The Benefits of Using a Coffee Grinder
Experts agree that adding a coffee grinder to your morning routine is a fantastic way to upgrade. The higher-end models have burr grinders--a pair of grooved surfaces--that can be adjusted to provide an even and consistent grind.
These grinders are superior to blade grinders because they prevent the oxidation process, and ensure that your ground is even in size.
Conical Burrs
Burr grinders are a stronger type of coffee grinder that makes use of angled opposing cutting surfaces to reduce whole beans into small particles. They create fewer fines (also called dust) than blade grinders, and allow you to determine the size of particle is created by adjusting the gap between the burrs.
There are two kinds of burrs - flat and conical. The differences between these two kinds of burrs is subtle but significant and each one has its own distinct strengths.
Blade grinders have sharp blade-shaped teeth that crush the coffee with each passing Burr grinders employ disc-shaped burrs to grind the beans. The two burrs can be moved closer or further apart to set the desired size of grind between coarse and fine. If they are set correctly, they produce a very regular grinding process with fewer fragments and no heating.
A high-quality burr grinder will feature a lubricated mechanism in order to reduce friction and prolong the life of the blades. They must also be cleaned easily to minimize the accumulation of coffee residue. While there are hand-powered burr grinders, commercial flat burr grinders are almost always powered by electricity since they require more power than could be supplied by the human hand alone.
There may be variations within the burr shapes of each category among different brands and models. These differences are not due to the shape of the burrs but rather the pattern of their geometry and how that is related to the distribution of particle sizes. For instance, some conical burr grinders such as the Niche Zero have very low retention, whereas other flat burr grinders like the Iberital MC2 have a high retention.
Some coffee enthusiasts claim that different styles of burrs are more effective in bringing out certain flavors in the bean and roast. This is an area in which the evidence is mostly based on anecdotes, and not scientifically proven.
Flat Burrs
Flat burrs are flat plates with sharp ridges that face each to crush coffee beans between them. They are the most popular burrs that are used in both commercial and home grinders. They are also the most popular burrs employed in manual grinders.
As compared to conical ones, flat ones can have more trouble maintaining the same size of grind because of the angled design of their cutting edges can leave behind grit and fines. This can lead to low extraction and bitter taste. This shouldn't be a problem for everyone, as new developments in burr geometries can provide the same consistency in size distribution as flat burrs.
The choice between a conical or flat burr grinder will be determined by your individual grinding needs and preferences. For instance, a barista who grinds a large amount for many cups throughout the day might prefer to go for a flat burr grinder due to the fact that it produces fewer fines and can reduce the time of oxidation, making it easier to store and reuse.
Another thing to consider is the quantity of heat a grinder produces during its operation. This is important because it can impact the taste and quality of your cup coffee. The more friction a grinder generates, the more it will get hot, which could change the flavor profile of your beans and cause over-extraction. Flat burr grinders generate less heat than conical grinders, which will give you a more refined overall flavor.
If you're interested in a coffee grinder with flat burrs, there are plenty of options available from reputable brands like Baratza and Eureka. The Fellow Ode Gen 2 is well-known for its ease of calibration and has a high level of precision. It also has a low noise level and is suited for espresso grinding. It does not produce the same amount of fines as Baratza and other premium models and it is difficult to achieve a medium-coarse grind when grinding espresso.
Variable Grind Settings
The grinding process, no matter what type of grinder you are using, 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.
Instead of offering an exact measurement of the size of a particle, most coffee grinders have adjustable dials which allow users to choose between a range of grind sizes. Dials are marked with dots or numbers to indicate smaller and larger sizes. The numbers are usually followed by arrows that indicate the direction in which the dial should be moved to make the grind finer or more coarse.
Many grinders also come with visual representations to help you choose the right setting. They include a series or dots, or a stepped adjustment system. While these visual representations are helpful however, they are not a complete guide and require you to test the various settings.
If the dots or numbers are close together, then they are very finely set, and if they are farther apart then they are coarsely set. When selecting a setting for your grinder it is important to be aware that even small adjustments can make an enormous difference.
Dialing in a grinder is finding the best grind setting for the coffee and the method of brewing. The optimal grind setting allows the most balanced and full-bodied flavor to be expressed, while still remaining within acceptable limits of extraction. This is a constant pursuit, since even slight variations could result in coffee that is over- or underextracted.
A finer grind is ideal for espresso as it maximizes the amount of water that is in contact with the ground in the brief time needed for extraction. A setting that is similar in consistency to powdered sugar is suitable for all methods of brewing, such as pour-over, French press, Aeropress and Turkish coffee.
Easy Cleaning
As coffee grinds pass through your grinder, old grounds and oils accumulate in the crevices. The accumulated oils eventually turn rancid and begin to affect the taste of your espresso. Regular cleaning can prevent the accumulation of stale oil in your grinder and help keep it functioning at its peak.
To clean your grinder, begin by disconnecting the plug and then removing the hopper and the grounds bin. Then, remove the burrs. Be Coffeee not to scratch the burrs' sharp edges, which could easily scratch or grate inner surfaces. Use a grinder cleaning brush to remove any coffee residue that is stuck to the burrs. If you don't have a 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, wipe it off with a clean dry cloth.
Cleaning your grinder on a regular basis is essential, regardless of regardless of whether you're using a blade or burr grinder. The aroma and flavor of coffee beans disappear once the beans are ground. The best espresso is made of freshly ground coffee. Grinds that are too fine lead to bitterness and excessive extraction and bitterness, while grinds which are too coarse may result in under-extraction, and a weak or thin flavor.
Cleaning your grinder on a regular basis is the only way to make sure that it stays in optimal condition and continues to produce quality grounds for your morning brew. Remains of oil and old coffee grounds can cause blades to become clogged and result in poor quality coffee. The flavor of coffee can be affected by allowing coffee that is stale to build up on the burrs.
There are several ways to clean your grinder, but the easiest is to make use of the coffee grinder cleaner tablet (such as Urnex Grindz). These tablets are made from edible grains that bond to and remove coffee oil. They're an excellent 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 keyboard air blower.