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The best spice grinder for whole spices needs enough power for hard seeds and pods, a bowl that comes out for cleaning, and a way to handle bark-like cinnamon. Electric blade grinders do most of the work; a grater mill or ceramic burr mill fills the gaps.
We compared six grinders on Amazon US by power, bowl design and reviews.
Quick Answer: The Best Spice Grinder for Whole Spices
- Best OverallSecura Electric Coffee and Spice Grinder with 2 Removable Stainless Bowls
- Best Removable BowlCuisinart Spice and Nut Grinder, Push-Top Lid, Dishwasher-Safe Bowl
- Best Lidded BowlKitchenAid Blade Coffee Grinder and Spice Grinder Combo Pack
- Best for SeedsKuhn Rikon Adjustable Ratchet Grinder with Ceramic Mechanism for Salt, Pepper and Spices
- Best for CinnamonMicroplane Manual Spice Mill, Cinnamon and Nutmeg Grater
- Best BudgetSHARDOR Electric Coffee and Spice Grinder, 2 Removable Bowls
Secura’s two-bowl grinder is our top pick for whole spices, with a blade bowl and a chopping bowl. Cuisinart’s spice and nut grinder has a removable bowl, KitchenAid’s combo adds a lidded spice bowl, Kuhn Rikon’s ceramic mill grinds seeds evenly, Microplane’s mill grates cinnamon and nutmeg and SHARDOR’s two-bowl model is the budget pick.
Best Spice Grinder for Whole Spices Comparison Table
| Product | Best For | Type | Key Feature | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Secura 2-Bowl Grinder | Best Overall | Electric blade grinder | Two removable bowls: one blade, one chopping | Check Price |
| Cuisinart SG-10 Spice and Nut Grinder | Best Removable Bowl | Electric blade grinder | Removable stainless bowl, 90g capacity (maker) | Check Price |
| KitchenAid Coffee + Spice Combo | Best Lidded Bowl | Electric blade grinder | Extra spice bowl with lid | Check Price |
| Kuhn Rikon Ratchet Grinder | Best for Seeds | Manual ceramic burr mill | Ratchet action, adjustable ceramic burr | Check Price |
| Microplane Spice Mill | Best for Cinnamon | Manual spice grater mill | Grates whole cinnamon and nutmeg | Check Price |
| SHARDOR 2-Bowl Grinder | Best Budget | Electric blade grinder | Two removable bowls | Check Price |
6 Grinders for Seeds, Pods and Bark
Ranked by power, versatility and value.
1. Secura Electric Coffee and Spice Grinder with 2 Removable Stainless Bowls
1. 2 bowls.
👍 Pros & Cons
Pros
- About 6,400 ratings, 4.2 average
- Keep one bowl for spices, one for coffee
- Bowls wash easily
Cons
- Louder than some
- Fine powders can puff out the lid
📄 Detailed Review
- Bowls: 2 removable stainless
- Use: Coffee, spices, nuts
- Safety: Lid interlock
Two bowls mean coffee never tastes like cumin.
A practical pick for busy spice cooks.
2. Cuisinart Spice and Nut Grinder, Push-Top Lid, Dishwasher-Safe Bowl
2. Dishwasher safe.
👍 Pros & Cons
Pros
- About 4,500 ratings, 4.2 average
- Removable bowl is easy to wash
- Built for spices and nuts
Cons
- Pricier than basic blade grinders
- Some reports of lid wear
📄 Detailed Review
- Bowl: Removable stainless steel
- Lid: Push-top on/off
- Extras: Storage lid
A blade grinder designed for spices first, with a bowl you can wash.
Our pick when you want to switch spices often.
3. KitchenAid Blade Coffee Grinder and Spice Grinder Combo Pack
3. KitchenAid.
👍 Pros & Cons
Pros
- About 2,300 ratings, 4.2 average
- Dedicated spice bowl with storage lid
- Solid build
Cons
- Higher price
- Bowls are small
📄 Detailed Review
- Bowls: Coffee bowl + spice bowl
- Blades: Stainless steel
- Brand: KitchenAid
KitchenAid’s combo adds a separate spice bowl you can cap and store.
Good for small, frequent spice batches.
4. Kuhn Rikon Adjustable Ratchet Grinder with Ceramic Mechanism for Salt, Pepper and Spices
4. Ceramic burr.
👍 Pros & Cons
Pros
- About 5,000 ratings, 4.6 average
- Ceramic burr won’t rust or hold odors
- Easy one-handed ratchet
Cons
- Small batches only
- Hard large seeds can jam
📄 Detailed Review
- Mechanism: Ceramic, adjustable
- Action: Ratchet, one hand
- Size: 8.5 x 2.25 in.
A ratchet mill with a ceramic burr that handles peppercorns, coriander and dried seeds.
Our top manual burr pick for spices.
5. Microplane Manual Spice Mill, Cinnamon and Nutmeg Grater
5. Grater mill.
👍 Pros & Cons
Pros
- About 2,700 ratings, 4.6 average
- Handles spices blade grinders struggle with
- Fine, fluffy result
Cons
- Only for stick and nut spices
- Slow for large amounts
📄 Detailed Review
- Use: Cinnamon sticks, nutmeg
- Blade: Stainless rasp
- Design: Built-in storage
A grater mill for whole cinnamon and nutmeg.
Great companion to an electric grinder.
6. SHARDOR Electric Coffee and Spice Grinder, 2 Removable Bowls
6. 2 bowls.
👍 Pros & Cons
Pros
- About 3,200 ratings, 4.2 average
- Two bowls at a low price
- Easy cleanup
Cons
- Lid can be stiff
- Louder than KRUPS Vortex
📄 Detailed Review
- Bowls: 2 removable
- Capacity: 2.5 oz
- Use: Coffee, spices, herbs
A budget two-bowl grinder for coffee and spices.
Good value alternative to Secura.
How We Chose the Best Spice Grinder for Whole Spices
To build this guide to the best spice grinder for whole spices, we compared spice grinders and mills sold on Amazon US by grinding mechanism (blade, ceramic burr or steel burr), capacity, power, removable bowls, adjustability and how easy they are to clean between spices. We then read patterns in verified-buyer reviews for grind consistency, heat, motor life, leaks of fine powder and lingering odors, and flagged listings with few ratings.
Store ground spices in airtight containers away from heat and moisture, and keep grinders clean and dry, following USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service cleanliness guidance. Our method is explained on the How We Test page; this is a research-based guide, not a lab test.
How to Grind Whole Spices
Toast
Dry-toast seeds 1–2 minutes, then cool.
Break Up
Snap cinnamon and crack cardamom pods first.
Pulse
Grind in short bursts, shaking between.
Sift
Sift out husks for smooth blends.
Store
Keep ground spices airtight and dark.
Tips for Grinding Spices
- Grind spices in small batches for the freshest flavor.
- Toast whole spices lightly, then let them cool before grinding.
- Pulse blade grinders instead of running them nonstop.
- Clean between spices by grinding a spoon of dry rice.
- Keep a separate grinder for coffee and spices.
Quick answers to common questions.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best spice grinder for whole spices?
Secura’s two-bowl electric grinder.
Can a grinder handle cinnamon sticks?
Break them small first, or use a grater mill.
Should I toast spices before grinding?
Yes, then let them cool fully.
How fine should I grind?
Fine for blends and rubs; coarse for crusts.
Final Verdict
Our pick for whole spices is the Secura two-bowl grinder. For cinnamon and nutmeg, add a Microplane spice mill.
Related Guides
Keep exploring grinders with these guides:
Prices and availability change often. Check the current listing on Amazon before you buy.
