away on trips with you – it is robust enough to survive being packed in a bag. It has a 40g capacity as well, which is double the size of some of the others on our list,

On top of the functionality, we also think it looks very nice. It’s sleek and stylish, with an attractive handle. Simple, but effective.

Finally, the price. It’s about average for the grinders that we have looked at today, which we think is bang on. This performs well, looks nice and is priced accurately. There isn’t a lot here to put you off making this your new coffee grinder.

Check Latest Price Of Vzaahu Manual Grinder

Verdict

A coffee grinder will always help you to make better coffee, as we clarified back at the start of this article. A manual coffee grinder may seem slightly antiquated in the modern world, but it can form an integral part of a methodical morning routine. As one of our products highlighted – enjoying the slow life.

We have listed above some of the best manual grinders available today – take a look through them and find the one that best suits your needs.

The post Best Manual Coffee Grinders appeared first on Ideal Grind.

Well did you know that your espresso cup choice actually affects how it tastes? When you choose the right cup, you’ll notice the difference in how your coffee tastes – especially the crema. Don’t believe us? Try out some of the cups we introduce in our best espresso cups guide below and see if you can taste the difference!

Top 7 Espresso Cups For The Ultimate Taste

Let’s take a look at some of the best espresso cups around:

Glastal Double Walled Espresso Cups

These Glastal cups are made from the most durable borosilicate glass. This high-quality material won’t shatter or crack even when it’s at a high temperature. This means you can pour hot coffee straight into the cup without risking it shattering. What’s more, they can be placed in a freezer (should you want to use them for making desserts) and are safe to use in a microwave too.

These Glastal cups are also double walled so you can enjoy your drink when it’s piping hot without burning your fingers. The insulating double wall also means that your coffee won’t cool down too quickly either.

If you choose to use this glass for a cold drink, you’ll be pleased to know that this double wall helps to keep things cool too – and you won’t get that annoying condensation thanks to the insulating double wall.

In terms of capacity, these glasses hold 120ml of liquid at full capacity, though it’s recommended only to fill them to 100 ml. This makes them ideal for espressos as well as tea and desserts. They measure 6.8cm in diameter and weigh 240g and each pack comes with two glasses.

Quality-wise, these are a high-quality product made by experienced glassblowers. Each glass is hand-blown and is smooth, light and clear.

Finally, the cups are guaranteed and come with an 18-month warranty. Glastal has a friendly customer care team for all queries too.

Check Latest Price Of Glastal Espresso Cups

Ravenhead Entertain Espresso Cups

Ravenhead has been making glass products since 1842 so this is certainly a brand you can trust when it comes to buying espresso cups. Unlike the Glastal cups, these aren’t double walled and so won’t have that insulating property. However, they’re also not as big and so it’s likely you won’t need to worry about your drink cooling down too quickly. These also have a handle to protect your fingers too.

As well as the glass cups, you get saucers too. These are more of an oval shape and are ideal for holding your spoon, sugar or maybe a biscuit or two.

The cups are made from a durable, strong, high-quality glass and can be washed in the dishwasher without shattering or losing their shine.

As well as being stylish in their own right, they come packaged in a modern gift box and so would make an ideal gift for a coffee lover. If you don’t just want two, you can buy a four-piece set or an eight-piece set.

These transparent espresso cups each hold 80ml and weigh 450g. They measure 10.1 centimetres in diameter.

For anyone creating a collection of different coffee cups and mugs, Ravenhead have a huge variety you can stock up on.

Check Latest Price Of Ravenhead Cups

ionEgg Porcelain Espresso Cups

If glass isn’t your thing, how about these cute ionEgg porcelain espresso cups? They come in four different colours (yellow, orange, green and cyan) – they can brighten up your morning while the caffeine kicks in. The cups come with a matching-coloured saucer, which are perfect for your spoon and biscuit. The interior of the cups is a sparkling white.

The porcelain is professional grade and lead-free. The cups are extremely durable and can be used safely in a microwave, dishwasher, freezer and oven. They’re also resistant to chips and have more thermal insulation than a glass cup. Being easy to clean and look after, these cups will retain their newness for a long time.

Each cup holds 80ml and so these are perfect for your morning espresso. They also make an ideal gift for coffee lovers as a house-warming gift, birthday or wedding present. These are the sorts of espresso cups that you’ll want to have on display in your kitchen. If you have a bean-to-cup espresso machine with storage space, these will certainly be a colourful addition.

As a brand, ionEgg can certainly be trusted. They have lots of different kitchen and home products for sale and generate excellent reviews. If you like your espresso cups, there are lots of other branded products you can purchase too.

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Miamio Stoneware Espresso Cups

If you like a splash of colour but find the ionEgg espresso cups too bright, then meet these Miamio stoneware espresso cups. These have an eye-catching yet sophisticated design. The cups come as a set of six and stack in a metal cup holder that comes with them. They all have a matte black exterior and black saucer, yet their interiors are all different colours.

These Miamio cups are part of the brand’s Le Papillon Collection (Le Papillon means ‘the butterfly’ in French). The interiors are the colours of the rainbow – red, orange, yellow, green, blue and purple. As well as these espresso cups, you can get the same style in large mugs and bowls too.

The matte-black gives these cups a high-quality, modern look that contrasts with their glossy, coloured interiors. It’s thanks to their excellent manufacturing that these stoneware cups are highly resistant to wear and tear and are made to last.

These are among the smallest cups in our Best Espresso Cups Guide as they have a capacity of 75ml. This makes them perfect for espressos.

Their uniqueness also makes these cups an ideal gift for a housewarming, wedding, birthday or Christmas.

Miamio (despite sounding Italian!) is a German company that produces high-quality products and provides excellent customer service. Their range is built around attention to detail and romantic products – you’ll find lots of their products in their Amazon store.

Finally, these mugs are robust and can be used in a dishwasher, refrigerator or microwave. The packaging has also been drop tested so you know they’ll be safe on arrival.

Check Latest Price Of Miamio Espresso Cups

Sara Miller Espresso Cups and Saucers

If you want some espresso cups for a special occasion or just fancy drinking out of a luxurious set, the Sara Miller espresso cup and saucer set is a wonder to behold. These ceramic, fine China cups are a real indulgence and would make an ideal gift. The cups are designed with birds and come as a set of four. They are superbly presented in a beautiful gift box.

The Sara Miller is an award-winning British designer based in London. The brand was launched in 2016 and is known for its exquisite colour use, vibrant patterns and playful prints. The cups feature embellished gold details in 22-carrat gold along with rich colours and textures.

These cups come from the London Chelsea Collection and are in a set of four. In the set, you have four different colour cups and matching saucers. There is a hot pink, teal, black and brown cup. The colour and pattern are on the exterior of the cup, but the interior and handle are both white. The saucers are also white with a coloured edge to match each cup. The rim of each cup and saucer is finished with 22-carrat gold.

Each cup weighs 113 grams and is conical in shape. They hold 110ml of fluids, which makes these suitable for espresso, double espresso and tea.

Due to their delicate nature, these fine China espresso cups are not suitable for dishwasher use and must be hand-washed. They also can’t be used in the microwave, oven or freezer.

If you love the look of these cups as much as we do, you might be inclined to go for other items in the same collection too. There are cake plates, a teapot, and a 12-piece dinner set as well as larger mugs and a cake stand.

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Sweejar White Stackable Espresso Cups

There’s a reason most coffee shops use white cups – coffee tastes better! So why not get that perfect coffee taste at home. These Sweejar cups come in a stackable set of six. The cups are perfect for standing alongside your coffee machine for neat and handy storage that saves cupboard space.

Each cup holds 70ml, making them ideal for an espresso at home. The cups are made from break-resistant, high-quality porcelain that is resistant to heat. This means that you can use them in your dishwasher, microwave oven and freezer. The handles are insulated to protect your fingers from the hot liquid.

As a set of six, these cups stack neatly for easy storage around your home. They also make an ideal gift for a coffee aficionado too. The cups each have a saucer that’s the perfect size for sugar, a spoon and a small biscuit – why not make your friends feel like they’re in a real coffee shop when they visit? Unlike some of the sets in this guide, you’ll never run out of cups with the Sweejar set – unless you invite lots of friends over for coffee that is!

Material-wise, these are made from high-quality ceramic, which is thick enough to preserve the heat of the drink inside. Sweejar uses professional ceramic techniques, which means that there is no surface debris. They’re also lead-free and non-toxic.

As a brand, Sweejar are known for their high-quality ceramic products for around the home. They make all sorts of tea and coffee ware, baking ware, oil bottles and even pet bowls.

Check Latest Price Of Sweejay Espresso Cups

Nespresso View

If you have a Nespresso machine (and even if you don’t), these Nespresso glass cups make the perfect addition to your coffee-making equipment. These glass cups hold 80ml and are conical in shape, which makes them ideal for your morning espresso or afternoon pick-me-up. They measure 60mm in diameter while the saucers measure 118mm in diameter.

The set comes with two cups and saucers. What makes these particularly special is that besides the tempered glass cups, each one is paired with a stainless-steel saucer. The saucer is shiny with a brushed finish.

The cups have a useful handle as they are not double-walled glass and so you can protect your fingers from the heat of the coffee. This is why the saucers are also useful too!

The glass itself is dense meaning that these feel robust in your hands. They can be used in a microwave, freezer, dishwasher and oven.

The black saucers are dishwasher-safe, durable and scratch-resistant. Though you can’t put these in the oven or microwave, they can be washed in a dishwasher. When washed by hand, you should avoid using anything abrasive so that they keep their scratch-free, shiny look. It’s also a good idea to dry the saucers by hand until they’re completely dry. This way you avoid any unsightly water stains on the metal.

The type of stainless steel used in their manufacture is 18/10. This is a special stainless steel that is made with 18% chrome and 10% nickel – hence the name 18/10. This combination of metals means that 18/10 has specific beneficial properties for uses in the kitchen and with food and drink. It is durable, resistant to friction and temperature changes, and won’t release substances into food and drink.

Check Latest Price Of Nespresso View

Verdict

Just like choosing coffee, there are also a lot of options when it comes to choosing how it’s served. When it comes to espresso, the cup you choose can make all of the difference in how it tastes. Whether you prefer a white, porcelain cup, a glass cup and saucer, or a colourful feast for the eyes, we’ve covered it all in this Best Espresso Cups review and guide. It doesn’t matter if you’re buying for your home or choosing a gift for a loved one, all of these cups will make your coffee a real espresso experience. Which ones are your favourite?

Want to learn more about espressp cups? Read on before you make your decision on the best espresso cup for you…

What Makes An Espresso Cup?

Choosing the right cup comes down to science. There have been studies on how a person’s choice of cup affects how they perceive the taste. In the experiments, it was found that the colour of the cup greatly influenced the taste perception of the participants. For example, when the coffee was served in a white cup, it was deemed to not be as sweet as the coffee served in a blue or transparent cup. Our guide will take you through a selection of what we believe to be the best espresso cups in terms of look, functionality and, of course, taste.

Materials & Style

Espresso cups are commonly produced in a variety of materials. This includes glass, ceramic, porcelain and stainless steel. The choice of material is entirely personal.

If you want something durable, stainless steel is the best choice – especially for people who like travelling and still like their morning caffeine hit. If you choose to go for stainless steel, make sure you choose a style that is double walled. This is because the metal is a good conductor of heat so your coffee will cool down a lot quicker and you also risk getting your fingers burned! Avoid cheap stainless steel espresso cups too as these can sometimes give your coffee a metallic taste, which isn’t pleasant.

For a classic cup, go for porcelain or ceramic. These are a barista’s favourite for good reason. Porcelain and ceramic won’t leach flavours into your drink, nor will they absorb flavours either.

Ceramic cups are typically less expensive too. This is because fired clay is automatically more insulating than stainless steel, so they don’t require a double wall. Being ceramic means they will break if dropped, so they’re best for using at home.

If you like to see what you’re drinking, glass espresso cups are a good choice. You really get to see that crema in its full glory. Like steel, glass doesn’t insulate well, and so double-walled cups are recommended.

The most durable type of glass is borosilicate and it’s worth looking out for this if you’re worrying about breakages. Like porcelain and ceramic, glass won’t disturb the flavour of your drink.

The post Best Espresso Cups appeared first on Ideal Grind.

I don’t know about you, but I get a certain feeling of dread when Christmas and birthdays come around. What tends to happen is that I leave it too late, panic, and then end up buying something that the recipient will probably never use.

That’s why, as a consumer, I love lists like this – someone who has done the hard work for me and I can just read through it and pick my favourite. No stress or hassle, and I get to give a present to someone that they actually like. It’s win-win.

Coffee gifts are always popular. So many people I know are really into their coffee, and it is an industry that has so many genuinely useful accessories and services that not many people have everything that they need. It is possible to get something that they don’t have and that will make their lives slightly richer on a daily basis.

However, because it is such a wide ranging market, it can be difficult to pinpoint exactly what to get, which is where this article can help you.

Our 19 Top Coffee Gift Ideas

We will highlight some of the best coffee gifts available – covering everything from coffee subscription services to latte art pens, and so much more. Let us take away the stress from buying gifts.

Exhale Coffee Subscription

Perfect for your health-conscious friend or loved one, Exhale is a company that really focuses on the benefits of drinking coffee. They have an NHS doctor on hand to oversee all of their testing so that they can back up all of their health claims about their coffee – the vitamin B3, the polyphenols and the antioxidants.

It’s not just your health that benefits from an Exhale subscription – the environment does too. Plastic-free packaging, some of which is fully compostable, and organic farming practices help to ensure that they are a carbon-zero company. Plus they give 2% of their revenue back to charity. They are certified good guys, who will appeal to your more eco-conscious friends.

Oh, and their coffee is fantastic.

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Pact Coffee Subscription

Pact Coffee are one of the most popular coffee subscription services in the UK, and with good reason.

You get so much choice with your subscription – you can choose whether you want pods, ground coffee or whole beans, and then what sort of coffee you would like. This is where it gets fun as you can have a ‘Reliable & Consistent’ option, or opt for the ‘Variety & Choice’ or ‘Adventurous Palettes‘ selections. These will change regularly so you get to sample loads of great coffees from all over the world. Perfect for the coffee-lover in your life!

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Table Top Coffee Grinder – De’Longhi KG79

A coffee grinder is the ultimate gift for someone that really enjoys making coffee at home. A grinder is the only way to guarantee that you are drinking the freshest possible coffee – by grinding whole beans right before you brew your coffee there isn’t time for those wonderful aromas and flavours to escape.

A burr grinder is always preferable over the blade grinders – you get a much more even grind as the coffee is crushed as one, rather than chopped by whirring blades. This De’Longhi is a great example – with a 120g capacity it is more than big enough for domestic use (up to 12 cups in one go) and a huge range of different grind sizes from fine to coarse. It is simple to use, but with great results.

It is priced at a level that makes it a viable option for a gift. If you know someone that loves making great coffee at home, but doesn’t have a grinder at their disposal – look no further than the De’Longhi KG79.

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Hand Coffee Grinder – Yuntech

In the previous section we discussed how important it is to grind your coffee beans at home in order to get the maximum taste in your drink. While an automatic grinder will always give you fantastic results, some people prefer to do things the old fashioned way.

There is a certain charm to using a hand grinder. First thing in the morning, you head downstairs, measure out your beans and then slowly grind them down manually – it has a very wholesome feeling to it. It also gives you a huge amount of control over how big your grind is – you can keep going until you get the exact size for however you are making your coffee.

This Yuntech grinder has the added benefit of looking great as well. It’s the sort of accessory that you would be happy to have out on a shelf in your kitchen, and is also a handy size so that if the recipient travels a lot, they can just throw it into their bag and have fresh coffee wherever they go.

It’s a gift that looks the part and does a great job. If they have never owned a coffee grinder, don’t be surprised (or offended) if they upgrade to an electric one – once you get used to fresh coffee every morning you won’t go back!

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Bean To Cup Coffee Machine – De’Longhi Magnifica

I have thought for a long time that a bean to cup coffee machine is one of the greatest gifts that you can give. Following on from the grinders that we have just covered, what could be better than grinding your coffee beans in the same machine that brews it? You simply can’t get a fresher coffee.

The De’Longhi Magnifica makes tremendous coffee. You get full control over the size of your grind, and with the integrated milk wand, you can prepare your milk exactly how they do in your favourite coffee shop. It is very intuitive to operate – everything makes sense and you don’t need to keep referring back to the manual when you want to try something new.

It looks great, and measuring 23.8x34x43cm it is not a size that overwhelms a kitchen counter, which is something you should always consider when you are buying someone a gift – do they have room for it?

The best thing about it, though, is the price. It is one the most affordable bean to cup machines available, so that does make it a good option to buy someone as a gift. Ideally the recipient will live with you so that you can also get to use it every day!

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Denby Coffee Mugs

Denby 380048918

However people make their coffee at home – espresso machine, filter coffee machine, cafetière etc – they need something nice to drink it out of. Here at Ideal Grind, we love Denby mugs.

Produced exclusively in Derbyshire, Denby mugs are incredibly durable and versatile, but most importantly, they are beautiful. This set of four coffee mugs is a great example of what they offer. They are hand-crafted and chip resistant in a classic light-grey colour. They will suit any kitchen and last for years. Plus, they are a decent size for pretty much any coffee.

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Denby 411046007

For a bigger cup, give these a try. With a capacity for 400 ml, rather than 330 ml in the mugs above, these are great for people that make long coffees – especially in a filter coffee machine.

Available in white, black or, our favourite, blue, these stoneware mugs come with a 10 year guarantee. This emphasises how well made they are and gives you a lot of confidence as a buyer.

Denby mugs give you a really warm, cosy feeling. Perfect for a cold winter’s day, and they make a great gift.

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Judge Coffee Glasses

If Denby mugs represent the feeling of cosy comfort on a chilly, frosty morning then these Judge Coffee glasses focus on the style that is associated with the coffee industry.

Judge is a brand from the Horwood family – kitchenware specialists that have been in business since the 19th century. These glasses are ultra-modern, though, and capture all that is fun about making great coffee in your own home.

With a capacity of just 75 ml, these are espresso cups, but they are a perfect shape and size to really show off the fantastic crema that you can create with the modern espresso machines. There is nothing like sitting outside on a sunny day sipping from one of these – just taking a moment for yourself.

These are perfect for the espresso drinker in your life, and are great value as well. Great value for the quality and style that you get – whoever you give them to will probably assume that you have spent much more than you have on them!

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Coffee Scales – bemece

This is a gift for the true coffee connoisseur  – the coffee scales. This is a fantastic gift for the people that take a scientific approach to making their coffee, and want to ensure that they get the exact amount of coffee that they require for their perfect cup.

This will measure coffee to the nearest 0.1g – which should satisfy even the fussiest of coffee drinkers – and it even has an inbuilt timer so that you can time how long your coffee is brewing if you are using one of the more traditional methods such as a cafetière. You have everything that you need for full accuracy in your coffee making.

This is the sort of thing that you would give to a coffee lover in your life that wants to take their coffee making to the next level. They will be meticulous, and slightly fanatical, about their coffee, and not the sort of person that leaves anything to chance.

It is also very reasonably priced, so it won’t break the budget for a gift, and it doesn’t take up much room at all. If they stored it away in a cupboard when they are not using it, it really won’t take up too much space. I imagine you have already thought of someone that would enjoy this coffee gift…

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Retro Espresso Machine – Swan Espresso Machine

Sometimes you need to make a choice between style and functionality – but that is not the case with this incredible retro espresso machine from Swan. This is part of their ‘Nordic Collection’ utilising the soft wooden textures and neutral colours of Scandinavia.

It goes without saying that this is a great-looking machine. The analogue dial makes a great centrepiece, and all the buttons and symbols have a smooth elegance to them. I love the colour, it perfectly complements the wooden effects and would look at home in almost any kitchen.

The key thing here though is that it also makes a great coffee – the milk frother means that you can really work the milk into the exact density and temperature that you need to make your perfect drink. The extraction of the coffee is also ideal – with 15 bars of pressure you have more than you’ll ever need to get the optimal amount of extraction.

This is a magnificent gift for someone that would like to start experimenting with making their own espressos, and that has a passion for the retro look. It’s a compact machine as well, so would be suitable for a small kitchen, or even an office. At the price, it won’t break the bank, but is a gift that the recipient will treasure for years to come.

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Latte Art Pen – CaLeQi 3 piece Set

One of the least expensive items on our list – the sort to consider if you have a very strict budget for what you can spend – maybe a Secret Santa present.

This set of stainless steel latte art pens is a great gift for anyone that has an interest in creating beautiful drinks. The pens are high quality, made from stainless steel and polished to create a smooth finish. They are lightweight and really comfortable to hold – they are the perfect tool, they just need to be used by someone that knows what they are doing!

This is the sort of gift that you can get for someone that they will love, without ever thinking that they need one. The average coffee drinker, I’m sure, has never thought to themselves “I really need latte art pens”, but at the same time, give someone a pen and a frothy coffee and I’m sure almost all of us would have a go at creating something.

Isn’t that the sign of a great gift? A present that they didn’t know they wanted, but end up using all the time.

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Electric Milk Frother – PowerLix Milk Frother

Perhaps a gift to give in conjunction with the previous item? This handheld milk frother is a great gift for a novice coffee drinker, or perhaps a student that is moving away from home for the first time and would love a decent coffee every morning.

The perception of handheld whisks is that they make an almighty racket when you use them, but this is a very quiet little device. You can happily use this first thing in the morning without risking waking up the entire house!

It is also very quick – it takes just 20 seconds to get a creamy froth, and as it is battery powered, you aren’t tethered to the plug sockets to make your drink. The speed and ease of use makes it a really good option for people that don’t have an integrated milk frother on their machine, especially for pod coffee machines. Fresh milk is always better than the milk pods that you can get.

It is also very reasonably priced, so a great option as a stocking filler, or a little ‘going away’ present.

Check Latest Price Of PowerLix Milk Frother

Reusable Coffee Cup – IDEUS Coffee Mug

In this day and age, everybody needs a decent reusable coffee mug. As a society, we use too many disposable cups, so by having a reusable one on us more often, we can drastically reduce the amount that gets used. It’s simply something that we’re all going to have to start doing.

That’s one reason why they make such a great gift. Another is that they can look great – like this from IDEUS. I love the shape of this, and it is available in so many different colours that I am certain that you will be able to find the perfect one for whoever you end up buying it for.

It’s versatile as well. You can have the lid on for travelling around and keeping it hot, but it also looks great as just an insulated mug. Ideal for a commuter who can pick up a coffee on their way into the office and then use it for the rest of the day when they get there.

The size is a big plus – at 16oz it is big enough to fit in most coffees, whereas some reusable coffee cups can be frustratingly small, which limits you on which drinks you can buy or make.

The IDEUS Coffee Mug would make a great gift – it has everything that you can ask for in a reusable coffee cup, and has that extra little bit of style and quality that really makes it stand out.

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Coffee Bean Roaster – YUCHENGTECH Coffee Bean Roaster

I review a lot of coffee and coffee equipment, and I have done so for years. It is not very often that I come across a type of product that I have never reviewed before, but that is exactly what happened when I came across this coffee bean roaster.

There isn’t enough room in this article to go through every detail of this coffee roaster, but suffice to say it is a small oven-type unit in which you can roast coffee beans. You get to set the temperature (220℃ for a medium roast, 240℃ for an Italian roast etc), and let the roaster do its thing.

The unit itself has a 45° slope which makes it much easier to roll the coffee beans. There is also an automatic stirring rod, which slowly rotates to move the beans around so that you get an even roast.

It is highly versatile as well, you can use it to roast popcorn, peanuts, soybeans, sunflower seeds, dried fruits and other beans – so this is perfect for the type of person that tends to go the extra mile in the kitchen.

This really is the coffee gift for the person that has everything. There is a certain amount of novelty value here, as nobody really needs their own coffee bean roaster, but who wouldn’t be fascinated by the prospect of roasting their own beans?!

This is a great ideal gift for someone that would get a lot of use out of it. I think there are plenty of people that this would apply to, and if my family is reading this, I am one of them.

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Grow Your Own Coffee Plant – Gift Republic ‘Grow Me Coffee’

You’ve heard the phrase ‘From Bean To Cup’? Well, what about ‘From Seed to Bean to Cup’?

This is the perfect stocking filler or Secret Santa present for anyone who likes coffee. First of all, it will fit almost any budget as it comes in at under £5. It’s a quirky little gift that will bring a little smile to the face of any recipient.

In the box you will receive a packet of seeds, a plant marker, a coconut husk starter plant pot and a coconut husk compost disc. This is everything you need to start growing your own coffee beans.

It should be noted that growing your own coffee beans is pretty tricky. You need to keep them somewhere dark and moist to encourage germination, and then somewhere light and warm once they sprout. Conditions in the UK aren’t ideal for coffee growing – which is why we import our coffee – but it is possible to get a plant growing.

This is a purely novel gift – you’ll get a nice little house plant and maybe one day a bean or two! But for the money I think it is a nice little gift for someone.

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French Press – Bodum Coffee Maker

There are few things that I love more than a long black coffee. Don’t get me wrong, I love the fancy coffees that we are now able to make in our homes – the cappuccinos and the lattes – but sometimes all I want is a nice, strong black coffee.

A French Press is one of the best ways to make this sort of coffee. It’s so simple, just put in your coffee and add hot water, then wait. Then, after a few minutes, you get the moment we all enjoy – slowly pushing down the plunger. Your drink is then ready. No paper filters, no power sockets – all you are left with is a delicious drink and coffee grounds that are great for your garden.

It’s such a wholesome, simple way to make coffee. This French Press is made by Bodum, one of the leading coffee product producers in the world. They use borosilicate glass which is heat resistant and durable. The frame will protect the surface from heat and it is completely dishwasher-safe.

The gift here isn’t the French Press – the gift is great coffee wherever they are, whenever they want it.

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Coffee Measure Spoon and Clip – The Urban Element

I think the ideal gift is something that the recipient would use frequently, but maybe wouldn’t think of buying themselves. That’s why I think this little wooden spoon and bag clip is such a good present.

It’s both simple and genius. We always bang on about how important it is to keep your coffee fresh – but sometimes the bags that coffee is packed in don’t do the job sufficiently. Many don’t seal back up once they are opened, so the freshness leaks out.

This little spoon is also a bag clip – you just fit it on to the opening of the bag and it will seal it up – no more risk of spilling coffee ground everywhere! Plus the spoon is incredibly handy. One scoop equals one tablespoon, so you simply load up your coffee maker and clip the bag back up – what could be simpler?

It’s a great present for people that use ground coffee on a regular basis – a gift that they will get plenty of use out of, not just shove in a drawer never to be seen again. And at under £10, it will fit in with most budgets.

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Coffee Of The World Set – The Brew Company

We’ve covered a lot of coffee-related products in this list of the best coffee gifts, but we haven’t included much coffee itself – so time to put that right with this great little gift selection box.

This is appealing for a few different reasons – first of all – it’s a handy letterbox size, which makes it ideal for sending to someone. It is presented beautifully, so there will be a genuine sense of excitement when someone receives it.

Next, you get some fantastic coffees from all over the world – Brazil, Ethiopia, Guatemala and many more. It’s a great way for people to develop their understanding of the differences between the coffee from these different regions.

The most novel thing about this gift though is the way you make the coffee – there are 10 individual bags for each coffee. To brew the coffee, you pour water directly into the bags and wait… When it has brewed for the required amount of time (between 4 and 8 minutes depending on how strong you want it), you simply pour it out using the spout on the side of the bag. It means you can drink your coffee anywhere.

It’s a great gift for people that are always on the go – either travelling for work or that enjoy the outdoors. They get to try a load of amazing coffees wherever they go.

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Coffee Recipe Book

The uninitiated may be thinking – why would anybody want a coffee recipe book? Well, they clearly don’t know how much they don’t know!

This book is packed full of, not just recipes, but also helpful little tips and hints that will help you make great coffees, and also get the most out of your coffee making equipment.

The truly great thing about this book is how versatile it is. There are recipes here that utilise all manner of different coffee making machines and equipment – pod machines, espresso makers, filter coffee machine, French Press. No matter how you make your coffee, there will be recipes in here for you.

You’ll find everything you need here to hone your barista skills – and as such it makes a great gift for anyone who wants to learn more about the art of making coffee – I am certain that there will be plenty that they didn’t know.

At the price, it makes a great option for a nice little stocking filler that the recipient will love.

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Vintage Coffee Poster

We complete our list of the best coffee gifts with this retro-style poster – a great gift for any coffee lover.

Measuring 30 x 20 cm (A4 sized), this is a nice addition to the décor of a kitchen without being overbearing. The dark colour means that it will blend in with most styles and backgrounds. It’s made of metal, so it is durable, but it is also lightweight, so it is easily moved around.

The key bit though, is that it is a genuinely helpful poster! Even as someone who is very passionate about coffee I can get a little muddled with all the different types, so having many of them detailed there for me, in a handy place next to the espresso maker, means that I don’t have to worry when people ask me for a latte macchiato!

It’s a neat gift for anyone with an interest in coffee. It looks good and is genuinely helpful. At the price, it would fit most people’s budgets, so well worth your consideration.

We hope you have found our list of the best coffee gifts helpful, and that it has saved you a little stress! Thank you for reading.

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The post Best Coffee Gifts appeared first on Ideal Grind.

It may seem like a silly question – you want something to keep your hot drink hot, right? Well, if you’re on this page, I would imagine that you already realise that there is a bit more to it than that.

As the number of people that have been able to make better coffee at home has grown over the last decade or so, so has the demand for travel mugs. We can make this coffee, and we want to take it with us.

As such, the market is flooded with a huge variety of options – how do you decide which is the best travel mug for you? That’s where we come in. We have searched the market and below we have featured the 8 best travel mugs available in the UK that we have found, all offering something a bit different and at various price points.

Travel Mugs vs Reusable Coffee Cups

Before we get on to our list of the best travel mugs, we thought it would be helpful to clear up an understandable confusion over the difference between travel mugs and reusable coffee cups.

The lines between the two are a little blurred, but basically the main difference is that a reusable coffee cup is a direct replacement for a disposable coffee cup that you might get from a takeaway coffee shop – the paper cup with the plastic lid.

A travel mug, on the other hand, is something that you would take away with you when going away – sort of a cup version of a flask.

As such, a travel mug will tend to keep your drink hotter for longer than a reusable coffee cup, and a reusable coffee cup will look more like a coffee cup. Also, a travel mug is something that you would happily throw into the bottom of a bag, whereas a reusable cup is made for drinking out of as soon as the coffee is made.

So if you are wondering whether you are holding a travel mug or a reusable coffee cup just ask yourself this – would I want to hike up a mountain with this in my bag? If the answer is yes, you’ve got yourself a travel mug!

Maybe this is even simpler – Reusable Coffee Cups are for commuters – Travel Mugs are for adventurers. (It is possible to be both, of course, just remember to take the correct mug!).

They both have their place, of course. Sometimes you want your coffee to cool to a more drinkable temperature – perhaps on your walk into the office when you pick up a coffee en route.

Today, though, we are going to be looking at Travel Mugs. The adventurer’s choice!

What to look for in a travel mug

We come back to the original question – what do you look for in a travel mug? Well, here are some of the key features to consider:

• Aesthetics: You want a mug that looks nice, right? The good news is that there are some really stylish designs available now – it is not like the old days of knock-off army equipment!
• Capacity: This will depend on where you are going and what you are doing, but maybe you’ll want something that you can sip from all day, or just have one drink
• Heat retention: How long do you want your coffee kept warm for? Is it a case of the longer the better?
• Shape: You may have a bag with a cup carrier that you want to use – make sure your new travel mug will fit in it
• Weight: If you are going to be carrying this around with you for a long time, you may want it to be as lightweight as possible

Our 8 Best Travel Mugs

We are a coffee review site, so we are going to use coffee as our reference drink here. It should go without saying, though, that these cups are all appropriate for any hot drinks.

Okay, let’s get into it – the Best UK Travel Mugs:

Contigo West Thermal Mug

We’ll kick things off with this Thermal Mug from UK-based travel mug specialists – Contigo. They are dedicated to creating the best possible cups and bottles for people to use on the go.

And it shows. We start off with how it looks – this is a very attractive bottle. It is sleek and stylish with the curved body, and it is available in a whole host of different colours. It’s like a paint chart – Biscay Bay, Dark Blum, Iced Aqua and…Red. There are plenty more options when it comes to colour, so I am certain that you will find one that you love.

It has a capacity of 0.47 litres, which is pretty standard for a travel mug, but bigger than some. For a rough guide, it would be big enough to fit in the Grande size from Starbucks.

The lid is BPA-plastic free and is fitted with an AutoSeal which automatically seals the cup between sips, and it even has a lid-lock so that the button can’t be pressed accidentally when you are on the move. This is absolutely leak-proof.

The insulation is good – your drink will stay hot for five hours, or stay cold for up to 12 hours. It also has a ‘sweat proof’ design, which prevents condensation on the outside of the mug.

It is dishwasher safe, and measures 8 x 9 x 20.5 cm, so it is a nice little size for travelling, and it is reasonably priced, slightly above the midrange for the mugs on our list – a great place to start your search for your new travel mug.

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Stanley Classic

Next up we have a Classic from a classic travel mug producer – Stanley. Founded in 1913 when William Stanley Jr fused vacuum insulation with steel to make a portable drinks bottle – and they have been developing that original design for over a century since.

This is a neat combination of a bottle and a travel mug. It is slightly smaller than the Contigo above, with a capacity of 0.34 litres, but it does have double-walled insulation which manages to keep drinks hot for up to 7 hours, or cold for 30 hours! This makes it perfect for longer trips, particularly camping.

It is rugged and built to last. They use rust-proof stainless steel to create the double-walls which has a reassuringly solid feel to it.

They make it leak-proof by employing a trigger action lid – not only does this help you control when the liquid is released, but it is so easy to use with one-hand, which really feeds into the idea that this is made for the more active trips that you might go on.

Aesthetically, it comes across as a solid little bottle – it may not look beautiful, but it is not supposed to. This isn’t for walking around town with, this is for adventures.

It is one of the more expensive items on our list today, but there isn’t a lot in it really. It’s a great bottle that is great at doing the job it is designed to do. Perfect for the outdoorsy types.

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Tefal Travel Mug

It was only a matter of time before we featured Tefal, wasn’t it? Founded in the 1950s, Tefal quickly established themselves as great innovators – creating non-stick cookware and inventing the first cordless iron. Now they have moved into travel mugs and have continued to build their reputation here too.

The first thing to say is that I really like the look of this travel mug. I didn’t think I would use the word ‘elegance’ in a review of a travel mug, but I really feel that this has a certain elegance to it. It manages to combine the almost-delicate curves with the sturdiness of the steel. It really works.

The capacity is 0.36 litres, similar to the Stanley above, which is a decent size. It is 100% leak-proof with a press-seal. Whenever you want to open the cup, you need to press the button in the middle of the lid, so it only comes loose when you need it to.

One feature I really like is the 360 degree drinking aperture – basically this means that you can pick it up and drink from any angle, you don’t need to rotate it round to find the hole or spout. This is great if you are doing something else as there is nothing more frustrating than fumbling around looking for where your drink will come out.

This is priced slightly below the average, which is surprising given the strength of the Tefal brand name – that normally adds to the price. It is a great looking cup that will keep your drink warm for around 4 hours. Definitely one to consider.

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Mighty Mug

We go from a company that does a bit of everything to a company that does just the one – Mighty Mug. A company devoted to ‘stopping spills before they happen’. A noble cause, I am sure you will agree!

Before we get into the ‘unspillable’ nature of the Mighty Mug, we should first consider the key travel mug characteristics. It has a capacity of 0.47 litres, which is slightly bigger than the last few items on our list – a good size for a travel mug.

It has a double walled base, and measures ‎8 x 8 x 22 cm, which is pretty compact for a mug with this capacity. The lid is locked with a one-touch button to prevent leaks, and it also has a 360 drinking lid, so you can drink from any angle.

But the USP (unique selling point) of the Mighty Mug is that it cannot be knocked over. Using Smartgrip technology, the mug has a suction-style grip on any flat surface that you put it on. This means that when you knock into it, it may wobble slightly, but it won’t topple over. In order to release it you just need to lift it straight up in the air and it will come loose.

It’s a novel little quirk that we really liked. It makes this mug not just a travel mug, but a great mug to have with you at your desk – perfect for people that travel into their offices, particularly those with longer commutes.

It’s priced towards the higher end of the price range on this list, but it is not far from average. It is a great mug with a really fun feature.

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720 Dgree – PleasureToGo

Over to Germany now with a look at this stylish travel mug from 720 Dgree – a company founded with the intention of reducing single-use bottles and cups in an effort to promote a more sustainable way of living.

They go a step further than most – for the last few years, all of their products have been ‘climate neutral’ in that they offset all of the CO2 emissions during the process of manufacturing their products. They also work with partners to build drinking wells in areas of the world that need more drinking water. In short – these are some of the good guys.

We are greedy consumers though, and we don’t just want to know that the companies we buy from are doing good, we need them to produce quality products. Fortunately, 720 Dgree come good here.

This bottle-slash-mug is completely leak proof thanks to the complex design of the lid, which all comes apart easily so that you can give it a thorough clean. The unique KeepDGREE technology and double-walled design means that your drink will still be warm 5 hours after it is made, which compares pretty favourably to most travel mugs.

This travel mug ticks every box that you could wish for, and it is from a company that goes above and beyond when it comes to the environment, which makes it that little bit more attractive. Definitely one to consider if these issues are close to your heart.

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iglu

Something a little bit different now from UK-based iglu – a family-run business with a passion for reusable coffee cups.

These are all about the look. The iglu cups are all beautifully designed – a lovely bold travel mug, available in a huge range of colours to suit your style. They are fast-becoming a company that gets recognised, so having their logo on your coffee cup will get you admiring nods from fellow travellers.

It is made from high-grade materials – stainless steel – and it employs a vacuum, airtight lid which means that your drink will stay warm for 6 hours, or cold for 12 hours. It is a point that they are keen to emphasise – these mugs are not just for your hot drinks. They recommend using it for smoothies, wine or even your morning yoghurt! It’s a very versatile travel mug.

For a product that has such an emphasis on style, it is surprisingly inexpensive – one of the cheapest products on our list today. They are available in a range of sizes, from 12oz (0.34 litres) to 20oz (0.57 litres) – something for everyone there.

They make great gifts, but they are also a nice little travel mug to treat yourself to. I think these are the most unique looking travel mugs on our list, so if you want to stand out, these could be the ones for you.

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Thermocafe

A truly budget option for you now, by the brand synonymous with keeping your drinks warm – Thermos. They’ve been making products in the industry for over 100 years, and they remain one of the biggest names around.

This is by far the cheapest product on our list, nearly half the price of the next-cheapest, so it is a great option for people that don’t want to spend too much – perhaps if you don’t think you’ll use it regularly, but still need one occasionally.

It is the only travel mug on our list that has a handle. Some people will find that this is a key requirement, and not feel comfortable grabbing a cup by its base, so this may be the best pick for them.

It works well enough at keeping your drink warm with the double wall insulation, and the lid has a slide lock on it which is designed to prevent leakage.

One word of warning, though. I wouldn’t use this mug in the ‘throwing in the bottom of the bag’ scenario that we spoke about earlier. The slide lock could come undone with a little pressure, and the lid may come off completely if it gets knocked about. This is designed more for the cupholder of your car than an all-action hike.

If that suits your needs though, this is a great product. It will keep your drink warm and save you a few pennies in the process.

Check Latest Price Of Thermocafe

Bodum Vacuum Travel Mug

We complete our list of the best travel mugs with a modern classic from Danish company Bodum. While they have been making household and kitchen appliances since the 1950s, Bodum exploded onto the scene of travel mugs around a decade ago – now they are everywhere!

Available in plenty of different colours, all with a classic stainless steel base, these have become iconic in their own right. You probably know someone with a Bodum mug.

Why are they so popular? Well, the heat retention is impressive with around 4 hours of keeping your drink hot. They use the double-walled design for insulation, with a vacuum seal. The outside will remain cool to the touch while the drink stays hot.

The rubber grip is comfortable to use, and that is what provides the colour. The lid is secure and has a ‘flip’ access for the drink. It is pleasant to drink out of.

Like the Thermocafe item above though, it should be kept upright – it is not completely leak proof if it is tipped up. Again, this may put some people off as it wouldn’t be suitable to be put in a bag and jostled around.

It is priced accordingly, though. It is the second cheapest product on our list – if you just want to use it in the car or on your commute, then this is a perfect travel mug.

Check Latest Price Of Bodum Travel Mug

The post Best Travel Mugs UK appeared first on Ideal Grind.

We’ll come on to why coffee bean storage is important in a minute, but it is an area of the industry that is suddenly becoming much more varied. There are so many options for storing your coffee beans that it can be overwhelming.

To the uninitiated, it is just a box or tin to hold your coffee, but there is more to it than that. The design, the aesthetics, the price, the capacity, the size, the features – all of this needs to be taken into consideration when you are looking at coffee bean storage solutions.

So how do you know which is best for your kitchen? You come to us! We have identified the best coffee bean storage available, which you will find in the list below.

Before we get on to that though, let’s take a moment to talk about why it is so important.

Why Coffee Bean Storage Matters

You will have probably noticed that when we write about the quality of coffee, one thing always gets mentioned – freshness.

So much effort goes into preserving the freshness of your coffee, whether you buy ground or whole beans. From the second it is roasted, you start losing freshness, so it is quickly vacuum packed and sent off to distribute. Even then, coffee beans will start to lose freshness after around four week on the shelf.

When the coffee makes contact with oxygen in the air, it starts to lose taste and aroma – this is due to oxidation. At the same time, though, you want to keep the CO2 in the coffee – this helps the coffee’s flavour.

You may have noticed that when you buy coffee, they have a little plastic valve on the packet – this is to keep air out, but also to release a little bit of the CO2 – the coffee will be releasing CO2 gradually, and if too much builds up, the pack will burst.

The job of coffee bean storage is to replicate this effect – to keep the beans free from oxygen and trap in the right amount of CO2 so that you get the freshest possible coffee.

Our Top 7 Coffee Bean Storage Solutions

So now that we have established the importance of coffee bean storage, let’s take a look at some of the best available.

Airscape Coffee Storage

We’ll kick things off with a fantastic offering from Airscape – part of the Bella Barista family. This is a company that was set up in 1998 and have specialised in making coffee machines and accessories ever since.

You get the impression that this is a company that genuinely cares about the quality of coffee. They offer barista training courses, in fact they have an entire academy devoted to enhancing people’s coffee making skills.

It goes to follow, then, that they would be keen to ensure you get the freshest coffee possible. With this extra-large coffee storage container, you will be able to store over a kilo of coffee beans – the biggest on our list today.

The patented ‘plunger’ lid works to squeeze out the air and keep out humidity – protecting that valuable freshness.

Rather than just trapping all of the air out of the container, the Airscape Coffee Storage employs an air valve that focuses on forcing the “freshness-destroying” air out, while keeping the ‘good’ air in. They also emphasise that this container can be used for more than just coffee – due to its size, it’s also suitable for cereal, nuts, flour and sugar.

Personally, I think the most appealing aspect of this storage container, other than its size, is the aesthetics. It is a really stylish looking storage solution. Available in three colours (Matte Black, Matte Grey and Black & White), it has a sophisticated simplicity about it – it is smooth and elegant, without being too showy or obvious.

It is made out of galvanised steel which makes it incredibly durable – this is a solidly built container that is built to last. If you have a large amount of coffee on the go, then this might be the storage container for you.

Check Latest Price Of Airscape

Shayson Coffee Container

Next up we have this smart little container from Shayson – a brand that seems to exist specifically to sell on Amazon, which is becoming more and more common these days.

Don’t let that put you off though, as this is an excellent coffee bean storage solution. While it is not as big as the Airscape option that we looked at above, you can still fit in around 650g of coffee beans in there. When you consider that a standard pack of coffee beans will have around 250g of coffee beans, you can see that this is more than big enough for day-to-day use.

It’s very compact, but that doesn’t stop it doing the job it is designed to do. It employs the one way valve that so many seem to favour. This lets air out but not in. The side of the lid clips into place with airtight metal fasteners, which ensures that no air or moisture creeps in to impact on the beans.

A nice little feature is the measuring spoon that comes with the container. There is a little buckle on the side of the container that this fits into neatly, so you always have a quality spoon there to help you measure out your coffee.

Another nice touch is the calendar wheel on the top of the lid – this allows you to enter the date of when you filled up the container with the beans, so you know exactly how long they have been in there for. You can easily keep on top of the freshness of your beans.

This is a nice little all-rounder. It performs well with regards the freshness of your coffee beans, but the little extras make it a very attractive option.

Check Latest Price Of Shayson

Coffee Gator Coffee Containers

Coffee Gator provide the next item on our list of the best Coffee Bean Storage solutions. They are part of the Shop Coffee family – UK based coffee-specialists that have been supplying cafes and coffee shops for over 35 years. So they know what they are doing.

This is the first set of containers on our list so far – you will receive a stainless steel and a matte grey container. This is ideal for people that might have two coffees on the go at the same time – perhaps a regular and a decaf – and want to be able to keep them both as fresh as possible.

The design is very similar to that of the Shayson above – with a metal fastener and simple aesthetics, these are stylish, yet understated. They each have capacity for around 450g of beans, so even though they are the smallest on our list so far, they will still comfortably fit in an entire standard pack of coffee beans. Plus, of course, there are two of them…

These stainless steel coffee bean storage containers also feature a calendar wheel, which is a really helpful feature – as is the measuring scoops that you get with the containers. Everything you need is right there for you.

The freshness is trapped in with a BPA-free rubber seal as well as the layered stainless steel base. These, coupled with the CO2 release valve in the lid, combine to ensure your coffee stays as fresh as possible.

While this is one of the most expensive items on our list today, do remember that you get two containers for your money. As well as giving you the option for having two open coffees on the go at once, you could also save one for travelling.

Check Latest Price Of Café Olé

Café Olé

A consistent feature of the coffee bean storage options that we have included on our list so far is that they are often made by large companies with various coffee-specific brands, and this one follows that trend.

Café Olé is part of the Grunwerg group – a Sheffield based company that grew out of the steel industry in the mid 20th century. They began making scissors and cutlery, but soon grew to make kitchen appliances of all kinds. Their selection of tea pots and coffee making items make up a large proportion of the Café Olé brand.

I really like the look of this container – on the face of it, it may look a little bit basic, but it has a subtle style to it, like many of the items that we have looked at today. It wouldn’t look out of place in any kitchen, both blending into the background, but also adding to a general look.

More importantly, it does a great job. It has all the features that you have probably come to expect by now – it has an airtight seal around the lid which is clasp-locked with metal fasteners to ensure no air gets in.

It also has a one-way valve to allow CO2 to leave, while keeping out Oxygen and other gases, and it is made out of stainless steel so that it is durable.

It is big enough to hold around 500g of coffee beans, and it even includes the added features – the date tracker and the measuring spoon which fits neatly on the side.

In terms of price, it is pretty much in the middle of the products that we are looking at today, so there is nothing to put you off there. This is a great coffee bean storage container, and I would wholeheartedly recommend putting this one on your shortlist.

Check Latest Price Of Café Olé

Jennimer

For our next product we are going to look at a product from a Chinese manufacturer, using the brand name Jennimer. It can be difficult to find much information on companies like this, which can be understandably disconcerting for some customers.

However, the benefits to shopping from these brands is that they tend to be much cheaper – and this is one of the cheapest coffee bean storage containers on our list today, so worthy of your consideration.

I know – the phrase ‘you get what you pay for’ is probably ringing in your ears right now. Let me reassure you though, that this does seem to be the exception to the rule. This is a really well made unit, and one that really does get the job done.

It has a capacity of around 650g of coffee beans and has a silicone seal around the edge of the lid to trap in freshness. This is complemented by the CO2 valve on the top – which is replaceable. It also has a date tracker on the top of the lid so you will always know exactly how fresh your coffee is.

One feature that separates it slightly from the other products that we have looked at so far is the window on the base – this enables you to see how much coffee you have left without having to open the lid. You’ll always know when to buy more coffee so that you never run out.

You also get a measuring spoon, although there isn’t any way of attaching it to the unit.

For a budget option, this really takes some beating. It looks great and performs well – what more could you ask for?

Check Latest Price Of Jennimer Coffee Container

Fellow – Atmos Vacuum

Our premium selection now as we look at this fantastic storage container from Fellow – a company out of San Francisco that specialises in making great coffee. They offer classes as well as a wide selection of coffee and coffee accessories.

They take coffee seriously and it shows. First of all let’s take a minute to appreciate the aesthetics of this product – it is sleek and stylish. It almost looks like a high-end wireless speaker. It is truly beautiful to look at and undoubtedly one of the main selling points.

There is much more to it than just looking nice though. To keep things fresh, it is not just a case of putting your beans in and popping on the lid – this is a clever little container. Once it is filled, you place the lid on and twist the lid back and forth. This triggers the integrated vacuum pump and you’ll physically feel the oxygen leave the chamber – nothing is left in that you don’t want there.

Not only that, but there is a little dot on the lid – when this is green, the vacuum is locked in, so you know that oxidation of your beans will be prevented. Your beans will stay fresh until you need them – at which point you just press the button on the top of the lid and the air pressure will return to normal so that you can open it up.

It really does have that extra little bit of quality than the other products on our list, but it comes at a price – this is the most expensive item that we have featured. If you can afford it, though, then this coffee bean storage container takes some beating.

Check Latest Price Of Fellow Atmos Vacuum

ITODA Glass Coffee Storage

From one extreme to the other now, as we finish our list of the best coffee bean storage containers with this from ITODA – the cheapest item on our list.

ITODA seems to be another one of those Amazon-only companies that sell everything from quilt storage bags to ‘monkey curtain clips’ – their shop page is truly fascinating!

One thing is very obviously different about their coffee bean storage container compared to every other one on our list – it is glass. All of our others are made with stainless steel, which obviously means that they all look quite similar. This one reality stands out.

I think coffee beans are incredibly satisfying to look at, so why wouldn’t you want to show them off? This will look great on your shelf, and also it is a constant reminder when you need to buy more coffee – you’ll never run out with this container.

This is sold as a multi-purpose storage container, and it is an excellent all rounder which is suitable for all kinds of products. The lid is airtight, which is great, however there is no valve on the lid for letting out CO2. That may impact your beans if you leave them in there for a long time without releasing the gas – but I would imagine that you will delve into the container most days if you are anything like us!

This is a nice looking unit, it’s versatile and it does a decent job. If you are looking for a budget option that you may use to store other goods, this is a great option.

Check Latest Price Of Itoda Glass Storage

Verdict

Without wanting to sound like a broken record, the way that you store coffee beans is incredibly important to the final taste of your drink. We really can’t say that enough, although I appreciate that we might be getting close!

If you care about coffee, which is a safe bet for one of our readers, we urge you to consider investing in a coffee bean storage container – you won’t regret it. Use our list above to help you identify what you would most like from one, and work out your budget. We have supplied you with plenty of options here so we are sure you will find one that you are very happy with.

Enjoy!

The post Coffee Bean Storage appeared first on Ideal Grind.

A lot of precision goes into coffee growing and preparation before it even reaches the shelves. If you’re a real coffee aficionado, you’ll appreciate the subtleties that coffee growers have developed in their coffee beans.

To people who just shove a couple of spoons of ground coffee into a coffee press (or dare I say, shove a teaspoon of granules into a mug) and pour in water, it might seem somewhat pedantic when people weigh coffee. However, it would be a real shame to undo all of that meticulous picking, processing and roasting at the very last stage and having an under-extracted or over-extracted brew.

There is no better method of making the perfect cup than weighing it. Thankfully, coffee scales are plentiful. The hard part is choosing which one to buy.

Look no further! Read our best coffee scales guide below…

Why Use Scales For Coffee?

All coffees are different and will have different brewing requirements. How the final product tastes, will depend on the following factors:

• How much the coffee weighs
• The coffee grind size
• The water temperature
• The brew time
• The brew agitation
• The water pressure

When you want to make the most out of speciality coffee and you want the perfect brew, weighing it is the only way to ensure the final result. If you’re inconsistent, you’re potentially turning a heavenly cup into a bitter-tasting, expensive waste!

Using scoops or spoons just doesn’t give you that certainty you get with an exact weight. Using a coffee scale will mean all of the guesswork is taken out of it and you have full control of how your coffee will taste.

Finally, scales help you to fine-tune your end result so once you’ve made the best cup of coffee you’ve ever tasted, you’ll know how to repeat the process to get the same result in the future.

Top Coffee Scales

Now we know why you should use a coffee scale, let’s take a look at the best coffee scales out there.

Bemece Coffee Scale

If you’re looking for value for money and high precision, the Bemece digital coffee scale is an excellent find. From the moment we took this out of the packaging to test it, we had high hopes – it certainly looked and felt high-quality. We really liked the backlit reverse LED display, which meant it was easy to read the scale even in bright light.

In testing, we found the scale to be easy to use and precise. It is sensitive to 0.1g and can weigh coffee between 0.1g and 3kg, which is impressive. It doesn’t matter whether you’re pouring water or powder, this coffee scale is accurate.

Aside from the standard tare function, this scale is also equipped with a timer, which means you can use it for timing your brew in a cafetière too. As well as this, there is a sleep mode and auto-off function.

The product is made from acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), which is a thermoplastic polymer. Jargon-aside, it’s impact-resistant, tough and resistant to higher temperatures – making it perfect for brewing coffee! The anti-slip silicone pad is a great addition too. You can never be too careful when adding hot water.

This coffee scale takes three AAA batteries and we really appreciated the fact that it comes with these included. There’s nothing more disappointing than looking forward to making the best coffee of your life to find you need to nip out and buy some batteries before you can use it.

Summary of Specs:

• Dimensions – 18 x 13 x 3cm
• Item weight – 0.35kg
• Auto-off – 120s
• Units – g, oz, ml
• Timer – Yes
• Low battery indicator – Yes

Check Latest Price Of Bemece Coffee Scale

Edasion Digital Coffee Scales

As first impressions go, this scale was remarkably similar to the Bemece coffee scale and this was a close contender for first place!

Like the Bemece, it impressed us straight out of the box with its silicone non-slip top and large LED display. It felt sturdy and high-quality – enough for us to try it out with a heavy cafetière. Underneath, there are also anti-slip rubber pads to keep the scale still.

In terms of functionality, we found it really easy to use. The touch-activated keys are a nice feature and make it easy to clean, which is essential when using powdered coffee that can easily get everywhere. The silicone pad is also removable for easy rinsing.

Despite being really reasonably priced, this scale comes with a two-year warranty. Edasion say they will replace any scale that breaks within two years completely free of charge.

Summary of Specs:

• Dimensions – 7.3 x 5.1 x 1.2in
• Item weight – 0.35kg (280g without rubber pad)
• Auto-off – 120s
• Units – g, oz, ml
• Timer – Yes
• Low battery indicator – Yes

Check Latest Price Of Edasion Coffee Scale

KitchenTour Coffee Scale

It seems that coffee scale manufacturers know what works. The KitchenTour coffee scale is almost identical to our first two scales. However, this item is slightly bigger and lighter.

It has a weight capacity from 0.3g to 3000g and so can’t measure as low as the other two scales. However, when weighing coffee, you’re not going to need a 0.1g or 0.2g amount so this is negligible.

The KitchenTour scale is also made from high-quality ABS with a removable silicone non-slip pad. We tested this out with a large coffee dripper and were pleased with the consistent results we achieved.

As this scale is slightly larger than some of the others, it isn’t ideal for use with small espresso machines. By all means, you can weigh the porta-filter with coffee, but you’ll likely not be able to weigh the coffee as it’s being released into the cup.

When writing our reviews, we look at the products and test them ourselves but we also consider what other customers are saying. The KitchenTour coffee scale that has the highest average rating (4.5 stars out of 5). With this in mind, we can certainly say that we’re not the only ones who think this scale is worth it!

This is an excellent coffee scale that does exactly what you need it to. Slightly larger than the first two but it has great reviews, and plenty of them too.

Summary of Specs:

• Dimensions – 21.6 x 16.3 x 3.91cm
• Item weight – 270g
• Auto-off – 120s
• Units – g, oz, ml
• Timer – Yes
• Low battery indicator – Yes

Check Latest Price Of KitchenTour Coffee Scale

Coffee Gator Coffee Scale

When you purchase a Coffee Gator product, you know you’ve got a great item. This company knows their stuff about coffee-related things. As a result, the Coffee Gator coffee scale has made it onto our best coffee scales review for its brand reputation as well as its quality.

This scale weighs both mass and volume and can measure from 0.01 grams or 0.01 ml all the way up to 3kg or 3l, which makes it excellent for large brews of coffee.

We liked how functional this scale was and how easy the display was to read. It’s lightweight but won’t move on your worktop thanks to its rubber feet. It also has a non-slip, durable rubber top so you can be confident when placing glassware on the top. The display is bright – unlike many others in this review, it has black text on a green background, which some might prefer.

Some online reviews say that this has a delay when weighing coffee but we found that this wasn’t such a big issue in our testing – especially considering the price.

One thing we didn’t like so much were the buttons, they’re a little noisy. However, this doesn’t affect the functionality of the design.

We found the Coffee Gator scale to be a great product. Yes, the weight takes a tiny bit longer to catch up on the scale compared to others but we didn’t find this to impede its functionality. If you want to see the Coffee Gator scale in action, the brand’s own website has a cool video.

Summary of Specs:

• Dimensions – 19 x 12.7 x 2.5cm
• Item weight – Unknown
• Auto-off – 120s
• Units – g, lb, oz, ml
• Timer – Yes
• Low battery indicator – No

Check Latest Price Of Coffee Gator Coffee Scale

ApexStone Coffee Scale

This is a popular product with over 2000 ratings on Amazon. Not only that, but its average rating is 4.4 stars out of five. It’s safe to say, then, that consumers seem to love this scale. Let’s find out why.

Though the external box looks a little old-fashioned and basic, the ApexStone coffee scale was far from it when we tested it. The display is an LCD screen with a blue backlight that makes it easy to read. The buttons don’t make any annoying sounds and are easy to use.

Though this measures five units of measurement, it can measure in 0.1g increments, which makes it a precise tool for measuring coffee. For its price, it certainly has a great spec.

There is an FDA-safe removable silicone mat that protects the scale from spills and heat and there is also a hard plastic cover to use when the scale is not in use. Another nice tidy feature is the retractable hook, which makes for easy hanging and tidying away.

The timer function is a nice feature. It can only run up to 60 minutes, though, so if you want a longer timer, you’d need to choose one of the other scales in this review.

Finally, this takes two AAA batteries (included) rather than the three that some of the other scales use.

This is an easy-to-read, budget friendly scale with five different units of measurement. It’s ideal for weighing coffee and other things in your kitchen too. Finally, the retractable hang hole is a unique feature that might just pip this to the post as far as budget scales go!

Summary of Specs:

• Dimensions – 22.86 x 15.24 x 5.08cm
• Item weight – 363g
• Auto-off – 120s
• Units – g, lb, oz, ml, l
• Timer – Yes
• Low battery indicator – Yes

Check Latest Price Of ApexStone Coffee Scale

Anpress Scales

For anyone looking for a no-frills coffee scale, the Anpress digital scale is where it’s at.

There aren’t slick edges like some of the others, and the buttons seem more clunky. It also only uses two batteries and so you won’t get as long out of your scale as you would with some of the other options.

That said, it still has measurements to 0.1g accuracy and up to 3000g, which is excellent. There is also a timer on the front so you can still time your brew with ease. There is the added benefit of a wall hanger to make tidying away easy.

The scale has a simple look and design to it, making it easy to keep clean – just wipe it down when needed.

Operation is relatively easy with the use of just four buttons and the display screen is easy to read with a bright blue background.

This is a great scale that does the job it needs to without being too fancy. If you’re not bothered about how clunky it looks and feels, you’ll find this scale does its job perfectly.

Summary of Specs:

• Dimensions – 7.7 x 1 x 5.1cm
• Item weight – 280g
• Auto-off – 120s
• Units – g, lb, oz, ml
• Timer – Yes
• Low battery indicator – No

Check Latest Price Of Anpress Coffee Scale

Verdict

If you care a lot about your coffee and how precisely it’s brewed, buying a coffee scale is a no-brainer.

We’ve tested a wide range of coffee scales, each with their own merits. None of the scales in review are exceedingly expensive – you can pay hundreds of pounds for the best scales!

In reality, all of the ones we’ve listed do what you need them to do in order to make a precise coffee brew. Happy coffee making.

How To Use Coffee Scales

If you’re used to using kitchen scales, using coffee scales is pretty self-explanatory.

To use a scale for pour-over coffee, follow these steps:

1. Place the filter directly onto the scales and press the ‘tare’ button to set it to zero.
2. Add the perfect amount of ground coffee into the filter – you’ll know exactly how much you’ve added as the weight will appear on the scales.
3. Then, add the brewing vessel on the scale and place the filled filter on top ready to brew.
4. Press the ‘tare’ button once again (this is so that you can calculate the perfect water-to-coffee ratio).
5. Add water until you reach the exact weight you need.

If you’re using an espresso machine, you can adapt this process:

1. Place the porta-filter on the scales.
2. Press the ‘tare’ button to set it to zero.
3. Add your coffee grounds to the filter until the desired weight is reached.
4. Put the porta-filter into the machine.
5. Place the scales on the drip tray (size-willing).
6. Place the cup on the scale and press the ‘tare’ button again.
7. Press to start the espresso and watch the weight of the brewed cup on the scale.

The post Best Coffee Scales appeared first on Ideal Grind.

For the uninitiated: sometimes known as a French press, a cafetière consists of a heatproof vessel into which you add your coffee. Then you add your hot (not quite boiling) water and leave to brew for a few minutes. Then, the most satisfying part – you gently press the plunger down, thus separating the perfectly brewed coffee from the grounds which are left at the bottom.

As a very young child, pressing the plunger down was always my reward if I had behaved myself during the course of a meal (we only got the cafetière out on the most special of occasions). This was probably my first real experience of coffee, and the theatre and methodology involved have stayed with me all this time. I love a French press and today we are going to be exploring the best cafetières available – I had some fun when testing these believe me.

If you are in the market for one of these fine, traditional coffee makers then there are a few things to look out for. Obviously the size – how many people do you regularly make coffee for? Then there is the insulation, the weight, whether you can put it in a dishwasher and arguably most of all – the look. A cafetière is a stylish way to make coffee and is something that should be enjoyed – and the appearance is a huge factor in that.

Our 10 Best Cafetières

If you would like a good starting place on your search, you’ve come to the right place. Below are our 10 favourite cafetières on the market today for you to look over and pick the one that you think suits your style and personality best – and yes, I really do think personality comes in to it when choosing the best cafetière for yourself.

Coffee Gator Cafetière

We’ll kick things off with a fantastic cafetière from Coffee Gator. These guys were established in 2015 in Delaware, having decided that it was their mission to “help people drink better coffee”. They believe that every cup of coffee is a ritual, and a cafetière is the king of the coffee ritual in my opinion.

There is a lot to like about this. First of all, I really like the design – it is clear and simple, but not without style. I love the silver logo against the solid grey of the cylinder, and the handle is both functional and aesthetically pleasing. The silver lid and plunger really finish it off well.

The design is not just for show, though. The walls of the cafetière are made of stainless steel and are “33% thicker & 20% heavier” than other brands. To be honest, I’m not certain how they came up with those figures, but the upshot of it is that this keeps your coffee hot for longer – up to an hour in fact. That is great if you are making it for a group with staggered wake-up times – or if, like me, you know you’ll fancy another cup within the hour!

One of the best things about this though, at least from a performance perspective, is the fact that the plunger manages to successfully block all of the grounds from getting in your coffee, meaning your drink is pleasant and ‘bit’ free.

This is one of the more expensive cafetières that we will be looking at on this list, but it is a great place to start. It is sturdy, long-lasting, versatile and does the job brilliantly. Make this your starting point in your search.

Check Latest Price Of The Coffee Gator

Rainbean Cafetière

We’ll head over to the opposite end of the price scale now as we look at one of the cheaper options on our list – this more traditional effort from Rainbean. Based in Shanghai, they have been making household products like this for over 20 years.

Some people can be a little bit wary of products that are made in China, assuming that they may be cheaply made and substandard. This cafetière, though, bucks that trend somewhat.

In terms of the design, it follows the classic look of a cafetière. It is small, holding just 350ml, but that is enough for two cups of coffee (or one big one!). The cylinder is made from “premium borosilicate glass”, which does the job of both looking great and helping to insulate.

The handle is comfortable to use and sturdy – a good distance away from the main unit so there is no chance of burning yourself while you are pouring. Speaking of pouring – the spout is well designed to give you a nice pour without the risk of drips.

The stainless steel filter will do the job that it is designed to do – keep the coffee grounds separate from the drink. It is all suitable for use in a dishwasher, so there is no problem at all when it comes to keeping it clean.

As a cafetière at the lower end of the budget, this does the job. It is only small, so best to be used for small households or maybe as a travel option, but if that is what you are after, this is perfect.

Check Latest Price Of The Rainbean

Bodum 8 Cup

Next up we’re going to take a look at a premium offering from Bodum. These Danish coffee kings are world-renowned for their commitment to hot drinks, with their extensive range of travel mugs and coffee making equipment. Surely their cafetières will be up to scratch?

Of course they are! I should point out from the outset, that this is one of the more expensive options on our list, but it more than lives up to its price tag.

First of all, the design is just wonderful. Combining the traditional with the modern, it is incredibly stylish. The chrome complements the glass, and the soft, rounded edges make it look and feel smooth. This is an exact replica of the design they first used in the 1950’s, updated with the materials and colours from the modern era to reaffirm their commitment to environmentally correct manufacturing.

What you are left with is a marvellous coffee maker. The stainless steel filter can be deconstructed into three parts – this makes it incredibly easy to get a really effective clean. It also works incredibly well at its primary function of separating the ‘bits’.

The lid has a patented design – a bayonet is there to help it close securely, meaning there is no chance of leakage, even if the entire unit is knocked over. This makes it perfect for taking it out, perhaps on a long walk.

With a 1 litre capacity, I am struggling to find an attribute to this where it falls short of the competition. It looks great, and it makes wonderful coffee. Put this on your shortlist.

Check Latest Price Of The Bodum 8 Cup

VeoHome Cafetière

Something a bit different now from VeoHome – a French company that makes kitchenware – often utilising stainless steel.

This cafetière is no exception, and it offers something very different to the others that we have looked at so far on this list. Most of which is in the design.

It looks fabulous. Almost combining the look of a cafetière with that of a teapot – a lovely smooth, bulbous look, with a beautiful stainless steel finish. This is different to almost any other cafetière that I have seen and has a really stylish look to it.

It is not just about aesthetics, though. The curved edges are part of a double-wall, which means that the coffee will be really well insulated, and also that the exterior of the unit will not be too hot to touch. As it is stainless steel, it is also really durable as opposed to some of the glass ones.

It is safe to use in the dishwasher, so cleaning it is an absolute doddle and crucially, it makes really good coffee. The filter is perfectly fitted (I should point out that the cylinder that holds the drink is straight, rather than curved, in order to enable the filter to do its job).

There isn’t much to dislike about this VeoHome cafetière at all. I love the design, the 0.75-litre capacity is decent and everything else works as well as you would expect, so if the design suits you, this is a great option at the higher end of the price scale.

Check Latest Price Of The VeoHome Cafetière

Le Creuset Stoneware Cafetière

We’ll stay in France now, but this time we’re looking at a premium brand making a premium cafetière. Le Creuset is a huge name in the world of cookware. They have been making the finest cast-iron pans and bakeware for nearly 100 years, and have recently been expanding their range into other kitchen appliances. This cafetière is a prime example of that.

And it is wonderful. As you would expect, at the very top of the price range that we are looking at today, just take a moment to appreciate its design. It is the classic Le Creuset look – a vibrant volcanic colour (plenty of other options are available), which draws the eye and would look at home as the centrepiece of your kitchen. The detail on the lid looks wonderful. A classic look, for a classic cafetière.

It is made from enamelled stoneware, so it is incredibly robust (withstanding temperatures up to 260 degrees!), and also insulates really well. Your coffee will stay warm long after you have made it so you can keep going back for top-ups. With a capacity of 1 litre, it can make more than enough coffee for a round.

The performance is great, but I don’t think anybody will be buying this cafetière just because it makes good coffee. It will be for the design and style that Le Creuset have stood form and it will be to have a magnificent looking item in their kitchen.

Check Latest Price Of The Le Creuset Cafetière

Heemburg Cafetière

From the ultra-stylish to the ultra-functional now, as we look at this solid cafetière from Heemburg – a tiny two-person company from Luxembourg that was only formed in 2018.

I have perhaps been a little harsh when I described this as ultra-functional because that implies that there has been no thought into the aesthetics at all, and that isn’t true. It is actually a very stylish looking cafetière – very sleek and minimalist but stylish nevertheless.

The focus of this design, though, is clearly on functionality. First of all, it is double-lined stainless steel, so that it will keep your coffee hot ‘for hours’, and the outside never gets hot, so it is always safe to handle.

The lid locks into place, and you use a button to pour your coffee. This means it is very safe and spill-proof, with the lid remaining in place until it is time to refill. It can be transported safely whilst upright.

The filter is very fine, meaning there is very little chance of any sediment getting through. Your drink will be smooth, with all the flavour that you would expect.

It is so easy to clean, just a quick rinse under the tap will get everything clean, and the filter is dishwasher safe if it needs an additional clean.

All in all, this is a great option for a cafetière that is priced in the medium-to-high range. The durability means that it would travel well (would be great for camping trips), and its performance is really excellent.

Check Latest Price Of The Heemburg Cafetière

Coffee Llama Cafetière

Next up we’ll take a look at a stylish cafetière from a small UK company called Coffee Llama. They are firm believers in the mantra ‘coffee as a lifestyle’ and are determined to bring great coffee into homes all over the UK.

First of all, I should say that I love the look of this cafetière. The brushed stainless steel gives it a subtle style to it. It’s classy, without being in your face about it. An understated sophistication.

As well as the aesthetics, the stainless steel also offers incredible durability. You can take this cafetière away with you on trips or walks – safe in the knowledge that it isn’t going to get damaged. On top of that, the steel will insulate the heat really well, meaning your coffee will stay hot long after it has been prepared – up to an hour and a half.

This is especially useful as it can hold up to 8 cups of coffee – so you may find yourself making a full pot and coming back to it throughout the morning. It’s also great for hosting, of course.

The plunger is double-filtered – those pesky coffee grounds have no chance of making their way into your cup, meaning your coffee is smooth and delicious.

This is priced right in the middle of the range on our list today. It looks great, makes great coffee and is reasonably priced. What’s not to like?

Check Latest Price Of The Coffee Llama Cafetière

Barista & Co

Onto the next one – this time from Barista and Co. These guys are based on the South Coast of the UK – another coffee slash lifestyle brand that aims to make drinking great coffee as accessible as possible. This is an attitude we can fully get behind.

On the face of it, this cafetière may not look particularly remarkable. That’s not to say it isn’t attractive, but it basically just looks like a cafetière. A glass cylinder, with an, admittedly quite stylish, filter and a black base. It looks absolutely fine, but nothing to write home about.

However, one aspect of its design is remarkable, and that is the fact that there is no plastic involved at all. It is all high grade 304 stainless steel or thermal shock tested borosilicate glass. In a world that is desperate to reduce the amount of plastic we use, this seems like an excellent characteristic.

Barista & Co go a step further, promising replacement parts that are available if you should break anything – this is a great thing to publicise to try to combat the throwaway culture that seems to have taken hold in society.

Of course, it also produces great coffee – otherwise, it wouldn’t have made it onto our list! The filter is great and it is available in two different sizes – 350ml and 1 litre – so you can get the right size for your home.

If sustainability is important to you, this is a great option.

Check Latest Price Of Barista & Co Cafetière

1 Litre Cafetière

We have looked at cafetières from all kinds of companies on this list – some of the most admired and respected coffee and kitchenware brands in the world. Just to prove that we are not suckers for a big name, though, we have also included this option. It’s quite difficult to find out exactly who makes this, but it seems to be a brand called ‘Horett’.

Who is responsible for it doesn’t really matter for this list though – what it does is what counts. Well, this is a great option for a cafetière on a budget. It is a fine looking piece of kit – a really minimalist silver jug at the end of the day. Suitable for all tastes.

It has all the features that we’re coming to expect from a cafetière on this list: It is double insulated and it claims to keep your coffee warm for up to three hours – which is more than some flasks that have the sole purpose of keeping your coffee warm!

It has a great filter that will leave you with a great tasting drink that is free of nasty little coffee grounds. The filter has three levels to it, so it is incredibly efficient here.

The handle is both attractive and functional – it is far enough away from the body of the cafetière so that you will not risk scolding your hand. It also gives a neat, accurate pour.

The whole unit is safe for washing in a dishwasher, so it is incredibly simple to keep clean. It also has a 1 litre capacity, so it is more than big enough for most households.

It is a perfectly functional little cafetière, even if nobody seems to want to take the credit for it! As such, it may represent a bargain, as it does everything you could want it to do.

Check Latest Price Of The 1 Litre Cafetière

La Cafetière

We complete this list of the best cafetières with this stylish effort from La Cafetière – a brand under the Kitchen Craft umbrella. They have been making coffee-related products since 1967 – focusing on the more traditional methods of making coffee – especially cafetières.

Forgive me, but I think I am going to focus this write-up mainly on the design. I think this is my favourite looking cafetière on the whole list, which is saying something because we have packed this full of attractive cafetières.

This has everything I want though. It stands tall and proud, in one of three colours (steel, copper or brushed gold) and has a dignified elegance to it. It holds itself so well and seems to command respect. You could imagine it placed proudly on a table at a royal banquet at the turn of the last century, but it still wouldn’t look out of place on a modern kitchen counter. It is a stunning cafetière, and for that reason alone, this should be on your shortlist.

You guessed it – it does also make a great cup of coffee. Available in two sizes (3 cup or 8 cup), you can select the size most suited for your kitchen and rest assured it will give great results every time.

I would wholeheartedly recommend that you consider this one – even if you don’t think you will use it that often. It will look fantastic on your shelf if nothing else!

Check Latest Price Of La Cafetière

Verdict

Not everybody would choose to use a cafetière in the modern world. There are so many automated machines that can make you a coffee in seconds and at a touch of a button, that the art of waiting for a coffee to brew seems to get pushed to the background.

There is something utterly charming about them though. Those few minutes of waiting for your drink to brew are wonderful moments that those of us that still use cafetières can appreciate – even if you can only justify that time at a weekend.

If you are sold on cafetières as a concept, then use the list above to select your favourite. There is something there for every taste and budget. And remember that once you own a cafetière, you can take it with you wherever you travel. Great coffee will always be with you.

The post Best Cafetières appeared first on Ideal Grind.

Over the last decade or so, the developments in technology and the boom in popularity has meant that much more of the coffee industry has brought itself into our kitchens. It is therefore no surprise that it has brought with it the same feeling of style that was once reserved for the artisan coffee shops on our high streets.

Coffee pod machines are one of the biggest changes to the way we drink coffee at home, making it so much easier for us to make, in our own homes, the sort of coffees we would normally have to go to a specialist shop to buy.

The companies that produce these know that the thing we consumers are looking for, almost as much as the ability to make a good coffee, is a machine that looks great in our kitchens. A quick glance at the products on offer will prove this – there are some wonderfully designed coffee pod machines out there.

But what of the pods themselves? There’s no point in having a beautiful machine, and then a tatty box of pods next to it. To complete the look, you’re going to need a coffee pod holder. Now there are loads on the market, so let us help you decide on which one is right for you with a little guide to some of our favourites.

Why Use A Pod Holder For Storage?

Are coffee pod holders really necessary? Well, you can certainly live without one, so I wouldn’t consider them to be an essential item, no. However, when you are spending a decent amount of money on a coffee pod machine that no doubt looks great in your kitchen, a coffee pod holder can be a great little accessory to really complete the look.

It’s not just an aesthetic thing though – coffee pod holders are a great way to keep your kitchen tidy and organised, while saving cupboard space. If you are like me you probably have many different types of coffee pods, to make many different types of coffee, so having a designated holder to keep them all together, grouped in order, really saves time when you are making a coffee. You’ll also know when you are running low, meaning you can order more before you run out.

They look great, they keep you organised, and they save space. So, while they’re in no way essential, they will make your whole coffee setup much smarter.

The Top Coffee Pod Holders

With that settled, now let’s take a look at some of the best coffee pod holders available today.

Nespresso Capsules Pod Holder

We’ll kick things off with one of the giants of the coffee pod world, Nespresso. They have been making pod coffee machines, in one form or another, since as far back as 1986, so have plenty of experience when it comes to how to store the pods!

This is a great place to start because it really is a classic design. A tower structure with four different channels, which allows you to easily sort your different types of pods into groups so that each one is easily accessed. You can rotate the tower around 360° as well, so that you can get whichever pod you would like without having to reach around the back – it’s very easy to use.

You can store 10 pods in each of the 4 columns, so 40 pods in total, which is plenty. It doesn’t mean that this is a huge structure though that will dominate your kitchen counter – measuring just 11cm x 11cm x 37.5cm. It’s not particularly imposing, but has a decent amount of storage. I should note here, although I imagine it’s obvious, that this is only suitable for Nespresso pods.

As you would expect from Nespresso, it is a very well made item. The rotation of the tower is very smooth, and it is solidly built – this isn’t a cheap product that you’ll need to replace in a few months.

Having said that, it is also not too expensive. It’s right in the mid-range of the products that we’ll look at on this list. If you have a Nespresso machine, put this holder on your shortlist.

Check The Latest Price Of Nespresso Capsules Holder

Stainless Steel Dolce Gusto Pod Holder

You may have been reading the last product review and been thinking to yourself “well that looks great and everything, but I have a Dolce Gusto coffee pod machine…”. Well, don’t worry, we always have your back, so here is a very similar product, but this time compatible with Dolce Gusto pods.

There are some differences between the two products, other than the size of the pod that they can hold. This is a more simple design – just a chrome wire, rather than the more complex full bodied effort of the Nespresso one above.

Due the the fact that Dolce Gusto pods are larger than the Nespresso pods means that even though this is a larger holder, measuring 43cm x 12cm x 12cm, it stores slightly fewer pods – 32. This is going to be the case no matter what holder you go for – you won’t be able to store as many pods in the same amount of space as you can with Nespresso pods.

With that in mind, this is a really good option for the DG pod users. It rotates around 360°, so all of the pods are easily accessible, and the chrome base is ‘anti-scratch’, so it will stay looking nice and shiny for a long time.

In terms of price this is, again, right in the middle of the price range for these holders, so nothing to put you off there. If you like the idea of a rotating tower for your Dolce Gusto pods, this is a fantastic option.

Check The Latest Price Of The Dolce Gusto Holder

Exzact Tassimo Capsule Holder

Can you guess what we have next? We’ve covered two of the three main coffee pod producers in Nespresso and Dolce Gusto, so sure enough, now we can tick off our third option with this Exzact product made for Tassimo capsules.

One thing you will notice immediately is that this is a much wider, and therefore shorter, structure than the other two that we have looked at so far, measuring 18.2cm x 18.2cm x 24.5cm. This just mirrors the differing shape and size of the Tassimo pods, compared to the other two.

The shape of this enables it to store the most amount of pods of the holders that we’ve looked at so far – a whopping 52 in total, again across four different columns. This means that you can really stock up on your pods without having to worry about where you are going to store them!

This holder ticks a lot of the boxes that we have already covered – it has a great chrome finish, which looks very stylish, and it fully rotates 360° meaning that all of the pods are immediately accessible. It is also well made, so you can be sure it will last and is very sturdy.

Once again, it is at an almost identical price point to the other two products – smack bang in the middle of what you can expect to pay for a decent coffee pod holder. This is a great option for all Tassimo pod users.

Check The Latest Price Of The Exzact Tassimo Holder

EVER RICH ® Tassimo Pod Holder

Time to move on to something a little bit different with this space-saving holder from Ever Rich – another one that is designed specifically for Tassimo pods.

As you will have already seen, this is not a tower structure in which to store your pods, rather a drawer for them all to fit in. The huge advantage of this is that the entire unit can therefore fit underneath your coffee pod machine, meaning that you can save a lot of space on your kitchen counter.

It measures 35.56cm x 33.27cm x 9.91cm, which is admittedly a little bit bigger than some of the other options, but when you consider that this area covers both your machine and holder, it looks very attractive.

The slightly larger size also means that it is able to hold more capsules – 64 to be precise. They can be arranged in four columns, meaning that you can arrange them in order, but even if you have more than four different types of pod, they are all so easily accessed. You simply pull the drawer out and you’ll be able to easily see and select all of your pods.

The unit comes fitted with anti-vibration feet, so your machine won’t be wobbling around when it’s in full flow, and the smooth finish means that it’s easy to wipe clean. All in all, it gives off a very neat, professional look.

This is slightly more expensive than the tower options that we have looked at so far, but it offers much more storage and arguably takes up less space, so I think the price is justified. This is a great option for kitchens and offices alike.

Check The Latest Price Of The Ever Rich Pod Holder

Bagoo Coffee Pod Holder

Another tower for us to look at now This one is made by Bagoo, specifically for Nespresso VertuoLine pods. These are pods that are larger than the original Nespresso pods, and they were first released in the UK in 2017.

On the face of it, this may seem almost identical to the other towers that we have looked at, and it does have many similar features, however this really is a premium product which is actually quite fitting, as the pods that it holds are premium themselves.

This offers a full 360° rotation, of course, so all of your pods are accessible. Where it differs from some of the other towers though, is that it is much wider – the dimensions are 17.8cm x 17.8cm x 40cm. This means that it has room for more columns, and therefore you can fit more pods in – 56 in those columns.

That’s not all though, as there is also space in the middle of the columns for any overflow. You can get another 12 in there, meaning that you can fit 68 capsules in total. Considering these are larger pods, this is an excellent use of space.

The design of this holder is clever, because it really takes advantage of how attractive the VertuoLine pods are. These bright, bold colours really stand out on the tower, and as Nespresso still have exclusivity rights on the pods, you will always have these very attractive pods to put in the holder. They just look really nice, so why wouldn’t you want them on display?

This is the most expensive product on our list, which may not surprise you given the premium nature of the pods themselves. If you have a Nespresso VertuoLine machine, I think you should seriously consider buying this holder for your pods.

Check The Latest Price Of The Bagoo Pod Holder

TopBrewing Coffee Pod Drawer

Back to a drawer now, with this versatile offering from TopBrewing – a Birmingham-based drinking gadgets company that are constantly making new and innovative products for the beverage market.

This is similar to the Ever Rich product that we saw earlier, but with the main difference that it is compatible with all different types of coffee pod. The drawer has six different sections, all 5cm apart, meaning that you can fit any pod you like in there!

They claim that you can store up to 60 pods in total, but obviously this depends on which pods you are using. The Dolce Gusto pods seem to have the most ‘snug’ fit, but we tried a few different ones and if you stack them sensibly, they all fit nicely in there.

Of course, this holder also has the ability to fit underneath your coffee pod machine, meaning that you end up saving a lot of space on your worktop. Measuring 34cm x 32cm x 8cm, this is a product that will fit well in even the most cluttered of kitchens.

It is fitted with a non-slip rubber mat on the top to make sure that your machine doesn’t move around when it is making your drink, and there are silicone feet to make sure that it doesn’t slip around or scratch the surface that you put it on.

It is a very similar price to the Ever Rich drawer, so pretty standard for a product like this. It could be the perfect solution for offices that have a couple of different types of machine, as you can store different types of pods within it.

Check The Latest Price Of The TopBrewing Pod Drawer

Ever Rich Pod Tower

We complete our list of best coffee pod holders with this unique offering from Ever Rich – this one from their range compatible with Nespresso pods.

By this stage of the article I think you can probably guess what we’re looking at here – yes, it rotates 360°, meaning that you can access all of your pods easily. In terms of dimensions, this one is 15cm x 15cm x 40cm, which is pretty similar to the other towers that we’ve looked at on this list. This gives you a capacity for 40 pods, with ten fitting in each of the four columns.

The unique selling point of this one, for me, is the look of it. I really like the curved chrome wire, it has a look of simple elegance that seems to compliment the aesthetics of the pods, and my machine, on our kitchen counter. It’s such a smooth looking accessory. It’s really well made as well, so you can bet that this will last a long time without needing to be replaced.

Ultimately, as you will have seen throughout this article, the functionality of these holders is pretty standard – as long as you pick one compatible with the pods you use, it’s going to do the job for you. What you have to decide, therefore, is which one you think looks the best for your kitchen – personally, I think this one is a fantastic option.

There is nothing to put you off with the price either, as this is maybe slightly, but not very much, more expensive than the other towers that we’ve looked at. If you like the look of this, there should be nothing to stop you buying it.

Check The Latest Price Of The Ever Rich Pod Tower

The post Best Coffee Pod Holders appeared first on Ideal Grind.

The ability to make cappuccinos, lattes, flat whites, as well as the many variations of milky coffee drinks, in your own home rather than having to head out to a Starbucks or Costa and spending a few pounds every time, is a real game-changer.

While at one time a milk frother was considered to be a premium luxury item, the recent boom in the popularity of coffee has meant that there are now plenty of different options available, and at much more affordable prices. Having a milk frother in your home has never been such a realistic option.

There is such a wide selection of options, though, that it can be difficult to determine which one is the right one for you – but don’t worry. In this list below we will look at some of the best milk frothers available today to help you decide.

Before we get on to that, though, let’s have a quick look at what you should be looking for in a frother – if you want more info then be sure to check out the information on making the perfect froth at bottom of this article.

Different Types Of Milk Frother

There are a few different types of milk frother, and it may depend on how you make your coffee when it comes to determining which type is best for you. Many people with pod coffee machines prefer to make their own frothed milk, even though the Tassimo and Dolce Gusto machines can provide pods to supply your frothed milk. This can be expensive, for what is essentially powdered milk, so you might want a frother. The frothers that are easiest to use are the electric cylinders that you just pour the milk in and press a button – they tend to go hand-in-hand with pod machines, just because they seem to fit the concept of pod machines – complex drinks made easy.

Of course, these tend to be a bit more expensive, and you don’t always have the same amount of control – you get the same result every time, but little room for experimentation. There is also the option of the foaming wands/whisks, though, which are designed more like the ones you see on espresso machines in cafés and restaurants. You are in control with these, and can get the consistency exactly how you like it, but getting it right every time does take a fair bit of practice.

There are also manual frothers. These tend to be the cheapest, and they do give you plenty of control, but are much more time consuming and physically demanding to use!

Our 9 Best Milk Frothers

With all this in mind, let us delve into our list of best milk frothers to help you find the best choice for your kitchen.

Lavazza A Modo Mio Milk Easy Frother

The first milk frother on our list is this offering from Italian coffee giants, Lavazza – they’ve been making coffee and coffee related products since 1895, and have established themselves as one of the most reliable and fashionable coffee brands around today.

This is a great product to look at first, as it really shows you how simple things can be when it comes to frothing milk. With this gadget, all you need to do is pour the amount of milk that you require into the cylinder, pop on the lid and press the button (once for cappuccino foam, twice for latte/flat white foam or hold for three seconds for cold foamy milk). That’s all there is to it and within 20-30 seconds your milk is ready.

If you wanted to just heat your milk, rather than frothing, you can simply remove the magnetic whisk before you pour in the milk – that way the milk won’t be whipped around the cylinder, it will just absorb the heat.

The cylinder fits on to a small base, which is plugged into the mains – again a very simple design and process. There is a transparent lid, so you could halt the process once you have the desired texture, but to be honest, that is quite tricky to do so you’re better off just trusting the settings on the machine to get your optimum milk.

It’s not huge, which is great for storing it away in a cupboard, but it does mean that you only tend to get one cup’s worth each time – if you regularly make more than one or two drinks at a time, you might be better off with a larger frother.

I love the versatility with the different settings, and it is so simple to use. This type of machine tends to be more expensive, and that is the case here, but you get a really good product for your money.

Check The Latest Price Of Lavazza Milk Frother

Nobebird Electric Milk Frother

Another easy-to-use option for you now – this one from a company called Nobebird, a company from China that specialise in electrical gadgets.

First of all, before we get into what it can do, a little note about how this looks. I really like the traditional feel of this very modern product – it looks just like a normal milk jug at first glance, and then you see what it can do! The handle is a great feature, not just for the aesthetics.

The functionality is quite similar to that of the Lavazza frother above, in that there are three settings (you get Hot Milk, Hot Milk Froth and Cold Milk Froth here), and the jug sits on a power base which you plug into the mains. There are two separate whisks with this frother though; one on the bottom of the jug which does the frothing and one on the underside of the lid which does the heating.

You can froth up to 350ml of milk at a time, which is double the capacity of the Lavazza. This is great if you tend to make more than one drink at a time. It is still quite compact, though, so it is easy to store away when you’re not using it.

In terms of price, it is at the cheaper end of the scale for a frother like this – something I put down to the fact that Nobebird is not exactly a household name. It is a fine product though, and at the price, could be a good product to go for if you’d like to test the waters with a milk frother.

Check The Latest Price Of Nobebird Milk Frother

Dualit 84135 Triple Function Milk Frother

Next up we have another electric jug-style milk frother from kitchenware specialists Dualit, who are known around the world for their innovation and style.

As you might expect it’s another very nice looking machine – a more contemporary style than the Nobebird, with a stylish and sleek finish, it would certainly look at home in most kitchens. I love the handle as well, which not only looks great but it also gives you so much more control over your pour which is essential if you’re trying to create coffee art.

In terms of the functionality, as the name suggests it is another frother that has three settings – in this case we are looking at steamed milk, hot frothed milk or cold frothed milk. This is all controlled by the one button at the bottom of the jug – it is so simple to use.

This is the largest frother that we’ve looked at so far, with a capacity for 500ml of hot frothed milk. It’s great for dinner parties, as you can heat the milk and then take the jug over to the table for your guests.

This is towards the higher end of the price scale that we have looked at so far, but it is fully justified – this is a great looking accessory, that does the job well every time and is made by one of the most trustworthy brands around. Definitely one for your shortlist.

Check The Latest Price Of The Dualit Milk Frother

Bodum 1446-01 Latteo Milk Frother

Something a little bit different now from Bodum – the Danish homeware company that has built itself a fine reputation within the coffee industry since they were created in 1944.

This is the first manual milk frother on our list, and we feel this is one of the best ones on the market today. It is quite an unassuming little unit, looking quite a lot like a small cafetiere with the simple glass handle arching out from the cylindrical jug. It just blends into the surrounding area so would fit nicely into most kitchens and is certainly small enough to store away when it is not being used.

Now onto the fun bit – the frothing. All you need to do is pour milk into the jug and then plunge down with the handle to start the process. How often you plunge will depend on how you want your milk and what type of milk you are using but around 90 times should give you a nice, light foam.

Of course, your milk won’t be warm at this stage. This is easily solved by putting the jug into the microwave for 45 seconds, or so. The jug, of course, is microwave safe, as well as being dishwasher safe.

It’s a quick process, but obviously more physically demanding than just pressing a button. This is reflected in the price though, with this Bodum frother being available at a much cheaper price than any of the electrical ones that we’ll look at today. If you’re interested in frothing your milk the old fashioned way, this could be the one for you.

Check The Latest Price Of The Bodum Milk Frother

KitchenCraft Le’Xpress Electric Milk Frother Whisk

Another change of direction now with our first whisk – this from Le’Xpress, part of the KitchenCraft family of brands.

As you will have already noticed, this is quite a bit different to the other products that we’ve looked at so far. This is a whisk that you put into the milk, rather than you putting the milk into the frother.

It’s still incredibly easy to use, though. All you need to do is fill a jug with the required amount of milk, and then place the whisk into the milk and hit the button. There is a bit of an art to getting the foam absolutely perfect, and you may want to experiment with different consistencies for different types of milk – there are loads of instructional videos on the internet to help.

You get so much control over your drink, with a little bit of practice you can make it exactly how you like it. Obviously the whisk doesn’t heat the milk though, so it will need a quick blast in a microwave to get to the desired temperature.

As it is powered by two AA batteries, you don’t need to worry about plugs or charging it up. It’s easy to store it when you are not using it, and you can even take it away with you, either to the office or on holiday.

This is one of the cheapest products that we are looking at on this list, the price of around two cups of coffee at Starbucks. At this price, it makes sense to get one, even as a backup to a more expensive option.

Check The Latest Price Of The Le 'Xpress Whisk

Severin SM 3586 Induction Milk Frother

From one extreme to the other now, as we take a look at one of the most expensive milk frothers available on the market, this spectacular product from Severin, a German electrical product manufacturer.

This is something that really provides the Wow Factor to your coffee setup. It combines the ease of use that you get with many of the electrical cylinder frothers, with the control that you get from the whisks.

You can set the temperature of your milk to anything between 45-60 degrees centigrade with the Easy-Select rotary control – just turn the dial to your preferred temperature. You’ll also be able to see what stage you are at while it is working.

The milk jug insert is big enough for 700ml of hot frothed milk, which is much bigger than most of the competition. You can even open the lid and pop in some other ingredients during the process, such as chocolate, if you are experimenting with different drinks.

One of the unique selling points of this frother is the ability to make really nice hot chocolates from whole pieces of chocolate. I appreciate this is a coffee review site, but this is a fantastic feature and I really would recommend trying it out.

I have barely scratched the surface of how wonderful this frother is, but all of this does come at a price – this is much more expensive than any of the other products we’ve looked at. If you are looking for a milk frother to really impress, I’m not sure you could beat this one.

Check The Latest Price Of The Severin Milk Frother

SG Coffee Frother

Another handheld whisk now, this one produced by SG Coffee – another company that I hadn’t come across before looking at this product.

This whisk boasts ‘advanced power’ with 19,000RPM, which allows you to whisk up your milk incredibly fast – you can get a decent foam in just 30 seconds with the right milk. This is also helped by the fact that there is a double-headed spring-whisk, which again increases the efficiency of your whisking.

Like the other hand held whisk we looked at earlier, this is powered by two AA batteries, which again means that you don’t worry about plugging it in, and makes it incredibly easy to take away with you.

As a whisk, it is also incredibly versatile – it doesn’t just need to be used for making milky coffees. You can use it to make egg dishes, milkshakes, smoothies etc, just like any other whisk. It is really easy to use, and the handle is so comfortable to hold, you can whisk for quite a long time!

You get a lot of control with whisks like this, which a lot of people prefer. If you’re particular about exactly how to have your milk, a whisk might be the best option for you. While slightly more expensive than the Le’Xpress whisk, this is still much cheaper than any of the other products we have looked at on this list – it’s a great option for people that would get use out of a whisk for more than just their coffees.

Check The Latest Price Of The SG Coffee Frother

Swan Automatic Milk Frother And Warmer

Back to the more contemporary style of milk frother now, but from a well-established company – British kitchen appliance manufacturers, Swan who have been making high quality goods for over 100 years.

You can tell from the first glance that this is a quality, well made product. The classic stainless steel finish, coupled with the stylish light indicators  and matt-black handle give this frother a feel of the traditional and modern coming together.

In terms of performance, this is a powerful little unit. It takes just 80 seconds to turn cold water into warm, using the powerful 500W motor, and you can vary the temperature from the standard setting of 65 degrees. There are two attachments, one for frothing and one for warming, which you can use at the same time to heat and froth – just make sure that you don’t overfill, or you will end up with hot milk everywhere!

At a price point that is at the lower-mid range for a milk frother of this kind, I would say that this is an excellent option for you, particularly if you only tend to make one cup of frothy coffee a day, as it is quite small. Certainly one to consider if it fits your needs.

Check The Latest Price Of The Swan Frother And Warmer

SHARDOR Anti-Splash Electric Milk Frother

We complete our list of best milk frothers with this classic design from global kitchen appliance manufacturers Shardor.

I really like the design of this one – it looks like a little kettle, and would certainly look at home in most kitchens. The smooth curves give it a classic, homely feel, and the simple, crisp white colour with touches of silver and a flash of style.

We’ve looked at a few frothers that offer the three functions that this model offers – warm frothed milk, cold frothed milk or just warm milk. These three settings are triggered by pressing the button (once for warm frothed, twice for warm milk and press three times for cold frothed).

We like to provide you with options, so while the functionality may not differ from some of the other products, the look and feel of this Shardor product does – it is easy to use and comfortable to hold and pour (giving you more control over any coffee art that you want to attempt).

This is at the lower-mid price range of the products that we’ve looked at today, and it performs really well. I would seriously consider this if you are after a frother that doesn’t break the bank, is easy to use and looks the part. It ticks all of those boxes.

Check The Latest Price Of The SHARDOR Milk Frother

How To Choose A Milk Frother

Whichever milk frother that you end up buying, it will serve two main functions. The ‘frothing’ aspect is when it turns your milk from a liquid into a thick, creamy foam. This is often achieved by whizzing the milk around with a coiled whisk, or by pushing steam through it. This aeration process produces tiny bubbles that increase the volume of the milk, while at the same time making the texture much lighter.

The other thing a milk frother will achieve, is that it will heat your milk. A wise man once told me – “you should never put cold milk in coffee”. Basically, this is because cold milk will smother the flavour of your coffee, while also taking away a lot of the heat. It’s not just a case of bunging in any old hot milk though – milk starts to burn at around 70 degrees celsius, which will obviously affect the taste. The optimum range is around the 60-65 degree mark, this is warm enough to compliment the heat and taste of the coffee, but without burning your milk.

When looking at milk frothers, make sure that they perform well at these two functions – this is the minimum that you will require, and it’s important that they get the basics right before you think about other features.

Best Milk Choices For Frothing

Different types of milk will react in slightly different ways when you use them with a milk frother. Your milk choice may be influenced by diet or lifestyle choice, but there are so many different options these days, it’s important to spend a little time learning about what results you can expect from the different types of  milk.

If you are a dairy milk drinker, then whole milk is undoubtedly the best milk that you can get when it comes to frothing. Whole milk has the right consistency to give you a smooth microfoam, without being too heavy or creamy – it’s just the right balance. It is also the best type of dairy milk if you want to experiment with ‘coffee art’ – creating different patterns on the top of your coffee. While you can use semi skimmed, or even skimmed, you will find that the bubbles you get are quite large, and the foam has a more defined texture, so the drink you end up with isn’t quite as smooth as with whole milk.

There are plenty of non-dairy alternatives to milk – it is a market that is expanding at an incredible rate at the moment, with more people avoiding dairy for all manner of reasons. The best ones that I have found have been oat milk or almond milk. Both of these types of milk offer really authentic foam, they have the right consistency and texture to create a really smooth drink. You don’t have to look too hard to find ‘barista’ versions of these drinks either – these are specifically designed for using with a milk frother, so well worth seeking out.

Soy milk is another good option, but you may find it difficult to create much in the way of coffee art with soy – it just doesn’t quite have a strong enough consistency, but the taste is great. While you can use coconut, cashew or even macadamia, we found that these aren’t great when used in a frother, so I would recommend sticking with oat or almond, where possible.

The post Best Milk Frothers appeared first on Ideal Grind.

There’s always something else though, isn’t there? Something you haven’t got, that no desperate relative hasn’t come across while searching for a Christmas present (let’s be honest, they never get it quite right do they, as lovely as their intentions are).

Well I have good news, for them and you, because a knock box is the type of thing that you might not have, but also something that you definitely should! There are plenty available though, so we have compiled this guide to help you decide which one is the best knock box for you.

What Is A Knock Box And Do I need One?

Before we get on to which specific knock box you need in your life, I suppose we should spend a minute or two establishing exactly why you need any knock box.

If you don’t have an espresso machine, one that uses coffee grounds rather than pods, then you don’t need to read on – a knock box is not something you need at this moment in time. However, if you do have an espresso machine, a knockbox will save you so much time and hassle that you are really missing a trick if you don’t get one.

We’ve all been there (I’m assuming the non-espresso machine folk have left us to it by now) – you’re just about to empty the coffee puck, full of moist, used coffee grounds and you realise you now have to traipse through the kitchen, dripping coffee as you go. Not only that, but you also end up whacking the portafilter on the side of the bin to get as much out as possible – I mean, who knows what sort of germs you are coming into contact with there.

That’s no way to do things – you need a knockbox. A dedicated container that you can keep right next to your espresso machine, ready to receive your used coffee grounds. Not only that, but keeping all of your grounds separate from the rest of your waste means that you are able to distribute them all over your garden – coffee grounds are wonderful for many different types of plants.

Our Top 8 Coffee Knock Boxes

A knockbox is undoubtedly something that you should have if you have an espresso machine -it will benefit the planet and your kitchen! So now that we have that settled, let us walk you through some of the best coffee knock boxes on the market so that you can pick the right one for you.

Sage Knock Box Mini Coffee Grind Bin

Let’s kick things off with an offering from one of the most revered kitchen appliance brands around, Sage – part of the Breville Group who have been making high-quality kitchen appliances out of Australia for over 80 years.

This is a great place to start our list of the best knockboxes because it is just a classic example. First of all, it has a lovely clean stainless steel finish to it, which both looks stylish and is incredibly functional in that it can easily be wiped down and is incredibly durable.

It’s a nice size as well. Measuring 11.5×11.5×12 centimetres, it is big enough for domestic use, but without being so big as to prove a problem to fit on to your kitchen worktop. With its look and size, it won’t look out of place in almost any kitchen.

The knock bar, across the middle of the opening on the top of the box, is removable. This means cleaning is so easy, you just need to take it out, wipe it clean and then replace. Job done.

We have put this at the top of our list because it is a great base for you to begin your search – compare all the others to this one and you won’t go far wrong. As a lower-to-mid range in terms of price, this is an excellent option.

Check The Latest Price Of Sage Knock Box Bin

CUCINO® Knock Box

The next product on our list is this neat little box from German kitchen utensil manufacturers, Cucino.

There is plenty to like about this. First of all, it’s certainly big enough to cope with pretty much any domestic use. You will not be needing to empty this every time you use it, that’s for sure. Measuring 17cmx17cmx17cm, but in an oval shape, it is larger than the Sage product that we looked at above, but certainly isn’t large enough to cause a problem on your kitchen work surface – it should fit in nicely around your other appliances.

What is clever about this, is that there is an inside section within the aluminium housing which you can take out to empty and clean. This means you don’t have to lug the entire box out with you every time you empty it, but also, the inner section is dishwasher safe, so when it comes to cleaning it, you can just pop it straight into the dishwasher and go about your business!

There is also a rubber grip on the bottom of the box, which is great for when you’re really whacking the portafilter to get all the grounds out – you don’t want the box to be slipping away from you. As you would expect, the knock bar also comes off for cleaning.

This is around the upper-mid price range, but with the increased size and ability to take apart, it could well be the right knockbox for you.

Check The Latest Price Of The Cucino Knock Box

Grindenstein Knock Out Box

Our next selection is the Grindenstein – the flagship product for Australian kitchen appliance inventors Dreamfarm, who have been innovating and creating handy gadgets since 2003.

The entire company was born out of the Grindenstein. It really was one of the first commercially available knock boxes for domestic use, and nearly 20 years later, we can confirm that it has stood the test of time!

I really like the smooth, curved shape of the opening at the top, it’s like a huge smile! The shiny black finish is great too, it really looks like a nice piece of equipment that would look great next to any coffee machine.

Or, should I say, on any coffee machine. The Grindenstein has been specially designed to fit on an espresso machine’s drip tray, meaning that it won’t take up any extra room on your work surface. It measures just 10.2×10.2×10.2 centimetres, so won’t have any trouble fitting in – although obviously this does mean that you may end up emptying it quite often.

On emptying though, a nice little touch from Dreamfarm is that you get a little booklet which details how to use coffee grinds as a natural fertiliser – it’s nothing that you couldn’t find on the internet, but it’s handy to have there.

This is one of the cheapest products that we’re looking at today, and while it is small, it does everything that you could possibly want from a coffee knock box.

Check The Latest Price Of The Grindenstein Knock Out Box

De’Longhi DLSC059 Coffee Knock Box

Now time to look at a knock box from one of the most prolific coffee equipment producers in the world, Italian giants De’Longhi.

I’ll be honest with you, the main selling point of this product is its aesthetics. It looks great. The circular shape and the stainless steel finish give it a sense of style and class, while the large knock bar gives a certain no-nonsense toughness, which is quite reassuring in a product that you’re going to be smashing with a heavy piece of metal!

While the focus is on the looks, we should also note that it does a great job. It’s a little bigger than many of the other products that we’ve looked at today, measuring 14.3×11.3×15.5 centimetres, so while it may not fit onto the drip tray of your espresso machine, you will find that it won’t fill up too quickly.

My guess, though, is that if you like the look of the De’Longhi DLSC059 Coffee Knock Box, you’re going to buy it. With a name like De’Longhi, you can be pretty sure that it’s going to do a good job, so it really just comes down to how it looks. Personally, I think that this passes the test with flying colours.

Check The Latest Price Of De'Longhi Knock Box

Coffee Knock Box Non-Slip Coffee Grounds Container

I usually introduce each product with a line about the company that has made it, but this non-slip knockbox is completely unbranded – so I guess we should just get straight into the product itself…

It looks very simple, which I don’t see as a bad thing. While you may want to make a feature of some of the other products on our list, this one will do nothing more for your kitchen than just blend into the background. And for a lot of people, that’s all they’ll want from a knockbox.

It basically can do everything that you could possibly want it to do. It’s made of ‘ABS material’ which is claimed to be “environmentally friendly, non-toxic, durable”. It’s dishwasher safe, so you don’t need to spend time cleaning it. The non-slip rubber bottom is a handy addition as it means you can have full confidence that it’s not going to move when you’re hammering the portafilter against it.

In short, this is a really useful item to have in your kitchen. It is also, as you have probably guessed, one of the cheapest items that we’re looking at, so if you’re just after something to do the job, this could be the one for you.

Check The Latest Price Of The Coffee Knock Box

Oranlife Espresso Knock Box

Over to China now, as we look at another budget option from Oranlife.

To be perfectly honest with you, there is very little to separate this knockbox from the previous one on our list, but we feel duty bound to offer you as many different options as possible, for as many different budgets.

The design is very similar, a nice, plain black oval that would look at home in any kitchen. Again, it is dishwasher safe which makes your life easier, and it is non-slip, which is reassuring.

Measuring 13.4×13.4x13cm it is a decent size – big enough so that you don’t spend a lot of time emptying, but without imposing itself on your kitchen counter. A happy medium.

Some may see the plastic body as a disadvantage, when compared to the stainless steel that some of the others are made out of, but it does have the benefit of not being as noisy when you are emptying the portafilter.

As another one of the cheaper options, I think this is perfect if you are unsure whether you need a knock box – give this a try, I’m pretty sure you won’t regret it.

Check The Latest Price Of The Oranlife Knock Box

Motta Stainless Steel 7750 Knock Box

Something a little different now as we look at a knock box from one of Italy’s premiere steel manufacturers, Motta.

As you would expect, we’re looking at a quality stainless steel unit here, which just glistens and oozes with class. It’s a lovely thing to have in your kitchen, and wouldn’t look out of place in the trendiest of coffee shops.

It does the job perfectly as well. It’s well built with a shock-absorbing, non-slip rubber ring around the base. There is nothing welded together, so not a lot can go wrong with it. With dimensions of 14.5×10.5×10.5 centimetres, this is big enough so that you’ll only need to empty it once or twice a week, depending on how many espressos you get through.

This is another knockbox that I would describe as ‘a feature’ for your kitchen – something that you would have out in view rather than hidden away under your espresso machine. If that is something you are looking for in your knockbox this could be the one for you, even with the slightly higher price tag.

Check The Latest Price Of The Motta Knock Box

Cafemasy Espresso Coffee Knock Box

We finish our list of best knock boxes with another budget option from Chinese company Cafemasy.

By now, you’ve probably got a little mental checklist of the features that you are looking for, so let me quickly run through what this can offer you:

As it measures 13.59×13.59×12.8 centimetres it is a decent size that won’t require too much emptying, but won’t impose on your kitchen space. The knock bar is removable and is coated with rubber, which is both shock and noise absorbing. There is a removable rubber ring on the base of the unit that prevents movement when you are using it and also helps with shock absorbing. It’s dishwasher safe and therefore easy to clean.

All in all, this does what you need a knockbox to do. It won’t let you down, and as another option at the cheaper end of the scale, it is a perfect entry-level selection for you. If you want a knockbox to just be a knockbox then I am not sure how this could be improved.

Check The Latest Price Of The Cafemasy Knock Box

The post Best Coffee Knock Box appeared first on Ideal Grind.