Ask Me Anything: 10 Responses To Your Questions About Coffee Grinders
The Benefits of Using a Coffee Grinder
Experts agree that adding a grinder for coffee to your morning routine is a fantastic way to upgrade. The more expensive models have burr grinders, which are made up of two grooved surfaces that can be adjusted for an even and consistent grind.
Unlike a blade grinder, these types of grinders prevent oxidation and ensure your grounds are even in size.
Conical Burrs
Burr grinders have a higher capacity and use opposing angles cutting surfaces that grind whole beans into small pieces. They create fewer fines (also known as dust) than blade grinders, and they let you determine the size of particle is produced by adjusting the distance between the burrs.
There are two primary types of burrs that are conical and flat. The distinctions between conical and flat burrs are subtle, but significant. Each type has distinct strengths.
Blade grinders feature sharp blade-shaped teeth, which crush the coffee with each pass, burr grinders use a pair of disc shaped burrs to grind the beans. The two burrs are moved further or closer to achieve the size of the grind you want. When they are set correctly, they create a very consistent grind with fewer tiny pieces and no heat.
A good quality burr grinder will include a lubricated mechanism that will reduce friction and prolong the life of the blades. They are easy to clean, preventing the build-up of coffee residue. There are hand-powered burr grinders. However, commercial flat burr grinders are usually powered by electricity as they require more energy than could be generated by human hands alone.
Within each type of burr there could be additional variations between different brands and models of grinders. These differences are not due to the shape of the burrs themselves but rather to the pattern of their geometry and how it affects the distribution of particle sizes. Certain conical burr grinders like the Niche Zero, have very low retention. Other flat burr grinding equipment, like the Iberital MMC2 have a high retention.
Some coffee lovers believe that certain burr types produce specific flavor profiles in the roast or bean. This is an area where the evidence is mostly anecdotal and not scientifically proven.
Flat Burrs
Flat burrs consist of circular plates that have sharp ridges facing each other. They crush coffee between them. They are the most popular burrs used in commercial and home grinders. They are also the primary burrs that are used in manual grinders.
Compared to conical burrs, flat burrs can be more difficult to maintain an even distribution of size because of the angled design of their cutting edges can leave behind some fines and grit. This can result in less extraction and bitter tastes. However, this shouldn't be a deal breaker for some people, particularly since recent advancements in burr geometry allow for the same clarity as flat burrs, albeit with more uniform the distribution of grind size.
When it comes down to selecting a conical or flat burr grinder, the decision will largely come down to your specific grinding needs and individual preferences. For instance the barista who grinds large quantities for many cups throughout the day might prefer to go for a conical burr grinder because it produces fewer fines and may reduce the time to oxidize which makes it easier to store and reuse.
Another factor to consider is the amount of heat that a grinder produces during operation. This is important because it can affect the taste and quality of your cup of coffee. The more friction that a grinder produces, the more heat it generates. This could alter the taste of your beans or cause over-extraction. Flat burr grinders produce less heat than conical grinders, which can give you a cleaner overall taste.
If you're in the market for a coffee grinder that has flat burrs, there's plenty of options from reputable brands 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's also quiet and suitable for espresso. However it doesn't produce the same amount of fines as Baratza or other models of premium and may struggle to produce moderately coarse grinds for espresso.
Variable Grind Settings
The grinding process, no matter what kind of grinder you choose to use, produces a range of particle sizes and shapes. It is difficult to measure this accurately, unless you have expensive equipment such as laser particle diffraction.
Instead of offering an exact measurement of the size of the particle, most coffee grinders have a set of adjustment dials that let the user choose from a range of sizes. The dials are typically marked by a series of dots or numbers that represent larger and smaller sizes. The numbers are often with arrows to indicate the direction in which the dial needs to be moved to make the grind finer or more coarse.
A lot of grinders have visual representations that help you choose the right setting. These can be a series or dots or an adjustable system that is stepped. While coffee grinders types are helpful but they are only a general guide and require you to play around with the different settings.
If the dots or numbers are close, then they are very well set. If they are farther apart, then they're very coarsely set. When choosing a grinder's setting, it's important to keep in mind that even small adjustments can make an enormous difference and it's important not to go beyond the intended range when making your adjustments.
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The dialing-in process of grinding is the process of finding the most optimal grind setting for a particular coffee and the brewing method. The ideal grind setting allows for the most balanced and full-bodied taste to be expressed and still remain within the acceptable limits of extraction. This is a constant pursuit since even minor deviations from the'sweet spot' could result in over- or under-extracted coffee.
For espresso, a fine grind is ideal since it maximizes the amount water that will come into contact with the grounds during the time frame for extraction. Pour-over, French Press, Aeropress, and Turkish Coffee all benefit from a setting similar to powdered white sugar.
Easy Cleaning
As coffee grinds go through your grinder, oils and old grounds get stuck inside the nooks and crannies in the machine. The oils that accumulate eventually go rancid and start to affect the taste of your coffee. Regular cleaning can prevent the accumulation of stale coffee in your grinder and keep it functioning at its peak.
To clean your grinder, start by unplugging and removing the hopper and the grounds bin. Then, take the burrs off. Be careful not to harm the burrs' sharp edges, which can easily scratch or scrape the interior of your grinder. If you own a grinder cleaner brush, use it on the burrs to get rid of any coffee residue. If not, use a soft brush or toothpick to gently dislodge the coffee grounds from the burrs. Once you've removed the burrs and any other coffee particles, wash the entire machine with a clean, dry cloth.
Cleaning your grinder on a regular basis is important, whether you use a blade or burr grinder. Coffee beans lose their flavor and aroma as soon as they're ground, and the best cup of coffee comes from freshly ground beans. Grinders that are too fine cause bitterness and over-extraction as well as those that are too coarse could cause under-extraction and a weak or sluggish flavor.
Cleaning your grinder regularly will ensure it remains in top condition and continues to produce quality grounds for your morning cup of coffee. Oil residues and old coffee grounds can cause blades to become clogged and result in poor quality coffee. Leaving stale ground coffee to build up on the burrs may also impact the taste of your coffee.
There are several ways to clean your grinder but the easiest is to use the coffee grinder cleaner tablet (such as Urnex Grindz). These tablets are made of edible grains that bond with and remove coffee oils. These tablets are an excellent alternative to soak your burrs in a solution of water, which could harm or dull them. You can also make use of a brush to clean your burrs, or blow them away with compressed air or a keyboard air blower.