Cuisinart CBM-18 Programmable Conical Burr Mill

Last Updated on Sunday, 4 April 2010 10:42 Written by bjcoffee Sunday, 4 April 2010 10:42

The Cuisinart CBM-18 Programmable Conical Burr Mill is a good utility grinder. It is relatively quiet, makes even grounds, and is very easy to use.

The Cuisinart CBM-18 offers a few extras like automatic shut-off and LCD that made using the unit easy. You can set the unit to produce the correct amount of output, and it automatically stops once that amount has been ground. This is a nice extra, especially if you would normally find yourself watching the grinder to stop it at the right moment. The LCD provides feedback on the current status, which is pretty uncommon for grinders in this price range.

Ease of cleaning, however, is not the Cuisinart’s strength. Lacking any anti-static component, the unit’s brush does an alright job of removing grounds, but our team felt they spent longer than average on day to day cleaning.

In the all-important category of grounds produced, our reviewers were pleased with the 18 settings available for ground size. Due to the number of different settings, we were able to find the correct size for many different uses. The grounds were very consistent, and the final result–the brewed coffee–was excellent. As you would expect from any burr coffee grinder in this price range, there was no hint of burn in the resulting grounds, and the flavor was consistent and strong.

So, the bottom line is, if you are looking for a good quality grinder that does the measuring for you, and you don’t mind spending a few extra minutes on cleanup, this is a good unit.