"Ask Me Anything": Ten Answers To Your Questions About Coffee Grinders
From Shiapedia
The Benefits of Using a Coffee Grinder
Experts agree that purchasing and using a coffee grinder is one of the best enhancements you can add to your daily routine. The higher-end models feature Burr Grinders - Wayranks.Com - that are made up of comprised of grooved surfaces that can be adjusted to provide an even and consistent grind.
In contrast to a blade grinder these kinds of grinders stop the formation of oxidation and ensure that your grounds are uniform in size.
Conical Burrs
Burr grinders are a more powerful type of coffee grinder that uses an angled cutting surface to reduce whole beans into small particles. They produce fewer fines (also known as dust) than blade coffee grinders. You can alter the size of the particles by altering the distance between the burrs.
There are two main types of burrs which are conical and flat. The differences between the two types of burrs are subtle but significant, and each has its own unique strengths.
While blade grinders have sharp blade-shaped teeth that grind the coffee with each passing, burr grinders use disc-shaped burrs to grind the beans. The two burrs can be moved closer together or further apart to establish the desired size of grind, from coarse to fine. When properly set they result in a regular grinding process with fewer fragments and no heating.
A good quality burr grinder should have a lubricated mechanism to reduce friction and extend the life of the blades. They should also be able to be easily cleaned to reduce the accumulation of coffee residue. Although there are hand powered burr grinders, commercial flat burr grinders are almost always powered by electricity as they require more power than could be provided by the human hand by itself.
Within each category of burr shape there is a variations between different models and brands of grinders. These differences aren't due to the shape or the geometry of the burrs but how their pattern is related to particle size distribution. For instance, certain conical burr grinders, such as the Niche Zero have very low retention, whereas other flat burr grinders such as the Iberital MC2 have high retention.
Some coffee lovers claim that certain burr types can bring out certain flavor profiles in the bean or roast. This is an area in which the evidence is mostly anecdotal, and not well-established scientifically.
Flat Burrs
Flat burrs are circular plates with sharp ridges that face each opposite and crush the coffee beans between them. They're among the most popular burrs found in home and commercial grinders and are the most common type used in manual grinders.
Flat burrs have a difficult time maintaining the same distribution of grind sizes than conical ones because their cutting edges are angled, and they can leave behind grit or fines. This can lead to poor extraction and bitter flavors. However, this shouldn't be an issue for everyone particular people, especially as new developments in burr design allow for the same clarity associated with flat burrs but with a more consistent grind size distribution.
The choice between a conical or flat burr grinder will be based on your specific grinding requirements and preferences. A barista who grinds multiple cups of coffee throughout the day may choose the flat burr mill as it produces less fines and decreases oxidation, making it easier to store.
The amount of heat a burr mill generates while operating is a different aspect to take into consideration. This is important because it can affect the taste and quality your cup of 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 produce less heat than conical grinders, and can give you a cleaner overall flavor.
If you're in the market for a coffee beans and grinder grinder with flat burrs, there's plenty of options from reputable manufacturers like Baratza and Eureka. For example 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 very low noise level and is suitable for espresso grinding. However it doesn't create the same amount of fines as Baratza or other models of premium and can have difficulty producing a medium coarse grind for espresso grinders.
Variable Grind Settings
Whatever type of grinder you grind, the process produces different sizes of particles and shapes. It is difficult to measure this in a meaningful way unless you own expensive equipment such as laser particle difffraction.
Most coffee maker with grinder grinders do not offer a precise measurement, but instead use dials for setting adjustment that allow users to choose between a variety of sizes of grind. The dials are usually branded with a series of dots or numbers that represent smaller and larger sizes. The numbers are often accompanied by arrows to indicate the direction that the dial must be moved to make the grind more fine or more coarse.
A lot of grinders have visual representations that assist you in choosing the correct setting. These include dots or a series, or an adjustable system that is stepped. These indicators are useful, but they are not exact guidelines, and you'll have to play around with different settings.
If the dots or numbers are close and are close together, then they are precisely set. If they are farther apart, then they're very coarsely set. When selecting a setting for your grinder be sure to be aware that even small adjustments can make a massive difference.
Dialing in a grinder requires finding the optimal grind setting for the coffee and the brewing method. The best grind setting will allow for the most balanced and full-bodied flavor to be exhibited, while still remaining within acceptable limits of extraction. This is a continuous process since even minor deviations from the "sweet spot" could result in over- or under-extracted coffee.
For espresso, a very fine grind is optimal since it increases the amount of water that will come into contact with the grounds during the short time to extract. A setting that is similar in consistency to powdered sugar works for a variety of methods of brewing, such as pour-over, French press, Aeropress and Turkish coffee.
Easy Cleaning
When coffee grinds move through your grinder old grounds and oils accumulate in the nooks. In time, these oil build-up becomes rancid and start to impact the taste of your coffee. Regular cleaning can prevent the accumulation of stale coffee in your grinder and keep it running at its peak.
To clean your grinder start by unplugging it and remove the hopper. Then, remove the burrs. Be careful to not damage the burrs' sharp edges that 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 own a grinder cleaner brush, use a toothpick or soft brush to gently remove ground coffee from the burrs. After you've removed the burrs as well as any other coffee particles, clean the entire machine with a clean, dry cloth.
Whether you're using a burr grinder or a blade cleaning your grinder on a regular basis is crucial. Coffee beans lose their flavor and aroma when they're ground. The best cup of coffee is made from freshly ground batches. Grinds that are too fine cause bitterness and excessive extraction as well as grinds that are too coarse can result in under-extraction, and a weak or thin flavor.
Regularly cleaning your grinder will ensure it remains in top condition and produces quality grounds for your morning coffee. Leaving oil residues and old ground mini electric coffee grinder to accumulate in the nooks and crannies could result in obstructions to the blades and poorer quality coffee. The taste of coffee may be affected by allowing coffee beans and grinder that is stale to accumulate on the burrs.
There are many ways to clean your grinder but the most effective is to use a tablet for cleaning your coffee grinder (such as Urnex Grindz). These tablets are made of edible grains that bond with and remove coffee oils. These tablets are an excellent alternative to soaking your burrs in a solution of water, which can damage or dull them. You can also use a brush to clean your burrs or blow them away with compressed air or keyboard air blower.
