Stepped vs Stepless Coffee Grinders

May 1, 2023

If you’re an avid coffee enthusiast, you know that the grind of your coffee beans plays a critical role in the taste and quality of your cup of coffee. When choosing a coffee grinder, one of the key considerations is whether to go with a stepped or stepless grinder. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the differences between the two types of grinders and help you decide which one is right for you.

Stepped Coffee Grinders

Stepped coffee grinders are the most common type of coffee grinder on the market. They have a set number of grind settings, which are pre-determined and marked on the grinder. This allows you to easily adjust the grind size to suit your brewing method, whether it’s French press, drip coffee, or espresso. Stepped grinders are generally more affordable and easier to use, making them a popular choice for home baristas.

One downside of stepped coffee grinders is that the settings can sometimes be too far apart, which can lead to inconsistencies in the grind size. This can be particularly problematic for espresso, where a consistent grind size is essential for a great shot.

Stepless Coffee Grinders

Stepless coffee grinders, on the other hand, offer a more precise level of control over the grind size. Instead of set grind settings, stepless grinders allow for infinite adjustments to the grind size. This level of precision is particularly useful for espresso, where small adjustments to the grind size can make a big difference in the taste of the final product.

While stepless grinders offer more precision, they can also be more challenging to use. It can be challenging to remember the perfect grind size for a specific brewing method, as there are no set markings to guide you. Additionally, stepless grinders can be more expensive than their stepped counterparts.

Which One is Right for You?

When it comes to choosing between a stepped and stepless grinder, there is no right or wrong answer. It all depends on your personal preferences and brewing needs.

If you’re just getting started with coffee brewing and want an easy-to-use and affordable grinder, a stepped grinder may be the right choice for you. However, if you’re a more experienced barista or want to perfect your espresso shots, a stepless grinder may be worth the investment.

Ultimately, the key is to choose a high-quality grinder, whether it’s stepped or stepless. Investing in a good grinder will ensure that you can achieve a consistent and delicious cup of coffee every time.

Solid piece and great service!

A great buy for beginners, a solid machine. Great service from Nick and super fast shipping! We’ll definitely come back here for an upgrade later on.

Outstanding Machine (But Takes Practice)

This is my first manual espresso machine after starting with a cheap full auto and later upgrading to a semi-auto BES870XL. I love the sheer amount of control that I have over my shots, from the pressure the machine brews at to the amount of water that goes into the shot (more so with a double), pre-infusion time, and flow of the steam coming out of the wand. It takes a lot of time getting dialed in right to produce a good shot, and I am still working on my technique, though it has improved greatly in the past few weeks that I've had this machine.

Out of the box:
I'll start with the most disappointing thing for anyone who reads this: The tamper this machine comes with is a cheap, flimsy, plastic 48mm disc that doesn't even cover the surface area of your 49mm portafilter. If you don't have one already, save yourself the extra wait and get yourself a nice, heavy 49mm tamper when you buy this (I got a solid stainless tamper by Silmur and it's perfect) and throw the plastic one into the trash upon arrival.
Now for the good: Everything was well-packaged in molded styrofoam to minimize the chance of impact damage. Everything came out looking shiny and beautiful with no damage. Assembly was pretty straightforward, and the owner's manual gives you just enough information to get started. Disclaimer: the manual does not tell the user how to adjust the pressurestat if you find that your machine is not in the right zone out of the box, or if you really want to fine-tune your extraction. But fear not: simple but tedious pressurestat adjustments are a quick Google/YouTube search away (butter knife and small ratchet with phillips and flat head bits to get the job done not included).

Brewing with this bad boy requires a ton of patience. If you're new to manuals, do not expect to pull amazing shots right away. Even semi-autos have their nuances, though not nearly as many. First, make sure that you can see the meniscus (that bottom line at the top of your water) in the sight glass. This will ensure that your boiler is neither under nor overfilled. It doesn't take long to heat up and get to pressure. Once it's ready to go, the rest is up to you (take lots of notes; it helps!). After a few weeks of active use, I've just about gotten it down (until I get different beans, that is). The steam wand is another well-designed piece of this machine, and produces the silkiest microfoam I have ever made. You control the output, and it is immediate steam on demand. Do let some out to get the wand up to temp and avoid it shooting straight hot water into your pitcher before frothing it up. Back to brewing: It does seem to run a bit hot, and I've read that the general consensus is that the ideal brewing temperature is right when it gets up to pressure, and then after that the user should to apply a cold cloth to the groupset to keep temperatures down and avoid burnt shots. I'll start following that advice and see how my extraction improves.

I've been having a ton of fun with this machine, and don't think I could ever go back to anything short of a manual espresso machine after this experience. It's definitely one of my favorite additions to my coffee-making collection, and I'll probably love it even more when I finally do pull that perfect shot.