The Benefits of Using a Coffee Grinder
Experts are of the opinion that adding a coffee grinder to your daily routine is a great upgrade. The most expensive models come with burr grinders, which are a pair of grooved surfaces that can be adjusted to provide a more consistent grind.
In contrast to a blade grinder these types of grinders prevent the formation of oxidation and ensure that your grounds are uniform in size.
Conical Burrs
Burr grinders have greater power and utilize opposing angled cutting surfaces to grind whole beans into smaller pieces. They create fewer fines (also known as dust) than blade grinders and they let you determine the size of particles are produced by adjusting the distance between the burrs.
There are two primary burr types: flat and conical. The differences between the two kinds of burrs are subtle but important and each has its own distinct strengths.
Burr grinders grind the beans by using disc-shaped burrs, while blade grinders employ sharp, blade-shaped blades. The two burrs can be moved closer together or further apart to establish the desired size of grind, from coarse to fine. When they are set correctly they produce a consistent grind with fewer tiny pieces and no heat.
A good quality burr grinder must feature a lubricated mechanism in order to reduce friction and extend the life of the blades. They should also be able to be cleaned easily, reducing the buildup of coffee residue. While there are hand-powered burr grinders commercial flat burr grinders are almost always powered by electricity as they require more power than could be supplied by the human hand by itself.
There could be differences within every category of burr shapes between different brands and models. These differences are not due to the shape of the burrs themselves but rather the pattern of their geometry and how that relates to the distribution of particle sizes. Certain conical burr grinders, such as the Niche Zero, have very low retention. Other flat burr grinding machines, like the Iberital MC2 have high retention.
Some coffee lovers claim that certain burr styles can bring out certain flavors in the bean or roast. This is an area where the evidence is mostly anecdotal and not well-established scientifically.
Flat Burrs
Flat burrs are circular plates with sharp ridges that face each other. They crush the coffee between them. They're the most commonly used burrs found in commercial and home grinders and are the most common kind used in manual grinders.
In comparison to conical burrs flat ones may have more trouble maintaining the same size of grind because of the angled design of their cutting edges may leave behind some fines and grit. This can result in bitter flavors and poor extraction. However, this shouldn't be a deal breaker for some people, particularly since recent advancements in burr geometry can provide the same clarity associated with flat burrs, albeit with a more consistent grind size distribution.
The choice between a flat or conical grinder will be determined by your unique grinding needs and tastes. For instance a barista who grinds a large amount for multiple cups throughout the day might prefer to go for a conical burr grinder because it produces fewer fines and may reduce the time of oxidation, making it easier to store and use again.
Another thing 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 a grinder generates, the more it will heat up, which can alter the flavor profile of your beans and cause excessive extraction. Flat burr grinders generate less heat than conical grinders. This can give you a cleaner overall flavor.
There are many options for a coffee grinder that features flat burrs from reliable manufacturers like Baratza and Eureka. The Fellow Ode Gen 2 is well-known because it is easy to calibrate and offers a high level of precision. It also has a very low noise level and is suited for espresso grinding. It doesn't produce the same quantity 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 regardless of the type of grinder you are using results in a variety of particle sizes and shapes. The measurement of this in a meaningful way is difficult, unless you have expensive equipment like laser particle Diffraction Analysis.
The majority of coffee grinders don't offer a precise measurement, but instead come with dials for setting adjustment that allow the user to select between various sizes for grinding. The dials are typically marked with a sequence of dots or numbers that 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 smoother or coarser.
A lot of grinders provide visual representations that can help you choose the right setting. They include a series or dots or an adjustable stepped system. While these indications can be 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 could indicate that the burrs are set very fine, whereas the dot or number that appears further apart indicates that they are extremely coarse. When deciding on a grinder's setting it is important to be aware that even small adjustments can make a huge difference.
Dialing in a grinder requires finding the ideal grind setting for the coffee and brewing method. The best grind setting allows the brew to be able to produce the most full and balanced flavor possible while remaining within an acceptable range for extraction limitations. This is a constant goal, as even slight variations from the "sweet spot" can result in under- or over-extracted coffee.
stainless steel coffee grinder is ideal for espresso, as it increases the amount of water that is in contact with the ground during the brief time needed for extraction. Pour-over, French Press, Aeropress, and Turkish Coffee all benefit from a setting that is similar to powdered white sugar.
Easy Cleaning
As coffee grinds go through your grinder old grounds and oils accumulate in the crevices. The accumulated oils eventually turn rancid and start to alter the taste of your coffee. Regular cleaning can help prevent the buildup of stale oil in your grinder and keep it working at its best.
To clean your grinder, begin by unplugging and removing the hopper and the grounds bin. Then, you can remove the burrs. Be careful to not damage the sharp burrs that can easily scratch or grate the inner surfaces. If you have a grinder cleaner brush, apply this on the burrs to remove any coffee that is stuck. If you don't have a cleaner brush you can use a toothpick or soft brush to gently lift the ground coffee from the burrs. Once you have removed the burrs, and any other coffee particles from the machine, clean it off with a clean dry cloth.
If you're using a burr grinder or a blade grinder cleaning your grinder regularly is important. The aroma and flavor of coffee beans is lost when the beans are ground. The best cup of espresso is made with freshly ground coffee. Grinders that are too fine lead to over-extraction and bitterness, while the ones which are too coarse may lead to under-extraction and a sour or weak flavor.
Cleaning your grinder regularly is the only way to ensure that it stays in optimal condition and continues to produce high-quality grounds for your morning coffee. The lingering of oil residues and old ground coffee to build up in the nooks and crevices can lead to blocked blades and lower-quality coffee. The taste of coffee may be affected by allowing coffee that is stale to build up on the burrs.
There are a variety of ways to clean a grinder however, one of the easiest is to use a coffee grinder cleaning tablet (such as Urnex Grindz). These tablets are made of edible grains that bond to and remove coffee oil. They're a great alternative to washing your burrs in water, which can damage or dull them. You can also clean your burrs with a brush or blowing them off with compressed air or an air blower on your keyboard.