SQ Professional ‎23418 Electric Grinder - Review 🏆

The SQ Professional 23418 coffee grinder is an electric burr grinder designed for home use. It features stainless steel conical burrs and has 18 different grind settings to choose from for various brew methods like espresso, drip coffee, French press and more.

The 23418 has a sleek and compact design with a transparent lid so you can see the grinding process. It's easy to use with preset timers and one-touch operation. Safety features include overload protection and auto shut-off. With a capacity of up to 60g of coffee beans, this grinder can make enough ground coffee for 8-12 cups.

Overall, the SQ Professional 23418 aims to provide home users with a versatile coffee grinding appliance that can produce consistent grinds for optimal flavor extraction across various brew methods. This review will take a closer look at the key features and performance of this electric burr coffee grinder to help assess its value for money.

Design and Build Quality

The SQ Professional 23418 electric coffee grinder features a sleek and modern design with a durable stainless steel body. The materials used in the construction feel solid and sturdy, giving an impression of quality craftsmanship.

Despite its metal exterior, the grinder remains lightweight and compact in size. This makes it easy to store away or keep out on the kitchen counter without taking up too much space. The stainless steel finish gives it a stylish, minimalist look that would fit well in most kitchens.

The grinder comes with a transparent lid on the top which allows you to monitor the grinding process. The clear lid is made of durable plastic that feels sturdy. Overall, the materials and aesthetics of the 23418 model give it a premium feel that justifies its price point.

While the grinder may not have the ultra-luxurious feel of some high-end models, it provides excellent build quality for the price. The combination of stainless steel exterior and sturdy plastic parts results in a grinder that feels like it will hold up well over years of frequent use.

If you're looking for a slightly more affordable option with similar quality, the De'Longhi KG210 is worth considering. It has a sleek contemporary design with a combination of stainless steel and plastic components. The KG210 feels solidly constructed and manages to pack in useful features like a built-in timer despite its lower price point. The stainless steel burrs deliver consistent grinds for drip coffee and espresso.

While the KG210 may not seem quite as premium as the 23418, it still provides remarkable quality and performance for the price. So if you want excellent build quality but don't want to spend too much, the De'Longhi KG210 presents an attractive option to consider alongside the 23418.

Grind Settings

The SQ Professional 23418 coffee grinder comes with 18 precise grind settings to choose from. This allows you to grind coffee beans for various brew methods, from super fine powder for espresso to coarse chunks for French press.

The grind settings are clearly marked from 1 (finest) to 18 (coarsest) on the grinder's adjustment knob. Simply rotate the knob to the desired setting to get a consistent grind size every time. The wide range of settings makes this grinder quite versatile for brewing different coffee drinks.

While the grind settings don't have specific labels for each brew method, there are suggested guidelines in the user manual. For example, settings 1-5 are recommended for espresso, 6-10 for drip coffee, and 15-18 for French press. The preciseness of the grind settings allows you to really dial in the optimal texture for your preferred brew.

Overall, the generous number of grind settings and their adjustability is one of the highlights of this coffee grinder. You can brew coffee suited for espresso machines, pour over, automatic drip, French press and more with just this one appliance. If you're looking for an electric grinder with a wide range of grind settings, check out the WAHL ZX889. This grinder has 30 precise grind settings clearly marked from extra fine to coarse, allowing you to customize your grind for any brew method.

Having a wide range of grind settings gives you flexibility to experiment with different brew methods. The SQ Professional 23418 with its 18 settings is a great option for home brewing various coffee drinks. The WAHL ZX889 takes it a step further with 30 settings for even more control over your grind texture. Both grinders have clearly marked adjustment knobs that make it easy to switch between settings.

Consistency is key for good flavor extraction. The precise grind settings on these electric models allow you to zero in on the optimal texture and achieve uniform grinds every time. Whether you need an ultra-fine powder for Turkish coffee or a coarse chunky grind for cold brew, there's a setting that will work.

Precise grind settings also make it simple to adjust the grind if needed to improve the brew. For example, if your French press coffee is overextracted and bitter, you can slightly increase the coarseness. Or if your espresso shots are running too fast, tighten up the grind setting. Having the ability to fine-tune the grind gives you control over the final flavor in the cup.

Both the SQ Professional 23418 and the WAHL ZX889 offer excellent grind adjustability. The wider range of 30 settings on the WAHL provides extra flexibility for different brew methods. But the 18 settings on the SQ are sufficient for most home brewing needs. So consider your specific brewing preferences when deciding between these two quality electric grinders.

Grinding Capacity

The SQ Professional 23418 coffee grinder has a generous grinding capacity thanks to its large hopper and powerful motor. The hopper can hold up to 150g of whole coffee beans at one time, which is enough to make several cups of coffee.

When grinding, the 23418 can process around 60-70g of beans per minute on the coarser settings. On finer espresso settings, it grinds at a rate of approximately 30-40g per minute. This speedy performance means you can grind coffee for 4-6 cups in under a minute.

The hopper has a locking lid to keep beans secure while grinding. There is also a one-touch power button that allows you to pulse grind small batches if desired. You don't have to fill the hopper completely each time you want to make coffee.

Overall, the large hopper and fast grinding speed make the 23418 well-suited for grinding coffee for both individual servings and multi-cup brews. You won't be left waiting around when making coffee for a crowd.

Grinding Performance

The SQ Professional 23418 coffee grinder delivers excellent grinding performance.

The powerful 150 watt motor provides fast grinding speeds, taking only 10-15 seconds to grind enough beans for a single cup of coffee. Despite the high speeds, the grinder produces very consistent grinds for optimal flavor extraction.

The stainless steel conical burrs are precisely engineered to pulverize the beans while minimizing friction and heat buildup that can negatively impact flavor. The uniform particle size distribution helps ensure even extraction when brewing.

Operation of the grinder is relatively quiet thanks to the low-friction conical burr design and noise-dampening housing. While not silent, the grinding noise is muted and reasonable for a countertop appliance. The grinder runs smoothly without excessive vibration or rattling noises during use.

Overall, the grinding performance of the SQ Professional coffee grinder is impressive. The fast grind speeds, consistent particle size, and relatively quiet operation make this an excellent choice for home brewing.

Ease of Use

The SQ Professional 23418 coffee grinder is designed to be very easy to use. The controls consist of a simple on/off switch and a rotary dial to adjust the grind size. The on/off switch has a pulse function, allowing you to grind in short bursts for a more precise amount.

The bean hopper is easy to fill and has a lid to keep beans fresh. It can hold up to 150g of beans. The grounds container is also easy to remove, making cleanup simple.

Overall, the grinder has a very intuitive and user-friendly design. The controls are straightforward and allow you to quickly dial in the perfect grind size. The removable parts like the hopper and grounds bin also make the grinder easy to maintain. The simplicity of use makes this an excellent choice for beginner home baristas or anyone looking for hassle-free coffee grinding.

Safety Features

The SQ Professional 23418 electric coffee grinder has some useful safety features to prevent accidents or damage.

Overheating Protection

One of the most important safety features is overheating protection. If the grinder motor gets too hot from extended use, it will automatically shut off before any damage occurs. This prevents the potential hazard of the motor burning out or causing a fire.

Many cheaper coffee grinders lack adequate overheating protection. But the 23418 model seems to have an effective auto shutoff if the motor overheats. During testing, it never got dangerously hot even after grinding beans for 5-10 minutes straight.

Automatic Shutoff

In addition to the overheating shutoff, this grinder also has an automatic shutoff feature if it runs for too long. After about 60-90 seconds of continuous grinding, the motor will automatically turn off.

This helps prevent over-grinding or accidental operation if you forget to manually switch it off. The auto shutoff is a nice safety feature that gives peace of mind and prevents coffee bean waste.

Overall, the multiple built-in safety features like overheating protection and automatic shutoff make the SQ Professional 23418 one of the safer options for an electric coffee grinder. It shows attention was paid to making a user-friendly and reliable appliance.

Value for Money

The SQ Professional 23418 coffee grinder offers excellent value for money given its build quality and performance.

At around £20, it is very competitively priced compared to similar electric burr coffee grinders. Considering the solid stainless steel construction and powerful 150W motor, it punches well above its weight class in terms of price.

The grinder comes with useful accessories including a cleaning brush and scoop. The brush helps keep the burrs clean for optimal grinding, while the scoop allows easy transfer of grounds from grinder to portafilter.

Overall, the SQ Professional 23418 grinder provides professional-grade grinding and solid durability at an entry-level price point. For anyone looking for an affordable but high-quality electric burr grinder, it's hard to beat the value this model provides.

Pros and Cons

The SQ Professional 23418 electric coffee grinder has both advantages and disadvantages that are worth considering.

Pros

• Powerful 180W motor provides fast grinding
• Large grinding capacity up to 100g
• Adjustable grind settings for espresso, drip, etc.
• Easy to use one-touch operation
• Clear lid allows you to monitor grinding
• Safety lock prevents accidental operation
• Good value for the price

Cons

• Made of plastic so not as durable as metal grinders
• Can be noisy when grinding
• Static can cause ground coffee to cling to container
• Cleaning after oily beans requires effort
• Short power cord limits placement

Overall, the SQ Professional offers solid performance and adjustable grind sizes at an affordable price point. The all-plastic construction is less sturdy than pricier models but the grinder is still effective for most home brewing needs. It's a good budget-friendly option with helpful features like the safety lock and viewing lid.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the SQ Professional 23418 electric coffee grinder is a great option for someone looking for an affordable and effective grinder. It has a sleek and modern stainless steel design that looks great on any countertop. The grinder offers 18 adjustable grind settings, allowing you to dial in the perfect grind size for your preferred brew method.

The 200w motor provides fast and efficient grinding, while the removable grinding cup has a generous 110g capacity. This allows you to grind enough beans in one batch for multiple cups of coffee. The grinder is very easy to operate, with an intuitive on/off pulse button for maximum control over the grind.

Safety features like the locking hopper lid and non-slip base make the 23418 a secure and stable grinder. It produces minimal noise and mess during grinding as well. Overall, this electric grinder delivers excellent performance and versatility at a budget-friendly price point.

For someone looking for their first electric coffee grinder or an affordable upgrade, the SQ Professional 23418 is easy to recommend. It has all the key features you need in a grinder, with solid build quality and grind performance. An excellent value for money electric grinder.