The Benefits of Using a Coffee Grinder
Experts agree that adding a coffee maker to your daily routine is a great upgrade. The more expensive models come with burr grinders, which are a pair of grooved surfaces--that can be adjusted to create an even and consistent grind.
These grinders are superior to blade grinders as they stop oxidation, and ensure that your ground is uniform in size.
Conical Burrs
Burr grinders are a powerful type of coffee grinder which makes use of angled opposing cutting surfaces to break beans down into smaller particles. They produce less fines (also called dust) than blade coffee grinders and you can alter the size of the particles by altering the distance between the burrs.
There are two kinds of burrs: flat and conical. The differences between the two kinds of burrs are subtle but important and each has its own strengths.
Burr grinders crush beans with a pair of disc-shaped burrs. Blade grinders use sharp, blade-shaped blades. The two burrs can be moved closer or farther apart to achieve the size of the grind you want. If they are set properly they will produce a uniform grind, with fewer fragments and no heat.
A good burr grinder must have a lubricated system to reduce friction and increase the lifespan of the blades. They must be easy to clean, preventing the build-up of coffee residue. There are a few hand-powered burr grinders. However, commercial flat burr grinding machines are usually powered by electricity as they require more energy than can be supplied by the human hands alone.
There could be differences within the burr shapes of each category between different brands and models. These variations aren't due solely to the shape or the geometry of the burrs, but to 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 like the Iberital MC2 boast high retention.
Some coffee enthusiasts believe that different burrs are better at bringing out distinct flavors in the bean and roast. This is an area where the evidence is mostly anecdotal and not scientifically proven.
Flat Burrs
Flat burrs consist of circular plates with sharp ridges that face each other. They crush the coffee between them. These are the most common burrs used in commercial and home grinders. They are also the most popular burrs used in manual grinders.
Flat burrs can have a harder time maintaining the same distribution of grind sizes than conical ones because their cutting edges are angled and can leave behind grit or fines. This can result in bitter flavors and poor extraction. This isn't a deal-breaker for everyone, as new innovations in burr geometries allow for the same consistency in grind size distribution as flat burrs.
When it comes down to selecting the best conical or flat burr grinder, your choice will largely come down to your specific grinding needs and individual preferences. A barista who grinds many cups of coffee every day may opt for a conical burr mill since it produces less fines and reduces oxidation, making it easier to store.
The amount of heat a burr mill generates operating is a different aspect to take into consideration. This is important as it can affect the taste and quality of your cup of coffee. The more friction a grinder produces and the higher the heat it generates. This can alter the taste 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 a cleaner taste overall.
There are many options for a grinder that features flat burrs from reputable manufacturers such as Baratza and Eureka. For example, the Fellow Ode Gen 2 is a popular choice because it's easy to calibrate and provides an extremely 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 top models and it's difficult to achieve a medium-coarse grind when grinding espresso.
Variable Grind Settings
The process of grinding regardless of the type of grinder you are using results in a variety of shapes and sizes. It is difficult to measure this accurately without expensive equipment, such as laser particle difffraction.
Most coffee grinders do not provide a precise measurement, but instead use dials for setting adjustment that permit users to choose among a variety of grind sizes. Dials are marked with numbers or dots to indicate larger and smaller 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 aid in selecting the best setting. These can be dots or series or an adjustable stepped system. While these visual representations are helpful, they are not a complete guide and will require you to play around with the various settings.
If Coffeee or numbers are close together, then they are very well set. If they are farther apart, then they're very coarsely set. When choosing a grinder setting, you should keep in mind that even tiny adjustments can make an enormous difference.
Dialing in a grinder involves finding the optimal grind setting for the coffee and the brewing method. The ideal grind setting allows the brew to be able to produce the fullest and most balanced flavor that is possible, while remaining within an acceptable range for extraction limitations. This is a continuous process because even small deviations from the'sweet spot' can result in over- or under-extracted coffee.
A very fine grind is ideal for espresso because it increases the amount of water in contact with the ground during the short time required to extract. A setting that is similar to powdered sugar works for a variety of brewing methods, including pour-over, French press, Aeropress and Turkish coffee.
Easy Cleaning
As coffee grinds go through your grinder oils and old grounds get stuck in the nooks and crannies of the machine. In time, these accumulated oils go rancid and start to impact the taste of your coffee. Regular cleaning can to prevent the accumulation of stale coffee oils and keeps your grinder running optimally.
To clean your grinder, begin by unplugging it and remove the hopper. Then, remove the burrs. Be careful not to scratch the burrs' sharp edges that could easily scratch or grate inner surfaces. If you own a grinder cleaner brush, you can use it on the burrs to remove any coffee that is stuck. 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 and any other coffee particles, wash the entire machine down using a dry, clean cloth.
Cleaning your grinder on a regular basis is essential, regardless of whether you use a burr or blade grinder. The aroma and flavor of coffee beans are lost as soon as the beans are ground. The most delicious cup of espresso is made with freshly ground coffee. Grinds that are too fine cause bitterness and over-extraction and bitterness, while those which are too coarse may result in under-extraction, and a weak or thin flavor.
Regularly cleaning your grinder will ensure it stays in good condition and produces high-quality grounds for your morning cup of coffee. Leaving oil residues and old ground coffee to build up in the nooks and crevices can lead to obstructions to the blades and poorer quality coffee. The stale coffee you leave to build up on the burrs may also alter the flavor of your coffee.
There are several ways to clean your grinder, but the most effective is to use the coffee grinder cleaner tablet (such as Urnex Grindz). These tablets are made from edible grains that bind to and take away coffee oils. These tablets are an excellent alternative to soak your burrs in a solution water, which could damage or dull the burrs. You can also employ a brush to scrub your burrs, or blow them away using compressed air or keyboard air blower.