Krups Cofee Grinder - 203-42 Review

Okay, if you're really into coffee and insist on grinding your own, this one probably isn't going to do it for you.  And, if you're the kind of person who wants to grind a pound at a time, this certainly isn't going to work for you.

But, if you like to keep some specialty beans stashed away in the fridge and occasionally brew a pot or less at a time it could be for you.  It's an inexpensive little grinder that takes up very little room and it can pop into action at a moments notice.

Why do I own it?

Good question.  Honestly, I don't often feel the need to grind my own coffee at home.  The Xenos drink mass quantities of coffee at all hours of the day and night.  When I do buy whole bean coffee, I generally grind it at the store or shop.  A pound of coffee seldom lasts more than 3 or 4 days here so stored in an airtight container there is little need to grind it at home.

The truth is this is one of the several dozens of kitchen gadgets accumulated by my mother over her lifetime and one of the few I decided to keep after she passed away.  My mother was the "High Priestess of Kitchen Gadgets".  That she owned virtually every gadget that came along and could not cook worth a darn puzzles me still, but that's another story.  There's little doubt that she never ground her own coffee because as far as I know Maxwell House comes already ground.  But, still she had one of these and now it is mine.

So, do I use it?

Actually I use it several times a week, but not to grind coffee.  I use it to chop or grind fresh herbs when I'm cooking.  When a recipe call for say, a tablespoon of fresh chopped rosemary, I take a few sprigs, strip off the needles and put them into the top of the grinder.  The grinder is engaged by simply replacing the plastic top and pressing downwards.  The blades whirl and in seconds the aroma of fresh rosemary fills the air.  Turning it upside down, the chopped herb is back in the clear plastic top and ready to be added to the recipe.  Could I do this with my chef's knife?  Well, for a rough chop, sure.  But when you want it really fine (for herbs), this little grinder can come in pretty handy.

Very often I'll use it to combine fresh herbs and spices to make small quantities of my favorite seasonings.  A little rosemary combined with a little thyme, paprika, cumin, sea salt and pepper becomes a very tasty rub when you're about to throw a Perdue Oven Roaster in the oven.

Cleaning it

This is where it starts to lose a few points.  The blade is fixed inside the tiny little bowl.  Cleaning this little gadget thoroughly is problematic.  Sure you can thoroughly clean the clear plastic top, but the cutting bowl is much more difficult.  My solution?  Wipe it out with a paper towel the best I can.  Over time it has retained the aroma of rosemary and thyme (not too bad a situation actually).  Would I now want to use it to grind coffee beans?  Probably not.  As much as I like rosemary and thyme I've never been moved to add them to my brew.

My Viewpoint

Is it a must have?  By no means.  But for the price of $9.99 (frequently found sale price), it's a nice to have if you only occasionally grind your own coffee or like me prefer to cook with fresh herbs.  To the "High Priestess of Kitchen Gadgets" I say, "Thanks Mom".

Regards,

Rudi