Breville Coffee and Spice Grinder: A Blade Grinder Done Right

The Breville Coffee and Spice Grinder is a compact blade grinder designed for quick grinding of coffee beans, spices, herbs, and nuts. If you need a small, affordable grinder that handles multiple kitchen tasks and don't want to invest in a burr grinder yet, this is one of the better blade grinders on the market.

I keep one of these in my kitchen specifically for spices, and I've used it for coffee in a pinch. It's not going to give you the same grind consistency as a burr grinder, and I want to be upfront about that. But for under $40, it fills a real gap for people who grind occasionally or need a multi-purpose kitchen tool. Let me walk you through what it does well, where it struggles, and whether it makes sense for your setup.

How the Breville Coffee and Spice Grinder Works

It's a blade grinder, which means it uses a spinning stainless steel blade to chop beans and spices rather than crushing them between burrs. You load your ingredients into the stainless steel bowl, put the lid on, press and hold the button, and the blade spins at high speed.

Breville includes two separate grinding bowls with this model: one for coffee and one for spices. This is a smart design choice because coffee oils and spice residues don't mix well. If you grind cumin in the same bowl as your coffee beans, your next cup of coffee will taste like a curry. Having two dedicated bowls solves that problem cleanly.

The Grind Process

Grind fineness is controlled by how long you hold the button. Short pulses (2 to 3 seconds) give you a coarse grind suitable for French press. Longer holds (10 to 15 seconds) produce a finer grind closer to drip coffee consistency. Getting to espresso fineness is technically possible but not recommended, as the particle size will be wildly uneven.

The lid has markings for cup count (1 to 12 cups), which is helpful as a general guide, though I find measuring by weight is always more accurate.

Coffee Performance: Honest Assessment

I want to set expectations clearly. A blade grinder will never match a burr grinder for coffee consistency. The blade chops beans into random-sized particles, producing a mix of fine powder and coarser chunks. This uneven grind leads to uneven extraction, where the fine particles over-extract (bitter) and the coarse particles under-extract (sour).

That said, the Breville handles it better than most blade grinders I've tried. The stainless steel bowl shape funnels beans back toward the blade more effectively than cheaper models with wider bowls. And the blade itself seems sharper out of the box, producing fewer giant chunks.

Best Brew Methods for Blade-Ground Coffee

If you're using this grinder for coffee, stick to immersion methods where grind uniformity matters less:

French press: The long steep time (4 minutes) forgives some particle inconsistency. The metal mesh filter catches most of the larger pieces.
Cold brew: Coarse grind, long steep time (12 to 24 hours). Inconsistent particle size has minimal impact on the final brew.
Cowboy coffee / Turkish: These methods expect fine, almost powdery grounds. The blade grinder can get close if you grind long enough.

Avoid using blade-ground coffee for pour-over or espresso. These methods are highly sensitive to grind consistency, and the results will be disappointing compared to burr-ground coffee.

If you're considering upgrading to a burr grinder for better coffee, check out our best coffee grinder guide for options at every budget.

Spice Grinding: Where This Thing Excels

Honestly, I think the Breville Coffee and Spice Grinder is a better spice grinder than it is a coffee grinder. And that's not a criticism; it's just where blade grinders shine.

Whole spices like cumin seeds, peppercorns, coriander, cardamom, and cinnamon sticks grind down quickly and evenly enough for cooking purposes. Unlike coffee, spice grinding doesn't require the same level of particle uniformity. A few larger pieces in your spice blend won't ruin a dish the way they'd ruin an espresso shot.

Spices It Handles Well

Whole peppercorns (10 seconds for medium grind)
Cumin and coriander seeds (8 to 12 seconds)
Dried chilis (5 to 8 seconds, pulse to avoid overheating)
Cinnamon sticks (15 to 20 seconds, break into smaller pieces first)
Flax seeds and chia seeds (10 seconds)
Nuts for baking (short pulses to avoid turning them into butter)

Tips for Better Spice Grinding

Toast whole spices in a dry pan before grinding. This releases essential oils and produces a more aromatic result.
Don't overfill the bowl. Grinding works best when the ingredients can move freely and contact the blade consistently.
Pulse rather than holding the button down continuously. Pulsing keeps the heat lower and gives you more control over the final texture.
Shake the grinder between pulses to redistribute the contents and avoid leaving big pieces trapped at the edges.

Build Quality and Design

The Breville Coffee and Spice Grinder has a brushed stainless steel exterior that looks more premium than its price suggests. It doesn't feel cheap or plasticky in the hand, and the base has enough weight to stay planted during operation.

The two grinding bowls are stainless steel, not plastic, which is important for durability and flavor neutrality. They're also dishwasher safe, making cleanup simple. The blade assembly lifts out of the bowl for easy access when washing.

Size and Storage

This is a small appliance. It's roughly the size of a large coffee mug, so it fits in a drawer or cabinet without taking up much space. I keep mine in a kitchen drawer and pull it out only when needed, which is about three or four times a week for spices and occasionally for an emergency coffee grind.

Breville vs. Other Blade Grinders

Breville vs. KitchenAid Blade Grinder

The KitchenAid model is slightly cheaper but uses a single bowl. No separate coffee and spice bowls, which means flavor cross-contamination is a problem unless you clean between uses. The Breville's dual bowl system is worth the small price difference.

Breville vs. Cuisinart DBM-8 (Burr Grinder)

The Cuisinart DBM-8 is a budget burr grinder at roughly $50 to $60. If your only goal is coffee, the Cuisinart will give you a more consistent grind for not much more money. But it can't handle spices. If you want a dual-purpose grinder, the Breville wins on versatility.

For a detailed comparison of budget-friendly grinders, our top coffee grinder list covers both blade and burr options.

FAQ

Can I use the Breville Coffee and Spice Grinder for espresso?

I wouldn't recommend it. Espresso requires a very fine, very consistent grind that blade grinders can't produce reliably. You'll end up with a mix of powder and larger particles that causes channeling and uneven extraction. For espresso, invest in a burr grinder.

How do I clean the grinding bowls?

The stainless steel bowls and blade assemblies are dishwasher safe. For quick cleaning between uses, wipe the bowl with a dry cloth or grind a small piece of bread to absorb oils and residue. The bread trick works well for removing spice odors too.

How long does the Breville Coffee and Spice Grinder last?

With normal home use (a few times per week), expect 3 to 5 years before the blade dulls noticeably. The motor is simple and reliable. The blade can't be sharpened or replaced, so once it dulls, you'll need a new unit. At under $40, the cost per year of ownership is very low.

Is it worth buying if I already have a burr grinder?

Yes, but specifically as a spice grinder. Running spices through your coffee burr grinder is a bad idea because the oils and flavors will transfer to your coffee. Keeping a blade grinder dedicated to spices protects your coffee grinder and gives you a purpose-built tool for the job.

The Practical Choice

The Breville Coffee and Spice Grinder is the best blade grinder I've used, but it's still a blade grinder. Buy it for spice grinding and occasional coffee use. If coffee quality is your priority, put the $40 toward a budget burr grinder instead. If you want one small appliance that grinds spices, herbs, nuts, and coffee beans in a pinch, this is the right tool for the job.