Mr. Coffee Burr Grinder: Budget Grinding at Its Most Basic

I bought a Mr. Coffee burr grinder for $35 at Target on a whim. I was picking up a bag of beans and saw it on the shelf next to the drip machines. The box said "precision burr grinding" and "18 custom grind settings." For $35, I figured it was worth testing against my Baratza Encore to see how much of the $65 price difference actually shows up in the cup.

The short answer: you get what you pay for. The longer answer involves some surprises, both good and bad. Here's my full take on the Mr. Coffee BVMC-BMH23 burr grinder after three weeks of daily testing.

What's in the Box

The Mr. Coffee burr grinder (model BVMC-BMH23) is a conical burr grinder with 18 click-stop grind settings. It has a transparent bean hopper that holds about 4 ounces, a removable grounds chamber that holds up to 18 cups' worth, and a cup selector dial that runs from 4 to 12 cups.

The whole unit is about 10 inches tall and weighs less than 3 pounds. It's almost entirely plastic except for the burrs themselves, which are metal. The power button is a simple on/off switch on the front.

At $35 to $45 depending on the retailer, this is one of the cheapest burr grinders you can buy from a recognizable brand.

Grind Performance: The Real Test

I ran the Mr. Coffee through every brew method I commonly use and compared results with my Baratza Encore.

Drip Coffee (Settings 8-12)

This is where the Mr. Coffee is meant to live, and it does an acceptable job. The medium grind settings produce grounds that work in a standard drip basket. The consistency isn't great. You'll see a wider range of particle sizes than you'd get from a Baratza or Cuisinart at the same setting. But for a basic drip machine, the results are passable.

I brewed the same beans on the same day with both grinders into the same drip machine. The Encore cup was cleaner and had more defined flavors. The Mr. Coffee cup was muddier and slightly more bitter. But here's the thing: both cups were dramatically better than the pre-ground coffee I used as a control. If you're upgrading from pre-ground, you will notice the improvement.

Pour-Over (Settings 6-10)

Mixed results. My V60 brews with Mr. Coffee grounds had inconsistent flow rates. Sometimes the water drained in 2:30, sometimes in 3:45, with the same dose and grind setting. The variable particle sizes cause uneven extraction that shows up as a mix of sour and bitter notes in the same cup. Dedicated pour-over brewers will find this frustrating.

French Press (Settings 14-18)

The coarser settings produce too many fine particles that slip through the French press mesh. My cups had more silt at the bottom than I'd accept from a better grinder. It's drinkable, but if you're a French press purist, the Mr. Coffee won't satisfy you.

Espresso

Don't even try. The finest setting is nowhere near fine enough, and the consistency would make any espresso machine choke. This is not an espresso grinder in any sense.

The 18 Settings: Reality Check

Mr. Coffee claims 18 grind settings, and mechanically, there are 18 click positions on the dial. But functionally, many adjacent settings produce nearly identical results. I tested settings 7, 8, and 9 with the same beans and measured with a mesh sieve. The difference between 7 and 9 was barely detectable.

In practice, you have about 6 to 8 meaningfully different grind sizes. That's enough for drip coffee but limiting for anyone who wants to fine-tune. Compare that to the Baratza Encore's 40 settings, where each step makes a noticeable difference.

For a look at grinders with more usable settings, our best burr coffee grinder roundup covers the better options in detail.

Build Quality and Durability

I'll be frank: the build quality matches the price. The plastic housing feels thin, the bean hopper doesn't seal tightly (beans rattle slightly when you pick it up), and the grounds chamber generates heavy static that sends particles everywhere when you remove it.

The Static Problem

This is the Mr. Coffee's worst daily annoyance. The plastic grounds chamber builds up so much static charge that grounds cling to the lid, sides, and rim. When you pull the chamber out, grounds fly onto the counter, your clothes, and the floor. The RDT method (a drop of water on the beans) helps, but even with RDT, this grinder is messier than average.

Motor and Noise

The motor is small and struggles with dense, light-roasted beans. I had it stall twice on a Kenyan light roast. Darker roasts ground without issue. The noise is moderately loud, about 78 decibels at close range, comparable to other budget grinders. Grinding time for a 12-cup dose is about 30 to 45 seconds.

Longevity Concerns

Based on online reviews and forum posts, the Mr. Coffee burr grinder typically lasts 1 to 3 years with daily use. Common failure points are the motor burning out and the grind dial mechanism wearing down. Replacement parts aren't available through Mr. Coffee, so when it breaks, it's done. At $35, treating it as a semi-disposable appliance isn't unreasonable.

Mr. Coffee vs. The Budget Competition

Mr. Coffee vs. Hamilton Beach Burr Grinder ($50)

Very similar performance. The Hamilton Beach has a slightly quieter motor and a marginally better grounds container. Neither one pulls ahead significantly. Pick whichever is cheaper or more readily available.

Mr. Coffee vs. Krups GX5000 ($50-60)

The Krups uses flat burrs and has 9 settings (vs. The Mr. Coffee's 18 conical). Grind consistency is comparable, though the Krups handles finer settings slightly better. The Krups is also louder. At $15 to $25 more, the Krups is a lateral move, not an upgrade.

Mr. Coffee vs. Baratza Encore ($100)

This isn't a fair fight, and that's the point. The Encore is better in every way: more settings, better consistency, quieter, better built, with available replacement parts. If you can afford the Encore, buy the Encore. The Mr. Coffee exists for people who genuinely cannot spend $100 on a grinder. See our best burr grinder roundup for the full comparison.

Who Should Buy the Mr. Coffee Burr Grinder?

I'd recommend this grinder to someone who checks all of these boxes: you use an automatic drip coffee maker as your primary brewer, you're currently using pre-ground coffee or a blade grinder, your budget is firmly under $50, and you want an entry-level step toward freshly ground beans.

If you can stretch to $70 or $100, better options exist at every turn. But at $35, the Mr. Coffee delivers a noticeable upgrade from pre-ground for barely more than the cost of a bag of decent beans.

Getting the Most From Your Mr. Coffee

Stick to Medium Settings

Settings 8 through 12 are the sweet spot. Don't bother with the fine or coarse extremes.

Clean Weekly

Disassemble the upper burr and brush off retained grounds every week. Mr. Coffee doesn't sell Grindz-compatible tablets for this model, but running a tablespoon of dry, uncooked rice through the grinder monthly helps remove oil buildup.

Manage the Static

Use the RDT trick (a drop of water stirred into the beans before grinding). Keep a small brush handy to clean up the inevitable counter mess.

Don't Overload the Hopper

Fill only what you need for each brew session. Beans go stale in the unsealed hopper quickly, and the oils leave residue that gets rancid.

FAQ

Is the Mr. Coffee burr grinder good for pour-over?

It's adequate but inconsistent. The variable particle sizes cause uneven extraction, which shows up as a mix of sour and bitter flavors. For occasional pour-over, it works in a pinch. For daily pour-over use, spend more on a grinder with better consistency.

How do I clean the Mr. Coffee burr grinder?

Remove the bean hopper and the upper burr ring (it lifts out). Brush the burrs with a dry, stiff brush. Wipe the grounds chamber with a dry cloth. Don't use water on the burrs. Reassemble and run a small dose of beans through to clear any residue.

Does Mr. Coffee make an espresso grinder?

Not one I'd recommend. Their current lineup is designed for drip coffee. The finest settings on the BVMC-BMH23 aren't fine enough for espresso, and the consistency wouldn't support proper extraction even if they were.

How long does the Mr. Coffee burr grinder last?

Expect 1 to 3 years of daily use based on widely reported user experiences. The motor is the most common failure point. At the $35 price, many users treat it as a stepping stone to a better grinder rather than a long-term purchase.

The Takeaway

The Mr. Coffee burr grinder is the cheapest way to get into freshly ground coffee from a recognized brand. It grinds, it works for drip, and it's better than blade grinding or pre-ground. That's the ceiling. If you buy it knowing those limitations, you won't be disappointed. Just don't expect it to be your last grinder.