20 Myths About Coffee Grinders: Debunked
The Benefits of Using a Coffee Grinder Experts believe that adding a coffee grinder to your morning routine is a great upgrade. The most expensive models come with burr grinders that are made up of made up of two grooved surfaces that can be adjusted for an even and consistent grind. These grinders are better than blade grinders because they prevent burning, and also ensure that your ground is uniform in size. Conical Burrs Burr grinders have a higher power and utilize opposing angled cutting surfaces to grind whole beans into tiny pieces. They produce less fines (also called dust) than blade grinders and they allow you to decide exactly the size of particles are produced by adjusting the gap between the burrs. There are two main kinds of burrs that are conical and flat. The differences between flat and conical burrs are not obvious but significant. Each type has distinct strengths. Blade grinders feature sharp, blade-shaped teeth that grind the coffee with each pass, burr grinders use disc-shaped burrs to grind beans. The two burrs can be moved closer or further apart to establish the desired size of grind from coarse to fine. When they are properly set they produce a uniform grind, with fewer fragments and without heat. A good quality burr grinder must include a lubricated mechanism that will reduce friction and extend the life of the blades. They should also be cleaned easily, reducing the accumulation of coffee residue. There are hand-powered burr grinders. However commercial flat burr grinders are usually powered by electricity because they require more energy than could be supplied by the human hands alone. There may be variations within every category of burr shapes among different brands and models. These variations are not due to the shape of the burrs themselves but rather to the pattern of their geometry and how that relates to the distribution of particle sizes. For instance, certain conical burr grinders such as the Niche Zero have very low retention, whereas other flat burr grinders such as the Iberital MC2 have high retention. Certain coffee enthusiasts claim that certain burr styles produce specific flavours in the roast or bean. However, this is an area that is largely based on speculation and is not well-established scientifically. Flat Burrs Flat burrs are plates with sharp ridges which face each opposite and crush the coffee beans between them. They're among the most popular burrs that are found in commercial and home grinders and are the most common type used in manual grinders. Flat burrs can have a harder time maintaining an even distribution of grind sizes than conical ones, as their cutting edges are angled and may leave behind some grit or fines. This can lead to bitter flavors and poor extraction. But, this shouldn't be a deal breaker for some particular people, especially as new developments in burr geometry can provide the same clarity that is found in flat burrs but with more consistency in the distribution of grind size. The decision between a conical or flat burr grinder will depend on your specific grinding requirements and preferences. A barista who grinds multiple cups of coffee every day may opt for a flat burr mill because it produces less fines and reduces the oxidation process, making it easier to store. The amount of heat that the burr mill produces in operation is another factor to consider. This is important as it can impact the taste and quality your cup of coffee. The more friction grinders create, the more heat it produces. This can change the flavor of your beans and lead to excessive extraction. Flat burr grinders generate less heat than conical grinders, which can give you a cleaner overall taste. If you're in the market for coffee grinders with flat burrs, there's plenty of options from reputable manufacturers like Baratza and Eureka. For example, the Fellow Ode Gen 2 is an option that is popular because it's easy to calibrate and offers the highest level of precision. It also has a low noise level and is ideal for espresso grinding. It doesn't produce the same quantity of fines as Baratza and other models of premium and it's difficult to achieve a medium-coarse grind for espresso. Variable Grind Settings The grinding process, no matter what kind of grinder you choose to use, produces a range of shapes and sizes. It is difficult to quantify this in a meaningful manner unless you own expensive equipment like laser particle diffraction. Instead of offering an exact measurement of particle size Most coffee grinders come with an adjustment dial that allow the user to select from a variety of sizes for grinding. The dials are usually branded with a series of numbers or dots that represent smaller and larger sizes. The numbers are sometimes accompanied by arrows that indicate which direction the dial is supposed to move to make the grind more coarse or finer. In addition to the numbering system, a lot of grinders have other visual representations to help with choosing the right setting, for instance dots in a series or an adjustable step mechanism. These indications are helpful but they are not exact guidelines and you'll need to experiment with different settings. If the dots or numbers are close the odds are that they are precisely set. If they are farther apart then they're very coarsely set. When choosing a setting for your grinder it is crucial to keep in mind that minor adjustments can make a huge differences, so take care not to go beyond the intended range when making adjustments. The 'dialing in' of grinding is the process of finding the best possible grind setting for a particular coffee and brewing method. The ideal grind setting allows for the most balanced and full-bodied taste to be exhibited while remaining within the acceptable limits of extraction. This is a continuous process, as even slight variations from the “sweet spot” could result in under- or over-extracted coffee. For espresso, a very fine grind is optimal because it maximizes the amount of water that comes in contact with the ground during the short time to extract. A setting that is similar to powdered sugar works for all methods of brewing, including pour-over, French press, Aeropress and Turkish coffee. Easy Cleaning As coffee grinds pass through your grinder the grounds and oils get stuck inside the nooks and crannies in the machine. Then, the accumulated oils go rancid and start to impact the taste of your coffee. Regular cleaning helps keep the build-up of coffee oils and keeps your grinder running at its best. To clean your grinder, begin by unplugging it and taking out the hopper. Then, you can remove the burrs. Be careful not to scratch the sharp burrs that can easily scratch or grate inner surfaces. Use a grinder cleaning brush to get rid of any coffee residue that is stuck to the burrs. If you don't own a grinder cleaner brush, use a toothpick or soft brush to gently remove ground coffee from the burrs. After you have removed the burrs and any other coffee particles from the machine, clean it clean with a dry cloth. Cleaning your grinder regularly is essential, regardless of whether you use a blade or burr grinder. The aroma and flavor of coffee beans are lost when the beans are ground. The best espresso is made of freshly ground coffee. Grinders that are too fine lead to bitterness and excessive extraction as well as those that are too coarse could result in under-extraction, and a weak or sluggish flavor. Cleaning best espresso grinder will ensure it remains in good working order and continues to produce quality grounds for your morning cup of coffee. Coffee residues and oily grounds can cause the blades to become blocked and produce poor-quality coffee. The stale coffee you leave to build up on the burrs may also alter the flavor of your coffee. There are a variety of ways to clean your grinder but the most effective is to use the coffee grinder cleaner tablet (such as Urnex Grindz). These tablets are made of edible grains that bind to and take away coffee oils. They're a great alternative to washing your burrs in water, which can damage or dull them. You can also employ a brush to scrub your burrs or blow them away with compressed air or a keyboard air blower.