‎Amazon Basics ‎CG9403-GS-BS-B Electric Grinder - Review 🏆

AmazonBasics is Amazon's in-house brand that offers generic versions of common household items and electronics at budget prices. The AmazonBasics CG9403-GS-BS-B Electric Coffee Grinder is one of their most popular coffee grinders, providing an affordable option for home brewing.

This electric burr grinder has a sleek and compact design with a 150-watt motor and stainless steel conical burrs. It offers adjustable grind settings for various brew methods like drip machine, pour over, French press, and more. We'll take a closer look at the features and performance of this budget coffee grinder in this review.

Design and Build Quality

The AmazonBasics electric coffee grinder has a simple but sturdy design made of plastic and stainless steel. At 6.1 x 6.1 x 10.9 inches, it has a compact footprint that won't take up much space on your counter.

The plastic used for the bean hopper and grounds catcher is decent quality - not flimsy but not extremely sturdy either. The clear bean hopper lets you see how many beans you have left.

The stainless steel conical burr grinder inside is where this machine really shines. The conical burr design crushes beans evenly for a consistent grind. The stainless steel build prevents corrosion over time for long-lasting performance.

The grinder sits atop a plastic base that feels sturdy enough. There are rubber feet on the bottom to prevent slipping. Overall, the design is fairly basic but gets the job done. This is not a flashy, high-end machine but rather a simple, functional electric grinder.

If you're looking for a more premium coffee grinder design, check out the De'Longhi KG210. This sleek and modern electric grinder has a durable stainless steel body with silicone grip accents. The bean hopper is also made of stainless steel instead of plastic. And there is a digital display for easily controlling grind settings. The De'Longhi provides a more elegant look and feel than the AmazonBasics model.

However, the AmazonBasics grinder is significantly more affordable at around $20 versus $100+ for the De'Longhi. So if budget is a top concern, the no-frills AmazonBasics gets the job done. But the De'Longhi offers a more durable design and precise grind control for avid coffee enthusiasts willing to pay more.

In terms of size, the De'Longhi KG210 is slightly larger at 7.4 x 7.4 x 12.2 inches. So it will take up a bit more space. The De'Longhi only comes in silver stainless steel, while the AmazonBasics is available in black or white plastic. So there are some additional design factors to consider between these two popular electric coffee grinder options.

At the end of the day, the AmazonBasics delivers solid performance and grind consistency in an inexpensive and compact package. But the De'Longhi provides a premium stainless steel build, digital controls, and sleek modern aesthetics for more discerning coffee lovers. Choose based on your budget, counter space, and design preferences.

Grind Settings

The AmazonBasics electric coffee grinder offers 30 precise grind settings, allowing you to fine-tune the grind size for any brew method. The settings range from ultra-fine for espresso up to coarse for French press.

Adjusting between settings is simple - just turn the dial on the front of the grinder. The dial clicks between each setting, so you can easily count how many clicks to adjust from espresso to drip or vice versa. The grind setting is clearly marked on the dial as well for quick reference.

Overall, the wide range of grind sizes in precise increments gives you excellent control over the grind. You can brew any type of coffee perfectly with this grinder by dialling in the ideal setting for that brew method. The ease of adjusting the settings makes it simple to switch between grind sizes for different brews.

Having precise grind size control allows you to extract the optimal flavor from your coffee beans. Grind size affects the extraction rate and overall flavor profile. With 30 settings to choose from, you can truly customize the grind for your personal taste preferences.

Consistency is also key for great tasting coffee. An inconsistent grind with lots of fine and coarse particles will lead to uneven extraction. The AmazonBasics grinder delivers a very consistent grind across all settings. The precision mechanism and sharp stainless steel blades ensure uniform grinding for balanced flavor.

Compare this to the Salton CG1990BK which only has 18 grind settings. While still a capable grinder, having fewer steps between settings limits how much you can fine-tune the grind size. It may be more difficult to dial in the perfect espresso or French press grind with fewer increments to work with.

For cold brew, you'll want a very coarse grind to avoid over extraction. The AmazonBasics grinder can produce a nice and even coarse grind perfect for full immersion cold brewing. You have the full range from fine to coarse to optimize cold brew extraction based on your preferred brew time and flavor.

So in summary, the extensive 30 grind settings allow you to master any coffee brewing method. You'll enjoy delicious coffee with balanced extraction and flavor nuances from cold brew to espresso and everything in between. Grind size optimization is easy and convenient with the click dial adjustment and clearly marked settings.

Grinding Performance

The AmazonBasics coffee grinder delivers excellent grinding performance for the price. It has a powerful 150-watt motor that provides fast grind speeds. Most users report it takes around 10-15 seconds to grind enough coffee for 4-6 cups. The grind speed is significantly faster than many cheaper blade grinders.

The grinder produces fairly consistent grinds for drip coffee makers and French press. The consistency is not as uniform as more expensive burr grinders, but it gets the job done well for daily brewing. You can adjust the grind size from fine to coarse using the wheel on the side. The fine setting works decently for espresso, but very inconsistent compared to a dedicated burr espresso grinder.

The grinder can hold enough beans to grind approximately 4-12 cups of coffee depending on the coarseness setting. The grounds container can hold up to 5 ounces of ground coffee. This is a good capacity for home use.

In terms of noise, this grinder is about average volume for an electric grinder. It's louder than a manual grinder but quieter than many cheap blade grinders. The grinding noise is noticeable but not overly obtrusive.

Overall, the grinding abilities of this AmazonBasics grinder punch above its price range. It provides fast, capable grinding for daily coffee making with decent adjustability and capacity. The grind consistency and noise could be better, but acceptable for the low cost.

Ease of Use and Cleaning

The AmazonBasics electric coffee grinder is designed for easy, convenient use. It has a simple on/off pulse button that gives you manual control over the grinding time. The longer you hold down the pulse button, the finer the grind. Releasing quickly results in a coarser grind. This makes it easy to get the right grind consistency for different brew methods.

The grinder comes apart easily for cleaning. The stainless steel bowl detaches from the base, allowing you to wipe out coffee grounds. The stainless steel blades lift out as well, letting you rinse away any residue. The bowl, lid, and blades are all dishwasher safe too, for quick cleanup.

There are a few useful safety features. The grinder won't operate without the stainless bowl or lid properly attached. This prevents the blades from spinning if the bowl isn't in place. There is also a safety interlock switch that automatically stops operation when you remove the lid. The grinder has non-slip rubber feet to stay securely in place during grinding. An internal breaker cuts power if the motor overheats.

Accessories Included

The AmazonBasics coffee grinder comes with some useful accessories to make the grinding and cleaning process easier.

Brush

It includes a cleaning brush that is handy for brushing out any residual coffee grounds from the grinding chamber after use. The stiff bristles ensure you can reach into the nooks and crevices to remove leftover grounds.

Scoop

A plastic scooping spoon is provided to easily transfer beans into the grinder. The spoon has measuring markings on the handle from 2 to 12 tablespoons, allowing you to precisely portion out the amount of beans you want to grind.

Container

The grinder comes with a plastic grounds container with a lid. After grinding, you can place this container directly under the output chute to neatly collect the ground coffee. The lid helps keep the grounds fresh until you're ready to brew. The container has a 7-ounce capacity.

Pros

The AmazonBasics Electric Coffee Grinder has several key positives that make it a great value purchase:

• Consistent Grinds: The grinder produces very consistent grinds for drip coffee makers. The stainless steel blades generate uniform particles for balanced flavor extraction.

• Durable Build: It has a sturdy plastic housing that feels solid. The stainless steel grinding blades are sharp and durable for long-term use.

• Large Hopper Capacity: With a 4-ounce bean hopper, you can grind enough coffee for 10-12 cups at a time. The hopper has a locking lid to securely hold beans during grinding.

• Easy to Use: A simple on/off pulse button allows you to control grinding time. Just press and hold to grind beans to the desired consistency.

• Versatile Grind Settings: There are 18 different grind settings from fine espresso to coarse French Press. Easy to adjust the settings from the hopper.

• Compact Size: Its space-saving design takes up minimal counter space but can still grind large batches. Easy to store away in cabinets when not in use.

Cons

• The grinder can be quite loud when in use. The motor and grinding noise can be disruptive if making coffee early in the morning while others are still sleeping. Ear protection may be necessary for some.

• Grind consistency could be better, especially for espresso. The grounds are sometimes not uniform enough for precision brewing methods like espresso. Some fines and boulders can end up in the grind.

• The grounds bin is quite small. It only holds enough ground coffee for 2-3 cups worth. This means having to grind multiple small batches if making coffee for more people.

• No portafilter holder for direct grinding into espresso machine portafilters. You have to grind into a grounds bin and then transfer.

• The grounds bin can be tricky to align and lock into place properly. It may take some fiddling to get it seated and locked in correctly.

• Static can be an issue. Grounds cling to the chute and bin due to static build up while grinding. This leads to messy countertops and some coffee waste.

• Bean hopper capacity is quite small at just 5oz. Frequent refilling needed for larger batches.

• No option to adjust or set grind time. The grinder runs until you manually stop it leading to guesswork on grind amounts.

• The base is all plastic rather than metal or rubber. Slides around on countertops while grinding. Harder to keep steady.

Value for Money

The AmazonBasics Electric Coffee Grinder provides excellent value for money given its features and performance. At around £20, it is very competitively priced compared to similar entry-level electric coffee grinders.

The grind settings allow you to grind from fine espresso to coarse French Press, making this grinder versatile for brewing different coffee styles. It also has a decent capacity, able to grind enough coffee for 8-12 cups at a time. The stainless steel blades provide consistent grinding, even if not as precise as conical burr grinders.

Considering the price, the build quality and design are better than expected. The container and lid feel sturdy, and the base doesn't slide around. While mostly plastic, it doesn't feel overly cheap or flimsy.

Compared to other budget electric grinders, the AmazonBasics model stands out for offering comparable performance and versatility at a lower cost. Brands like Krups, De'Longhi and KitchenAid have similar entry-level grinders costing nearly twice as much.

For those looking to upgrade from manual grinding or explore electric grinding for the first time, the AmazonBasics grinder is an affordable option that outperforms expectations. While serious coffee aficionados may want a more expensive burr grinder, this model offers great value for casual coffee drinkers on a budget.

Conclusion

The AmazonBasics Electric Coffee Grinder offers excellent value for money for anyone looking for an affordable, entry-level electric grinder. It has a simple and compact design that still feels sturdy, and the stainless steel blades provide a consistent grind. The grind settings allow you to tailor the grind size from fine espresso to coarse French press, although the steps between settings are quite large.

The grinding performance is decent but not exceptional. The grounds can be a bit inconsistent at the finer espresso settings. The grinder is also quite loud. However, it is very easy to use, with a one-touch operation button and detachable grind chamber for effortless cleaning.

Overall, if you are just getting into home coffee brewing and want an electric grinder without breaking the bank, the AmazonBasics model is a solid choice. The combination of low price, simple operation, and good grind customization makes it a worthwhile option for beginners. More advanced users may want to opt for a grinder with more precision and grind consistency. But for basic daily grinding needs, the AmazonBasics grinder gets the job done.

Summary of pros and cons:

Pros: - Affordable price - Sleek, compact design - Easy one-touch operation - Detachable grind chamber for easy cleaning - Good range of grind settings

Cons: - Grind can be inconsistent on finest settings - Quite loud when grinding - Adjustment between settings is quite large