Smeg CGF01PBEU Electric Grinder - Review 🏆

The Smeg CGF01PBEU is an attractive and compact electric coffee grinder that aims to deliver consistent grinds for great tasting coffee. Part of Smeg's popular retro-style small appliance range, this coffee grinder comes in a variety of fun colors to match your kitchen decor.

With stainless steel burrs and settings for everything from espresso to french press, the Smeg grinder provides versatility for brewing different coffee types. Its 150w motor allows for fast grinding, while the hopper holds enough beans for around 14 cups. This Smeg model is compact in size but offers useful features like a removable grind container and cord storage.

Overall, the Smeg CGF01PBEU brings visual appeal and solid performance in an easy-to-use coffee grinding package. This review will take a closer look at the grinder's design, grind settings, capacity, noise, ease of use and other key factors to help determine if it's a good option for your coffee routine.

Design and Build Quality

The Smeg CGF01PBEU coffee grinder features a sleek and stylish design that Smeg is known for in their range of kitchen appliances. It has a die-cast aluminum body available in a variety of colors including pastel blue, pastel pink, black, cream, and red. The dimensions are 15 x 10 x 18 cm, so it has a nice compact footprint that won't take up too much space on your kitchen countertop.

The aluminum body not only looks great but also feels sturdy and durable. The hopper on top is made of transparent SAN plastic which allows you to see the coffee beans inside. The handle on the lid and top burr carrier are made of chrome finished plastic which matches nicely with the die-cast body. Overall, the quality of materials used combined with the retro-inspired design makes this an attractive looking appliance.

Grind Settings

The Smeg CGF01PBEU coffee grinder offers 15 different grind size settings, providing a high degree of adjustability. The settings allow you to fine-tune the grind from ultra-fine for espresso up to coarse for French press.

There is a clearly labeled rotary dial on the front of the grinder that makes it easy to quickly adjust between the 15 settings. The dial has clear demarcations for each setting, so you can accurately select your desired grind size. The range of settings covers the full spectrum of grinds needed for various brew methods.

The stepless nature of the grind settings allows for precise tuning. You can make micro-adjustments between two settings to dial in the perfect grind you need. This level of control is appreciated by coffee enthusiasts who want to customize the grind to match their brewing parameters and coffee beans.

Overall, the generous number of grind settings and seamless adjustability gives you flexibility to brew coffee any way you like. The Smeg grinder can produce the ideal grind you need for espresso, pour over, cold brew, French press, and other popular methods.

Hopper Capacity

The Smeg CGF01PBEU coffee grinder has a generous 250g hopper capacity. This bean hopper can hold enough coffee beans to make around 12-15 cups of coffee. The large hopper is convenient as it reduces the need to frequently refill it.

You can fill the hopper with whole coffee beans and it will store them without going stale for a few weeks. So you don't need to worry about grinding beans every day. The hopper also has a lid to help keep aromas in and light out.

Overall, the sizeable 250g hopper is one of the highlights of this coffee grinder. It allows you to grind a larger batch of beans at once instead of small amounts each time. You'll spend less time refilling and have freshly ground coffee ready when you need it. The large hopper capacity makes the Smeg coffee grinder very practical for everyday home use.

Noise Level

The Smeg coffee grinder produces relatively low noise while grinding beans, especially compared to many other electric grinders. Users report it operates at around 65-70 decibels, which is quieter than a typical conversation. This makes it suitable for early morning grinding without disturbing others in your household.

The grinder uses a 150-watt motor which provides sufficient power for grinding beans without needing to spin at very high speeds that generate excessive noise. The grinding noise is smooth and consistent rather than high-pitched or jarring. The hopper and grounds catcher are designed to minimize vibrations and noise too.

Overall, if you're looking for an electric grinder that won't wake up the whole house when grinding beans, the Smeg is a great option. The smooth, relatively quiet operation makes daily grinding an unobtrusive process. Just be aware it may take slightly longer to grind a dose compared to a more powerful but noisy grinder. But for most home brewers, the reduced noise is worth the small sacrifice in grinding speed.

Ease of Use and Cleaning

The Smeg CGF01PBEU coffee grinder is very easy to use thanks to its simple and intuitive controls. It has a power button, pulse button, and grind setting dial on the front which are clearly labeled.

To use it, you simply add beans to the hopper, select your desired grind setting, press the power button to turn it on, and press the pulse button repeatedly to grind the amount you need. The pulse grinding gives you precise control over the grind amount. The settings range from fine espresso grinds to coarse grinds for drip or French press.

Cleaning the grinder is also straightforward. The collection container, hopper, and burrs are removable and dishwasher safe. Alternatively, you can hand wash them with warm soapy water. The collection container has a brush included to help clean out any ground coffee residue.

There is no need to disassemble the grinder when cleaning as the removable parts give you full access. Overall, the simple interface and removable dishwasher-safe parts make the Smeg very convenient and easy to use on a daily basis.

Grinding Performance

The Smeg CGF01PBEU coffee grinder delivers excellent grinding performance for the price. It produces very consistent grinds, which is crucial for brewing flavorful coffee. The stainless steel conical burrs grind the beans evenly without producing too many fines or boulders.

The grind consistency allows you to brew smooth coffee using various methods like drip, pour over, French press, etc. You can adjust the grind size from fine to coarse using the knob on the top. The fine setting produces superfine powder for espresso while the coarse setting is perfect for French press.

In terms of grind speed, this grinder is quite fast and can grind enough coffee for 12 cups in less than a minute. The 150W motor provides sufficient power for quick grinding. The hopper holds up to 150g of beans so you can grind multiple batches efficiently. Overall, the grinding performance makes it easy to get fresh grinds ready for brewing delicious coffee.

Price and Value

The Smeg CGF01PBEU coffee grinder has an MSRP of £149.95, which positions it in the mid-range price point for electric coffee grinders. At this price, it offers good value for the money when you consider the quality materials and construction, versatile grinding abilities, and pleasing aesthetics.

The all-metal body and quality internal burrs help justify the price tag and suggest longevity of use. While not the most affordable option, the Smeg grinder is very competitively priced compared to other mid-range electric grinders made of similar premium materials. It costs less than many comparable stainless steel models from brands like Baratza and Breville.

For shoppers looking for an attractive and capable electric grinder with useful features like a timer and multiple grind settings, the Smeg CGF01PBEU represents a solid value. It grinds coffee beans evenly and consistently for various brew methods. The price feels fair and appropriate when factoring in the performance, durability, and style that Smeg is known for. This grinder should provide years of reliable service to match its price point.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Attractive retro design that looks great on the counter
• Well-built and sturdy, with metal burrs for uniform grinding
• Lots of grind settings for espresso, drip, French press, etc.
• Generous hopper holds plenty of beans
• Quiet operation compared to many grinders
• Easy to use controls and clean
• Consistent, even grind for optimal flavor extraction

Cons

• More expensive than some other comparable grinders
• Grounds container could be bigger
• No portafilter holder for hands-free grinding into espresso machine
• Some clumping of grounds may require stirring
• Not great for grinding very small batches

Conclusion

Overall, the Smeg CGF01PBEU coffee grinder is a stylish and effective appliance that produces evenly ground coffee for various brew methods. The sleek retro design in a variety of colors will complement any kitchen décor.

The stainless steel burrs and 150W motor allow it to grind beans quickly and efficiently. There are 16 grind size settings to choose from for fine espresso to coarse French press grinds. The grounds container holds enough for 10-12 cups of coffee.

While not the quietest grinder, the noise level is reasonable and won't disturb the household. The hopper could be larger but works well for most home use. It's simple to operate with an intuitive control knob and keeps beans fresh with an airtight lid.

Cleaning is straightforward by wiping with a dry cloth or brushing out residual grounds. Overall build quality is excellent as expected from Smeg.

For those seeking an attractive and capable electric coffee grinder without breaking the bank, the Smeg CGF01PBEU is an excellent option I would highly recommend. It delivers commercial-grade performance and versatile grinding in a stylish package. I give it 4 out of 5 stars for quality and value. The Smeg grinder will be a worthwhile investment for coffee lovers who appreciate both form and function.