Bodum Bistro Review: Is This Entry-Level Coffee Grinder Worth Buying?

In today’s initial Bodum Bistro review I’ll be taking a first look at one of the most popular entry level electric grinders on the market. Listen, I know I said in my best burr coffee grinder guide that I’d never recommend a model costing less than $100. However, I’m well aware that too many folks are still humiliating their coffee beans in blade grinders.

With that in mind, I’m willing to lower my standards a little and give you an overview of a very affordable burr coffee grinder with a solid reputation. That way, you’ll have no excuses for owning a cheap blade grinder!

Budget-Friendly Burr Grinder

Bodum Bistro Conical Burr Grinder

A perfectly decent entry-level grinder

Great value

Borosilicate glass catch cup

Attractive design

Easy to use

Limited adjustments

Clear plastic bean hopper

CHECK PRICE

Bodum Bistro Review Overview

As I mentioned above, the Bodum Bistro is one of the most popular burr coffee grinders out there. To be honest, I can see the appeal. I mean, costing just $55.99, the Bodum Bistro Conical Burr Grinder is certainly an affordable option. What’s more, the Bistro is an attractive and compact model that’s produced by a well-known and trusted manufacturer.

With all that said, I don’t expect the Bodum Bistro to blow my mind when it comes to performance. After all, the thing has a very limited number of grind adjustment settings. So, if you’re looking for a budget espresso grinder and want the maximum bang for your buck, check out my guide to the best manual coffee grinders.

However, if you simply want an affordable grinder to pair with your favorite Bodum French press or drip coffee maker, the Bistro could be just the ticket. In this Bodum Bistro review I’ll be looking at the updated version, which comes with a lovely glass catch cup and a timer function.

Sure, you can pick up the bare bones Bodum Bistro Standard for around $30 less, but I’d recommend paying more for the upgrades. Trust me, the Bistro Standard’s plastic catch cup will be a static retention nightmare.

Bodum Bistro Features

OK, it’s time to dig a little deeper in this Bodum Bistro review. Let’s take a look at the grinder’s most notable features.

Size and Design

Given the Bodum Bistro’s budget-friendly price tag, I’m not surprised to see that there’s an abundance of plastic in its construction. However, it’s nice to see that the manufacturer used borosilicate glass for the coffee catcher. Besides, the Bodum Bistro looks very smart in Black, and I like the contrasting red buttons.

Incidentally, you can also get the grinder in Red or White, although you’ll have to shell out an extra few dollars for some reason.

Size-wise, the Bodum Bistro grinder is nice and compact, rising to just 12.5 inches (31.8 centimeters). For reference, that makes the Bistro 3 inches shorter than the Breville Smart Grinder Pro, so you should be able to find a spot for the Bodum grinder in your kitchen.

Controls

In keeping with this burr coffee grinder’s streamlined, user-friendly approach, the controls are very straightforward and intuitive. There’s a power button on the side of the grinder body as well as a start/stop button up top.

What’s more, the updated Bodum Bistro features a timer function. You simply adjust the dial next to the on/off button to grind for as many seconds as you’d like and the grinder takes care of the rest.

Sure, this isn’t the most precise way to measure your coffee dose, but I’m sure that most Bistro users won’t care too much about pro-level accuracy.

Stainless Steel Conical Burrs

If you’re considering an upgrade from a blade grinder, it’s time to pay attention! I implore you to follow through and make the switch, and here’s why: blade grinders simply chop up coffee beans, resulting in grounds that are all different sizes. And when it’s time to brew coffee, you’ll struggle to get a cup that isn’t either over- or under-extracted.

On the other hand, burr grinders produce much more consistent results, even beginner models like the Bodum Bistro. So, while the Bistro can’t compete with more expensive models, it’ll produce way more uniform grounds than a blade grinder. And what does that mean? Tastier and more satisfying coffee!

Grind Settings

With just 12 settings to choose from, this electric grinder doesn’t offer too much in the way of adjustments. Essentially, you’re going to go from very fine to very coarse in just a few clicks, with little nuance inbetween.

With all that said, I’ve heard that the Bistro produces impressively uniform grounds at its finest settings. So, this grinder will be ideal for moka pots and espresso machines with pressurized filter baskets. And although you’ll likely see more fines when grinding with the medium settings, you should be able to get good enough results for pour-over and drip machines.

Bean Hopper

The Bodum Bistro is equipped with a fairly unremarkable 7.8-ounce (220-gram) capacity plastic bean hopper. And seeing as it doesn’t appear to have any kind of UV tinting, I wouldn’t recommend letting coffee beans hang out in there for long. So, check out my guide to the best coffee storage containers instead.

What is actually very cool about the bean hopper is its lid. Here, you’ll find a handy dandy grind size and grind time chart. I think that’s a very thoughtful touch, so I’ll tip my hat to the manufacturer!

Coffee Catcher

As I mentioned earlier, the Bistro’s coffee catcher is made from borosilicate glass. And seeing as the manufacturer specializes in glass French presses, I’d expect the catch cup to be very well made.

With that said, you’ll need to be careful seeing as it’ll smash if you drop it. Then again, Bodum has included a silicone band for the catch cup, which should help with grip.

How to Use the Bodum Bistro Coffee Grinder

Unless you just transported here from a time before coffee grinders, I should imagine operating the Bodum Bistro will be a piece of cake.

So, I won’t waste your time by going into great detail about the ins and outs of using the thing. However, I will say that you should wash the plastic hopper and glass coffee catcher before using the grinder for the first time. Oh, and make sure they’re both fully dry before introducing coffee into the equation.

Depending on how accurate you want to be, the timer function will be a boon or a dud. But if you’re making pour over and want precision at every step, consider using the best coffee scale you can find instead. That way, you’ll be able to weigh your coffee beans before grinding as well as after.

Bodum Bistro Cleaning

As with any coffee grinder, you’ll need to clean the Bodum Bistro on a regular basis if you want it to keep performing at its best. So, consider removing the burrs once every couple of weeks and brushing them to remove coffee oils and dust. Plus, it’s never a bad idea to run coffee grinder cleaning tablets through the machine every once in a while.

Elsewhere, make sure to clean the bean hopper and borosilicate glass catch jar on a similarly regular basis. That way you’ll prevent the buildup of coffee oils, which can go rancid and ruin your daily cup of joe.

Bodum Bistro Technical Specifications

Bodum Bistro vs Other Grinders

We’ve established that the Bodum Bistro is an affordable grinder that’ll do the job. Still, for completeness sake, let’s take a quick look at how the Bistro measures up in comparison with a couple of other entry level grinders.

Bodum Bistro vs Baratza Encore

Regular Coffeeness readers will know that the Baratza Encore has long been one of my favorite grinders.

Costing an entirely reasonable $149.95, this bare bones model offers 40 grind adjustment settings. Plus, in my experience it’s very at fine grind and coarse grind settings.

As with the Bodum Bistro, you won’t be able to use the Encore for espresso. However, it’ll give you more room to experiment with manual brewing methods. 

See Also: Baratza Encore Review

Bodum Bistro vs OXO Brew Conical Burr Grinder

Costing just $99.95, the OXO Brew Conical Burr Grinder is hard to beat if you’re in the market for a budget-friendly model. During my testing I was very impressed by this grinder’s performance and build quality.

What’s more, I was able to make some really tasty drip coffee, thanks to the OXO’s grind consistency in the middle of the spectrum. Then again, this isn’t the grinder for you if you’re a French press lover. The OXO struggled to produce any kind of uniformity at corser settings.

See Also: OXO Coffee Grinder Review

Bodum Bistro vs Others Comparison Chart

Verdict: Bodum Bistro Review

Budget-Friendly Burr Grinder

Bodum Bistro Conical Burr Grinder

A perfectly decent entry-level grinder

Great value

Borosilicate glass catch cup

Attractive design

Easy to use

Limited adjustments

Clear plastic bean hopper

CHECK PRICE

At the start of this Bodum Bistro review I made it very clear what we’re dealing with. Namely, a cheap and cheerful burr grinder that’s a great choice for those looking to upgrade from a blade grinder. While I haven’t yet put the Bistro through its paces, I’m convinced there are good reasons for its enduring popularity.

So, I’m looking forward to testing it out as soon as possible. I’ll make sure to update this review once I have firsthand experience with the Bodum Bistro, so keep checking back in if you’re interested!

Bodum Bistro FAQ

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