Everything You Need To Know To Find The Best spice grinder pulverizer machine

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I couldn't discern a commonality in bowl height or shape among the high or low performers, nor did blade shape seem to matter. Some grinders had blades that flared up on both sides, while others had one side angled downward. However, the winning models shared an important feature: their blades were positioned between 8.5 and 10 millimeters from the bottom of the cup. This design prevented large pieces from settling below a blade that was too tall, such as in the Capresso Cool Grind Coffee & Spice Blade Grinder, which had arms measuring 16.6 millimeters high. Conversely, shorter blade heights were also ineffective. For example, the Secura Electric Coffee and Spice Grinder had a blade only 2.7 millimeters tall, which failed to capture the bouncy, pebbly bits while spinning. These inefficiencies caused both the Capresso and Secura models to warm up significantly before finishing grinding, which is not ideal as heat can accelerate the loss of aromatic compounds before the spice is used in cooking.

Removable Bowls Weren't Always Easier

Removable cups weren't always easier to clean, as spice dust accumulated in the crevices.

Serious Eats / Ashlee Redger

While some removable bowls made cleanup a breeze, not all made life easier. The KRUPS Silent Vortex (not to be confused with the top-rated KRUPS Fast Touch) had a blade that was loosely fitted, allowing a significant amount of spice dust to leak into the grinder's base. This fine powder became trapped in the angled corners and ridges of both the base and the lid, taking longer to clean than a fixed-cup system. The KitchenAid Blade Coffee and Spice Grinder was similarly difficult to wipe clean when spice particles ended up in its base (which occurred every time we tested it), plus its bowls had thin edges that were hard to twist off from above without risk of cutting myself.

Removable cup models also felt generally less efficient than fixed-bowl ones. Despite having a 10-millimeter tall blade and comparable wattage to the Mueller model, the Hamilton Beach Fresh Grind Coffee Grinder couldn't grind cinnamon as finely or other spices as evenly. Its short cup was also challenging to maneuver in and out of the base, and it retained spice dust and moisture beneath the steel lining at the bottom. The Cuisinart was the only removable cup model that ground spices as powerfully and evenly as the fixed-cup champions, albeit requiring a few seconds longer.

No Lid Was Completely Mess-Free

If you grind spices, expect to deal with some mess.

Serious Eats / Ashlee Redger

All grinders experienced some level of spice spillage, whether during or after the grinding process. For instance, the Secura model was among the tidier options due to its dual-lid system, which helped prevent powder from escaping. However, some seasoning still fell onto the outside of its base and the counter when I opened the lid to check inside. Even those models better at containing spice while grinding didn't exhibit significant differences in the amount of spice remaining on the countertop after I pulsed and opened them multiple times.

While spice grinders with clear lids seemed to provide the added advantage of visibility during grinding, this feature was not particularly beneficial. The lids quickly became caked with spice dust, obstructing any view of the interior. The translucent lids that came in contact with cinnamon while grinding also became opaque due to the potent oils in the cinnamon, which can slightly degrade plastics, rendering it cloudy. (Cloves can have a similar effect.)

The Criteria: What to Look for in a Spice Grinder

The best spice grinder should mill ingredients finely and evenly without becoming warm to the touch. Models with blades between 8.5 to 10 millimeters in height achieved the best uniformity and speed. Fixed-cup systems proved more efficient than removable-cup grinders, but a removable-cup model can be quicker to clean as long as the blade fits tightly into the bowl, preventing spice from entering the base. All spice grinders will spill some seasoning during and after grinding, but seek out models with fewer sharp corners or seams in their bases, bowls, and lids to simplify cleanup.

Our Favorite Spice Grinders

What we liked: The KRUPS set a high bar for quickly grinding consistent, fine powders, outperforming most other models. Not only did it efficiently ground pepper and fennel seeds, but it also completely pulverized robust cinnamon sticks into a coarse sprinkle after just 30 seconds of pulsing. It achieved a texture nearly as fine as commercially-ground cinnamon in one minute. Beyond its speed and power, the uniformity of its spice mixtures at each grinding stage impressed me. Priced at $20 at the time of writing, it is also budget-friendly.

What we didn't like: This was a fixed-cup grinder, making cleanup less convenient than a removable-cup model. It retained spice aromas from batch to batch, although this could be addressed by grinding white rice between spice uses.

Key Specs

• Dimensions: 3.9 x 6.5 inches
• Materials: Plastic and stainless steel
• Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Stated capacity: 3 ounces of coffee beans (approximately 14 tablespoons)
• Measured capacity: About 12 tablespoons (to rim); five to six tablespoons recommended for spices
• Wattage: 200 watts
• Care instructions: Unplug before cleaning. Do not immerse the grinder in water. Instead, clean the exterior and inside the grinding bowl with a small brush or damp cloth. The lid can be washed by hand with mild dish soap and warm water or on the top rack of the dishwasher on a gentle cycle.

What we liked: This lightweight, powerful model matched the KRUPS for performance. It efficiently broke down peppercorns into an even sprinkle, produced finely textured cinnamon powder, and only took one 10-second pulse to granulate fennel seeds. It retails for about the same price as the KRUPS, making it a solid alternative if the KRUPS is out of stock.

What we didn't like: Since it is a fixed-cup grinder, it requires wiping out with a damp cloth rather than washing under running water or in the dishwasher. Some ground spices became lodged in the seam between the stainless steel bottom and plastic walls, easily removed with a toothpick. The model I tested was white, which developed a tan ring around the sides after the cinnamon test. However, a baking soda paste cleaned most of the discoloration, and Mueller offers the grinder in other colors that would be less prone to staining.

Key Specs

• Dimensions: 4.4 x 7 inches
• Materials: Plastic and stainless steel
• Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Stated capacity: 2.12 ounces of coffee beans (approximately 11 tablespoons)
• Measured capacity: About 10 tablespoons (to rim); four to five tablespoons recommended for spices
• Wattage: 130 watts
• Care instructions: Unplug before cleaning. Do not immerse the grinder in liquid. Instead, use a small brush or damp cloth to clean around the exterior and inside the grinding bowl. The lid is not dishwasher safe, but it can be removed and cleaned by hand with mild dish soap and water.

What we liked: The Cuisinart was designed specifically for spices and nuts rather than coffee, offering a dishwasher-safe, removable bowl and lid that made it as easy to clean as to use. It ground spices quickly and evenly in every test. The grinding cup had a clear maximum capacity line to prevent overfilling and included a cover for storing extra spices directly in the cup after grinding. I loved being able to tuck the cord into the base after use for tidy storage.

What we didn't like: This model was pricier compared to my other two favorites and required a couple of extra pulses to match their performance. It ranked among the bulkiest models in the lineup, but its spacious cup held only six tablespoons of black peppercorns. It is worth noting that the user manual mentions it could be filled with up to eight tablespoons of spice. The lid features a seal along the top that is hard to access with a sponge when cleaning by hand.

Key Specs

• Dimensions: 4.3 x 7.75 inches
• Materials: Plastic and stainless steel
• Weight: 2.2 pounds
• Stated capacity: 90 grams for coffee beans; 1/4 cup for almonds; 1/2 cup for spices and other nuts
• Measured capacity: 6 tablespoons (to max fill line)
• Wattage: 200 watts
• Care instructions: Unplug the grinder before cleaning. The removable cup and lids are top-rack dishwasher-safe. Wipe the grinder base with a damp cloth (do not immerse in water).

What we liked: It was straightforward to choose and adjust the grind setting—there are six coarseness settings clearly marked on the grinder. The generous length and rounded wooden top made it comfortable to hold.

What we didn't like: It's relatively small and requires frequent refilling. After refilling, you will need to grind air for a while until all the peppercorns settle.

Key Specs

• Weight: 9.12 ounces
• Dimensions: 2.32 x 2.32 x 8.9 inches
• Materials: Wood
• Capacity: 35 grams
• Grain size settings: 6 presets

The Competition

FAQs

What's the best way to clean a spice grinder?

If your spice grinder has a removable lid and bowl, check the user manual to see if they are dishwasher safe. Otherwise, you can wash any removable parts with a soft cloth or sponge, warm water, and mild detergent. For fixed-cup spice grinders, it's easiest to dust out excess spices with a dry pastry brush, then wipe down the interior and exterior with a damp cloth. Regardless of bowl style, most spice grinders are not watertight nor waterproof, so don't add water directly to the bowl while it's attached or submerge the base in liquid. For stubborn stains and odors, try wiping the interior with a moist towel dipped in baking soda or distilled vinegar. For particularly stubborn aromas, grind two to three tablespoons of raw white rice until finely powdered and then clean the grinder as directed.

What kind of blades do spice grinders have?

Electric spice grinders, also known as blade grinders, feature two winged blades that spin around a central base. They are often compared with burr grinders, which cut ingredients (usually coffee beans) between two sharp-teethed surfaces. While we favor burr grinders for coffee, blade grinders are more suitable for spices due to their ease of cleaning, quick setup, and compatibility with small quantities.

Can you grind coffee in a spice grinder?

You can certainly pulverize coffee in a spice grinder (in fact, many blade grinders are primarily marketed for coffee use), but we prefer using a burr-style grinder for bean preparation. Burr grinders produce more uniform coffee grounds and allow you to set specific particle sizes based on your preferences and brewing method.

What are spice grinders best used for? Are they effective for larger spices?

Our selected spice grinders can pulverize almost any whole spice—from large chunks of cinnamon sticks to brittle dried rosemary leaves—in seconds. They can also make powders from freeze-dried fruits and dehydrated chiles, crush tea leaves or dried flowers (like hibiscus), and break small quantities of crackers and cookies into crumbs. Most electric spice grinders are designed for processing dry ingredients, so check the user manual of your specific model before adding nuts, fresh herbs, or aromatics that may release moisture while grinding. We recommend using a mini food processor or mortar and pestle for making pastes and herb-based sauces.

What's the difference between using a mortar and pestle and an electric spice grinder?

A mortar and pestle set is a traditional choice for pounding dried herbs and seeds and creating items like pesto, guacamole, and curry pastes incorporating fresh components and oils. In contrast, an electric spice grinder is typically designed solely for grinding dried ingredients. Spice grinders can quickly and easily produce fine powders, while mortars and pestles offer better control and adaptability over the final product.

Why We're the Experts

• Ashlee Redger has been reviewing equipment for Serious Eats since. She has interned at America's Test Kitchen, created consumer products and restaurant menus for national brands, and developed hundreds of recipes for home cooks.
• Ashlee has written many reviews for Serious Eats, including kitchen tongs and portable induction cooktops.
• Ashlee evaluated electric spice grinders by milling whole spices and assessed their ability to produce consistent, fine powders. She ranked the products based on attributes such as speed, loudness, and ease of cleaning.
• Sohla El-Waylly initially tested spice grinders . Ashlee continued testing top performers alongside a few new contenders. After more than six years of evaluation, the KRUPS and Cuisinart models remain impressive, while the Mueller HyperGrind is a new addition to our favorites.

The 8 Best Spice Grinders for Making Your Own Blends