The Benefits of Using a Coffee Grinder

Experts are of the opinion that adding a stainless steel manual coffee grinder grinder to your daily routine is a great upgrade. The higher-end models have burr grinders, a pair of grooved surfaces--that can be adjusted to provide a more consistent grind.

In contrast to a blade grinder these kinds of grinders stop oxidation and ensure your grounds are even in size.

Conical Burrs

Burr grinders are a stronger type of coffee grinder that uses an angled cutting surface to reduce whole beans into smaller particles. They create fewer fines (also called dust) than blade grinders, and they let you control exactly what size of particles are produced by adjusting the gap between the burrs.

There are two types of burrs - flat and conical. The differences between these two kinds of burrs is subtle, but they are significant, and each has its own distinct strengths.

Burr grinders grind beans by using disc-shaped burrs. Blade grinders make use of sharp, blade-shaped blades. The two burrs can be moved closer together or further apart to determine the desired size of grind between coarse and fine. When properly set they result in a uniform grinding, with less fragments and without heating.

A good burr grinder must have a lubricated system to reduce friction and prolong the life of the blades. They should be easy to clean, preventing the build-up of coffee residue. There are some hand-powered burr grinders. However, commercial flat burr grinding machines are typically powered by electricity since they require more energy than could be generated by human hands by themselves.

There may be variations within each category of burr shapes between different models and brands. These differences aren't due to the shape or the geometry of the burrs, but rather how their pattern relates to the distribution of particle size. For instance, some conical burr grinders like the Niche Zero have very low retention, while other flat burr grinders, like the Iberital MC2 boast high retention.

Certain coffee enthusiasts claim that certain burr styles can bring out certain flavors in the bean or roast. However this is a subject that is mostly apocryphal and not well established scientifically.

Flat Burrs

Flat burrs comprise of circular plates that have sharp ridges facing each the other. They crush coffee between them. They're the most commonly used burrs used in grinders for home and commercial use and are typically the primary type used in stainless steel manual coffee grinder grinders.

As compared to conical ones, flat ones may have more trouble maintaining the same size of grind because of the angled design of their cutting edges can leave behind some grit and fines. This can result in poor extraction and bitter flavors. However, this shouldn't be a deal breaker for some, especially since new innovations in burr geometry allow for the same clarity associated with flat burrs, but with more uniform grind size distribution.

When it comes to deciding between a conical or flat burr grinder, the choice will be largely based on your specific grinding requirements and unique tastes. For example, a barista who grinds a large amount for several cups throughout the day may be more likely to opt for a conical burr grinder because it produces fewer fines and may reduce oxidation time, making it easier to store and use again.

The amount of heat that the burr mill produces operating is a different aspect to take into consideration. This is an important factor because it can affect the taste and quality of your cup of joe. The more friction a coffeee grinder creates and the more it's likely to heat up, which can alter the flavor profile of the beans and result in over-extraction. Flat burr grinders produce less heat than conical grinders, and can give you a cleaner overall flavor.

There are a variety of options for a grinder that features flat burrs from reputable manufacturers such as Baratza and Eureka. For example the Fellow Ode Gen 2 is a popular choice because it's easy to calibrate and offers the highest level of precision. It's also quiet and suitable for espresso. However it doesn't create as many fines as a Baratza or other premium models and may struggle to produce medium-fine grinds for espresso.

Variable Grind Settings

The grinding process regardless of the type of grinder you use, produces a range of particle sizes and shapes. It is difficult to measure this in a meaningful way unless you own expensive equipment such as laser particle diffraction.

The majority of coffee grinders don't provide an exact measurement, but instead have adjustable dials that allow the user to select between a variety of sizes of grind. The dials are usually branded with a sequence of dots or numbers that represent smaller and larger sizes. The numbers are usually with arrows to indicate the direction in which the dial needs to be moved to make the grind smoother or more coarse.

A lot of grinders provide visual representations that can help you choose the right setting. These include a series or dots, or an adjustable system that is stepped. While these indicators can be helpful, they are only a general guideline and will require you to experiment with the various settings.

If the dots or numbers are close together, then they are very precisely set. If they are farther apart then they are very coarsely set. When choosing a grinder setting it is important to keep in mind that even tiny adjustments can make a huge difference.

The 'dialing in' of a grinder is the process of finding the best coffeee grinder grind setting for a particular coffee and the brewing method. The ideal grind setting allows the brew to be able to produce the fullest and balanced flavor that is possible while staying within a reasonable range for extraction limits. This is a constant goal, as even slight variations from the sweet spot can result in under- or over-extracted coffee.

For espresso, a fine grind is the best, as it maximizes the amount water that comes into contact with the grounds during the time frame to extract. Pour-over, French Press, Aeropress, and Turkish Coffee all benefit from a setting that is similar to powdered white sugar.

Easy Cleaning

As coffee grinds go through your grinder the grounds and oils get stuck in the crevices and corners of the machine. In time, these oil build-up becomes rancid and start to impact the taste of your coffee. Regular cleaning can help keep the build-up of stale coffee oil and can keep your grinder working at its peak.

To clean your grinder, start by disconnecting the plug and then removing the hopper and the grounds bin. Then, take the burrs off. Be careful to not damage the sharp burrs that can easily scratch or grate the inner surfaces. If you have a grinder cleaner brush, you can use this on the burrs in order to get rid of any coffee residue. If not, make use of a toothpick or soft brush to gently remove the ground beans from the burrs. After you have removed the burrs and any other stainless steel Coffee grinder electric particles from the machine, clean it down with a clean dry cloth.

Whether you're using a burr grinder or a blade grinder, cleaning your grinder regularly is essential. The aroma and flavor of coffee beans is lost as soon as the beans are ground. The best espresso is made from freshly ground coffee. A grind that is too fine can cause bitterness and over-extraction while too coarse a grind could result in the coffee being under-extracted and having the flavor is weak.

Regularly cleaning your grinder will ensure it stays in good working order and continues to produce quality grounds for your morning cup of coffee. Leaving oil residues and old ground coffee to build up in the nooks and crannies could result in blocked blades and lower-quality coffee. Letting stale ground coffee build up on the burrs may also alter the taste of your coffee.

There are several ways to clean your grinder, but the easiest is to make use of a coffee grinder cleaner tablet (such as Urnex Grindz). These tablets are made from edible grains that bind with and remove coffee oils. They're a great alternative to washing your burrs in water, which can damage or dull them. You can also make use of a brush to clean your burrs or blow them away using compressed air or a keyboard air blower.