The Benefits of Using a Coffee Grinder
Experts agree that buying and using coffee grinders is among the best home espresso grinder upgrades you can make to your daily routine. The higher-end models feature burr grinders which consist of a pair of grooved surfaces that can be adjusted for a more consistent grind.
These grinders are superior to blade grinders because they prevent oxidation, and ensure that your ground is even in size.
Conical Burrs
Burr grinders are a stronger type of coffee grinder that makes use of angles to reduce whole beans into smaller particles. They produce less fines (also known as dust) than blade coffee grinders coffee and you can regulate the size of particles by altering the distance between the burrs.
There are two primary burr types which are conical and flat. The distinctions between conical and flat burrs aren't obvious however, they are significant. Each type has their own strengths.
Blade grinders have sharp blade-shaped teeth, which grind the coffee with each passing Burr grinders employ a pair of disc shaped burrs to grind the beans. The two burrs are moved closer or farther apart to achieve the size of the grind you want. If they are set correctly they will produce a consistent grinding with fewer small fragments and without heating.
A high-quality burr grinder should be lubricated to reduce friction and extend the lifespan of the blades. They are easy to clean to avoid the build-up of coffee maker with grinder residue. There are hand-powered burr grinders. However commercial flat burr grinders are almost always powered by electricity as they require more energy than could be generated by human hand alone.
There are variations within the burr shapes of each category between different brands and models. These variations aren't due to the shape or geometry of the burrs, but rather how their pattern relates to particle size distribution. For instance, some conical burr grinders such as the Niche Zero have very low retention, whereas other flat burr grinders such as the Iberital MC2 boast high retention.
Some coffee lovers claim that certain burr styles bring out specific flavor profiles in the roast or bean. But this is an area that is largely based on speculation and not scientifically proven.
Flat Burrs
Flat burrs are circular plates with sharp ridges which face each other and crush the coffee beans between them. These are the most common burrs found in home and commercial grinders. They are also the primary burrs that are used in manual grinders.
Flat burrs have a harder time maintaining a uniform distribution of sizes of the grind than conical ones, as their cutting edges are angled and may leave behind fines or grit. This can result in bitter tastes and poor extraction. This shouldn't be a problem for everyone, as new innovations in burr geometries allow for the same consistency in grind size distribution as flat burrs.
When it comes down to selecting a conical or flat burr grinder, the choice will largely come down to the specific grinding requirements of your individual preferences. For instance, a barista who grinds a lot for many cups throughout the day may be more likely to opt for a conical burr grinder because it produces fewer fines and reduces oxidation time which makes it easier to store and use again.
Another thing to consider is the amount of heat that a grinder produces during operation. This is a crucial factor because it can affect the flavor and quality of your cup of joe. The more friction a grinder generates the more it will heat up, which can change the flavor profile of your beans and lead to over-extraction. Fortunately, flat burr grinders generate less heat than their conical counterparts. As a result, they can provide you with more flavor and a better overall taste.
If you're looking for coffee grinders with flat burrs, there are plenty of options from reputable brands like Baratza and Eureka. For instance, the Fellow Ode Gen 2 is an extremely popular choice due to its easy to calibrate and provides the highest level of precision. It also has a low noise level and is ideal for espresso grinding. It doesn't produce the same amount of fines as Baratza and other premium models and it's difficult to achieve a medium-coarse grind for espresso.
Variable Grind Settings
The process of grinding regardless of the type of grinder you use, produces a range of particle sizes and shapes. The measurement of this in a meaningful way is difficult, unless you have expensive equipment such as laser particle Diffraction Analysis.
Instead of offering an exact measurement of the size of a particle, most coffee grinders have adjustable dials which allow users to select from a variety of sizes. Dials are marked with numbers or dots to indicate smaller and larger sizes. The numbers are sometimes followed by arrows which indicate the direction in which the dial should move to make the grind coarser or more fine.
In addition to the numerical system, many grinders also have other visual representations to assist with choosing the right setting, such as dots or a stepped adjustment mechanism. These indicators are useful, but they are only general guidelines, and you'll have to play around with different settings.
For instance, a dot or a number that appears close together suggest that the grinders are set fine, while the dot or number that appears to be further apart indicates that they are very coarse. When selecting a setting for your grinder, you should be aware that even small adjustments can make a massive difference.
Dialing in a grinder is finding the best grind setting for the coffee and the brewing method. The optimal grind setting allows the most full-bodied and balanced flavor to be exhibited and still remain within 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 the best, as it maximizes the amount of water that will come into contact with the grounds in the limited time it takes to extract. A setting that is similar to powdered sugar is suitable for a variety of brewing methods, including pour-over, French press, Aeropress and Turkish coffee machine and grinder.
Easy Cleaning
As coffee grinds go through your grinder the grounds and oils are trapped in the nooks and crannies in the machine. The oils that accumulate eventually go rancid, and begin to affect the taste of your coffee. Regular cleaning can prevent the accumulation of stale coffee in your grinder and help keep it running at its peak.
To clean your grinder, begin by unplugging it, then removing the hopper. Then, you can remove the burrs. Be careful not to scratch the sharp burrs, which could easily scratch or scratch the inner surfaces of your grinder. If you own a grinder cleaner brush, use it on the burrs to get rid of any coffee residue. Instead, employ a soft toothbrush or toothpick to gently remove the coffee grounds from the burrs. After you've removed the burrs, as well as any other coffee particles, wash the entire machine with a dry cloth.
Cleaning your grinder regularly is crucial, regardless of whether you use the blade or burr. Coffee beans lose their flavor and aromatic properties once they're ground, and the best cup of coffee is made from a freshly ground batch. A grind that is too fine can cause bitterness and over-extraction and a grind that is too coarse can result in under-extraction and an unsavory flavor.
Cleaning your grinder frequently is the only way to ensure that it is in good shape and produces high-quality grounds for your morning coffee. The lingering of oil residues and old ground coffee to accumulate in the nooks and crevices could result in blocked blades and lower-quality coffee. The taste of coffee can be affected by allowing stale coffee to build up on the burrs.
There are several ways to clean your grinder but the most effective is to utilize a barista-approved coffee grinders grinder cleaner tablet (such as Urnex Grindz). These tablets are made from edible grains that bond to and take out coffee oil. They're a great alternative to washing your burrs with water, which can damage or dull them. You can also clean your burrs by using a brush or blowing them away using compressed air or a keyboard air blower.