Triple Tree Coffee Grinder

I first spotted the Triple Tree coffee grinder while scrolling through Amazon's budget grinder section, and the price tag stopped me cold. Under $20 for an electric grinder? That's cheaper than a bag of specialty beans. If you're looking at it too and wondering if it's worth those few bucks, here's the deal: the Triple Tree is one of the cheapest electric coffee grinders you can buy, and it's a blade grinder, not a burr grinder. That distinction matters more than the price.

I'll walk through what the Triple Tree actually does, how it performs, where it falls short, and who should consider picking one up. If you're on a tight budget and just want to grind your own beans at home, keep reading.

What the Triple Tree Grinder Actually Is

The Triple Tree coffee grinder is a compact electric blade grinder with a stainless steel chopping blade and a clear lid so you can see the beans as they grind. It typically holds about 3 ounces of beans (enough for roughly 12 cups of drip coffee) and runs on a simple push-button mechanism. Press the lid down, the blade spins. Release it, the blade stops.

The unit is small. Think about the size of a tall coffee mug. It weighs under a pound and barely takes up any counter space. The entire body is food-grade stainless steel on most models, which gives it a surprisingly premium feel for the price.

Power output is around 200 watts, which is standard for blade grinders in this category. The blade spins at high RPM and chops beans into smaller and smaller pieces the longer you hold the button. There are no grind settings, no timers, and no dose controls. Your only variable is how long you press.

This is about as bare-bones as coffee grinding gets. And honestly, for certain use cases, that's perfectly fine.

Grinding Performance

Let's talk about what matters: how well does it actually grind?

Coarse Grinds (French Press, Cold Brew)

Pulse the button 3 to 5 times for about 2 seconds each, and you'll get a rough chop that works for French press. It won't be uniform. You'll have some larger chunks mixed with smaller bits. But for French press, where the metal mesh filter is forgiving, this is acceptable. Your coffee will taste better than pre-ground.

Cold brew is even more forgiving since the long steep time extracts evenly regardless of particle variation. The Triple Tree works just fine here.

Medium Grinds (Drip Coffee)

Hold the button for 10 to 15 seconds with a few shakes in between, and you'll get something in the medium range. The results are inconsistent. Some particles will be powder-fine while others stay coarse. This leads to uneven extraction, meaning some of your coffee is over-extracted (bitter) and some is under-extracted (sour) in the same cup.

For a basic drip machine, this is tolerable. You'll get a decent cup. Not a great cup, but a decent one.

Fine Grinds (Espresso, Moka Pot)

Don't bother. Blade grinders cannot produce the consistent fine grind that espresso requires. You'll end up with a mix of powder and chunks that will choke your espresso machine or produce a watery, unpleasant shot. For moka pot, you might get away with it if you grind for 20+ seconds, but the results will be hit or miss.

The bottom line on grinding performance: the Triple Tree is a step up from pre-ground coffee but a big step down from any burr grinder. If you want consistent results across brew methods, check our best coffee grinder guide for burr grinder options at every price.

The Blade Grinder Debate

I think it's worth addressing why coffee enthusiasts are so negative about blade grinders. It comes down to physics.

A blade grinder chops beans randomly. The pieces near the blade get chopped finer while pieces at the top of the chamber stay larger. Shaking the grinder helps redistribute, but you'll never achieve the uniformity that burrs produce. Burr grinders crush beans between two abrasive surfaces set at a fixed distance apart, which means every particle comes out roughly the same size.

Uniform particle size matters because water extracts different flavor compounds at different rates. When all your grounds are the same size, water flows through them evenly and extracts the right balance of flavors. Mixed sizes mean some grounds give up too much flavor (bitterness) while others don't give enough (sourness).

Does this mean blade grinders are useless? No. It means they have a ceiling that burr grinders don't. If your palate is sensitive enough to notice the difference, you'll outgrow a blade grinder fast. If you just want your coffee to taste like coffee and you're coming from Folgers pre-ground, the Triple Tree is an upgrade.

Best Uses Beyond Coffee

Here's something I don't see mentioned enough: blade grinders like the Triple Tree are actually great for things that aren't coffee.

Spices. Whole cumin, peppercorns, coriander seeds, dried chilies. A blade grinder pulverizes spices in seconds and releases way more aroma than pre-ground. If you cook with spices regularly, a $15 blade grinder dedicated to spices is one of the best kitchen purchases you can make.

Herbs. Dried herbs like rosemary and thyme can be ground finer for sauces and marinades.

Nuts and seeds. Flax seeds, chia seeds, almonds for flour. Quick pulses work well for these.

Sugar. Turn granulated sugar into powdered sugar in about 30 seconds.

If you end up upgrading to a burr grinder for coffee (which I'd recommend doing eventually), repurpose the Triple Tree as your dedicated spice grinder. That's exactly what I did with my old blade grinder, and it's gotten more use grinding cumin and peppercorns than it ever did with coffee beans.

Triple Tree vs. Other Budget Options

At this price point, you're comparing the Triple Tree to other blade grinders and the cheapest manual burr grinders.

Triple Tree vs. Hamilton Beach blade grinder ($15 to $20): Very similar products. The Hamilton Beach has a slightly more powerful motor and comes with a lid that stays in place better. Performance is nearly identical. Pick whichever is cheaper when you buy.

Triple Tree vs. KRUPS F203 ($20 to $25): The KRUPS is probably the most popular blade grinder on Amazon. It has a 200-watt motor like the Triple Tree but a slightly larger 3-ounce capacity and a more durable build. For $5 more, the KRUPS is a better buy.

Triple Tree vs. JavaPresse manual burr grinder ($25 to $35): This is the interesting comparison. For $10 to $15 more, you get a hand-cranked conical burr grinder that produces significantly more consistent grinds. The trade-off is that hand grinding takes 2 to 3 minutes versus 15 seconds with the Triple Tree. If you value grind quality over convenience, the JavaPresse is worth the extra money.

For a wider look at how different grinders compare, our top coffee grinder roundup covers everything from budget picks to premium options.

Cleaning and Maintenance

Blade grinders are dead simple to maintain.

After each use, wipe the blade and chamber with a dry cloth or paper towel. Coffee oils accumulate quickly and go rancid within a few days, so don't skip this step. If oils build up, grind a tablespoon of dry, uncooked rice to absorb the residue, then wipe clean.

Never submerge the base unit in water. The motor sits directly below the blade chamber. A damp cloth on the exterior is fine, but keep water away from the bottom.

The blade will dull over time, but at this price point, most people just replace the entire unit rather than trying to sharpen the blade. You'll get 1 to 2 years of regular use before the blade starts struggling with harder beans.

FAQ

Can I use the Triple Tree grinder for espresso?

No. Blade grinders can't produce the consistent fine grind that espresso machines require. You'll get a mix of powder and larger particles that won't extract properly. For espresso, you need a burr grinder with fine grind capability.

How many cups of coffee can the Triple Tree grind at once?

The chamber holds about 3 ounces of beans, which makes roughly 10 to 12 cups of drip coffee. For most people, that's enough for a full pot or several individual servings.

Is the Triple Tree grinder loud?

It's moderately loud, similar to a blender on low speed. Grinding takes about 10 to 20 seconds depending on your desired fineness, so the noise is brief. It's not quiet enough to use without waking someone sleeping in the next room.

How long does the Triple Tree grinder last?

With daily use, expect 1 to 2 years before the motor weakens or the blade dulls noticeably. At under $20, the cost per year is very low. Many people treat blade grinders as semi-disposable and replace them annually.

Final Thoughts

The Triple Tree coffee grinder does exactly one thing: it chops coffee beans cheaply and quickly. It won't give you barista-level grinds, and it won't impress anyone who takes coffee seriously. But at under $20, it's a perfectly reasonable first step away from pre-ground coffee. Use it to find out if you can taste the difference with fresh-ground beans. Once you can (and you will), start saving for a burr grinder. The Triple Tree is a gateway drug, not a destination.