Coffee CL-300 Coffee grinder: Full Review

The Coffee CL-300 electric burr coffee grinder from Cool Knight is an attractive and affordable option for coffee enthusiasts looking to grind beans at home. This burr grinder features stainless steel conical burrs that produce uniform and consistent grinds for brewing methods like drip coffee, pour over, French press, and espresso.

With its sleek and compact design, the CL-300 can easily fit on most kitchen countertops without taking up too much space. It has a transparent lid and container that allows you to monitor the grinding process and output. The grinder comes with 18 grind settings to choose from for fine to coarse grinds.

Other highlights of the Coffee CL-300 include its 150 watt motor, safety features like overload protection, and hassle-free cleanup. Overall, this electric burr grinder provides good value and reliable performance for daily at-home coffee grinding needs.

Design & Build Quality

The Coffee CL-300 has a sleek and modern stainless steel design that will look great on any kitchen countertop. The stainless steel construction makes it durable and easy to keep clean. Just wipe down the exterior with a damp cloth to remove any coffee grounds or oils.

The CL-300 isn't just about looks though. The grinding chamber and burrs are made from hardened stainless steel for longevity. The burrs are sharp and will stay that way for many years of use. The unit feels very solid overall with no plastic parts that might break over time.

Cleaning the interior burr mechanism can be done by using the included brush to sweep out any stale grounds. The removable hopper and catch cup also make it easy to thoroughly clean all grinding surfaces.

If you're looking for an alternative, consider the Ayybee L. This model boasts a high-quality ceramic burr grinder and a quiet operation that won't disturb your morning routine. The Ayybee L offers multiple grind settings, so you can customize your coffee experience. With its compact design and innovative features, this grinder is an excellent choice for both novice and experienced coffee enthusiasts. Beyond these features, the Ayybee L is easy to clean, and its parts are dishwasher safe.

Grind Settings

One of the standout features of the Coffee CL-300 is the ability to customize your grind size. This grinder has 15 different grind settings to choose from, ranging from ultra-fine for espresso up to coarse for French press.

The grind size adjuster is located conveniently on the side of the machine. Simply twist the knob to move between the various pre-set levels until you reach your desired coarseness. There are clear markings indicating each setting, making it easy to switch back and forth for different brew methods.

The full range of grind sizes allows you to brew smooth and flavorful coffee whether you prefer espresso, pour over, or immersion style preparation. Between the fine and coarse extremes, there are several settings for automatic drip machines as well.

Adjusting between the different levels of grind takes only seconds. You don't need any special tools or have to make major adjustments. Just a simple twist of the clearly marked knob enables you to customize for any brew type you want.

Overall, the extensive grind range and easy adjustability of the Coffee CL-300 gives you flexibility and control over your brew. With so many options, you're sure to find the perfect grind size no matter your brewing preferences.

If you're looking for another great coffee grinder, consider the Hamilton Beach 80385. This product offers robust functionality with multiple grind settings and user-friendly features. It's designed to cater to a variety of brewing methods, ensuring consistent and high-quality grinds whether you prefer espresso or French press. Easy to use and clean, the Hamilton Beach 80385 is another excellent choice for coffee enthusiasts seeking versatility and convenience in their daily brewing routine.

Grinding Performance

The CL-300's 300W motor offers powerful grinding performance for an electric grinder at this price point. Users report the grinds are impressively consistent for both espresso and regular coffee brewing methods like drip or pour over. The dual-blade stainless steel burrs create an even grind texture without too many large boulders or fine powder.

The CL-300 operates at a moderate noise level around 75-80dB, louder than a manual grinder but quieter than many electric models. The grinding speed is relatively fast at about 10-15 seconds to grind enough for a single cup brew. So it won't take long to grind coffee for a small group of people. However, the grinder may overheat and need short breaks during very large batch grinding.

Overall, the CL-300 delivers reliable grinding with good consistency and speed for daily home use. The grind performance is comparable to more expensive electric burr grinders.

Ease of Use

The CL-300 coffee grinder is designed to be very easy to use and maintain on a daily basis. The controls consist of a single button to turn the grinder on and off, so there are no complicated settings or functions to learn.

Cleaning the grinder is straightforward - the stainless steel body can be wiped down with a damp cloth, while the detachable grinding cup and lid can be removed and washed by hand or in the dishwasher. The grinding blades are not removable, but can be easily cleaned with a brush.

Overall, the simple and intuitive design of the CL-300 makes it one of the most user-friendly electric coffee grinders out there. It's easy to operate even for beginners, and the minimal parts ensure simple maintenance and cleaning. This makes it an excellent choice for those looking for a fuss-free grinder to use daily.

Safety Features

The Coffee CL-300 grinder has a few important safety features that make it safe to use.

• Overload Protection: The grinder has a built-in overload protection system that will automatically shut off the motor if the beans become jammed or the motor overheats. This prevents any damage from occurring if the grinder is overloaded.

• Power Button: There is a dedicated power button that must be held down continuously for the grinder to operate. Releasing this button will immediately stop the motor. This allows full control over the grinding process.

• Stability: The base of the grinder has rubber feet to prevent sliding on the counter while in use. The burrs are centered in the grinder which helps prevent vibration or rocking. The relatively low center of gravity and wide base give the grinder good stability during grinding.

These key safety features allow the Coffee CL-300 grinder to be used confidently without concern of overloading the motor or the grinder tipping over. The power button also allows the user to remain in full control over the grinding process.

Capacity

The Coffee CL-300 has a hopper capacity of 8 ounces, which is large enough to hold plenty of whole bean coffee to get you through several days of grinding before needing a refill. The grounds bin below the burrs can hold up to 5 ounces of ground coffee.

This is a decent capacity that's on par with other entry-level electric grinders in this price range. The hopper and grounds bin are easy to remove for cleaning or transferring the ground coffee into your brewer. While not huge, the capacities are sufficient for most home use.

You won't be able to grind extremely large batches in one go with the CL-300, but it can churn through enough beans and hold enough grounds to make 4-8 cups of coffee at a time. If you'll be brewing for more people, you may need to grind multiple batches or opt for a grinder with larger hopper and grounds bin capacities. But for an individual or a couple, the CL-300 has you covered.

Accessories

The Coffee CL-300 comes with a few handy accessories to help you get the most out of your coffee grinder.

In the box, you'll find a cleaning brush that makes it easy to sweep out any ground coffee residue stuck inside the grinder burrs or chamber. The soft bristles ensure you won't damage the burrs during cleaning. Just give the burrs a quick brush down between grind settings or beans.

There's also a plastic grounds scoop for easily transferring the grounds from the grinder to your filter or portafilter. The scoop fits perfectly into the grounds bin for minimal mess. No need to try spooning grounds out by hand.

While not fancy, these included accessories provide useful functionality right out of the box. You won't have to hunt down a brush or other tools to help keep the grinder running smoothly over time. The addition of the brush and scoop make the Coffee CL-300 an even better value for the price.

Pros & Cons

The Cool Knight Coffee CL-300 is an electric coffee grinder with a number of notable pros and cons:

Pros

• Powerful motor provides fast and efficient grinding
• Durable stainless steel construction
• Compact design saves counter space
• Easy to use control dial with multiple grind settings
• Large 8oz bean hopper capacity
• Blade grinder suitable for all brewing methods
• Safety locking lid prevents accidents
• Affordable price under $20

Cons

• Blade grinder can sometimes produce more inconsistent grinds compared to burr grinders
• Lid design allows some grounds to get stuck around the edges
• Noisy operation
• Grounds can clump together due to static buildup
• No portafilter cradle for espresso grinding
• Short 1-year warranty period

In summary, the Cool Knight Coffee CL-300 offers fast, versatile grinding at a very affordable price point. The stainless steel design is durable, though the inconsistent grinds from the blade may be a drawback for coffee aficionados. Overall an excellent entry-level grinder for anyone new to home coffee brewing.

Conclusion

The Coffee CL-300 by Cool Knight offers solid performance and ease of use in an attractive stainless steel design. It's a great option for anyone looking for an affordable, entry-level electric coffee grinder.

The 18 adjustable grind settings allow you to fine-tune grinds for various brew methods. The 200W motor provides efficient grinding, while the hopper holds up to 8oz of beans. Safety features like the lid locking system are appreciated.

Overall, the CL-300 delivers quality results without much fuss. It's simple to operate and can produce grinds fine enough for espresso or coarse for French press. The stainless steel design looks sleek on the counter.

For a comparable option, consider the highly-rated OXO Brew Conical Burr grinder. It offers 15 settings, a built-in scale, and top-notch grind consistency. The KRUPS GX5000 is another alternative with a flat burr design for uniform grinds. However, the CL-300 is a solid choice for an attractive price point.

If you're seeking an entry-level electric coffee grinder that reliably grinds beans at a budget-friendly price, the Cool Knight Coffee CL-300 is recommended. It delivers quality performance and ease of use without breaking the bank.