A spice grinder may be a small kitchen appliance. But it can often prove extremely helpful for both passionate chefs and people who are just starting to explore their cooking abilities. A dash of freshly grounded spices can add unexpected pizzazz even to the dullest veggies, that’s a fact!
But do you know how to pick a spice blender that works well, keeps the flavor of your spices, and it’s a breeze to clean up? Do you have any idea what features make the difference between the many different wet and dry spice grinder models on the market?
With this ultimate buyer’s guide and the spice grinder reviews roundup, you’ll get all the information you need. Forget the ads that tend to lure you! Or, at the very least, take them with a… grain of salt. Instead, keep turning back to the following information, anytime you’re looking to purchase a good quality kitchen grinder.
Best Spice Grinders
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Best For Low Budgets
1Wahl James Martin Spice Grinder
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| 4
Best For Higher Budgets
4Waring WSG60K Spice Grinder
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| 6
Best Overall
6Krups Coffee Mill Grinder
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Buy On AO1. Wahl James Martin Spice Grinder
- Dedicated pulse On/Off switch.
- Grinding chamber capacity of 70g.
- Compact design that saves space.
- Easily grinds dry goods.
This seed grinder from Wahl James Martin is intended for grinding both coffee and spices. It features the classical design, with a compact stainless-steel housing that encompasses a 150W motor and a 70g stainless grinding chamber. And it stands out as a very easy to use product that provides great value for the money and satisfying durability.
The black and silver color mix gives it a stylish look and makes it easily blend with most kitchen decors. And through it all, it stands out as a small electric spice grinder. For your convenience and safety, the lid includes a transparent window and features a safety lock-in. Basically, it won’t start unless the lid is secured in place.
Since it doesn’t have detachable parts and it comes with a cable tidy, setting it up is straightforward. You just fill the grinding chamber with anything you can think of, from coffee and spices to nuts. Put on the lid and secure it, then hit the On button until you get the desired finesses or coarse. A simple, high-quality kitchen grinder that delivers as promised.
Specifications
Pros
- Powerful enough for most dry grinding needs.
- Features high-performance blades.
- Facilitates a safe operation.
- Allows you to see inside the grinding chamber.
Cons
- Non-removable cup.
- Difficult to take out its top.
2. Quest 34170 Spice Grinder
- Grinds both wet and dry ingredients.
- Includes both flat blade and cross blade.
- Facilitates one-touch operation.
- Features a non-slip comfort grip.
Whether you need to prepare ground ingredients for recipes or beverages, this wet and dry spice grinder from Quest is well worth your attention. It has a great grinding capacity of 80g and a powerful 200W motor. From spice mixes to breadcrumbs and ground nuts, it can tackle anything you throw at it.
The spice blender comes with two interchangeable stainless-steel cups that you can attach to the base. The secure lead has a nice, clear viewing panel. And the outer case includes this soft, non-slip comfort grip that lets you grab it with ease. On the inside, you get to put a cross blade for wet ingredients, or a flat blade for dry ingredients, both included in the package.
While it doesn’t stand out as a particularly large seed grinder, it sure is heavy and, therefore, quite stable. What’s more, you don’t have to bother with searching for an On/Off button. Suffices to add some extra pressure on the lid, and it starts working instantly. It is just as simple!
Specifications
Pros
- Easy to use and versatile.
- Comes with a powerful motor.
- Includes accessories in the package.
- Designed with safety cut off & secure lid.
Cons
- A tad heavy.
- Some reliability issues reported.
3. Shardor Spice Grinder
- High-quality, multipurpose grinder.
- Includes removable food-grade stainless-steel bowl.
- Features a sealing ring and safety lock.
- Sits tightly on its collectable cord.
Mainly advertised as a coffee grinder, this SHARDOR spice grinder is, in fact, a highly versatile appliance. It does great work with coffee, but the same applies to spices, nuts, and even grains. The body, removable bowl, and pressure-sensitive lid make a great combo. And the 2-in-1 spoon with a brush included in the package is certainly good to have at hand.
Made of stainless steel in all the parts that matter, it comes with a sharp blade. Ready to provide quality, even grinding, suffices to press the lid to turn it on. Depending on when you decide to stop, you’ll get a finer or coarser grind. Either way, you’re in control.
Just to make sure accidents won’t happen, the spice grinding machine is designed with an easy and safe locking. The large capacity grinding bowl can stash up to 80g at once, and the seal ring at its bottom helps you avoid unwanted splashes. Easy and safe to use, it is delivered nicely packaged, with lots of extras, and proves to be reliable and sturdy.
Specifications
Pros
- Grinds rapidly, within 8-15 seconds, as per your desire.
- Comes with a spoon & brush for easy operation.
- Easy to use, and even easier to clean up.
- Works on anything from spices to grains.
Cons
- High speed brushed motor can generate some smell.
- Cable could be a little wider.
4. Waring WSG60K Spice Grinder
- Commercial grade motor.
- Large, 650g grinding capacity.
- Includes two containers in the package.
- Pulse activation for fine grinding adjustments.
Are you looking for a spice blender? Something more than the standard wet and dry spice grinder for home use? Then this model from Waring, with a commercial-grade motor, can’t be overlooked. With a 750W motor and 20,000 RPM, high-performance could easily be its middle name. Just make sure that you’re really planning on grinding a lot, because the 650g grinding chamber asks for lots of spices.
Without a doubt, this is from the large kitchen grinder category. Its size and weight make it clear, along with the more technical specifications. Yet what will probably interest you even more is the way it was designed. So, expect for continuous ON operation and pulse activation as the main tools you have at hand to fine-tune your grind.
Also, know that you can use it for either dry or wet ingredients. And you don’t need to rely on the same cup for both of them, as the grinder comes with an extra stainless-steel container. Through it all, you can pour up to 15 cups of ingredients for liquid processing. And thanks to the sealed, clear-view lid, you won’t have to unlock the lid and check the consistency. It’s just that practical!
Specifications
Pros
- Extra-powerful motor.
- More than generous grinding capacity.
- Comes with a spare cup.
- Works with both dry and wet ingredients.
Cons
- A bit on the pricey side.
- Won’t grind small amounts of spices.
5. Cuisinart Spice Grinder
- Powerful and reliable motor.
- Above average, 80g grinding capacity.
- One-touch control for fast operation.
- Reliable 3-year guarantee.
Well known for the quality of its products, Cuisinart won’t disappoint with this seed grinder either. Built to serve the most common needs of any home kitchen, this small sized grinder can easily overdeliver. And it comes with an encouraging warranty, which will probably make you even more interested in getting it.
What you get is a stainless-steel kitchen grinder for wet and dry ingredients, with ultra-sharp blades. It should tackle even really tough nuts or spices. And it brings in an extra container, with its own lid, so you can keep separately and always fresh, whatever you’re grinding.
When you opt for this model, you can expect nothing but a simple, one-touch operation. You’ll get the consistency you’re looking for in just a few seconds. You can check it out through the transparent lid. And if you’re really done, you can easily throw it in the dishwasher. Simple all the way!
Specifications
Pros
- Budget-friendly option.
- Makes operation a breeze.
- Comes with ultra-sharp stainless-steel blades.
- Includes an extra container in the package.
Cons
- Fixed blade.
- Might occasionally leak liquid.
6. Krups Coffee Mill Grinder
- Superior choice, especially for coffee grinding.
- Twin stainless-steel blades.
- 75 g grinding capacity.
- Reliable and powerful motor.
Krups’ small spice grinder should work brilliantly with a lot more than coffee, despite being specifically advertised for it. You’ll see it comes with a reliable motor and that it is super easy to use. If you’re particularly getting it for coffee, the recipe book of coffee drinks included in the package should get you even more excited about it.
Otherwise, you can consider using it for spices, nuts, or herbs. The twin stainless steel blades from its cup start grinding at the simple push of a button. And the safety switch brings extra security to the table, something you’d want to have from your grinder.
As an easy-to-use grinder with an ergonomic design, it puts its single speed and two blades at good use. Next to ease of use, the value for the money and its blending power are most praised. If you feel surprised by its lightweight body, note that it is made of plastic.
Specifications
Pros
- Perfect for many different ingredients.
- Simple operation with safety features.
- Twin blades for effective grinding.
- Includes a recipe book in the package.
Cons
- Cable is a tad on the short side.
- Could use a larger capacity for coffee grinding.
Spice Grinder Buying Guide
Size
The size of a spice grinder may refer to the product as a whole, or to its grinding capacity. The size of the product could make a difference if you have a small kitchen or if you’re planning on taking your grinder with you when traveling. The grinding capacity is obviously essential, as it will determine how much you can grind at once.
You’d better think twice about the second aspect. If it’s too small, you’ll have to ground your spices in several rounds. When you’re cooking for more persons at once and you need more spices, it can easily get frustrating. But if you’re getting it too large, you might discover you need to pour more spices than you intend to use, so that you can have enough for the grinder to work optimally.
Large or Small Grinder
A really large kitchen grinder for residential use can measure around 15 x 20 x 30 cm and weigh about 2.5kg. A grinding capacity of up to 650g is reasonable for such a large model. At the opposite pole, you can find a small grinder sized at 10 x 10 x 20 cm. You’ll notice how most spice grinder reviews focus on small products weighing approximately 600g, with a 70-80g grinding capacity.
Power
The effectiveness of any electric spice grinder has a lot to do with its motor capabilities. You’ll see how, with most of the grinders designed for home use, a 200W motor is the norm. This configuration will give an appliance just enough kick to handle a wide range of ingredients and textures.
There are smaller motors, too, around 150W. Those are also efficient, though they might come with some limitations regarding how long you can run the spice grinding machine without pause. As expected, the larger the grinder, the powerful its motor, going up to 750W with the top-rated commercial models.
Speed
The operation speed of a spice blender is a tricky thing. On one hand, you would probably want your spices ready to sprinkle on food in an instant. On the other hand, you also want them to be as fresh and flavorful as possible. Problem is, however, that a grinder designed to work at super high speed will also heat up your spices more than you’d like to.
So, what you gain in terms of speed could bring you losses in terms of flavor. However, you shouldn’t worry too much about it. A red flag that a seed grinder is probably running at a speed higher than you’d want to, is if it overheats within seconds. If you have to turn it off and let it cool down a few minutes before using it again, something is not right.
Blade
You’ll want your spice grinder to come with a stainless-steel blade. Such blades are the best for handling even though spices and nuts. The sharper it is, the better, but the way it is designed and placed inside the cup can also prove important. The blade can become duller over time, so just use knife sharpening tools to always keep it in top form!
The blade has to be optimally positioned compared to the bottom of the cup. If the gap between the two is too high, you’ll find pieces of larger spices or even nuts trapped inside. And it will be a pain to clean it up. To make sure your model has the right blade design, always check out the spice grinder reviews that other buyers are leaving.
Versatility
The more different utilities your spice grinding machine has, the more often you’ll use it. If you do your research, you’ll be surprised to notice that some spice grinders are just for spices. Whereas others can coarse coffee, too. And there are even wet and dry spice grinder options.
Some people like to add seeds in their diet, seeds that need to be soaked before consumption, and a seed grinder that works with wet ingredients will come in handy. If you’re not the type, it’s ok, but if you have the chance to pick a grinder with a broader use, you might want to give it a good thought!
Design
So, most spice grinders have an engine, with a bowl with blades, and lid on top of it. What could you possibly look for in terms of design? To your surprise, there are so many small details that can make a world of difference. Wait until you discover you can’t use your spice grinder anywhere you need because of its short power cord. Or wait until it starts sliding on your kitchen counter…
In a nutshell, the best spice grinder has a nicely sized power cord and skid-resistant feet. Check if it has removable parts, so you can clean it up easier. And make sure it has a transparent lid, so you can take a peek inside much easier. Smart overheat protection for the motor is also nice to have!
Our Verdict
From a distance, most spice grinders look the same. But if you take the time to go over their features in detail, you’ll be astonished with the findings. Even if they simply involve pushing a button and waiting for the grinder to do its work, many details can influence what you’re getting out of it.
By now, you should know what is the optimal power and what are the top make it or break it points when shopping for a spice grinder. Most residential use models are quite accessible. But there are also some commercial-grade spice grinders you might really want to have in your home.
If you’re truly passionate about grinding, consider a model that comes with interchangeable cups. That way, your freshly grounded coffee will never be contained with spices. And your spices will keep their authentic flavor, too.
