Sure, you could use a pestle and mortar, but there is nothing more convenient than an electric grinder. Crushing whole spices, seeds and nuts becomes completely effortless. Pre-ground spices often lack the complexity of freshly ground flavours, so owning one of these nifty gadgets will make your life easier and improve your cooking.
If you're stuck with where to start when shopping, you've come to the right place. This buying guide will walk you through every decision you need to make to ensure you pick the right one for you. We've also gathered a list of the 10 best electric spice grinders available in the UK from Amazon and John Lewis to start your search. Enjoy!
Quick List - Top Electric Grinders for Spices
KRUPS
A Well-Designed, Market-Leading Option That’s Effortless and Energy-Efficient
Cuisinart
Compact Grinder That’s Easy to Maintain and Excellent at Crushing Hard Spices and Nuts
Wahl James Martin
Budget-Friendly Mini Grinder Suitable for Crushing a Wide Range of Ingredients
KRUPS
A Quiet Option With Stainless Steel Blades That Makes for an Easy and Quick Grind
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Table of Contents
The first thing you need to think about when shopping for a spice grinder is the capacity. If it's too small, there's a chance you might overload it, resulting in an uneven grind. Your spices also won't end up the same size, which can cause issues during cooking. Too large, and you'll be left with a surplus amount that won't stay that fresh.
Getting the right size will make sure you preserve the quality and freshness of the spices, ensuring they stay flavourful and aromatic for a longer time. We recommend going for something in the middle, with a capacity of around 70 g.
Keep your seasonings on-hand and organized with a fillable spice rack.
The next thing you need to consider is the wattage. The level of wattage essentially tells you how effective the grinder's abilities are to handle tough ingredients. It also signifies the speed at which it grinds as well as how much it can handle.
The minimum you should look for is 150 W, however, the higher the wattage is, the better it can do its job. Our top 10 list includes products with between 150 W and 250 W, but bear in mind that a higher wattage usually means a higher price.
Lastly, you need to make sure the grinder can handle the types of ingredients you plan on using with it. For example, not all grinders have enough power to be able to turn tough cinnamon sticks and star anise pods into powder, so you'll definitely need to check this if you cook with these spices often.
Some grinders also have the capabilities to grind down coffee beans, seeds, nuts, onions and garlic, and even wet ingredients for making chutneys, jams and sauces. Others, meanwhile, are only really suitable for dried herbs and softer spices. So, make sure you pick one that suits your needs.
Consider a pestle and mortar for authentic pesto and curry pastes.
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | KRUPS Coffee, Nuts and Spice Grinder | ![]() | A Well-Designed, Market-Leading Option That’s Effortless and Energy-Efficient | |
2 | Cuisinart Electric Spice & Nut Grinder | ![]() | Compact Grinder That’s Easy to Maintain and Excellent at Crushing Hard Spices and Nuts | |
3 | Wahl James Martin Mini Grinder | ![]() | Budget-Friendly Mini Grinder Suitable for Crushing a Wide Range of Ingredients | |
4 | KRUPS Silent Vortex Electric Grinder | ![]() | A Quiet Option With Stainless Steel Blades That Makes for an Easy and Quick Grind | |
5 | VonShef Electric Grinder | ![]() | Sleek, Modern Design With a Transparent Lid and a 60 g Capacity | |
6 | SHARDOR Coffee & Spice Grinder | ![]() | Features Two Removable Bowls and Blades for Both Dry Spices and Sauces | |
7 | DR MILLS Electric Dried Spice and Coffee Grinder | ![]() | A Smart Grinder With a Clear Viewing Window to Check on Your Progress | |
8 | UUOUU Spice Grinder with Stainless Steel Blade | ![]() | Affordable Option With a 200 W Motor That Can Grind 2 oz in 20 Seconds | |
9 | FinaMill Electric Grinder | ![]() | Unique and Compact Device Ideal for Creating Coarse Spices | |
10 | Duronic Grinding Mill | ![]() | With a Powerful 250 W Motor That’ll Powder Ingredients in Seconds |
First up, we have one of the most popular spice grinders on the internet – it has over 54,000 reviews and 4.5 stars on Amazon, so it must have something going for it. The grinder is easy to use, and it does well at grinding herbs, spices and even coffee beans.
It's completely effortless and particularly fast at doing its job, making it both practical and energy-efficient. The device is also very well-designed due to its oval base, which provides great stability and features stainless steel blades. If you're looking for the best, this is it!
Here we have a compact grinder that's easy to maintain, easy to use and easy to clean, as the bowl can simply be unscrewed and chucked into the dishwasher. The pack also includes an airtight lid for safe storage.
Being a space-saving size, this grinder crushes small batches with ease which keeps your herbs and spices nice and fresh. Plus, it can be used to grind hard spices like cinnamon sticks, cloves, and even nuts and wet spices.
If you're on a budget, this mini grinder from Wahl and chef James Martin will be right up your street. With a capacity of just 70 g, this is ideal for grinding up just a few portions of your chosen herb or spice, meaning you'll always have a fresh supply.
The design features a safety lock-in lid and can be used for crushing a wide range of ingredients such as dried herbs and spices – including harder ones like cinnamon, beans and coffee. You can also choose from coarse or finely ground textures to suit your recipe or coffee preparation method.
As well as being one of the quietest options on the list, Krups' high-end grinder is also one of the smallest. Having a small capacity does mean you will need to grind more often, but it also means you'll have fresher herbs and spices for cooking.
The solid, stainless steel blades make it quick, efficient, and easy to use, and they can easily work through tough spices like star anise and cinnamon. It's easy to clean too, as the device splits into two parts, with the grinding bowl being dishwasher safe.
If you like to fill your kitchen with modern-style gadgets, look no further than this grinder from VonShef. It features a sleek, cylindrical all-black design with a transparent lid and an easy-to-use function button.
The wattage is only 150 W, which is slightly lower than many of our other picks, but it should still get the job done. The capacity is also 60 g, which is just enough for 4 cups of coffee or a small vial of spices or herbs.
This grinder is a bit larger than most other options and includes two removable stainless steel bowls and two sets of blades. One is for coffee and dry foods, and the other is for use with wet materials for making chutneys, jams and sauces. Perfect for keen cooks looking for a multi-purpose gadget.
The device contains a considerable amount of power, meaning it can quickly and efficiently grind your ingredients in a matter of seconds, whether you want a coarse or fine finish. It's also remarkably easy to use, featuring a simple, lid press operation system, a safety lock and a sealing ring to prevent any spills. The only issue is that it is relatively loud.
Next up, we have this smart-looking appliance from Dr Mills. It's great for grinding all sorts, including coffee beans, nuts, spices, herbs and grains. The lid also features a viewing window that allows you to know exactly once you've reached your desired consistency.
The kit also comes with a handy brush to ensure you can easily scrape out the last dustings. Operated with a simple press function which you release when done, it couldn't be easier to use. Unfortunately, some users have reported that it can take a while to reach your desired consistency.
While this is another low-priced pick for occasional cooks or those sticking to a budget, it doesn't lack in quality. With a 200 W motor, it can grind up 2 ounces of your desired ingredient in just 20 seconds.
The description is a little confusing, as it says that the bowl is washable but you can't put it in the dishwasher – better to just wipe it clean with a damp cloth. It also includes a cleaning brush, and the company provides 24/7 customer service, which is always a plus for kitchen gadgets.
Next, we have a unique option from FinaMill. It's not the usual grinder design, but if you want something super compact that will neatly fit on your countertop, this is a great choice. We don't, however, know the exact power or capacity, so it's a bit of a wild card.
Unfortunately, this device isn't quite powerful enough to grind up cinnamon sticks or harder spices like star anise, but it's excellent at grinding pepper and dried herbs if you need a coarse finish. If you want a truly powdered finish, you're better off choosing another option.
It also features the most powerful motor at 250 W, which enables you to grind coffee, herbs and spices in a matter of seconds, whether you want coarse or finely ground ingredients. The only downside here is that it has a tendency to overheat when used for prolonged periods.
Written and researched by Roxy Pratley
No. 1: KRUPS|Coffee, Nuts and Spice Grinder
No. 2: Cuisinart|Electric Spice & Nut Grinder
No. 3: Wahl James Martin|Mini Grinder
No. 4: KRUPS|Silent Vortex Electric Grinder
No. 5: VonShef|Electric Grinder
View Full RankingThe descriptions of each product are referenced from content available on manufacturer, brand, and e-commerce sites.
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