Mr Coffee Bean Grinder

My first ever coffee grinder was a Mr. Coffee blade grinder I picked up at Target for about $20. That was years ago, and the brand still sells millions of these budget grinders every year. They're everywhere, from Walmart to Amazon to your local grocery store, and there's a reason for that staying power.

Mr. Coffee grinders are cheap, simple, and they get the job done for basic home brewing. But they have real limitations that you should know about before buying one. I'll walk you through the different models, what they actually do well, where they struggle, and whether the newer Mr. Coffee burr grinder is worth the extra cost.

The Mr. Coffee Blade Grinder Lineup

Mr. Coffee makes several blade grinder models, but they all work on the same basic principle. A spinning stainless steel blade chops beans into smaller pieces inside a chamber. You control the grind size by how long you hold the button.

IDS77 (The Classic)

This is the one most people picture when they think "Mr. Coffee grinder." It holds about 4 ounces of beans (roughly 12 cups worth), has a 130-watt motor, and costs between $15 and $20. The chamber is clear plastic so you can see the grind happening, and operation is dead simple: push down the lid to grind.

I used this model for about two years making drip coffee. It worked fine. Not great, not terrible, just fine. The grind was uneven (which is true of all blade grinders), but my 12-cup Mr. Coffee brewer didn't seem to care.

CG12 (Chamber Grinder)

The CG12 is slightly newer and has a removable grinding chamber. This makes pouring grounds into your coffee maker much easier because you're not trying to dump coffee out of the same container that has the blade in it. Small design change, big quality-of-life improvement.

It also bumps the motor up to 160 watts. I noticed it handles oily dark roasts a bit better than the IDS77, which would sometimes stall on French roast beans.

Grind Performance: Honest Assessment

Let me be straight about what you're getting. Mr. Coffee blade grinders produce inconsistent grounds. Every single time.

When I measured the output from my IDS77 using a set of test sieves, about 40% of the particles were in the medium range I wanted, 30% were too fine, and 30% were too coarse. That's a wide spread.

For a standard drip coffee maker, this barely affects taste. The brewing process is forgiving enough that you still get a decent cup. I'd estimate the flavor improvement from fresh-ground Mr. Coffee beans versus pre-ground canned coffee is about a 6 out of 10 on the noticeable scale. Not transformative, but clearly better.

For French press, the fine particles are a problem. They slip through the mesh filter and create muddy, silty coffee. If French press is your primary method, I'd skip blade grinders entirely.

For pour-over and AeroPress, the results are passable but frustrating. You'll get good cups mixed with mediocre cups, and the inconsistency makes it hard to dial in your recipe.

The Mr. Coffee Burr Grinder: Worth the Upgrade?

Mr. Coffee also sells a burr grinder (model BMG23) that runs about $35 to $45. This uses two grinding plates instead of a blade, which theoretically produces much more consistent grounds.

My Experience With the BMG23

I bought one expecting a big step up, and I was honestly disappointed. The burr set is made of stamped steel rather than precision-machined ceramic or hardened steel. The grind settings are vague (just numbered 1 through 18 with no clear reference to brew method), and the consistency, while better than the blade models, still falls short of dedicated burr grinders like the Baratza Encore.

The static cling is also terrible. Grounds stick to every surface inside the machine, and cleanup takes longer than the actual grinding process. After three months, I donated it and bought a proper burr grinder instead.

If you're considering the BMG23, I'd suggest putting that $40 toward a dedicated burr grinder from our Best Coffee Bean Grinder list. You'll get much better results for a similar investment.

Tips for Getting the Most Out of Your Mr. Coffee Grinder

If you already own a Mr. Coffee blade grinder (or decide to buy one), here are the tricks I've learned to get better results.

Pulse, Don't Hold

Instead of holding the button down continuously, use 3 to 5 second pulses with brief pauses between. This lets beans fall back toward the blade between pulses and produces a more even grind.

Shake Between Pulses

Give the grinder a gentle shake during each pause. This redistributes the beans so the coarser pieces at the top move toward the blade. I do a quick up-and-down, then two side-to-side shakes before the next pulse.

Measure Your Beans First

Don't fill the chamber to the brim. Overloading creates more inconsistency because beans at the top never reach the blade. For drip coffee, I load about 2 tablespoons per cup of coffee I'm making and grind in batches if needed.

Time Your Grinds

Keep a rough timer for different brew methods. For my drip machine, 10 to 12 seconds of total pulse time works. For French press, 7 to 8 seconds gives a coarser result. For moka pot, 18 to 20 seconds. Write these down and stick to them.

Common Problems and How to Fix Them

Grinder Won't Start

This is the number one complaint I see about Mr. Coffee grinders. The safety switch in the lid isn't engaging properly. Make sure you're pressing the lid down firmly and evenly. If it still won't start, check that the lid is properly aligned with the base. Sometimes the tab that activates the switch gets slightly bent. You can gently bend it back with your fingers.

Burnt Smell or Hot Grounds

The motor is overheating, which means you're grinding too long without pausing. Blade grinder motors aren't designed for continuous operation. Stick to the pulse technique and let the motor cool for a few seconds between pulses. If the smell persists after cooling, the motor may be dying.

Static Cling

Grounds sticking everywhere is normal for blade grinders. A quick trick: add one drop of water to your whole beans before grinding. Just one drop. Stir it around with your finger, then grind. The moisture reduces static dramatically without affecting flavor.

FAQ

How long does a Mr. Coffee grinder last?

The blade models typically last 1 to 2 years with daily use. The motor bearings are the weak point. If your grinder starts making a different sound or vibrating more than usual, it's nearing the end. At $15 to $20, most people just replace them.

Can I grind spices in my Mr. Coffee grinder?

Technically yes, but the flavors will transfer to your coffee. If you want a spice grinder, buy a separate one. Some people grind white rice between uses to absorb oils and flavors, but I've never found this completely eliminates the crossover.

Is Mr. Coffee grinder dishwasher safe?

No. Never put any part of a Mr. Coffee grinder in the dishwasher. The motor and electrical components are not sealed. Wipe the chamber with a dry cloth or paper towel after each use. For deeper cleaning, a slightly damp cloth works, but never submerge the unit.

Should I buy a Mr. Coffee grinder or spend more on a burr grinder?

If you use a standard drip coffee maker and just want to step up from pre-ground coffee, the Mr. Coffee blade grinder is a reasonable starting point. If you use a pour-over, French press, AeroPress, or espresso machine, skip the Mr. Coffee entirely and check our Best Espresso Bean Grinder guide for grinders that match those brewing methods.

My Final Take

The Mr. Coffee blade grinder is the Honda Civic of coffee grinders. It's not exciting, it won't impress your coffee snob friends, and it has clear limitations. But it starts every time, it costs next to nothing, and it does what most people actually need: turns whole beans into ground coffee that's fresher than anything sitting on a store shelf. Buy one if you want to dip your toes into fresh grinding. Replace it with a real burr grinder once you're hooked.