Hi, I'm Mark. I was behind the bar when Baratza introduced the Encore grinder in 2012.
A Krups coffee grinder is a low-cost electric grinder from Krups, a German appliance brand owned by Groupe SEB. The lineup covers blade models and burr models. Prices run from about $20 to $80, and each one grinds beans for drip, French press and moka pot.
The Fast Touch F203 is a timed blade grinder at about $20 to $30. The Silent Vortex is the quietest blade grinder in Taste of Home testing. The GX500050 lists at $49.99 with 9 main settings, and the GVX2 adds 17 settings. Static, mess and noise draw most complaints, and espresso is out of reach.
The verdict is yes for drip, French press and moka pot, and no for espresso or precise pour-over. This piece covers blade and burr models through cleaning, and it is fully independent.
What Is a Krups Coffee Grinder?
A Krups coffee grinder is a low-cost electric grinder from the Krups appliance brand, sold as a blade or a burr model. Prices run from about $20 to $80. Shoppers use them to grind beans at home for drip, French press and moka pot.
Robert Krups founded the company in 1846 in Wald, now part of Solingen, Germany, to make precision scales. Krups joined Groupe SEB in 2001. SEB also owns Tefal (sold as T-Fal in North America), Rowenta and Moulinex. Krups designs its products in Germany. Factories in several countries, including China, build them.
The grinders come in two kinds, and the difference is how each one breaks up the bean:
- Blade models: These chop the beans with a spinning blade. Examples are the Fast Touch F203 and the Silent Vortex.
- Burr models: These crush the beans between two surfaces. Examples are the GX5000 line and the GVX2.
Testers place Krups grinders at the entry level. They suit a home kitchen with daily use. They are not built for a commercial workload.
Which Krups Coffee Grinder Models Are Sold?
The Krups coffee grinder models sold are the Fast Touch F203, the Silent Vortex, the GX5000 burr grinder and the GVX2 burr grinder. The first two are blade grinders. The last two are burr grinders.
Main Krups Grinder Lines:
- Fast Touch F203, a blade grinder
- Silent Vortex, a quiet blade grinder
- GX5000 line, a flat burr grinder
- GVX2, a conical burr grinder
The Fast Touch F203 has a 200 W motor and holds 3 oz (85 g) of beans. The body is plastic with a stainless bowl. One button runs it, and a lid interlock stops the blade when the lid is open. It costs about $20 to $30.
The Silent Vortex (models GX336D50 and GX332850) is a blade grinder that holds 3 oz (85 g) and stands 9.5 in (24 cm) tall. It has a high and a low setting and a removable stainless bowl. Prices run about $40 to $59.
The GX500050 Adjustable Burr Grinder uses flat burrs with 9 main grind settings and 5 steps in each. The bean container holds 7 oz (200 g). A cup selector covers 2 to 12 cups. It lists at $49.99 on krupsusa.com, which files it under the GX5000 name.
The GVX2 (model GVX212) uses conical burrs with 17 grind settings and a 200 g (7 oz) hopper. It stands about 10 in (25 cm) tall. The GVX1 is nearly identical, and the GVX2 differs by its stainless front.
The GVX2 sells for about $60 to $80 at US retailers, above the GX500050 list price. Some GVX212 listings carry a two-year limited warranty.
How Does a Krups Coffee Grinder Work?
A Krups coffee grinder works by turning whole beans into grounds with either a spinning blade or a pair of burrs. The motor drives the cutting part. Safety switches keep it off until the lid is in place.
Krups makes two types of grinder, and they differ in how the user controls fineness. The following are the two types:
- Blade grinder: A stainless blade chops the beans. No dial sets the grind, so the user controls fineness only by timing the button.
- Burr grinder: The beans are crushed between two burrs. A dial sets the grind size and a cup selector sets the dose. The grinder stops by itself when the chosen amount is ground.
Because a blade model has only a timed button, the way the user presses it matters. Pulse grinding helps. Short bursts and a gentle shake between them move larger pieces back to the blade. A long run creates mild heat, which dulls aroma.
A burr model controls fineness with the gap between the burrs. One burr stays fixed while the other turns. The dial changes the gap. A narrow gap gives fine grounds and a wide gap gives coarse grounds.
Both types include a lid lock, because a spinning blade or burr is unsafe when exposed. The F203 blade will not spin until the lid is locked. The GX5000 will not run unless the hopper lid and the ground coffee container are in place.
Is a Krups Coffee Grinder a Blade or Burr Grinder?
Yes. A Krups coffee grinder can be a blade grinder or a burr grinder depending on the model. The F203 Fast Touch and the Silent Vortex are blade grinders. The GX5000, GX500050 and GVX2 are burr grinders.
The type decides grind quality. Blades chop beans into a mix of fine dust and larger chunks. That mix can make a brew taste muddy. Burrs crush beans instead, which gives a more even size.
Blade models grind by the clock, so the run time sets the grind size. Owners of the F203 use 3 to 8 seconds for a coarse grind and 10 to 12 seconds for a medium grind. A fine grind takes 15 to 30 seconds with short pulses.
How Well Does a Krups Coffee Grinder Grind?
A Krups coffee grinder grinds well enough for drip, French press and moka pot but not for precise brewing. Blade models make an average cup. Burr models make a more even grind at a low price.
The F203 earned a taste score of 5 out of 10 in one lab test. The French press cup carried sediment and tasted dirty. The drip cup had a somewhat fuller flavor.
Taste of Home ground 30 g (1 oz) of beans for 30 seconds on the Silent Vortex high setting. Most grounds landed in the medium range and the rest were coarse. The cup was average with a slightly bitter aftertaste.
The GVX2 gives a decent medium grind for pour-over. The coarse grind is hit and miss. Residue in the burrs lowers grind quality, so the grinder needs regular cleaning.
Settings on the GVX2 follow the brew method. Setting 13 suits pour-over. Settings 16 and 17 suit French press. Setting 6 suits a moka pot. Setting 5 and below suits espresso.
GVX2 Settings by Brew Method:
| Brew method | Setting |
|---|---|
| Pour-over | 13 |
| French press | 16 to 17 |
| Moka pot | 6 |
| Espresso | 5 and below |
Is a Krups Coffee Grinder Good for Espresso?
No. A Krups coffee grinder is not a good choice for espresso. Blade models cannot make the even, fine grind that espresso needs. Burr models reach a fine grind but fall short of espresso grinders.
Four grinders show where Krups stops and where espresso grinders begin:
- Krups GVX2: This grinder reaches an espresso-range grind at setting 5 and below. Settings finer than 5 clogged the portafilter of a Gaggia machine. A grind fine enough for Turkish coffee is out of reach.
- Krups GX5000: This line spans fine to coarse at about $50.
- Baratza Encore: This grinder costs about $170 and grinds better for espresso. The extra money over the GX5000 buys a more even grind.
- Baratza Encore ESP: This grinder is built for espresso. It has 40 grind settings, and the first 20 are fine steps for espresso. It lists at $199.95 at some US retailers.
How Loud Is a Krups Coffee Grinder?
A Krups coffee grinder is loud, except for the Silent Vortex, which is the quietest blade grinder in Taste of Home testing. The F203 sounds about as loud as a blender on high speed.
The Silent Vortex peaked at a fairly high level in testing. The sound then dropped below every other blade grinder tested. A silent pad under the bowl is a sold spare part.
The F203 noise lasts only 10 to 15 seconds per grind. A late sleeper in the next room will still hear it. The GVX2 is loud too but quieter than some pricier burr grinders.
What Do Krups Coffee Grinder Reviews Say?
Krups coffee grinder reviews are mostly positive about price and simplicity and negative about mess and noise. Scores vary by model and by test method.
Good Food rated the Krups Everyday spice and coffee grinder 4.5 out of 5. Tech Gear Lab scored the Fast Touch 46 out of 100. Taste of Home picked the Silent Vortex as its quiet grinder.
Praise centers on the low price, the small size and the one-button use. Complaints center on static, grounds that stick to the bowl, and motor noise.
Durability stories are common. The Kitchn author used one Krups grinder almost daily for over ten years and bought a second.
What Do Owners Like About the Krups Coffee Grinder?
Owners like the Krups coffee grinder for its low price, its simple controls and its small size. These traits fit a first grinder.
Price is the first draw. The F203 sold for $15 to $30, the lowest list price in Tech Gear Lab's grinder test. A Krups grinder costs far less than most burr grinders, so a new buyer risks little money.
Simple controls keep that first purchase easy to use. The F203 turns 3 oz (85 g) of beans into grounds in under ten seconds with one button. Burr models add a cup selector and an automatic stop.
Size suits a small kitchen. The F203 is about 4 in (10 cm) wide, so it fits under a kitchen cabinet. The Silent Vortex has a removable, dishwasher-safe bowl, which few blade grinders offer.
What Are the Common Krups Coffee Grinder Complaints?
The most common Krups coffee grinder complaints are static cling, mess, noise and some button failures. Each affects daily use more than grind quality does.
Static makes grounds cling to the container of the GVX2. They can jump out when the lid lifts. A hard tap of the drawer on the counter helps, and so do a few drops of water on the beans before grinding.
The F203 scored 2 out of 10 for mess in Tech Gear Lab testing. The bowl is fixed, so the grinder must be flipped and brushed out. The cord is short.
Some GVX2 owners report the power button failing after about 18 months. Repair parts can be hard to find. The F203 ships without a cleaning brush.
Main Complaints:
- Static cling on the GVX2
- Mess from the fixed F203 bowl
- Motor noise on blade models
- Power button failures on the GVX2
How Do You Clean a Krups Coffee Grinder?
You clean a Krups coffee grinder by unplugging it, wiping it dry and removing whatever parts come off. Never submerge the base in water. Avoid harsh detergents and abrasive pads.
The F203 bowl is fixed. Wipe it with a dry paper towel or a pastry brush. A small piece of bread or half a teaspoon of dry rice ground for 10 seconds lifts trapped oils. Rice and bread suit blade models only.
The GX5000 has a removable top burr, a removable 15 oz (440 mL) container and a brush. The Silent Vortex bowl twists off, and the bowl and lid can go in the dishwasher. Wipe the base with a damp cloth.
Burr models use Urnex Grindz cleaning tablets instead. Rice is harder than the tablets and can damage burrs. The tablets run through the grinder like coffee, followed by a purge of cheap beans.
Cleaning Steps for a Blade Model:
- Unplug the grinder.
- Tip out the grounds.
- Wipe the bowl with a dry paper towel or brush.
- Grind bread or dry rice for 10 seconds.
- Discard the crumbs and wipe the bowl again.
Cleaning protects flavor. Coffee oils turn rancid when left in the bowl. Residue in the GVX2 burrs also lowers grind quality.
Can a Krups Coffee Grinder Grind Spices?
Yes. A Krups coffee grinder can grind spices, nuts and herbs when it is a blade model. The F203 handles cumin, coriander, cinnamon sticks and cardamom pods.
Burr models differ. Krups states that a grinder with a millstone grinds only coffee beans, so spices go in a blade model.
Strong spices leave a smell behind. Cumin lingered in an F203 after cleaning. Coffee ground next in that bowl can pick up the spice flavor. A second grinder kept for spices avoids spice flavor in the morning cup.
How Does a Krups Coffee Grinder Compare to Rivals?
A Krups coffee grinder compares to Hamilton Beach, KitchenAid, Cuisinart and OXO grinders mainly on price. Krups usually wins on cost. Rivals at $60 to $110 add larger hoppers.
| Model | Type | Capacity | Grind settings | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Krups F203 | Blade | 3 oz (85 g) | None, timed | $19 to $30 |
| Krups Silent Vortex | Blade | 3 oz (85 g) | High and low speed | $40 to $59 |
| Krups GX500050 | Burr | 7 oz (200 g) hopper | 9 main, 5 steps each | $49.99 |
| Hamilton Beach 80335R | Blade | 4.5 oz (128 g) | None, timed | $22 to $27 |
| Cuisinart DBM-8 | Burr | 8 oz (227 g) hopper | 18 positions | $60 to $75 |
| OXO Brew | Burr | 12 oz (340 g) hopper | 15 plus micro-settings | About $110 |
The Hamilton Beach 80335R holds more beans for less money. It runs on a 125 W motor and has a removable grinding chamber. The Krups F203 is also a blade grinder. It has a fixed bowl and a 200 W motor.
The KitchenAid blade grinder beat the Fast Touch in Tech Gear Lab testing. It has a longer cord and a removable, washable bowl. The Silent Vortex also has a removable bowl.
The OXO Brew conical burr grinder costs about twice the Silent Vortex price. The OXO has a stainless body, 15 grind settings, micro-settings and a 12 oz (340 g) hopper. Its UV-tinted hopper has a trap door that holds beans in when the hopper is removed.
Krups Coffee Grinder vs Cuisinart: Which Is Better?
Neither brand wins outright, since a Krups coffee grinder is the cheaper and quieter pick while the Cuisinart DBM-8 is the larger burr grinder. The choice depends on the brew method and the budget.
A burr grinder crushes beans between two surfaces, so the grounds come out an even size. Shoppers who want an even grind choose a burr model from either brand. The Cuisinart DBM-8 is a burr model that costs about $60 to $75.
The DBM-8 is the larger machine. It has an 18-position grind selector and a removable 8 oz (227 g) hopper. Its removable chamber holds enough grounds for 32 cups. A cup selector covers 4 to 18 cups, and a timer shuts the grinder off.
Price is where Krups competes. Krups blade grinders cost $20 to $30. The Krups GX500050 burr grinder lists at $49.99, below the Cuisinart price.
Noise is the other reason to pick Krups. The Silent Vortex is the quiet option. Shoppers who want the lowest price choose Krups.
How Much Does a Krups Coffee Grinder Cost?
A Krups coffee grinder costs about $20 to $80, depending on the model. Blade models sit at the bottom of that range and burr models at the top.
| Model | Type | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Fast Touch F203 | Blade | $19 to $30 |
| Silent Vortex | Blade | $40 to $59 |
| GX500050 | Burr | $49.99 |
| GVX2 (GVX212) | Burr | $60 to $80 |
The F203 sells for about $19 to $30. The Kitchn saw it at $15.44 during a sale. Prices move with the retailer.
The Silent Vortex costs roughly $40 to $59. The extra money buys the quiet design and the removable bowl.
An F203 at about $25 that lasts four years costs about $6 a year. At ten years it costs $2.50 a year.
Spare parts are cheap. Krups sells a coffee collector for $10.20, a collector lid for $4.00 and a brush for $4.30 for the GX5000 line.
How Long Does a Krups Coffee Grinder Last?
A Krups coffee grinder lasts four years or more with regular home use. Some units run for a decade.
The Kitchn author used an F203 daily for over ten years. Other owners report more than four years of use. Electric grinders last 5 to 10 years with care.
Warranty terms vary by model. An F203 manual describes a one-year limited warranty. GVX212 listings cite two years. A burr model such as the GX5000 can run for ten years or more, but the power button can fail earlier.
Is a Krups Coffee Grinder Worth It?
Yes. A Krups coffee grinder is worth it for drip, French press and moka pot at a price of $20 to $80. Fresh grounds beat pre-ground coffee at once.
Blade models give the lowest cost and the simplest use. They suit first-time buyers. The grind is uneven, and cleaning takes effort.
The GX500050 at $49.99 is a fair first burr grinder. Its grind is not on par with grinders that cost four times as much. Cleaning matters to keep it consistent.
The F203 suits a first grinder for drip and French press. The Silent Vortex suits a home where noise matters. The GX500050 and GVX2 suit drip, pour-over and moka pot. All of them give up grind evenness and need regular cleaning.
Skip a Krups grinder for espresso, precision pour-over or commercial work. A Baratza Encore or a hand grinder serves those jobs better.
Who Should Skip a Krups Coffee Grinder?
Espresso drinkers, precision pour-over fans and light sleepers should skip a Krups coffee grinder. Each group needs something the budget models cannot give.
Espresso drinkers need a grinder with fine, even steps. A Krups GVX2 clogged a Gaggia portafilter below setting 5. A more expensive burr grinder fits.
Precision pour-over brewers need even particles. Blade chunks brew unevenly. Even the GVX2 coarse grind is hit and miss.
Light sleepers should avoid the F203, which is loud. The Silent Vortex is the exception in the lineup.
Buyers Who Should Skip a Krups Grinder:
- Espresso drinkers
- Precision pour-over brewers
- Light sleepers who want an F203
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