The Breville Precision Brewer and the Grind Control are two premium coffee makers from Breville, but they target different coffee drinkers. The Precision Brewer offers unparalleled control over brewing variables like temperature and flow rate for coffee connoisseurs who own a separate grinder, while the Grind Control combines a built-in burr grinder with a brewer for maximum freshness and convenience in one machine.
Here's everything you need to know to decide which coffee maker belongs on your kitchen counter.
Breville Precision Brewer
The Breville Precision Brewer is a high-end drip coffee maker designed for coffee enthusiasts who want to experiment with every part of the brewing process. It sets itself apart from other drip machines by offering precise, granular control over bloom time, brew temperature, and flow rate, allowing you to replicate various brewing methods from the Gold Cup standard to pour-over, all with the push of a button.
- What it is: A highly customizable 60 oz drip coffee maker with advanced brew settings.
- Key features: Six brewing modes (including Gold Cup, Fast, Strong, and Cold Brew), precise and adjustable temperature control (197-204°F), adjustable bloom time and flow rate, thermal carafe, and compatibility with both cone and flat-bottom filters.
- Price: $250 - $300
- Dimensions: 12" x 8" x 16"
- Materials/Construction: A durable body built with stainless steel and high-quality plastic components. Comes with a well-insulated thermal carafe.
- Style: Sleek, modern, and professional aesthetic with a brushed stainless steel finish and minimalist LCD interface that looks great in contemporary kitchens.
- Pros: Unmatched customization for a drip machine. "Gold Cup" setting meets specialty coffee standards. Large capacity is great for families or entertaining. Versatile enough to make different coffee styles, from a single cup to a full carafe. High-quality construction.
- Cons: A separate burr grinder is required to get the best results. Higher price point than average coffee makers. Takes up a significant amount of counter space.
This machine is for the coffee hobbyist who loves dialing in the perfect cup and likely already owns (or plans to own) a quality burr grinder.
Shop this product: breville.com/us/products/drip-coffee/precision-brewer.html
Breville Grind Control
The Breville Grind Control is the all-in-one solution for anyone who believes the best coffee comes from freshly ground beans. By integrating a conical burr grinder directly into the machine, it removes the need for separate equipment and streamlines the process from bean to cup. It's built for convenience, freshness, and ease of use without sacrificing the quality Breville is known for.
- What it is: A drip coffee maker with a built-in, adjustable conical burr grinder for ultimate freshness.
- Key features: Integrated burr grinder with multiple grind settings, adjustable brew strength, programmable auto-start timer, thermal carafe, and ability to brew a single cup or a full pot.
- Price: $200 - $250
- Dimensions: 11" x 7" x 14"
- Materials/Construction: Made with sturdy stainless steel and plastics. The integrated burr grinder is made from stainless steel for consistent, even grinding.
- Style: Compact and streamlined with a mix of black and stainless steel finishes. The design is practical and fits well in smaller or modern kitchens.
- Pros: Incredible value and convenience with the built-in grinder. Guarantees fresh grounds for every pot. Smaller footprint saves counter space. More affordable than buying a separate brewer and quality grinder. Programmable timer is perfect for waking up to fresh coffee.
- Cons: The integrated grinder needs regular cleaning to perform well. Offers less granular brew customization compared to the Precision Brewer. Smaller carafe capacity.
The Grind Control is ideal for busy coffee lovers who prioritize freshness and convenience over meticulous brew-variable adjustments.
Shop this product: breville.com/us/products/drip-coffee/grind-control.html
Breville Precision Brewer vs. Breville Grind Control Comparison
Grinding & Brewing Process
The primary difference is the workflow. With the Precision Brewer, you are responsible for grinding the beans separately, adding them to the filter, and then selecting from a wide array of highly specific brewing parameters. This multi-step process gives you ultimate control over grind size and the final brew.
The Grind Control automates this entire sequence. You add whole beans to the hopper, and the machine grinds the exact amount needed directly into the brew basket right before brewing. This offers unbeatable convenience but ties grinding and brewing into one device and one process.
Customization & Control
The Precision Brewer is the clear winner for customization. Its ability to adjust temperature, bloom time, and flow rate allows you to mimic different brew methods and fine-tune coffee extraction to an expert degree. The "Gold Cup" setting is a button-press away from a perfect, standards-compliant brew.
The Grind Control focuses customization on the initial stages: grind size and brew strength. You can choose from multiple grind settings and select your preferred coffee potency, giving you significant influence over the final taste. However, you cannot adjust water temperature or bloom periods like you can with the Precision Brewer.
Dimensions & Footprint
Counter space can be a deciding factor. The Grind Control is noticeably more compact at approximately 11" x 7" x 14", making it suitable for smaller kitchens or crowded countertops. It also saves the space you would need for a separate coffee grinder.
The Precision Brewer has a larger footprint, measuring around 12" x 8" x 16". Factoring in the additional space required for a standalone grinder, it's a bulkier setup best suited for kitchens with ample-sized countertops.
Price & Value
While both are premium machines, the Grind Control is the more budget-friendly option, typically priced between $200–$250. Considering it also includes a quality burr grinder (which can easily cost $100+ alone), it offers excellent all-in-one value.
The Precision Brewer's price tag of $250–$300 reflects its advanced brewing technology and larger capacity. While more expensive, especially after adding the cost of a good grinder, its value comes from its versatility and the exceptional quality of coffee it can produce for true enthusiasts.
Which One Should You Choose?
Both coffee makers produce an excellent cup of coffee, but they are built for entirely different users and priorities.
Choose the Breville Precision Brewer if:
- You already own a quality burr grinder or are planning to buy one.
- You enjoy the process of experimenting with brewing variables like temperature and bloom time.
- Your top priority is achieving the absolute best brew quality, with no compromises.
- You often make large batches of coffee for guests or family and need a larger capacity.
Choose the Breville Grind Control if:
- You value convenience and an all-in-one, streamlined morning routine.
- You want to enjoy the flavor of freshly ground coffee without buying separate equipment.
- Counter space is limited in your kitchen.
- You want an easy-to-use machine that consistently delivers great coffee with a "set it and forget it" approach.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the main difference between the Precision Brewer and Grind Control?
The main difference is that the Grind Control has an integrated burr grinder for convenience and freshness, while the Precision Brewer requires a separate grinder but offers far more control over brewing variables like water temperature and flow rate.
Do I need a separate grinder for the Breville Precision Brewer?
While you can use pre-ground coffee, the machine's precision features are best highlighted when paired with freshly ground beans from a quality burr grinder. To get the most out of it, yes, a separate grinder is highly recommended.
Can I use pre-ground coffee in the Grind Control?
Yes. The Grind Control has a "pre-ground" setting that allows you to disable the grinder and use your own ground coffee in the brew basket.
Which one makes more coffee?
The Breville Precision Brewer has a larger capacity, brewing up to 60 oz (12 cups) at a time. The Grind Control typically brews a maximum of 10-12 cups, depending on the chosen settings, and also offers single-cup brewing options.
How loud is the grinder on the Grind Control?
Like any conical burr grinder, it makes a noticeable sound while grinding beans. However, the grinding process only lasts for a few seconds per brew cycle and is generally not considered excessively loud.
Which model is easier to clean?
The Precision Brewer is arguably easier to clean since it doesn't have an integrated grinder. The Grind Control requires occasional cleaning of the grinder chutes and burrs to prevent oils from building up and affecting performance, in addition to regular descaling and carafe washing.
What does the "Gold Cup" standard mean on the Precision Brewer?
The "Gold Cup" setting refers to a standard set by the Specialty Coffee Association (SCA) for optimal brewing. This setting on the Precision Brewer automatically adjusts water temperature and brew time to meet these rigorous specifications for a perfectly balanced cup.
Can I use a thermal travel mug with the Grind Control?
Yes. The Breville Grind Control is designed to accommodate single-cup brewing directly into a variety of cup sizes, including most standard thermal travel mugs, by removing the carafe.
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