The Mr. Coffee 12-Cup Automatic Burr Grinder is the smaller, simpler sibling in Mr. Coffee's burr grinder pair: 12 grind settings, a 2 to 12 cup selector and a start and stop button, with flat burr plates doing the grinding. This guide goes through what Mr. Coffee publishes about model BVMC-BMG23, how it compares with grinders already listed on this site, and who it suits.
What is the Mr. Coffee 12-Cup Automatic Burr Grinder?
It is an electric burr coffee grinder from Mr. Coffee, sold in the United States under model number BVMC-BMG23 in stainless steel and black. Mr. Coffee's pitch is that burr grinders are the best way to grind whole beans because flat cutting plates, not blades, break the beans up more uniformly. The grinder is fully automatic: you choose a grind size, choose how many cups you want, press the button, and it shuts itself off when the grind is finished.
Mr. Coffee lists the grind range as running from coarse to ultra-fine, and names drip machines, espresso makers, French press and pour over as methods it can serve. Mr. Coffee's own web page shows no price for it, so no maker price is quoted in this guide.
Mr. Coffee 12-Cup Automatic Burr Grinder specs
| Spec | As published by Mr. Coffee |
|---|---|
| Model | BVMC-BMG23 |
| Burrs | Flat burr plates |
| Grind settings | 12, from coarse to ultra-fine |
| Cup selector | 2 to 12 cups |
| Bean hopper | Holds up to 1/2 lb of beans |
| Grinding chamber | Removable, described as dishwasher safe |
| Shut-off | Automatic when grinding is complete |
| Dimensions | 6.9 in L x 4.9 in W x 9.5 in H |
| Weight | 3.3 lb |
| Cord length | 24 in |
| Color | Stainless steel and black |
| Warranty | 1 year limited |
Mr. Coffee does not state the burr material, the burr diameter, the motor wattage, a noise level or the grinder's retention. Mr. Coffee also does not say where the grinder is made.
How the settings and cup selector work
The grinder has two settings in the sense that matters at the counter. The first is grind size, 12 steps that Mr. Coffee describes as running from coarse to ultra-fine, so you can match the coffee to French press, drip, pour over or espresso. The second is the cup selector, which Mr. Coffee says lets you grind only what you need, from 2 to 12 cups. That is a dose in cups, not grams, so it is a rough guide rather than a measurement.
The hopper holds up to half a pound of beans, which is 8 oz. Once grinding is complete the machine shuts off on its own, which Mr. Coffee describes as a safety feature, and it also means you can leave it to finish. The grinding chamber lifts out so you can pour the grounds straight into the filter basket, and Mr. Coffee's care note says to wash the coffee container with soap and water and wipe the exterior clean.
Mr. Coffee 12-Cup vs Mr. Coffee Cafe Grind 18-Cup
The Mr. Coffee Cafe Grind 18-Cup BVMC-BMG25 is the one to compare against, and the differences are easy to list. The Cafe Grind has 18 grind settings against 12 here, a cup selector that runs to 18 cups instead of 12, a stated removable top burr for cleaning, and flat burrs like this model. The hopper is the same size, 8 oz, and both carry a one year limited warranty.
So the Cafe Grind buys finer steps and a bigger cup range, not a bigger hopper. If you mostly brew a single pot of drip for a household and do not need to dial in espresso, 12 settings is not a shortage. If you want more room to adjust between methods, the 18-setting model gives you more of it.
Mr. Coffee 12-Cup vs Hamilton Beach Electric Burr Grinder
The Hamilton Beach Electric Burr Coffee Grinder 16oz is $39.95 on its maker's store and has 18 settings, a 16 oz hopper and containers and lids that go in the dishwasher. Compared with the Mr. Coffee it offers more settings and a hopper twice the size, while the Mr. Coffee has flat burr plates stated plainly and a one-touch start and stop. See the grinder category for the wider field.
Is the Mr. Coffee 12-Cup Automatic Burr Grinder worth it?
Without a published maker price there is no clean way to put a value on it, and prices at retailers move, so that is a call to make at the shelf. What can be said from the specifications is that it offers 12 settings, flat burr plates, a cup selector and an automatic stop in a compact body of 6.9 by 4.9 by 9.5 inches. It does not offer a scale, a timer display or any published figure for burr size, noise or retention. Nobody here has tested it, so grind evenness and durability are unknown.
The sensible way to judge it is against the job. For someone who is replacing pre-ground coffee or a blade grinder and brews drip, French press or pour over, 12 settings and a cup dial are plenty. For someone with an espresso machine that needs fine adjustment, the step size of a 12-position dial may be too coarse, and a grinder with more positions or stepless adjustment is the safer buy.
Who should buy the Mr. Coffee 12-Cup Automatic Burr Grinder (and who should not)
It suits a household that brews regular coffee, wants fresher grounds and does not want to learn a grinder. The cup selector means you can grind for two cups or twelve without measuring, the hopper and chamber come apart for cleaning, and the footprint is small enough for a counter or a shelf.
It does not suit anyone who measures coffee by weight, because there is no scale and the dose is set in cups. It does not suit buyers who want published burr size, burr material or noise figures before they commit. And it is the wrong choice for anyone who wants a large espresso grind range, because Mr. Coffee gives 12 positions and does not say how fine the finest one is.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many grind settings does the Mr. Coffee 12-Cup Automatic Burr Grinder have?
It has 12 grind settings that run from coarse to ultra-fine, plus a cup selector from 2 to 12 cups. Mr. Coffee says that range covers drip machines, espresso makers, French press and pour over.
What kind of burrs does it use?
Mr. Coffee says it uses flat burr plates, which it says deliver a uniform grind size. It does not publish the burr diameter or the burr material.
How much coffee does the hopper hold?
The bean hopper holds up to half a pound, or 8 oz, of whole beans, according to Mr. Coffee.
Is any part dishwasher safe?
Mr. Coffee describes the grinding chamber as dishwasher safe and removable. Its care note also says to wash the coffee container with soap and water and wipe the exterior clean.
Does it switch itself off?
Yes. Mr. Coffee says it shuts off automatically when grinding is complete, so you set the cups, press the button and leave it to finish.
What is the warranty?
It has a one year limited warranty. Mr. Coffee refers buyers to the instruction manual for further details.
