Antique Coffee Grinder: Types, Identification & Value Guide

coffee grinder

Using an antique coffee grinder to ground your coffee beans is a unique experience that brings back sentimental memories of coffee grinding from the past, maybe from more than a century ago.

However, many individuals utilize vintage coffee grinders, pots, and mills as kitchen accessories and collectors.

The well-known Arcade coffee grinder products, including the crystal coffee grinders, created by the Connecticut-based Arcade King firm, are among the well-known antique coffee grinders.

Over time, the method of consumption of this item has changed. The first time humans started drinking it as a beverage was several centuries after its fruits were first used by travelers as a source of food and vitality.

The tools we use have evolved in step with the way we consume information. We will go over all you need to know about old coffee grinders. Coffee grinders have a fascinating history.

This guide will introduce you to the delightful world of coffee as well as provide you with comprehensive knowledge about vintage coffee grinders, their value, how to identify them, and which ones are the most valuable.

What Is an Antique Coffee-Grinder?

What Is an Antique Coffee-Grinder
Source: Istock photos

Antique coffee grinders are regarded as antiques because they were created more than a century ago.

Despite the fact that hand-crank coffee grinders are still manufactured and frequently used today, coffee that is manually ground may actually have a better flavor profile than coffee that is ground using electric coffee grinders. Some individuals prefer the flavor and taste of coffee ground manually using antique coffee mills than with modern electric-powered grinders since they employed propeller blades to crush the coffee beans in the past.

There are several types of vintage coffee grinders available. There are wall mount, counter top, and lap-mounted vintage grinders available.

Glass, wood, or cast iron are the typical materials used to make antique coffee mills. The older grinders are obviously manually operated (some of them are referred to as “Box Grinders” because electric coffee grinders were essentially nonexistent in the past.

History of Coffee Grinder

History of Coffee Grinder
Source: istock photos

It should be noted that first spice grinders were invented in the 14th century, and ground coffee collection drawers were invented in the 18th century, there have been several advancements and modifications made to coffee grinders. Among them are the following:

  • Turkish grinders of all kinds, such as the cylinder, pocket, and combination grinder with folding cup, have been improved.
  • In 1789, Richard Dearman received a patent for a brand-new style of English coffee grinder.
  • Thomas Bruff Sr. received the first American patent for a better coffee grinder in 1798. His creation marked the birth of the coffee mill that hangs on a wall.
  • In 1813, the American Alexander Duncan Moore received a patent for a better kind of coffee grinder.

American, English, and French innovators received several inventions for improved variations of the coffee grinder throughout the next decades. Manufacturers created a variety of coffee grinders, including:

  • Canister
  • A side mount or wall post
  • Double wheels
  • Upright
  • Boxes or laps

Antique Coffee Grinders Collection

There are several antique coffee grinders available, despite the fact that most collectors won’t be interested in these types of antique coffee mills that can be bought at auctions and antique stores, both online. But always double-check the item’s description before buying an antique coffee mill to be sure it isn’t a marriage—a combination of parts from various models.

American manufacturers of coffee mills

Collectors generally search for coffee mills from the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. American manufacturers include the following:

  • Steinfeld
  • Enterprise
  • Logan and Stonebridge
  • Parker
  • Arcade
  • Wrightsville Hardware Company
  • Wilmot Castle
  • Landers Frary and Clark

European manufacturers of coffee mills

There are a number of European coffee grinders manufacturers, as you might anticipate.

  • DePe brand from Germany
  • DeVe from Holland
  • Armin Tosser from Germany
  • M-S-F and Elma from Spain
  • Spong, and Kenrick from England

Types of Antique Coffee Grinders

For specific purposes, coffee grinders are available in a variety of sorts, designs, and styles. The four different types of vintage coffee grinders are listed below.

  • Single and Double Wheel Cast Iron Models
  • Hand-Crank Box Models with a Top Crank and Hopper
  • Wall Mounted Coffee Grinders
  • Cast Iron Pedestal or Floor Models
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Grind On with these Top Rated Antique Coffee Grinders

  • Norpro Antique Coffee Grinder

Norpro Antique Coffee Grinder
Source: ebay

This coffee mill is quite easy to use because all you need to do is put the coffee beans into the crusher, twist the handle, and crush the beans until you have the desired amount ready for storage.

Incredibly simple to use, this grinder is a marvel. Measurement of Norpro vintage coffee grinder is 4.5 x 4.5 x 8 inches, weight is around one pound.

  • Molmo Antique Coffee Grinder

Molmo Antique Coffee Grinder
Source: ebay

This porcelain “professional” bur by Molmo company does a great job of grinding coffee, spices, and herbs. It has that classic antique appearance: a wooden box with a little drawer into which the ground coffee will fall and a wonderful, large handle that you turn to get a fine grind.

The piece is 3.8 x 3.8 x 8 inches and weighs roughly one pound.

It is stronger and more lasting since it is constructed of solid beech wood, making it ideal for daily use. Since scratches may be so obvious, you shouldn’t let your dog chew on this grinder.

  • XHHOME Vintage Roman Style Manual Coffee Bean Grinder

XHHOME Vintage Roman Style Manual Coffee Bean Grinder
Source: Amazon

This XHHOME Vintage Roman Style Manual Coffee Bean Grinder is vintage coffee grinder, which will make a stunning conversation piece in the kitchen. It’s a stunning combination of bronze and wood.

For the ideal cup of coffee, this grinder will give the utmost control over the size of your grind.

Cleaning within a grinder is one of the factors to take into account. You shouldn’t submerge the grinder in water since it might damage the mechanism. Instead, wipe the outside with a moist towel while cleaning the interior with a dry brush.

  • CoffeeWerks Vintage Coffee Grinder

CoffeeWerks Vintage Coffee Grinder
Source

The ceramic burr on this CoffeeWerks Vintage coffee grinder may be adjusted, and it can be completely disassembled for cleaning. It has a ceramic base and is small (4.5 x 8 inches). It also has a chic, retro café looks.

Furthermore, the complete grinder may be disassembled for simple cleaning to provide the finest coffee, according to the cleaning mechanism. You don’t want stale, out-of-date grinds remaining in the grinder. You may clean the burr and remove any remaining coffee dust from the grinder by running a cup of rice through it.

  • Musiclily Vintage Style Ceramic Iron Burr Coffee Grinder

Musiclily Vintage Style Ceramic Iron Burr Coffee Grinder
Source: ebay

Here’s something a little bit different, an antique coffee grinder from Musiclily. This grinder’s wide exposed wheel and metalwork construction, which are reminiscent of antique grinders, make it an even more retro-styled device.

As you turn the handle and grind the coffee, a real mechanism rotates. Despite how complicated it may seem, operating it is really simple.

It contains a ceramic iron burr set (ceramic burrs are the ideal for manual grinders) to facilitate quicker, simpler, and better grinding.

You can effortlessly adjust the Musiclily vintage-style coffee grinder to produce a consistently excellent grind, whether it is coarse or fine.

  • Foruchoice Vintage Style Coffee Grinder

Foruchoice Vintage Style Coffee Grinder
Source

This vintage Foruchoice manual coffee grinder is fully equipped to produce coffee grinds of various sizes. You will be able to make a coarse coffee grind for French Press or a fine coffee grind appropriate for Turkish coffee.

The large cast iron crank wheel on this grinder, which not only looks fantastic but also makes grinding highly efficient, is its most impressive feature.

Additionally, using this grinder is really simple.

  • Zassenhaus – 40098 Santiago Coffee Mill Grinder

Zassenhaus - 40098 Santiago Coffee Mill Grinder
Source: ebay

The Zassenhaus 40098 is a vintage coffee grinder that was expertly created in the 1920s and appears to have been influenced by Art Deco. By incorporating innovative hopper patterns, curved surfaces, and a move away from costly, decorative embellishments, Art Deco designs deviated from the established standards of the Biedermeier era. A gorgeous and sophisticated design is created using several Art Deco elements.

Although not the most striking of the lot, this old coffee grinder is nevertheless a lovely work of beauty. This vintage Zassenhaus coffee grinder, renowned for its mechanical excellence, faithfully captures the Art Deco style of the 1920s.

  • Zassenhaus Brasilia Coffee Grinder

Zassenhaus Brasilia Coffee Grinder
Source: ebay

The Santiago, also known as the Zassenhaus 156MA, is the vintage coffee grinder on this list with the best aesthetics. The 156-line of Zassenhaus’ Art Deco features are enhanced by the mahogany finish. Earthy brown hues lend an appearance of elegance and opulence to Art Deco design. In addition to having a nice appearance, the 156MA has the same high-quality performance and comfortable grip as its beechwood competitors.

Overall, this antique grinder achieves a wonderful balance between design and use. Some would claim that its mahogany finish justifies its somewhat greater price despite the fact that it is more expensive. The Zassenhaus 156MA vintage model of coffee grinder will be most useful to collectors.

  • Peugeot Antique Coffee Mill

Peugeot Antique Coffee Mill
Source: ebay

Since the 1840 release of the Peugeot milling mechanism, the company’s history has included coffee grinders. Use this French coffee grinder’s renowned steel mechanism for a flavorful, rich cup of coffee. Your kitchen operates while adding a touch of sophistication and French flare with a beechwood foundation. A lengthy tradition of respecting the distinctive flavor that only freshly ground coffee can give is continued by vintage coffee mills like this one.

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This vintage coffee mill continues a long tradition of appreciating the distinctive flavor that only freshly ground coffee can offer. A complete aroma and fine grind are made possible by coffee-specific mechanics, ensuring the greatest cup of joe. Peugeot coffee mills offer a variety of grind settings, including finer grinds for espresso and coarser grinds for French presses.

  • Hario Olivewood Manual Coffee Grinder

Hario Olivewood Manual Coffee Grinder
Source: ebay

Despite of the Biedermeier era (the 1800s to 1920s) look that appears to have been its inspiration, Hario’s MM-2 is a wonderful grinder. The MM-2 is a standout mill that exemplifies Hario’s reputation for excellence. There are ceramic burrs available that are of remarkable quality and durability. Any variety of bean may be ground with the MM-2 to the required consistency and with very microscopic particles.

Consequently, the seeming simplicity of this old coffee grinder’s authenticity is affected by it. The MM-2 lacks hand-carved trims and panels, which are distinguishing features of Biedermeier full-closed hopper grinders. Despite changes to the source of inspiration, the MM-2 is a vintage coffee grinder that performs admirably for its price range. It is still a fantastic product even though it is not the closest thing to an antique coffee grinder.

Identification of Antique Coffee Grinders?

Identification of Antique Coffee Grinders
Source: istock photos

It can be challenging to identify an antique coffee grinder, but it’s crucial to know what to look for. It takes a lot of different things to date a coffee grinder well, and if even one of them is overlooked, it may make things much more challenging. Let’s examine the most significant ones first:

  • Style

One of the most crucial aspects to take into account when identifying an antique coffee grinder is the style. You can tell how old a grinder is by looking at its design.

For instance, an extremely ornately designed grinder is probably from the Victorian era. The grinder, on the other hand, is most likely from the Art Deco era if it has a simpler design.

  • Manufacturing

You may determine a coffee grinder’s age by looking at how it was made. Modern coffee mills are typically composed of metal, although older ones were frequently built entirely of wood.

You may also determine the age of a coffee grinder by looking at how it was assembled. Dovetailed joints were common in older coffee grinders, whereas screws hold together more recent models.

  • Material

The coffee grinder’s construction materials can also provide some age-related indications. For instance, a cast iron grinder would most likely date to the late 19th or early 20th century. On the other hand, a wooden grinder is more likely to date from the 18th century.

  • Size

The grinder’s size might also provide information about antique grinder age. Earlier grinders were often smaller and easier to travel. Due to their commercial design, newer grinders produced following the industrial revolution were substantially larger.

  • Manufacturer Mark

The grinder’s age can be determined by any markings that may be present. For instance, you can date the grinder using the patent date if it has one.

The methods used to identify coffee grinders vary per country. In Europe, grinders with a manufacturer’s mark are more prevalent than those in the United States, which frequently include a “U.S.” stamp.

  • Weight

This isn’t necessarily the most reliable method of dating a grinder, but it can provide some useful information. The early grinders were often hefty and constructed of metal and wood. The subsequent grinders were significantly lighter and largely composed of metal.

  • Condition

You may also identify an antique coffee grinder by looking at its condition. Due to its durability, older grinders are typically in better shape. On the other hand, because they weren’t designed to last as long so you could get a new one more quickly, the newer grinders are frequently in worse shape.

  • Rarity

Antique coffee grinder’s value will also be impacted by its rarity. coffee grinder will be worth more to collectors if it is uncommon and difficult to find.

Therefore, you can be sure that your antique coffee grinder is worth a lot of money if it is unique.

On the other hand, a more common coffee grinder will still be valued, but not to the same extent as one that is more unusual.

  • Pricing

Lastly, when identifying an antique coffee grinder, price is a useful indicator, however it is not always reliable. Due to their rarity, antique grinders are typically more expensive. However, the grinder’s condition and the materials it is built of will also have an impact on the cost.

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So, don’t take anything too seriously!

How to Determine the Value of Antique Coffee Grinder?

How to Determine the Value of Antique Coffee Grinder
Source: ebay

Antique coffee grinders can cost anywhere from $20 to $100 or more. A grinder’s value can vary depending on a number of criteria, including its condition, the materials it is made of, and even some unusual ones.

Antique coffee grinders can vary in value depending on their age, condition, kind of grinding mechanism, and rarity, among other things.

You can look on internet auction sites or with antique dealers to obtain an idea of the general value of your coffee grinder.

If you want a more precise appraisal of your coffee grinder’s worth, you can also hire an expert.

Antique Coffee Grinders Sold at Auctions at ebay

It’s time to compare the grinder to similar recent sales once you’ve learnt as much as you can about it. Check out online vintage shops and auction sites like eBay to do this. Don’t look for grinders that are presently for sale; just search for sold products. Keep in mind that consumers can demand whatever they want for an object when comparing value. The grinder’s true value depends on whether it sells for that amount. Here are a few such comparisons from current eBay.

Arcade coffee grinder
$20
ebay
Delft porcelain grinder
$90
ebay
Antique coffee grinder from Philadelphia Enterprise
$350
ebay
$140.00
ebay

Listing of Antique Coffee Grinders available for sale

$137.26
Etsy
$ 704.00
Etsy
$ 14.40
Etsy
$ 61.38
Etsy
$58.00
rubylane
$165.00
rubylane
$35
rubylane
$67.13
ebay
$90.00
ebay
$65.00
ebay

Where to buy these Antique Coffee Grinders Online?

Searching online is your best option if you need to find one immediately. Consider the following sites:

  • e-Bay– The Antique Coffee Grinders of your dreams can be easily found on eBay, one of the greatest sites to find beautiful Antique collectibles. It’s also ideal if you’re considering selling because they provide a very user-friendly e-commerce feature and can reach a sizable global audience.
  • Ruby Lane– Since their auction stream is sourced via more conventional methods, Ruby Lane is, it must be said, a little more constrained in the number of antique Coffee Mills that are offered at once. It’s a good idea to constantly checking their inventory, though, as they are one of the biggest online auction houses, to see if they have what you’re searching for posted.
  • Etsy– Since people frequently discover these different Vintage Coffee Grinders in their grandparents’ homes across the nation, internet marketplaces like Etsy are among the greatest places to find a ton of these pieces on sale.

Frequently Asked Questions

1.Do antique coffee grinders have any value?

Antique coffee grinders can cost anywhere from $20 to $100 or more. A grinder’s value can vary depending on a number of criteria, including its condition, the materials it is made of, and even some unexpected ones.

2.What materials do vintage coffee grinders contain?

If a coffee grinder is constructed of plastic, it was probably created during the 1950s. Older coffee grinders are often made of cast iron, wood, or occasionally glass.

Our Takeaway!

If you just bought or are interested in purchasing an antique coffee Grinders. Alternatively, you stumbled onto an old lamp in the new estate’s basement. Whatever the circumstance, our guide on identifying and valuing antique coffee grinders can help you determine how much they are worth. But if you want to know the whole worth and value of your antique lamp, we urge you to go see an expert appraiser.

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