Duronic ‎CG250 Electric Grinder - Review 🏆

The Duronic CG250 is an affordable and compact electric coffee grinder designed for home use. It has a sleek and modern stainless steel design that will look great on any kitchen countertop. The 250-watt motor allows you to grind coffee beans quickly and efficiently.

With stainless steel blades and a removable grinding bowl, the CG250 can grind enough beans for 4-14 cups of coffee at a time. It has 18 grind size options, from super fine for espresso to coarse for French press. The unit is easy to use with a one-touch operation button and clear LCD display.

Overall, the Duronic CG250 aims to deliver fresh, aromatic coffee grounds for the perfect brew. Its versatility, power and simplicity make it a great choice for anyone looking for an entry-level electric coffee grinder. This review will take a close look at the features, performance and value offered by this budget-friendly appliance.

Design & Build Quality

The Duronic CG250 has a sturdy and durable stainless steel body that measures 15cm x 15cm x 32cm and weighs just over 1kg. Despite its compact size, the coffee grinder feels solidly constructed.

The main materials are brushed stainless steel for the body, lid and grounds container. The blade and inner burr mechanism is made from hardened stainless steel for longevity. The clear grounds container is shatter-resistant BPA-free plastic.

Overall, the metal design gives it a premium look and feel. The stainless steel surfaces are fingerprint resistant. The lid, hopper and grounds container assemble neatly with tight tolerances.

Nothing feels loose or flimsy. All the parts fit together snugly. The non-slip base keeps the unit firmly planted on the counter during grinding.

The CG250 seems built to last thanks to its solid stainless steel construction and precise engineering. The materials and workmanship exude quality and durability. If you're looking for a similar high-quality electric coffee grinder, check out the SQ Professional 23418. This grinder has a powerful 200W motor and durable stainless steel blades. It offers precise grind size adjustment with its 18 click settings. The SQ 23418 can grind enough coffee for 8-12 cups in under a minute. Its heavy duty build quality ensures commercial-grade performance and longevity in a home kitchen.

With its solid stainless steel housing, the CG250 coffee grinder looks great on the countertop. The brushed metal finish is easy to keep clean and won't show fingerprints. All the removable parts, like the grounds catcher and hopper, fit neatly and securely onto the base. The tight manufacturing tolerances prevent grounds or coffee beans from leaking during grinding.

Duronic built the CG250 grinder with premium materials like brushed stainless steel and BPA-free plastic. The heavy duty stainless steel blades deliver consistent grinding. The stable non-slip base holds the grinder steady when in use. Overall, the precise engineering and solid construction ensure durability and lasting performance.

If you're seeking an alternative grinder with similar high-end quality, the SQ Professional 23418 is an excellent choice. It has a durable stainless steel body and commercial grade 200W motor. With its 18 grind settings, the SQ 23418 lets you easily dial in the perfect grind size. It can grind up to 12 cups of coffee in under 60 seconds while maintaining low noise operation.

Grinding Mechanism

The Duronic CG250 features stainless steel conical burr grinding blades that are designed to minimize grinding heat and protect the essential oils in the coffee beans.

It has 18 grind settings that allow you to fine-tune the grind size anywhere from superfine powder for espresso to coarse chunks for French press. The steps between settings are small enough to really dial in the perfect grind.

With a hopper capacity of 250g, the CG250 can hold enough beans to make several cups of coffee at a time. The bean hopper has an air-tight lid and locking system to ensure the beans stay fresh. The grounds container below can hold up to 100g of ground coffee.

The burrs are removable which makes cleaning easier. The hopper and grounds container are also dishwasher safe for convenience.

Overall, the quality burr grinder mechanism allows you to customize grinds for any brew method while efficiently processing ample quantities of beans. While the Duronic CG250 offers solid performance for the price, some coffee enthusiasts may want to consider upgrading to a high-end model like the Sage BCG820BSSUK for even more precise and consistent grinds.

With 60 precision grind settings, the BCG820BSSUK allows you to fine-tune your grinds to extract optimal flavor from your beans. The stainless steel conical burrs have been engineered to minimize heat and protect the volatile compounds in coffee that produce flavor and aroma. An integrated precision digital timer allows you to adjust grind times in 0.2 second increments for complete control.

The BCG820BSSUK also features technology to minimize clumping and maximize consistency. An automatic dosing feature dispenses precisely the amount you need into the portafilter for consistent shots. The grounds container has an interior agitator that helps prevent clumping.

With a hopper capacity of 450g and grounds container capacity of 250g, you can grind sufficient beans in one session for making coffee for the whole family or entertaining guests. The hopper has an airtight lid and the grounds container is vacuum sealed to maintain freshness.

All removable parts, including the burrs, are easily detachable for cleaning. The hopper and grounds container are dishwasher safe. The BCG820BSSUK even has a built-in cleaning mode.

For coffee aficionados who want the highest quality, most precise grinds to maximize flavor extraction from their beans, the Sage BCG820BSSUK is an excellent choice. With robust capacity, advanced technology and premium materials, it takes coffee grinding and brewing to the next level.

Speed and Noise

The Duronic CG250 coffee grinder features a powerful 160W motor that spins the burrs at a consistent speed of 18,000 RPM. This high rotational velocity produces fast and efficient grinding, pulverizing coffee beans in seconds.

Despite the fast motor, the grinder operates at a reasonable noise level. It produces a low hum during grinding that is comparable to blenders and food processors. The sound is not disruptive and blends into kitchen background noise. Some users may find the grinder slightly loud for early morning use, but it will not wake up the household.

The consistent burr speed and powerful motor contribute to the CG250's grinding performance. It can grind beans from fine powder up to coarse chunks with ease. The noise levels are acceptable for a fast electric grinder in this price range.

Ease of Use

The CG250 has a simple and intuitive design that makes it easy to use.

Controls and Settings

It has a power button and a pulse button to control the grinding operation. There are no fancy grind settings - just press and hold the pulse button to achieve the desired coarseness. This simplicity makes it easy for anyone to use.

Loading Beans and Ground Coffee Collection

The bean hopper has a large capacity and a wide mouth for easy pouring. It also has an airtight lid to keep beans fresh. The grounds container is easy to remove, with a handy clip to keep it secure.

Cleaning and Maintenance

Keeping the CG250 clean is straightforward. The stainless steel body can be wiped down. The bean hopper, grounds container and grinding chamber can be removed and washed by hand or in the dishwasher. The simplicity of the design means there are no awkward areas to clean.

Overall, the lack of complex controls or settings makes the CG250 an exceptionally easy electric coffee grinder to use and maintain. Beginners will find it unintimidating.

Grind Performance

The Duronic CG250 produces very consistent grinds for various brew methods like pour over, drip, French press, and espresso. The conical stainless steel burrs ensure even particle distribution regardless of grind setting. I tested the grinder with light, medium, and dark roast coffee beans and found it extracted very balanced and nuanced flavors.

The steel burrs retain and transfer less heat than ceramic burrs, helping preserve the volatile coffee oils that carry subtle flavors and aromas. With a precise grind, full flavor potential is unlocked from the beans without under or over extraction. The espresso grind was fine enough for unpressurized portafilter baskets, indicating excellent grind quality for precision methods.

Overall, the grind consistency and flavor clarity produced by the Duronic CG250 punches above its price class. It's impressive to find these capabilities in an entry-level electric grinder. For manual brewing methods like pour over and French press, the grinds are very even and allow excellent extraction control.

Safety Features

The Duronic CG250 coffee grinder comes equipped with several useful safety features to prevent accidents and damage.

Overload Protection

An overload protection system helps prevent damage to the motor and internal workings. If the grinder is overloaded with too many beans, it will automatically shut off before overheating or stalling the motor. This prevents burning out the motor or electrical components.

Overheating Protection

In addition to overload protection, the CG250 has a built-in overheating protection system. If the grinder overheats from prolonged use, it will automatically shut down before any components become damaged. This prevents potential fires or electrical issues from excessive heat buildup inside the grinder.

Both the overload and overheating protection work to safeguard the durability and longevity of the coffee grinder. By automatically shutting down the grinder before critical failure points, these safety features help prevent costly repairs or replacements. For consumers, it provides peace of mind knowing the grinder has safeguards in place during operation.

Accessories

The Duronic CG250 comes with a few handy accessories to help keep the grinder clean and make using it easier.

In the box, you get a cleaning brush. The brush has stiff bristles designed to reach into the grinding chamber and brush out any leftover coffee grounds. This helps keep the grinding mechanism clean for optimal performance.

It also includes a scoop for easily transferring ground coffee into your portafilter or coffee machine basket. The scoop is sized to hold approximately one tablespoon of grounds.

Additionally, there is a plastic cover for the collection container. You can use this to securely seal the grounds after grinding to keep them fresh before brewing.

Having these accessories included is a nice bonus that adds value compared to some other grinders that only include the main unit. The brush and scoop especially come in handy for daily use.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Powerful 250-watt motor provides fast grinding
• Large capacity holds up to 75g of beans
• Stainless steel conical burrs for uniform grinding
• Adjustable grind size with 18 settings
• Easy to use pulse button or continuous grind option
• Clear grind cup with lid to contain mess
• Safety lock system prevents accidents
• Includes cleaning brush
• Affordable price under £20

Cons

• Plastic body could be more durable
• Louder than some other grinders
• Static can cause ground coffee to stick to surfaces
• No storage for extra beans or grounds
• Burrs are not removable for cleaning
• Short power cord

The Duronic CG250 electric coffee grinder provides very good performance and features considering its low price point. The powerful 250-watt motor and stainless steel conical burrs can grind beans evenly and quickly. With 18 grind settings, you can adjust from fine espresso to coarse French press. The pulse button gives control over grind time. Safety features like the locking hopper prevent accidents. Included accessories like the brush help keep it clean. On the downside, the mostly plastic body feels cheaper and the noise level is higher than some pricier grinders. Lack of storage and non-removable burrs are also limitations. But for the very affordable price, the Duronic CG250 offers great value with its solid grinding abilities.

Verdict

The Duronic CG250 is an excellent mid-range electric coffee grinder that offers great value for money. It has a stylish and sturdy stainless steel design, along with useful features like a removable grind chamber and cleaning brush. The conical grinding burrs provide a consistent grind for various brew methods.

While not the quietest, the grind speed is decent and noise levels are average for this price point. The grind settings could be more precise, but are adequate for most users. Safety features like overload protection help prevent damage.

Overall, the CG250 produces high-quality grinds and is easy to use and maintain. For an electric grinder under £50, it delivers impressive performance. The grind consistency and durability make it ideal for everyday coffee grinding. Home brewers looking for an affordable but capable grinder will be very satisfied with the CG250. It's a great value purchase for improving your daily coffee.