Hand-crank coffee grinders were widely used before the advent of electric grinders. This style was commonly used in homes, small cafés, and general stores. Grinding mechanism: The beans were poured into the hopper, then manually ground by turning the crank, which would produce ground coffee collected at the bottom. Such grinders were also sometimes repurposed for grinding spices or grains.A manual cast iron coffee grinder, painted off-white, with visible chipping and rust spots. Features a large hopper (bowl-shaped) at the top, designed to hold coffee beans before grinding. The main grinding mechanism is housed in a rounded central body, secured with a latch that allows access to the internal burrs for cleaning. A hand-crank handle extends from the side, with a wrapped grip for easier operation. The base is wide and flat, designed for mounting onto a surface or table.coffee, grinder, kitchen, household item