What are the advantages of a manual grinder over an electric grinder?

[SBshaveice]

Anyone have a few decent links to affordable hand grinders for very small shave ice/espresso startup?

[Coffee Forum]

[danielzchang]

I was wondering if anyone could provide me with the advantages of using a manual (hand crank) grinder over an electric grinder?

I have always heard that manual grinders have an advantage over electric grinders because manuals avoid rapidly heating up the beans, which preserves a lot of flavor (but I'm not certain if this is accurate). Is the difference in flavor noticeable?

Thanks!

It depends on what kind of electric grinder you are using. There are two general type of electric frinder, one is the fast turnig blade which is cheaper, the other is the crush and turning grinder, which is much more expensive and mostly for professional/commercial use.

Compare with the turning blade, it is true that the manual grinder avoid the heating up of the beans, and keep more flavour with the coffee. However, manual grinder is not easy to control the grain, and the commercial grinder might provide finer and stable grain of the coffee power, and it is an advantage over the manual grinder if you are using Mocca pot or espresso machine.

[CaliCoffeIEND]

Like many above said..control control control

[MoffeeCoff]

For small scale manual grinding is better option.

[coffeecat7000]

The biggest advantage of a manual grinder over the electric grinder is you don't need electricity. If your power goes out or you are camping in a very remote area with no electricity, you can still brew coffee. I have a 40 year old Zassenhaus manual grinder. It's sort of tiring to use even though I am quite fit. I take it on every camping trip. I even take it on the road to make coffee while driving long distances. I grind my own coffee and then use the free hot water at truck stops to make fantastic coffee. As far as taste is concerned, it depends on the quality of the gears and last but not least, the quality of your beans. There are so many factors that go into make a great cup of coffee. Water, temperature, grind, brewing method, time brewed, roast profile, quality of the coffee bean, etc. A bad grinder will always give you a bad cup of coffee.