Any time you search for a kitchen appliance, there’s a good chance you’ll come across a Delonghi.
They’re everywhere.
But while DeLonghi makes approximately 65,000,000 different Coffee makers and espresso machines, they don’t have as wide an array of coffee grinders.
In fact, they only make two!
This article takes a look at the limited Delonghi Coffee Grinder universe, breaking down the two models currently available:
- DeLonghi Dedica KG521
- DeLonghi KG89
At their heart they do the same thing — grind coffee beans — but they’re distinctly different machines.
How so?
Take a look at the following comparison table:
DeLonghi Coffee Grinder Comparison Table
These are the two available DeLonghi coffee grinders side-by-side:
DeLonghi Dedica KG521 Conical Burr Grinder
- Grinder: Stainless steel conical burr
- Hopper: 12 oz (350 g) capacity
- Grind Size: 18 variable settings
- Portafilter Compatible: Yes
- Exterior: Stainless steel
- Dimensions: 6.9″W x 11.2″D x 15.0″H
- Weight: 6.1 lbs
- User Manual: Click here
Other Notable Features
- Digital LCD display to choose grind setting, strength, number of cups
- Also grinds up to 14 cups worth with included storage container
- Removable upper burr for easy cleaning
DeLonghi Dedica KG521 Product Images
With a high-quality build featuring a stainless steel conical burr grinder and stainless steel exterior, the DeLonghi Dedica grinder is the best DeLonghi coffee grinder available.
The digital LCD display isn’t a touch screen, but it gives you easy access to the model’s various settings:
- Select one of 18 different grind settings using the knob on the right of the grinder
- Select the number of cups you want to brew from single-shot espresso to 14 cups of coffee
- Select Light, Medium, or Strong to refine the volume of grounds
Small bone to pick here: Are we getting too cute with things like a strength setting? You’ve already selected your grind size and your grind volume, so what does this strength setting actually do?
As mentioned above, it refines the volume of your ground coffee. If you select “Strong” you’ll get 25-30% more ground coffee. If you select “Light” you’ll get 25-30% less.
It seems like an unnecessary extra feature to me, but in the end it doesn’t harm anyone. Just leave it on one of the three settings and be done with it.
On top of the many available settings, the DeLonghi Dedica has a few other things going for it:
- It grinds consistently
- It’s quiet
I live in a small apartment with my girlfriend, and I like making coffee at 5:00am some days. Thankfully she’s a heavy sleeper, but some days my grinder does wake her up, so I need the quietest grinder available. While I don’t have the DeLonghi Dedica (currently I have a Capresso coffee grinder) I think the Dedica is quiet enough even for early morning use.
That said, some people still don’t like grinding coffee early in the morning for fear of waking the household. If this is you, you have a few options:
- Consider a manual coffee grinder
- Grind the night before
I know, you’re not supposed to grind coffee before using it, but sometimes it’s unavoidable. If this is something you do, the DeLonghi Dedica offers an airtight coffee storage container with a black top and shaded plastic sides to help keep light out.
The DeLonghi Dedica also offers super simple cleaning.
Cleaning your grinder is a necessary evil, but the Dedica’s top burr easily detaches to give you access to the entire grinding system. DeLonghi suggests you clean after every use — honestly, does anyone actually do this? — but you can probably get away with cleaning it every few weeks. If you use an oily bean, clean more frequently.
The biggest drawback of the DeLonghi Dedica is how large it is. Weighing 6 lbs and standing 15″ tall, it’s a pretty bulky grinder.
- 18 variable grind settings for espresso, drip coffee, pour over, and French press
- Digital LCD display
- Choose to dispense grinds to a storage carafe or directly into espresso porta filter
- Removable upper Burrs for easy cleaning
- Adjustable strength settings: light, normal, strong
Who is this model for?
For those who love the simplicity of a digital user display and are willing to pay a little extra for the durability of this highly-rated model.
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DeLonghi KG89 Flat Burr Coffee Grinder
- Grinder: Stainless steel flat burr
- Hopper: 4.2 oz (120 g) capacity
- Grind Size: 18 variable settings
- Portafilter Compatible: No
- Exterior: Plastic and stainless steel paneling
- Dimensions: 5.0″W x 6.3″D x 10.1″H
- Weight: 3.8 lbs
- User Manual: Click here
Other Notable Features
- Grind 2-12 servings with knob on front of grinder
- Easily removable upper burr for cleaning
DeLonghi KG89 Product Images
Like the DeLonghi Dedica KG521 above, the DeLonghi KG89 has a stainless steel burr which is easy to access and clean.
However, the DeLonghi KG89 has a flat burr grinding wheel compared to the Dedica KG521’s conical burr.
What’s the difference between flat and conical burr grinders?
There’s more to it than this, but here’s a quick breakdown:
- Flat burrs: More consistent grind size
- Conical burrs: Typically spin at lower RPM, so quieter and usually less expensive
The “flat burr grinders are more expensive” part doesn’t come into play here as the DeLonghi KG89 is much less expensive than the Dedica KG521. But that’s because the KG521 really is the superior model.
So, why would you consider the DeLonghi KG89?
- Lower price
- Sleek design
- Doesn’t take up much space
And an oddity about this product’s listings on both Amazon and the DeLonghi page: Frequently you’ll read it grinds coffee beans for 4-12 cups. In reality it’s 2-12 cups! I swear, the product pages are lying to you!
- Produces a uniform ground texture for the most consistent results with the burr grinding wheel
- Choose the perfect grind setting from course, to medium, to fine
- Grind 4-12-cup of coffee with quantity control knob; once grinding is complete, it shuts off automatically
- Easy access to ground coffee with removable, transparent ground coffee container
- Stylish and durable stainless steel exterior
Who is this model for?
This model is ideal for people who want an affordable, compact brewer for their countertop. It doesn’t have the best track record with durability, but in its price range you’ll be hard-pressed to find a truly fantastic machine. If you’re looking for a good coffee grinder under $100, check out this Capresso coffee grinder.
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The post DeLonghi Coffee Grinder: Comparing Their Top 2 Models [2018 Update] appeared first on The Coffee Maven.
