How To Date An Antique Coffee Grinder – BaristaHQ

What Actually Is An Antique Coffee Grinder?

A coffee grinder does exactly what it says on the tin. You fill the mill drawer with coffee beans and turn a crank to grind them into grounds.

There are plenty of coffee mills to discover at flea markets, auctions, yard sales, and online.

People shopping for vintage coffee grinders want to display one in their home, restore one for fun, or add one to their collection.

There are many vintage coffee grinder types, including handheld, wall-mounted, professional, countertop, box, wheel, and floor.

Not only that, but American and European brands tend to have their differences or preferences.

It can be hard to know what type you have on your hands at first, but a few key elements can help you date one.

Alongside creating delicious coffee, antique grinders could bring in a tidy sum if restored and sold to enthusiasts.

With our guide below, you can understand exactly how to restore and date any antique coffee mill you find.

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Things To Consider When Dating Antique Coffee Grinders

Style

The style or overall design can help you find a geographical location for your coffee mill.

Certain brands tend to have distinct styles and can help you discern if this is an American or European coffee mill.

It can also help you discern the century if you are wavering between calling it an 18th-century antique coffee grinder or a 19th-century coffee grinder.

Brand

Identifying a coffee mill brand will be a huge help when understanding whether your mill was made in Europe, America, or elsewhere.

There are quite a few big brands you can see online and in marketplaces with trackable manufacturers' documentation and history.

For example, Landers, Frary and Clark were established in Connecticut in 1842 and produced a range of popular items, including coffee grinders.

Another company you could spy walking the antique market is Wrightsville Hardware Company.

Wrightsville was established in Pennsylvania in 1880. Finding either of these brands will let you know a rough era as well as the geographical location for your coffee grinder.

Most brands, such as the Clark coffee mill, imprint their branding onto the front or back. These are typically stamped on but may be found on stickers or the original packaging of newer models.

Materials Used

The materials used can also be a big hint. Most antique coffee mills are made of wood, porcelain, brass, or cast iron, with some brands choosing to use glass or other materials.

What materials are used may also affect the overall condition and appearance of the vintage coffee mill.

Construction & Build

The construction and build are some of the biggest clues you can have as to the age of your coffee grinder.

Many coffee grinders rise and fall in popularity in terms of style, and different nations may have distinctive styles.

For example, mortar-and-pestle-style ones were in vogue at first, but Turkey has stuck to their beautiful manual mill design for centuries.

These handcrafted and sturdy models can give you some ideas regarding region and time period.

For example, manual coffee grinders have been around since the 15th century [1], but electric ones only came on the scene in 1938 before becoming popular in the 50s.

Markings

Each grinder will have a variety of useful markings that provide valuable information regarding the manufacturer, approximate date of manufacture, country, how many were made, and more.

These antique markings tend to be stamped, impressed, or printed directly onto the grinder itself.

Size

For collectors, size does matter. A grinder tends to be available in different sizes depending on their type and whether they are industrial or commercial. They can be found in sizes 0-4 or more.

The grind size is also a factor for some models, which will be different depending on the style of the mill.

Some grinders may come with different types or sizes of grinders to adjust the bean grounds’ size.

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Weight

The materials, construction, and size of the grinder all affect its overall weight.

The size and weight together may give you an indication of whether the grinder is handheld, travel, or industrial in design.

Condition

Antiques that are in good condition tend to be worth a good deal.

Most collectors find some minor damage to the ones they see, but it can be challenging to inspect them properly, even in person or with one advertised correctly.

Many will often have some wear from daily use, but how it was stored and the materials used in construction affect what issues may be lurking on closer inspection.

On first inspection, we recommend running your finger along the burrs to see how dull they are and try to search for any missing parts.

Metal parts exposed to water or excess humidity can gather rust over time. Cast iron components, in particular, are vulnerable to rust damage, such as the handle and the internal parts.

Light rusting can be easily cleaned, but heavy rust may mean replacing the relevant components.

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Cracks

Wood can crack in humid environments or with temperature changes over time, damaging wooden parts or grinders.

Porcelain and china surfaces can crack for similar reasons or through being damaged, affecting any art or designs on them.

Plastic parts or mills can also crack due to being dropped or damaged while in use or transit.

Some cracks can be fixed, but others may mean replacing parts.

Functionality

Over time, coffee grinder parts can seize or become caked in rust or coffee grounds.

You can clean or replace parts as necessary, bearing in mind that whether an item functions or not will affect its value.

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Appearance

One of the biggest draws of antique mills is their beautiful or unique designs. Because of this, the overall design, condition, and labeling of a piece can affect its value.

Sometimes, the appearance just needs a fresh coat of paint, but having clear labels and markings, alongside tarnishes, also plays a role.

Price

Any enthusiast knows that what you get for an antique is not always what it is worth. Some sellers may not know the true value of the mill and over or undersell it.

However, having the details above and knowing the exact value will help you judge the best price for your model.

To evaluate your newly restored mill, we recommend contacting a professional appraiser or comparing it with similar models at auctions and online.

Rarity

Knowing all of the above can help you find an exact year of manufacture, or close enough. We highly recommend gleaning what you can and doing your research before coming to conclusions.

This can mean contacting a professional, such as the Association of Coffee Mill Enthusiasts or ACME.[2]

Alternatively, you could pick up a copy of the Macmillan Index of Antique Coffee Mills online or at your local library.

Finally, you can do some extensive Googling or reach out to enthusiasts on social media.

Also See - Can You Grind Coffee In a Magic Bullet?

How Old Is Your Coffee Grinder? (Identifying Its Value)

Inspect the Grinder's Different Parts

First things first, you need to know what you are working with.

While we know that there is only so much you can do in-store or when searching online, try to track any notable features and check for any tarnishes.

Does the mill have dull burrs? Perhaps a broken handle? Are there any missing parts? Does it function? Knowing the answers will help you know what to do to restore it.

Evaluate the Grinder's Condition

Once you have the mill in your possession, we recommend inspecting it and using our tips above to try and evaluate its overall condition.

Some parts may need cleaning or a complete replacement, but this can be a really rewarding mix of research and repair.

Compare to Similar Models

Once you have a shiny restored antique coffee mill, we recommend researching and comparing your item with similar ones on eBay, auction sites, and local markets.

You can also contact a verified professional for evaluation.

Antique Coffee Grinder FAQs

Are antique coffee grinders adjustable?

Some antique coffee mills can be adjustable in terms of the grind size, but that depends on the brand and model.

Are old coffee grinders still safe to use?

The cleanliness and condition of the grinder will heavily affect its safety. Properly restored and cleaned ones designed to be used daily should be safe to use.

How much do antique coffee grinders cost?

As we discussed above, many factors go into how much a grinder costs, including age, condition, model, company, and more.

A cast iron grinder may cost a lot more than a wooden grinder.

That said, you can pick one up for pennies at your local antique shop or hundreds of dollars at auction - it all depends on your budget and what you are looking for.

Conclusion

The first sign that coffee mill hunting is for you is that you have fun and enjoy picking them up and researching them.

Whether you prefer European manufacturers or love a certain German company, it is possible to find models that suit your tastes.

Remember to take your time, stick to your budget, and be ready to check in with a friend or professional for help if you need it.

Also Read - Grinding Coffee Beans In a Nutribullet

References:

1. https://www.beanscenemag.com.au/the-evolution-of-coffee-grinders/#:~:text=In%20the%2015th%20century%2C%20people,in%20the%20late%2017th%20century.
2. https://www.antiquecoffeegrinders.net/