We know as well as anyone that coffee grinders can be costly and with all the options out there, picking one can also be difficult. But if you’re a real coffee lover, having your beans ground for you or buying pre-ground beans is unthinkable – coffee tastes best when it is as fresh as possible.
So, are there budget coffee grinders that are worth it? In this guide, we’ll be comparing two budget Krups models, the Krups F203 vs the Krups GX4100. This is what we’ll cover:
- What these grinders have in common.
- Features that differ between them.
- Our recommendation on how to choose the right grinder.
Quick Summary
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Attribute | Krups F203 | Krups GX4100 |
|---|---|---|
Image |
|
|
Grinding Capacity | 12 cups of coffee | 15 cups of coffee |
Color | Black | Brushed Stainless Steel |
Cord Storage | No | Yes |
Blade Material | Stainless Steel | Stainless Steel |
Dimensions | 4 x 4 x 9 inches | 8.75 x 8.75 x 13.50 inches |
Pulse Function | Yes | Yes |
Ideal Uses | Home | Home |
Pricing |
You really can’t get much more affordable than the Krups F203 Electric Spice and Coffee Grinder. Despite its low cost, you’re getting the durability of stainless steel blades and a grinding capacity that makes up to a dozen cups of coffee. This is a decent grinder for those on the most restrictive budgets who just need to make drip coffee.
Stainless steel finish and blades, as well as an increased grinding capacity, make the Krups GX4100 Grinder a step above its more basic brethren. Plus, thanks to its two-year warranty, this grinder is a solid choice for those who want a budget-friendly grinder with a bit more durability.
Similarities
Grinding Blades
The first similarity is how these grinders actually grind your beans: through two spinning stainless steel blades. In many ways, they function just like a blender, except for the sole purpose of grinding dry coffee beans, herbs, and spices.
You put your beans into the grinding bowl, turn the grinder on, and the blades rotate at a high speed. As they move, they essentially dice up your beans.
The benefit to this design is that blade grinders tend to be easier to use than the alternative, burr grinders. Furthermore, they’re generally lower in cost, and you can even find many budget-friendly options in local grocery stores.
Frankly, however, burr grinders are still the better choice if you’re looking for the best grinder possible. Although they can indeed cost more, you’ll get better control over the blend consistency and increased durability from a burr grinder.
Read Also: Conical Burr vs Blade Grinder
Multifunctional Grinding
If you’re a bit of a cooking aficionado, chances are, there’s more you need to grind in your kitchen than fresh coffee. You also need to grind some fresh herbs and spices to flavor your dishes with.
Fortunately, either of these Krups grinders can also be used for more than coffee. The F203 can grind spices, and the GX4100 is capable of grinding both herbs and spices.
It’s always useful to have an appliance that can be used for multiple purposes. You’ll get more out of your investment that way.
Stainless Steel Blade Construction
When it comes to grinders, material is extremely important. Some materials are unmistakably more durable than others, which is important if you’re going to use your grinder on a frequent or even daily basis.
That’s why the F203 and GX4100 both use stainless steel blades. Stainless steel is long-lasting and resistant to rust, which means you’ll be able to rely on these grinders for some time to come.
In fact, many high-end burr grinders use stainless steel burrs. We discuss the benefits of the material in burrs in our post about conical vs ceramic burrs.
Pulse Setting
Different types of coffee require you to blend the beans to various levels of fineness. Espresso, for instance, must be ground finely. You’ll need to grind coarsely if you’re planning on making French press coffee.
Top-of-the-line grinders usually allow you to program settings or control the distance between burrs to refine the texture of the grind. With these Krups grinders, you’ll get a pulse function that lets you achieve the same effect to a lesser extent.
Simply pulse grind until you get your coffee beans cut into pieces of the right size. If anything can be said about this method of grinding, it’s that it’s certainly easy for beginners.
Safety Lids
It’s not surprising that a grinder, if handled improperly, can be dangerous. This is especially true with blade grinders, because it’s easy to touch the blades.
This is why the Krups grinders incorporate safety lids in their design. No matter what you press, the blades won’t budge unless the lids are firmly fastened to the tops of either grinder. That way, you won’t need to worry about accidentally cutting your fingers.
Differences
Dimensions
There are few differences in these Krups grinders, but size is one of them. Depending on where you’re planning on keeping your grinder in between uses, this could be important, too. You wouldn’t want it taking up too much space on your counter if you’re short on space.
In this comparison, the F203 is the much smaller grinder. Measuring at approximately 4 x 4 x 9 inches, it’s a compact model that won’t hog room on your counters or in your cupboards.
The GX4100 is significantly larger. With dimensions of 8.75 x 8.75 x 13.50 inches, it’s almost twice the size of the F203. As far as grinders go, it’s still modestly sized, though.
Bean Capacity
Given the drastic difference in the overall size of the grinders, it makes sense that there’s also a difference in how much these Krups models can grind at once.
As you might have guessed, the F203 cannot grind as much as the GX4100 at once. It’s capable of grinding enough beans to make up to 12 cups of coffee.
The GX4100, on the flipside, can grind up to 25% more, making up to 15 cups of coffee in one batch. It’s not a huge difference, but it may be important to you if you often prepare large pots of coffee to share with friends and family.
Colors
It’s purely a superficial difference, but it’s worth noting that these Krups grinders are available in different colors. The F203 is only available in black while the GX4100 grinder is sold in a brushed stainless steel color.
This isn’t going to matter in terms of daily usage. However, many people choose specific appliances because they match with their kitchen. You may feel inclined to choose one Krups grinder or the other for similar reasons.
Krups GX4100 Cord Storage
One annoying thing about appliances is the long cords coming off them. If you try to move or store the appliance, you always have to figure out how to keep the cord out of the way.
With the GX4100, this is issue is just a distant memory. It has a notch in the base that you can wrap the cord around, making it storage- and travel-friendly.
Like the color, it’s a small difference. But it could be that one extra touch that turns you in its favor if you’re planning on tucking the grinder away in between uses.
So, Which Grinder is Best for You?
Here’s the important question: how do you determine which of these Krups grinders is right for you? The answer to that question comes down to your needs and uses for the grinder.
If you need to grind larger batches of coffee to serve to groups, the GX4100 is probably the better pick. As Krups notes, it can grind up to 15 cups of coffee, which is three more servings than the F203 is capable of grinding.
In homes with extremely limited space, though, the F203 might be preferable. It’s much smaller than the GX4100, which means it won’t need as much room in your kitchen.
You could even factor in the colors of the grinders if you wanted to. Stainless steel appliances are quite common these days, and the GX4100 would fit right in with them.
Here’s our advice:
Purchase the Krups F203 Electric Spice and Coffee Grinder if you just need a basic and affordable blade grinder or a simple grinder that doesn’t need a lot of room on your counter.
The Krups GX4100 Electric Spice, Herbs, and Coffee Grinder is the better pick for you if you need a grinder that can handle larger amounts of coffee beans and you prefer the look of stainless steel.
Want to get a high-end grinder that will totally change the way you grind coffee? You can check out the selection of coffee and espresso grinders in our store. Feel free to reach out to us at 888-978-5224 or through our store chat if you have any questions.