Hamilton Beach Electric Coffee Grinder for Beans, Spices and More, with Multiple Grind Settings for up to 14 Cups, Removable Stainless Steel Chamber, Grey (80396C), 10 oz

The Verdict

Bottom line: The Hamilton Beach 80396C is a workhorse blade grinder that nails the basics — big capacity, easy cleanup, and enough grind settings to keep most drip and French press drinkers happy. It won’t satisfy espresso purists, but at $43.95, it’s a solid value for casual coffee drinkers who also want to grind spices.

What you actually get

The box contains the grinder base, a 10-ounce stainless steel chamber, and a clear lid with a pulse button integrated on top. The unit measures roughly 7.5 inches tall and 7 inches deep — compact enough to tuck under a cabinet. The grey finish resists fingerprints better than most black appliances I’ve tested.

The standout feature is that removable stainless steel chamber. Unlike the 80350R model (the older 4.5-ounce version), this 10-ounce capacity means you can grind an entire bag of beans in one go. That’s a genuine upgrade for households that brew multiple pots daily.

Real-world performance

I tested this grinder across three brew methods over two weeks. Here’s the honest breakdown:

Drip coffee: Excellent results. The medium grind setting produced consistent enough grounds for a standard Mr. Coffee brewer. Extraction was even, no bitter over-extraction.

French press: The coarse setting works, but you’ll get some fine sludge at the bottom of your press. Acceptable for everyday use, not ideal for entertaining.

Pour-over: This is where the blade design shows its limits. You’ll get a mix of powdery fines and chunky boulders — a known issue with any blade grinder at this price point. If you’re a V60 devotee, budget $150+ for a burr grinder instead.

The 7-position dial (from extra-fine to extra-coarse) plus pulse gives you 8 total options. It’s simple — turn the dial, press the lid, done. No digital displays, no timers to fiddle with.

Spice grinding: This is where the 80396C genuinely shines. The stainless steel chamber handles whole peppercorns, cinnamon sticks, and dried chilies without absorbing odors. A quick wipe with a damp cloth after each use keeps it clean. One buyer noted: “I’ve ground everything from cumin to dried rosemary in this thing. The steel cup doesn’t hold smells like my old plastic grinder did.”

What 1,433 buyers consistently praise

The 4.4-star rating holds up when you read through the reviews. Common themes:

• Capacity: Multiple reviewers mention grinding a full 10-ounce bag at once — a feature they specifically upgraded for.
• Cleanup: The removable chamber rinses clean in seconds. The stainless steel doesn’t stain like plastic.
• Simplicity: No learning curve. One reviewer put it well: “I’m not a coffee snob. I wanted something that grinds beans without me having to read a 30-page manual. This is it.”

Where it falls short

Let’s be direct about the downsides:

Noise level: This grinder is loud. Several reviewers specifically call out waking family members during early-morning grinding. It’s a blade grinder — that’s inherent to the design — but the 80396C is on the louder end of the spectrum.

Grind consistency: As I mentioned, the particle distribution is uneven. For drip and French press, it’s fine. For espresso or pour-over, it’s a dealbreaker. If you’re serious about those methods, skip this and save for a burr grinder.

Static cling: You’ll lose a bit of coffee to static, especially in dry climates. Give the chamber a quick tap before opening to settle the grounds.

Who should buy this

Buy it if: You brew drip coffee daily, want to grind spices occasionally, and don’t want to spend more than $50. This is also a smart pick for RVs, cabins, or offices where a bulky burr grinder is overkill.

Skip it if: You’re an espresso enthusiast, you brew pour-over exclusively, or you’re sensitive to loud appliances. Also skip if you need precise, repeatable grind sizes — the dial doesn’t have click stops, so you’re eyeballing it each time.

FAQ

Q: Can this grind enough beans for a full pot in one go? Yes. The 10-ounce chamber handles a full 14-cup pot’s worth of beans — about 2.5 ounces for standard drip strength. You’ll have plenty of room to spare.

Q: Is the stainless steel chamber dishwasher safe? Hamilton Beach recommends hand washing. The base is not dishwasher safe, and the lid has electrical components. A quick rinse and wipe takes 30 seconds.

Q: How does this compare to the older 4.5-ounce model? The 80396C doubles the capacity and adds the grey finish. The grinding mechanism is essentially identical. If you already own the smaller version, the upgrade is only worth it if capacity is genuinely a problem.

The Verdict

Rating: 4.3/5 — The Hamilton Beach 80396C delivers exactly what it promises: a simple, high-capacity grinder that handles coffee and spices without fuss. It’s not the tool for precision brewing, but for the vast majority of home coffee drinkers — those using drip machines and French presses — it gets the job done reliably at a fair price.

Buy it if you want a versatile, easy-to-clean grinder for daily drip coffee and occasional spice duty.

Skip it if you need consistent particle size for espresso or pour-over, or if noise is a dealbreaker for you.

For $43.95, this is one of the better value picks in the blade grinder category. Just know what you’re buying — and what you’re not.

Where to Buy

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Last updated: 2026-08-06. Ratings and prices current as of review date. Verify on Amazon before purchasing.