15 Best Coffee Grinders Bloggers You Must Follow

The Benefits of Using a Coffee Grinder

Experts agree that buying and using coffee grinders is one of the best coffee Grinders enhancements you can add to your daily routine. The pricier models feature burr grinders, a set of grooved surfaces that can be adjusted to provide an even grind.

Unlike a blade grinder, these types of grinders prevent oxidation and ensure your grounds are even in size.

Conical Burrs

Burr grinders have greater power and use opposing angled cutting surfaces to grind whole beans into smaller pieces. They create fewer fines (also known as dust) than blade grinders and they allow you to control exactly what size of particles are produced by adjusting the gap between the burrs.

There are two primary types of burrs: flat and conical. The differences between conical and flat burrs are not obvious, but significant. Each has distinct strengths.

Burr grinders grind beans by using disc-shaped burrs. Blade grinders employ sharp blades that are shaped like blades. The two burrs are moved further or closer to create the desired size of grind. When they are set properly they will produce a consistent grinding with fewer small fragments and no heating.

A high-quality burr grinder should have a lubricated system to reduce friction and prolong the life of the blades. They must be easy to clean to avoid the build-up of coffee residue. Although there are hand-powered burr grinders commercial coffee grinder flat burr grinders are nearly always electrically powered as they require more power than can be supplied by the human hand 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 but rather to the shape of their geometry and how it is related to the distribution of particle sizes. For example, some conical burr grinders like the Niche Zero have very low retention, whereas other flat burr grinders such as the Iberital MC2 have a high retention.

Some coffee lovers claim that certain burr styles can bring out certain flavor profiles in the bean or roast. But, this is an area that is largely based on speculation and not scientifically proven.

Flat Burrs

Flat burrs consist of circular plates with sharp ridges facing each the other. They crush coffee between them. They're the most common burrs used in commercial and home grinders and are usually the primary kind used in manual grinders.

Compared to conical burrs, flat ones can be more difficult to maintain the same size of grind because the angled design of their cutting edges may leave behind grit and fines. This can lead to bitter taste and poor extraction. However, this isn't necessarily an issue for all particular people, especially as new developments in burr geometry can provide the same clarity that is found in flat burrs, albeit with more uniform grind size distribution.

The choice between a flat or conical grinder will be determined by your unique grinding needs and preferences. For example a barista who grinds large quantities for multiple cups throughout the day might be more likely to opt for a conical burr grinder because it produces fewer fines and reduces oxidation time, making it easier to store and reuse.

Another thing to consider is the amount of heat a burr grinder produces during its operation. This is a significant aspect as it can affect the flavor and quality of your cup of joe. The more friction a grinder creates and the more it's likely to increase its temperature, which can change the flavor profile of your beans and lead to excessive extraction. Luckily, flat burr grinders produce less heat than their conical counterparts, which means they'll give you more flavor and a better overall taste.

There are a variety of options for a grinder that has flat burrs from reliable manufacturers like Baratza and Eureka. For instance the Fellow Ode Gen 2 is an extremely popular choice due to its easy to calibrate and has a the highest level of precision. It's also quiet and suitable for espresso. It does not produce the same amount of fines as Baratza and other top models and it is difficult to achieve a medium-coarse grind when grinding espresso.

Variable Grind Settings

No matter what type you use to grind, the process produces a variety of particle sizes and shapes. The measurement of this in a meaningful way is difficult, unless you use very expensive equipment such as laser particle diffraction analysis.

The majority of coffee grinders don't provide an exact measurement, but instead come with adjustable dials that allow the user to select between a variety of sizes for grinding. Dials are marked with numbers or dots to indicate smaller and larger sizes. The numbers are often followed by arrows which indicate the direction in which the dial is supposed to move to make the grind more coarse or more fine.

Many grinders also provide visual representations that can assist you in choosing the correct setting. These include dots or series or a stepped adjustment system. These indicators are useful, but they are only general guidelines, and you'll have to test different settings.

For instance, a dot or number that appears close together indicate that the burrs are set very fine, whereas an asterisk or number that appears to be further apart indicates that they are very coarse. When deciding on a grinder's setting it is important to be aware that even tiny adjustments can make a huge difference.

The 'dialing in' of grinding is the process of finding the most optimal grind setting for the particular coffee and brewing method. The ideal grind setting allows the brew to express the most full and balanced flavor while staying within an acceptable range of extraction limits. This is a constant pursuit as even small variations could result in coffee that has been either over- or underextracted.

A finer grind is perfect for espresso, as it increases the amount of water that is in contact with the ground in the short time required to extract. A setting that is similar in consistency to powdered sugar works well for a variety of methods of brewing, including pour-over, French press, Aeropress and Turkish coffee.

Easy Cleaning

As coffee grinds pass through your grinder oils and old grounds get stuck in the nooks and crannies in the machine. The oils that accumulate eventually go rancid and start to alter the taste of your coffee. Regular cleaning will prevent the accumulation of stale coffee in your grinder and keep it running at its peak.

To clean your grinder, begin by unplugging it and removing the hopper. Then, you can remove the burrs. Be careful to not damage the burrs' sharp edges that could easily scratch or grate the inner surfaces. Use a grinder cleaning brush to remove any coffee stuck on the burrs. Otherwise you can employ a toothpick or soft brush to gently dislodge ground beans from burrs. Once you've removed the burrs and any other coffee particles, wash the entire machine clean with a clean, dry cloth.

Whether you're using a blade grinder or a blade grinder cleaning your grinder regularly is crucial. The flavor and aroma of coffee beans is lost when the beans are ground. The most delicious cup of espresso is made from freshly ground coffee. Too fine a grind can cause bitterness and over-extraction while too coarse a grind can lead to under-extraction and the flavor is weak.

Cleaning your grinder on a regular basis is the only way to ensure it remains in top condition and continues to produce high-quality grounds for your morning coffee. Oil residues and old coffee grounds can cause blades to become clogged and produce poor-quality coffee. The stale coffee you leave to collect on the burrs can also alter the flavor of your coffee.

There are many ways to clean your grinder, but the most efficient is to utilize a coffee grinder cleaner tablet (such as Urnex Grindz). These tablets are made from edible grains that bind to and eliminate professional coffee grinder oils. These tablets are an excellent alternative to soak your burrs in a solution water, which could harm or dull the burrs. You can also clean your burrs with a brush or blowing them away using compressed air or a keyboard air blower.