Krups F20342 Coffee grinder: Full Review

The Krups F20342 coffee grinder is a compact, mid-range electric grinder designed for home use. Krups is a well-known German appliance brand that has specialized in coffee for over 150 years. The F20342 grinder has a sleek stainless steel design and aims to deliver consistent grinds for great-tasting coffee through its array of grind settings and simple, user-friendly operation. This coffee grinder provides the convenience of grinding beans fresh at home with some thoughtful features for improved flavor and ease of use. It is an ideal option for making everything from drip coffee to espresso on a daily basis.

Design & Build Quality

The Krups F20342 electric coffee grinder features a sleek and modern stainless steel design that looks great on any kitchen counter. The metal housing feels very sturdy and durable, clearly built to last.

According to reviews, the stainless steel used for the bean hopper, grounds catcher, and burrs is thick and heavy duty. This isn't a lightweight plastic grinder that feels like it could break easily. The metal construction gives it a premium feel and excellent durability.

The burrs are made from hardened stainless steel that stays sharp for consistent grinding. They are specially designed for grinding coffee beans, not spices or other ingredients that could damage the burrs.

Overall, the metal design and construction seem extremely solid. Owners mention this grinder feeling like it could last for many years of regular use. While the Krups F20342 isn't inexpensive, the exceptional build quality makes it clear you're investing in an appliance made to endure.

In contrast, the Wancle P00273 offers a similar robust construction with an emphasis on durability. This grinder features a combination of stainless steel and high-quality plastic elements, making it both lightweight and durable. Users appreciate the efficient performance and ease of cleaning provided by the Wancle P00273. Though lighter than the Krups F20342, the Wancle model is praised for its reliable and consistent grind quality, suitable for various coffee brewing methods. The thoughtful design ensures ease of use and a long lifespan, making it a worthy contender in the coffee grinder market.

Grind Settings

The Krups F20342 burr grinder offers users a wide range of grind size adjustability through its 12 grind settings. The settings allow you to choose from an ultrafine powder-like grind to a coarse grind perfect for French press.

Adjusting between settings is easy - simply turn the grind size selector dial on the front of the grinder. The dial has clear markings for each setting, labeled from 1 (finest) to 12 (coarsest), so you can clearly see what setting you are on. The grinder's burrs quickly adjust as you turn the dial, allowing you to precisely dial in the size you need.

Overall, the 12 settings provide plenty of range for brewing all kinds of coffee, from espresso to cold brew. The ease of sliding between settings with the front dial makes it simple to tweak the grind size to perfectly match your brew method. The clear labeling by grind size on the selector ensures reproducible results, giving you consistent grinds each time.

For another great option, consider the KIDISLE CG835. This modern grinder provides exceptional grind consistency across its 18 adjustable settings, making it suitable for various brewing methods including espresso, drip coffee, and French press. Its user-friendly interface and sturdy build ensure reliable performance, while the clear grind size markings allow for precise adjustments. Ideal for coffee enthusiasts looking to achieve their perfect cup, the KIDISLE CG835 stands out as a versatile and efficient choice.

Grinding Performance

The KRUPS F20342 coffee grinder delivers fast and efficient grinding thanks to its powerful 200-watt motor. It can grind enough coffee for 12 cups in just 10 seconds, making it one of the fastest electric coffee grinders available.

The grinder operates at a reasonable noise level of around 85 decibels. While not whisper quiet, the grinding noise is comparable to other electric models and shouldn't disturb others in your household. Some users note the grinder makes a high-pitched whining noise in addition to the grinding sound.

The burr grinder mechanism inside the KRUPS F20342 produces very consistent grinds. The uniform particle size helps extract the maximum flavor from the coffee beans during brewing. Both the fineness and consistency of the grind can be customized using the adjustable grind selector with 12 settings. Overall, the grinding performance is impressive for a grinder in this price range.

Ease of Use & Cleaning

The Krups F20342 coffee grinder offers easy operation with its user-friendly interface. It has an intuitive on/off switch with pulse action for grinding control. The grind size selector knob allows you to choose from an impressive 17 fineness settings, labeled from fine for espresso to coarse for French press.

The stainless steel housing wipes clean easily. The lid, receptacle, and grinding burrs detach from the base for thorough cleaning. The grounds container, lid, and receptacle are top-rack dishwasher safe as well, making cleanup a breeze. The simplicity of use and maintenance makes this an excellent choice for both beginner and expert coffee enthusiasts.

Capacity

The Krups F20342 coffee grinder has a decent size hopper that can hold up to 4 ounces (112g) of whole coffee beans. This is enough capacity for grinding the equivalent of 15-20 cups of coffee per use.

While the hopper is not huge, it can grind enough beans in one session for making coffee for a small family or gathering. You won't have to refill the hopper too frequently. The hopper also has a tight fitting lid to keep your beans fresh between uses.

Some users may prefer a larger capacity hopper that can hold 8+ ounces of beans. But the Krups strikes a good balance between size and capacity for most home use. Overall, the hopper capacity is sufficient for grinding beans for a pot or carafe of coffee at a time.

Safety Features

The Krups F20342 coffee grinder has several important safety features to prevent accidents and malfunctions.

• Overload Protection - This grinder has a built-in circuit breaker that will automatically shut off the motor if it becomes overloaded or overheated. This prevents damage to the grinder if you accidentally try to grind something too hard like spices.

• Stable Base - The heavy plastic base keeps the grinder stable during grinding so it doesn't tip over or slide around on your counter. Rubber feet on the bottom also help grip your counter.

• ETL Certified - The F20342 grinder is ETL certified meaning it has passed independent testing for compliance with North American safety standards. This certification verifies the electrical system is safe and won't cause shocks or fires.

The combination of overload protection, a stable base, and safety certification gives confidence that this Krups grinder won't malfunction or cause accidents even with daily use over many years. You can operate it safely without worry.

Accessories & Extras

The Krups F20342 coffee grinder comes with the essential accessories included to get started grinding coffee beans.

In the box, you'll find the grinder unit, a 2.6 ounce bean hopper, and a catch container to collect the ground coffee. The bean hopper has a locking lid to keep beans secured inside.

The catch container is made of clear plastic so you can monitor the level of ground coffee and detach it easily to pour the grounds out. The container can hold up to 4 ounces of ground coffee.

No additional accessories are required for basic operation, as the grinder has the necessary components included. However, there are some optional accessories available:

• Replacement bean hopper - If the original hopper gets damaged, you can purchase a replacement from Krups. It has the same 2.6 ounce capacity.

• Extra catch containers - For convenience, you may want to buy additional catch containers. This allows you to pre-portion ground coffee into separate containers for multiple servings.

• Coffee scoop - A small scoop can help transfer and measure out the fresh grounds.

• Coffee storage canisters - For keeping unused grounds fresh in an airtight container. Useful if grinding a larger batch of beans at once.

That covers the key accessories. The Krups grinder comes equipped with the essential parts needed, and replacement or extra pieces can be purchased separately if desired. Overall, the included accessories are sufficient for most users' brewing needs.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Powerful 200-watt motor provides fast grinding
• Stainless steel blades stay sharp for uniform grinds
• Adjustable grind settings for various brew methods
• Large grinding capacity for multiple servings
• Compact space-saving design with lid for storage
• Safety features like locking hopper and base
• 2-year warranty provides peace of mind

Cons

• Noise level is quite loud during grinding
• Static can cause some grounds to cling to container
• No portafilter holder for espresso grinding
• Bean hopper could be larger for high-volume use
• Not the most precise grind settings for espresso
• Base can slide around on countertop during grinding

Conclusion

The Krups F20342 electric coffee grinder is an excellent option for anyone looking for a powerful, yet affordable coffee grinder. Its 200-watt motor provides fast grinding while still preserving flavor and aroma. The stainless steel blades stay sharp and are easy to clean.

With 17 grind settings, you can customize grinds from extra fine for espresso to coarse for French press. The grind chamber holds enough beans for 12 cups of coffee. Safety features like the lid interlock switch and overload protection make operation safe and prevent overheating.

While the beans can jam occasionally, the grinder is easy to disassemble for cleaning. It also lacks a timer, which would allow more precision with grind times. However, for an affordable and reliable electric grinder, the Krups F20342 delivers excellent performance and grind consistency.

With its robust motor, sharp blades, and array of grind settings, this coffee grinder is an excellent value. If you're looking for precise, consistent grinds for any brew method without spending a lot, the Krups F20342 is a great choice. Its blend of power, versatility, and affordability make it our top recommendation for a budget-friendly electric coffee grinder.