The Benefits of Using a Coffee Grinder
Experts believe that adding a coffee maker to your morning routine is a great upgrade. The higher-end models have burr grinders, which are a set of grooved surfaces that can be adjusted to create 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 are a stronger type of coffee grinder which makes use of an angled cutting surface to break down whole beans into smaller pieces. They produce fewer fines (also known as dust) than blade grinders and they let you determine the size of particle is created by adjusting the distance between the burrs.
There are two main kinds of burrs: flat and conical. The differences between flat and conical burrs aren't obvious however, they are significant. Each type has its own unique strengths.
Burr grinders grind the beans by using disc-shaped burrs. Blade grinders make use of blades with sharp edges. The two burrs can be moved closer together or further apart to set the desired grind size between coarse and fine. If they are set correctly they will produce a consistent grinding with fewer small fragments and no heating.
A good quality burr grinder must have a lubricated mechanism to reduce friction and prolong the life of the blades. They should also be able to be cleaned easily to minimize the accumulation of coffee residue. While there are coffee machine and grinder -powered burr grinders commercial flat burr grinders are almost always powered by electricity as they require more power than could be generated by a human hand by itself.
There may be variations within the burr shapes of each category between different models and brands. These variations aren't due solely to the shape or geometry of the burrs, but rather how their pattern is related to particle size distribution. For instance, some conical burr grinders, such as the Niche Zero have very low retention, while other flat burr grinders such as the Iberital MC2 boast high retention.
Some coffee lovers believe that certain burr types can bring out certain flavor profiles in the bean or roast. This is an area where the evidence is mostly anecdotal and not well-proven scientifically.
Flat Burrs
Flat burrs are flat plates with sharp ridges that face one other and crush the coffee beans between them. They're the most commonly used burrs found in grinders for home and commercial use and are the most common type used in manual grinders.
Flat burrs have a harder time maintaining a uniform distribution of sizes of grind than conical ones, as their cutting edges are angled and may leave behind grit or fines. This can result in less extraction and bitter tastes. However, this shouldn't be a deal breaker for some people, particularly since recent advancements in burr design allow for the same clarity that is found in flat burrs but with more consistency in the distribution of grind size.
When it comes to deciding between a flat or conical burr grinder, the choice will largely come down to the specific grinding requirements of your individual preferences. A barista who grinds multiple cups of coffee every day may choose the flat burr mill as it produces less fines and reduces the oxidation process, making it easier to store.
The amount of heat that a burr mill generates while working is an additional factor to be considered. This is an important factor because it can affect the flavor and quality of your coffee. The more friction a grinder produces and the higher the heat it creates. This could alter the flavor of your beans or cause over-extraction. Fortunately, flat-burr grinders generate less heat than their conical counterparts. As a result, they can provide you with the best taste overall.
If you're interested in coffee grinders with flat burrs, there's plenty of options available from reputable manufacturers like Baratza and Eureka. The Fellow Ode Gen 2 is well-known for its ease of calibration and provides a high degree of precision. It is also very quiet and is suitable for espresso. However it doesn't produce as many fines as a Baratza or other top models and isn't able to produce a medium coarse grind for espresso.
Variable Grind Settings
The process of grinding, no matter what type of grinder you use, produces a range of shapes and sizes. It is difficult to measure this in a meaningful manner, unless you have expensive equipment, such as laser particle diffraction.
Rather than providing an exact measurement of particle size the majority of coffee grinders have adjustable dials that allow the user to choose from a range of sizes. The dials are usually marked with a series of dots or numbers that represent smaller and larger sizes. The numbers are often followed by arrows that indicate the direction in which the dial should be moved to make the grind more fine or more coarse.
In addition to the numerical system, many grinders have other visual representations to assist with choosing the right setting, such as dots in a series or an adjustable step mechanism. While these indicators may be useful, they are not a complete guide and will require you to play around with the various settings.
If the dots or numbers are close, then they are very finely set, and if they are farther apart then they're very coarsely set. When selecting a setting for your grinder, you should keep in mind that even minor adjustments can make a massive difference.
The 'dialing in' of a grinder is the process of determining the best possible grind setting for a particular coffee and the method of brewing. The best grind setting allows the brew to express the most full and balanced flavor possible, while remaining within a reasonable range for extraction limits. This is a continuous process since even minor deviations from the'sweet spot' can result in over- or under-extracted coffee.
For espresso, a very fine grind is ideal because it increases the amount of water that will come into contact with the grounds during the time frame to extract. A setting that is similar to powdered sugar is suitable for all 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 crevices. These accumulated oils eventually go rancid and start to affect the taste of your coffee. Regular cleaning can prevent the accumulation of stale coffee in your coffee maker and keep it working at its best.
To clean your grinder, begin by unplugging and removing the hopper and grounds bin. Then, remove the burrs. Be careful not to scratch the burrs' sharp edges that could easily scratch or grate the inner surfaces. If you own a grinder cleaner brush, you can use this on the burrs to get rid of any coffee residue. If you don't have a grinder cleaner brush you can use a toothpick or soft brush to gently remove the ground coffee from the burrs. After you have removed the burrs and any other coffee particles from the machine, wipe it off with a clean dry cloth.
Whether you're using a burr grinder or a blade grinder, cleaning your grinder on a regular basis is important. Coffee beans lose their flavor and aroma when they are ground. The best cup of coffee is made from a freshly ground batch. Grinds that are too fine lead to bitterness and over-extraction, while those that are too coarse can cause under-extraction and a weak or thin flavor.
Cleaning your grinder on a regular basis will ensure it remains in good working order and continues to produce quality grounds to make 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. Letting stale ground coffee accumulate on the burrs could also affect the flavor of your coffee.
There are several ways to clean your grinder but the most efficient is to utilize the coffee grinder cleaner tablet (such as Urnex Grindz). These tablets are made from edible grains that bind to and take out coffee oil. They're a great alternative to washing your burrs with water, which could damage or dull them. You can also clean your burrs by using a brush or by blowing them off with compressed air or a keyboard air blower.