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FEATURES
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While a food processor or blender can often do the job, you may consider getting a coffee grinder if you brew daily.
Ever wonder whether the Brim coffee burr grinder is the right appliance for you?
In this Brim Handheld Electric Coffee Grinder review, we dig deeper into its specs, features, benefits, and drawbacks.
We’ll also discuss how you can get the most from this coffee grinder.
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Brim Handheld Electric Coffee Grinder Review
Brim is one of the trusted brands when it comes to coffee-making products.
The company has been making burr grinders, espresso makers, kettles, and similar appliances since 1961.
The Brim Electric Handheld Burr Coffee Grinder is a portable machine that features stainless steel burrs.
It has a clean and compact aesthetics, perfect for traveling or fitting in a tight space in your kitchen.
Who Is This Product For?
The Brim Electric burr grinder is perfect for coffee lovers who prefer a simple, easy-to-operate handheld grinder.
It also suits coffee-holics who are always traveling.
Since it’s light and compact, they can stash this handheld grinder in their luggage and stack it in their skimpy hotel room.
Moreover, the Brim burr grinder is ideal for small-batch brewing.
It has a chamber capacity of 30 grams, which is good enough for three cups of coffee.
If you’re the only one using the grinder, this is an excellent pick.
Otherwise, you may opt for a larger-capacity grinder, so we’ll discuss a few alternatives later.
What’s Included?
The box contains one handheld burr grinder and a power cord.
Unfortunately, there are no additional parts or accessories apart from the grounds chamber.
There’s also no cleaning brush included in the package.
Overview of Features
This coffee grinder from Brim is more of an entry-level machine that’s great for small-batch brewing.
However, it packs plenty of features that make it stand out from other coffee grinders of the same category.
Also, it doesn’t skimp on quality. This grinder is pretty solid, boasting stainless steel burrs.
Let’s dig deeper into its features.
- One-Touch Operation
Brim's electric coffee grinder uses a simple one-touch mechanism which makes it practical and convenient to use.
Additionally, the grinder's body is shaped so that it's easy to be held by hand.
What’s more, it has a silicone grip for added comfort.
- Grind Settings
The grinder features up to nine settings, from coarse to grind.
That said, you can use it for various brewing methods, from French press to espresso.
- Clean and Compact Design
The Brim's Handheld Coffee Grinder measures 3.46 x 3.46 x 9.48 inches and weighs just around 1.49 pounds.
- Slow Flavor Extraction
This coffee grinder by Brim is a type of burr mill, so it has two revolving burrs in between where the beans get crushed and processed.
This grinder uses slow speed and less heat to preserve the flavor of your beans.
Making the Most Out of Your Brim Grinder
Before using Brim’s Electric Handheld Grinder or any electrical appliance, you must follow basic safety precautions.
Thus, make sure the cord and plug do not come into contact with liquid.
Also, don't let the cord contact hot surfaces, such as a stove.
By the way, you should only plug this handheld grinder into a 120V AC electrical outlet.
Then, make sure you keep the following in mind:
Before Using the Grinder the First Time
Once you receive your Brim grinder, follow these steps:
- Unpack the Brim Handheld Burr Grinder and remove all the packaging materials.
- Hold the base firmly in one hand, and then grasp the ring with the other hand.
- Next, turn the bottom ring counter-clockwise until the tray door is closed.
- Pull the coffee tray out of the base.
- Wipe the grounds chamber with a damp cloth and make sure it's dry before using.
- Insert the coffee grounds tray back into the base.
At this point, your handheld burr grinder is ready for use.
Grinding Coffee Beans
To use your grinder, follow these steps:
1. Fill With Beans
Lift the upper housing to uncover the coffee bean hopper.
Pop in the beans; consider using a funnel when pouring in the beans, so they don't spill out since the bean hopper opening is quite narrow.
Also, keep in mind that the hopper can accommodate up to four scoops of whole roasted coffee beans.
Lock the upper housing onto the grinding hopper.
To do this, hold the coffee bean hopper firmly with one hand and the body in the other.
Turn the upper housing clockwise until the white arrow on the upper housing's bottom is in line with the solid circle.
Note that when the grinder isn’t locked, the beans will expel when you turn the machine on.
Meanwhile, to unlock the grinder, turn the upper housing clockwise until the white arrow lines up with the open circle and solid black arrow.
2. Select the Grind Size
As mentioned earlier, the Brim Electric Handheld Burr Grinder has nine grind settings.
To select your preferred bean size, simply rotate the base.
The first dot represents the finest grind setting, while the last represents the coarsest setting.
See below the suggested grind sizes for varying brew methods.
| Brewing Method | Grind Size | Suggested Grind Level |
| French Press, Cold Brew | Coarse | Level 8-9 |
| Automatic or Filtered Drip, Pour Over, Percolator | Medium | Level 3-7 |
| Mocha, Espresso, Aeropress, Turkish | Fine | Level 1-2 |
3. Plug the Unit
The power adaptor must remain plugged into the unit and the wall.
It doesn't come with batteries, so the grinder will not function when not plugged in.
4. Grind the Beans
Simply press the On/Off button to start grinding.
The grinder tends to move or vibrate when it’s turned on, so you need to hold it properly until you finish grinding your coffee beans.
The grounds will drip into the tray at the bottom of the device.
However, take note that the grinder will not stop automatically. You have to push the On/Off button to stop the cycle.
Since the Brim handheld grinder has a slow-speed design, it may take a few minutes before you can achieve a consistent grind.
Furthermore, this appliance has overload protection.
If the grinder suddenly stops working during operation, press the On/Off button right away and disconnect from the power source.
Allow the device to cool for at least 30 minutes before using it again.
Caring and Cleaning Tips
The Brim Electric Handheld Burr Coffee Grinder requires little maintenance.
Follow these steps to keep your unit clean and in good condition for a long time.
- Unplug the unit and detach the power cord from it.
- Remove the coffee tray out of the base. To do this, hold the grinder at the base firmly, then grasp the bottom ring with your other hand.
- Turn the bottom ring counter-clockwise until the tray door is in the closed position.
- Next, pull the coffee tray out of the base. You can wash it in warm, soapy water.
- Rinse and dry completely before using again.
- Wipe the exterior of the grinder with a damp cloth.
- Do check the grinding hopper after use as coffee grounds can collect there.
- You can remove excess ground coffee using a small brush.
- Store your unit in a clean, dry spot in your kitchen.
Alternatives
As you can see, the Brim Electric Handheld Burr Coffee Grinder is only suitable for small-batch brewing.
Cuisinart Programmable Conical Burr Mill
If you prefer large-batch grinding, we suggest you check out Cuisinart Programmable Conical Burr Mill.
Its removable grind chamber can hold enough coffee for 14 cups.
KRUPS Precision Flat Burr Coffee Grinder
On the other hand, consider the KRUPS Precision Flat Burr Coffee Grinder if you're after more fineness settings.
It's within the same price range as the Brim Electric Handheld Burr Coffee Grinder, but it features 12 grind levels, plus intermediary settings for precise grinding.
Also unique to this coffee mill is the quantity selection settings.
As such, you can choose from two to 12 cups with an auto-stop to automatically grind the exact amount you need for your brew.
Lastly, the bean hopper can hold eight ounces of beans, and the grounds chamber can hold enough coffee for 30 to 32 cups.
Breville Smart Grinder Pro Coffee Bean Grinder
If you're looking for something more sophisticated and have a budget, Breville Smart Grinder Pro Coffee Bean Grinder is another good alternative.
It features 60 precise grind settings, from coarse to super fine.
In addition, it comes with a Precision Electronic Timer that allows you to adjust the grind time in 0.2 second increments.
You can even grind directly into a portafilter or your paper filter if you like because, despite the large bean hopper capacity, you can set the coffee dose to the amount you need.
Is This Brim Burr Grinder Worth It?
After a thorough Brim Handheld Electric Coffee Grinder review, we can say that it is one good appliance you can depend on in your home kitchen.
Manufactured by a company that has been in the coffee machine industry for decades, you can be sure that you’re getting a quality coffee grinder.
Consider buying it if you want a compact and portable electric coffee grinder that's easy to use.
While it can be a bit noisy and slow, you can ensure a consistent grind without compromising the flavor.