Cuisinart DBM-8 Supreme

What it does well

It is cheap and simple. You set a grind position, choose from 4 to 18 cups on the slide dial, and press the power bar. Cuisinart says an electric timer shuts it off when the cycle ends.

It holds a lot. Cuisinart lists an 8 oz bean hopper and a grind chamber that holds enough grounds for 32 cups. Home Coffee Expert recommends it for large families or offices.

It is a real step up from pre-ground. Home Coffee Expert says the burrs give an improvement over pre-ground coffee. It calls the grinder a sound choice for casual drinkers and anyone trying fresh grinding.

Where it falls short

Consistency is the main weakness. Home Coffee Expert describes stainless steel block burrs, a flat style with raised blocks that crack the beans. It found fines at all grind settings, which stick inside the grinder and make the grounds uneven.

Static and noise are the next complaints. Home Coffee Expert lists coffee clinging to the plastic parts as a con. It also says the grinder "can be very loud," enough to wake someone nearby.

It cannot do espresso. Home Coffee Expert says even the finest setting is not fine enough, though it works for drip, pour-over and French press. It also finds small doses hard to judge, which makes it awkward for a single cup.

Who should buy it, and who shouldn't

Buy it if you brew a full pot of drip or a French press. It makes most sense when you are moving up from pre-ground or a blade grinder. It suits a busy household that values convenience over precision.

Skip it if you want espresso or want to dial in light-roast pour-over. Home Coffee Expert says it is not for precision or delicate coffees. Skip it too if you only make one cup at a time.

Home Coffee Expert also points it at budget buyers who want to try fresh grinding before spending more on a grinder.

If you are coming from a blade grinder, our guide to upgrading from a blade grinder explains what changes.

How it compares

The OXO Brew Conical Burr is another budget electric burr grinder. It uses conical burrs rather than block burrs.

The Baratza Encore is the usual next step up, with conical burrs and 40 stepped settings. If you might want espresso later, the Breville Smart Grinder Pro costs more, and BrewMark's finder rates it for espresso as well as filter.

Home Coffee Expert gives it a site rating of 6.0 out of 10, against a customer average of 8.8.

For a quick primer on why burr type matters, see the burr grinder entry in the glossary.

Owning it

Home Coffee Expert recommends cleaning it weekly because of the fines. The burrs unscrew for brushing, and the hopper and grounds bin wash by hand. See how to clean a burr grinder for the steps.

Our guide to reducing grinder static covers the usual fixes.

Cuisinart gives an 18-month limited warranty and sells replacement parts such as lids. Home Coffee Expert says the motor and burrs are not high-grade parts. It calls 18 months to two years of life reasonable at this price. Use the settings chart on this page as your starting point.