Capresso Conical Burr Grinder: What You Need to Know Before Buying
My Capresso Infinity sat on my counter for nearly two years before I replaced it. That's a pretty good run for a grinder in the $60 to $80 price range, and I think the experience taught me a lot about what budget conical burr grinders do well and where they fall short.
The Capresso conical burr grinder line includes the Infinity (their most popular model) and the Infinity Plus. Both share the same core design philosophy: slow-speed grinding to reduce heat and preserve flavor. Here's my honest take on whether these grinders deserve a spot in your kitchen.
The Capresso Approach: Slow Grinding
What sets Capresso apart from most budget grinders is their motor speed. While the Mueller and Mr. Coffee grinders spin at 1,500+ RPM, the Capresso Infinity runs at about 450 RPM. This is a deliberate design choice.
Slower grinding means less friction, which means less heat transfer to your beans. Heat is bad news for coffee. It causes volatile aromatic compounds to evaporate before you even start brewing, leaving you with a flatter, duller cup. At 450 RPM, the Capresso keeps beans noticeably cooler than faster grinders.
The tradeoff is time. Grinding 30 grams of beans takes about 20 to 25 seconds on a medium setting, compared to 10 to 15 seconds on a faster grinder. For most people making one or two cups in the morning, that extra 10 seconds is barely noticeable. But if you're grinding for a full carafe, the wait adds up.
Grind Settings and Consistency
The Capresso Infinity gives you 16 grind settings spread across four ranges: extra fine, fine, medium, and coarse. Within each range, there are four numbered positions. This system is intuitive and easy to remember once you find your sweet spot.
Where It Shines
Medium and coarse grinds are where the Capresso does its best work. For drip coffee (settings 9 through 12), the particle distribution is solid. I've compared grounds side by side with a Baratza Encore, and the difference is smaller than you'd expect given the price gap.
French press at settings 13 through 16 is also very good. The coarse grounds are chunky and uniform, with minimal fines that could slip through a plunger screen and make your coffee muddy.
Where It Struggles
Fine settings for espresso are the weak point. Settings 1 through 4 produce grounds that look okay to the naked eye but show inconsistency under a magnifying glass. You'll see small boulders mixed with powder, and that uneven distribution means channeling in your espresso puck. If espresso is your primary brew method, save up for something from our best burr coffee grinder list.
For AeroPress and Moka pot, the fine-to-medium range (settings 5 through 8) works well enough. These brew methods are more forgiving of slight particle variation than a true espresso machine.
Build Quality: The Good and The Concerning
The Capresso Infinity has a zinc die-cast housing that feels substantial in your hand. It's heavier than fully plastic grinders, which helps it stay put on the counter during grinding. The bean hopper holds about 8.8 ounces, and the grounds container has a decent seal that keeps grounds relatively fresh.
The conical steel burrs themselves are well-made and typically last 2 to 4 years with daily use. Capresso sells replacement burrs for about $20, which is a nice option to have when they eventually dull.
The Gear Assembly Problem
Here's the part I wish someone had told me before I bought mine. The Capresso Infinity uses a plastic gear assembly to connect the motor to the burrs. Over time, especially with darker, oilier beans, this gear can strip. When it does, the grinder motor runs but the burrs stop turning.
This happened to mine after about 18 months of daily use. The replacement gear costs about $10 and the repair takes 20 minutes with a screwdriver. It's not a dealbreaker, but it's an annoyance that a metal gear would have prevented. The Infinity Plus model reportedly uses an improved gear design, though I haven't verified this personally.
Noise Level
The slow motor speed pays dividends here. The Capresso Infinity is genuinely one of the quietest electric burr grinders I've used. I measured it at about 70 decibels at arm's length, which is roughly the volume of a normal conversation. Compare that to the 80+ decibels from faster grinders, and the difference is real.
If you grind coffee early in the morning while others are sleeping, this matters. I could grind beans in the kitchen without waking my family upstairs. That's not something I could say about most other grinders at this price.
Capresso Infinity vs. Infinity Plus
The Infinity Plus costs about $20 to $30 more than the standard Infinity. For that extra money, you get:
- A slightly larger bean hopper
- Commercial-grade solid steel conical burrs (vs. Standard steel)
- A reportedly improved internal gear mechanism
- Stainless steel housing option
Is the upgrade worth it? If you're buying new, I'd say yes. The improved burrs and gear assembly address the two main weaknesses of the standard model. If you're deciding between a standard Infinity and something else entirely, the Plus pushes Capresso closer to the Baratza Encore in overall quality.
For a broader look at what's available, our best burr grinder roundup covers options across several price ranges.
Cleaning and Maintenance Tips
The upper burr on the Capresso Infinity removes easily for cleaning. Just pull the hopper off, twist the upper burr carrier counterclockwise, and lift it out. I recommend doing this every week or two.
A few specific tips I learned from owning one:
Use rice carefully. Some people grind dry rice to clean burrs. Capresso specifically warns against this because it can damage the burrs or the gear mechanism. Use grinder cleaning tablets (like Grindz) instead, or simply brush the burrs with a stiff, dry brush.
Avoid oily beans if possible. Very dark, oily roasts gunk up the burrs and hopper faster than lighter roasts. If you prefer dark roasts, plan on cleaning the grinder more frequently, about once a week.
Empty the hopper between sessions. Don't leave beans sitting in the hopper for days. They go stale faster in the warm, exposed environment above the grinder motor. Grind only what you need, and store the rest in an airtight container.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Capresso Infinity good for pour-over?
Yes, it's one of the better budget options for pour-over. Settings 9 through 11 produce a consistent medium grind that works well with V60 and Chemex brewers. You might need to experiment slightly to find the right setting for your specific recipe and bean.
How long do Capresso burrs last?
With daily use grinding about 30 grams per session, expect the burrs to last 2 to 4 years before you notice a decline in grind consistency. Replacement burrs are available directly from Capresso for about $20.
Can I use the Capresso Infinity for Turkish coffee?
No. The finest setting doesn't produce a fine enough grind for Turkish coffee, which needs a powder-like consistency. You'll need a dedicated Turkish grinder or a high-end flat burr grinder with a wide adjustment range.
Why does my Capresso grinder make a clicking noise?
A clicking or skipping sound usually means the gear assembly is starting to wear. This is the plastic gear issue I mentioned earlier. Order a replacement gear soon, because once it strips completely, the grinder won't grind at all.
My Verdict
The Capresso Conical Burr Grinder is a smart choice if you value quiet operation and clean-tasting drip or French press coffee. The slow-speed motor genuinely makes a difference in both noise and heat, and the grind quality at medium and coarse settings competes with grinders costing twice as much. Just know going in that espresso is not its strength, and the plastic gear assembly may need replacing down the road. For the price, it's a solid performer with one or two known weaknesses that you can plan around.