7 Little Changes That Will Make A Big Difference In Your Coffee Grinders

The Benefits of Using a Coffee Grinder

Experts agree that adding a coffee maker to your daily routine is a great way to improve. The more expensive models come with burr grinders, a pair of grooved surfaces--that can be adjusted to create an even and consistent grind.

Unlike a blade grinder, these kinds of grinders stop the oxidation of your ground and ensure that they are uniform in size.

Conical Burrs

Burr grinders are a more powerful type of coffee grinder that uses an angled cutting surface to break beans down into smaller pieces. They produce less fines (also known as dust) than blade coffee grinders and you can alter the size of the particles by adjusting the distance between the burrs.

There are two main types of burrs which are conical and flat. The differences between flat and conical burrs are not obvious however, they are significant. Each has their own strengths.

While blade grinders have sharp blade-shaped teeth that grind the coffee with each passing Burr grinders employ disc-shaped burrs to grind beans. The two burrs are moved closer or farther apart to create the desired grind size. If they are set correctly they will produce a regular grinding process with fewer pieces and no heating.

A high-quality burr grinder must have a lubricated mechanism to reduce friction and prolong the life of the blades. They are easy to clean to prevent the accumulation of coffee residue. While there are some hand-powered burr grinders commercial flat burr grinders are almost always powered by electricity since they require more power than can be provided by the human hand alone.

Within every category of burr shape there could be additional variation between different brands and models of grinders. 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. Some conical burr grinding machines such as the Niche Zero, have very low retention. Other flat burr grinding machines, like the Iberital MC2 have a high retention.

Some coffee lovers believe that certain burr types can bring out certain flavors in the roast or bean. This is an area where the evidence is mostly anecdotal, and not well-proven scientifically.

Flat Burrs

Flat burrs are circular plates with sharp ridges facing each one. They crush coffee between them. They're among the most popular burrs that are found in commercial and home grinders and are usually the primary type used in manual grinders.

As compared to conical ones, flat burrs can have more trouble maintaining a uniform grind size distribution due to the angled shape of their cutting edges can leave behind some grit and fines. This can lead to bitter taste and poor extraction. However, this isn't necessarily a deal breaker for some particular people, especially as new developments in burr design allow for the same clarity that is found in flat burrs but with more uniform the distribution of grind size.

When it comes down to selecting a flat or conical burr grinder, the choice will largely come down to your specific grinding requirements and individual preferences. For instance a barista who grinds large quantities for multiple cups throughout the day could be more likely to opt for a flat-burr grinder due to the fact that it produces fewer fines and can reduce oxidation time which makes it easier to store and reuse.

The amount of heat the burr mill produces operating is a different factor to consider. This is a crucial aspect because it can impact the flavor and quality of your coffee. The more friction grinders create, the more heat it generates. This can alter the flavor of your beans or lead to excessive extraction. Flat burr grinders produce less heat than conical grinders. This can give you a cleaner overall flavor.

There are a variety of options for a grinder that features flat burrs from reliable manufacturers like Baratza and Eureka. The Fellow Ode Gen 2 is well-known for its ease of calibration and offers a high level of precision. It's also extremely quiet and suitable for espresso. However  stainless steel coffee grinder  doesn't produce the same amount of fines as Baratza or other top models and isn't able to produce a medium coarse grind for espresso.

Variable Grind Settings

The grinding process, no matter what type of grinder you use creates a variety of particle sizes and shapes. The measurement of this in a meaningful way is difficult, except for equipment such as laser particle diffraction analysis.

The majority of coffee grinders don't offer a precise measurement, but instead have dials for setting adjustment that allow users to choose among a variety of grind sizes. Dials are marked with numbers or dots to indicate smaller and larger sizes. The numbers are usually with arrows to indicate the direction in which the dial needs to be moved to make the grind more fine or more coarse.

A lot of grinders come with visual representations to help you choose the right setting. These include dots or a series or an adjustable system that is stepped. While these indicators are helpful however, they are only a general guide and will require you to play around with the different settings.

For example, a dot or a number that appears close together suggest that the grinders are set delicate, whereas an asterisk or number that appears farther apart means they are set very coarse. When deciding on a grinder's setting it is important to keep in mind that even minor adjustments can make a massive difference.

Dialing in a grinder requires finding the ideal grind setting for the coffee and the method of brewing. The best grind setting allows the brew to be able to produce the fullest and most balanced flavor possible while staying within an acceptable range for extraction limits. This is a continuous pursuit because even minor variations can result in coffee that has been either over- or underextracted.

For espresso, a very fine grind is optimal, as it maximizes the amount water that comes in contact with the ground during the short time for extraction. Pour-over, French Press, Aeropress, and Turkish Coffee all benefit from a setting similar to powdered white sugar.

Easy Cleaning

When coffee grinds move through your grinder, oils and old grounds get stuck inside the crevices and corners of the machine. The accumulated oils eventually turn rancid and begin to affect the taste of your espresso. Regular cleaning helps keep the build-up of stale coffee oils and keeps your grinder operating at its best.

To clean your grinder, begin by unplugging it and taking out the hopper and the grounds bin. Then, take the burrs off. Be careful not to damage the burrs' sharp edges, which could easily scratch or grate the inner surfaces. If you have a grinder cleaner brush, use this on the burrs in order to remove any stuck on coffee. If you don't have a cleaner brush then use a toothpick, or a soft brush to gently remove the ground coffee from the burrs. Once 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 important, regardless of whether you use a blade or burr grinder. The aroma and taste of coffee beans is lost once the beans are ground. The best cup of espresso is made from freshly ground coffee. Grinders that are too fine cause bitterness and excessive extraction as well as those that are too coarse can lead to under-extraction and a weak or sluggish flavor.

Cleaning your grinder frequently is the only way to ensure that it stays in optimal shape and produces quality grounds for your morning brew. Leaving oil residues and old ground coffee to build up in the nooks and crevices could result in obstructions to the blades and poorer quality coffee. Letting stale ground coffee collect on the burrs can also affect the taste of your coffee.

There are a variety of ways to clean your grinder but the most effective is to use a coffee grinder cleaner tablet (such as Urnex Grindz). These tablets are made from edible grains that bond with and take away coffee oils. These tablets are a great alternative to soaking your burrs in a solution of water, which could damage or dull the burrs. You can also make use of a brush to clean your burrs, or blow them away with compressed air or a keyboard blower.