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There's nothing like a freshly-brewed cup of coffee to wake you up in the mornings.
But what if you're tired of the usual swill? What if you're looking for a deeper, bolder or more flavorful mug? What if you want to create specialty brews at home that require the use of fresh coffee beans instead of pre-ground bags?
I've been there. I know the struggle.
In fact, this is why I started using the Bodum Bistro Burr Grinder.
Will grinding my own beans really make a difference in my coffee habits?
Short answer: It depends on your dedication to fresh coffee.
Some people want their java quick and hot, and they don't care if the taste is a little stale as long as that sweet, sweet caffeine is entering their system.
There's nothing wrong with this! Some people just aren't coffee connoisseurs.
On the other hand, there are individuals who are willing to go the extra mile for freshness in their morning mug.
This is the kind of person I am, and if you're reading this article, I'm guessing it applies to you as well.
If you want fresh coffee, you have to grind your own beans. It's as simple as that.
The oxidation process starts as soon as coffee beans are ground, so if you're buying pre-ground coffee in any capacity, your purchase has been going stale since before it was even packaged.
This applies to both luxury brands and discount grocery store bags, by the way. Any kind of pre-ground coffee has already started oxidizing.
If you want fresh coffee, you need a grinder.
You need a Bistro.
How does it work?
The Bistro is pretty simple to understand. After whole beans are loaded into the hopper, it uses stainless steel conical burrs to crush them and create coffee grounds. It's all done automatically with the help of an electric motor; you won't have to use any elbow grease. Not only will this save you some sweat, but electric grinders provide a more consistent grind than hand-powered ones, so you're getting the best of both worlds.
When the Bistro is done grinding, simply collect your fresh coffee grounds from the machine and brew them as you see fit.
Ta-da! You've made your own coffee grounds!
How do I use it?
Again, the Bistro isn't complicated. You don't have to be a professional barista to understand its settings and controls.
In fact, I'd even go as far as saying that the Bistro is newbie-friendly. There are only a few buttons that you need to know, and while advanced settings exist, you can ignore them unless you need them.
The biggest button is the on/off switch. It's a simple one-touch affair located on the side of the machine that lights up when pressed, so it's dummy-proof.
The top controls are a bit more complicated. Here's a rundown:
- An adjustable ring around the hopper will let you choose between 12 grind settings. Whether you want something very fine or very coarse, the Bistro can make it happen.
- An adjustable timer will let you control the length of the grind. It's a pre-set dial, so you'll have to choose a time between 1-20 seconds, but you can move it freely within that range rather than at fixed intervals.
- Another push button will start the grinding process.
How will it look in my kitchen?
One of the most attractive things about the Bistro is that it won't take up a lot of counter space. Measuring 7.6 x 7.1 x 12.5 inches and weighing 4.71 pounds, it's a relatively compact machine with a top-loaded design that won't crowd out your blenders and toasters.
As for its parts, they're a mix of glass, plastic, rubber and stainless steel. There's a friction clutch at the bottom of the base to keep it from slipping and sliding around.
The Bistro is also available in multiple colors if you have a preference for that sort of thing. You can choose between red, black, white, chrome, copper and "shiny" copper.
Regardless of your color choice, the buttons will always be clearly contrasted with the rest of the machine. For example, a black Bistro will have red buttons while a red Bistro will have black buttons. You'll appreciate the thoughtfulness of this design when it's 5AM and you're desperately pawing at your grinder to make it deliver some much-needed caffeine.
What makes the Bistro different from other grinders?
I'm glad you asked! This is where I get to geek out over the Bistro's special features, so buckle up.
The single biggest reason that I love the Bistro is because of its "catcher," or the place where the coffee goes after it's ground. The Bistro's catcher is made of borosilicate glass with a no-spill silicone lid, and this really reduces the amount of static that comes into play.
If you aren't aware, static electricity can be a problem for some grinders. The beans collect a kind of static charge as they're crushed and pushed through the burrs, and if the grinder hasn't been designed to deal with that, the coffee grounds might literally jump out of the catcher when it's opened. The end result is a lot of mess and a lot of wasted coffee.
The Bistro laughs in the face of such a calamity. Its glass catcher dispels the majority of static electricity on contact, and its tight lid keeps the rest from building up and becoming a problem.
Also Read: Best Coffee Grinder Reviews
I've used the Bistro for three weeks now, and I've only had to deal with one morning of jumpy coffee. It honestly feels like a little coffee miracle. I can count on one hand the number of grinders that haven't given me static electricity problems, and none of them were as good as the Bistro in other aspects, so I'd definitely recommend this product if you want high-quality coffee grounds that won't make a bid for freedom as soon as you open their lid.
What else do I need to know?
Let's break down the pros and cons of the Bistro.
Things We Like
Things We Didn't Like
So, should I buy it?
My final verdict on the Bodum Bistro Burr Grinder is that it's worth a try, especially if you're a newbie looking for a basic machine without a lot of bells and whistles.
No matter what kind of coffee beans that you're buying, the Bistro will grind them without fuss, mess or stress. I've been using it almost a month now without any major hiccups.
It isn't a flawless machine. As I've pointed out, there are some drawbacks to investing in the Bistro as a long-term appliance. It might also present a problem for people who don't have a lot of time to maintain their grinders.
All things considered, however, the Bistro should suit most people in most homes. It certainly suits me!
Hi Dennies,
Thanks for thai review. I was wondering how it holds up in terms of grinding for espresso – specifically a moka pot. One review I found mentioned that it grinds particularly well for French Press so I’m wondering how it handles the finer grinds. Any experience or feedback you can provide? Thanks in advance.