7 Little Changes That'll Make The Biggest Difference In Your Coffee Grinders
The Benefits of Using a Coffee Grinder
Experts agree that using coffee grinders is among the most beneficial improvements you can make to your daily routine. The higher-end models have burr grinders--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 burning, and also ensure that your ground is even in size.
Conical Burrs
Burr grinders have a higher power and use opposing angled cutting surfaces to crush whole beans into smaller pieces. They produce less fines (also called dust) than blade coffee grinders. Additionally, you can regulate the size of particles by changing the distance between the burrs.
There are two kinds of burrs: flat and conical. The differences between the two kinds of burrs is subtle but important and each one has its own distinct strengths.
Burr grinders grind beans using a pair disc-shaped burrs. Blade grinders employ sharp blades that are shaped like blades. 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 will produce a regular grinding process with fewer fragments and no heating.
A top quality burr grinder must have a lubricated mechanism to reduce friction and prolong the life of the blades. They are easy to clean to avoid 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 because they require more energy than can be generated by human hand alone.
There could be differences within the burr shapes of each category among different brands and models. These variations are not due to the shape of the burrs themselves but rather the pattern of their geometry and how that is related to the distribution of particle sizes. Certain conical burr grinding machines like the Niche Zero, have very low retention. Other flat burr grinding machines, such as the Iberital MC2 have a high retention.
Certain coffee enthusiasts claim that certain burr styles can bring out certain flavors in the bean or roast. This is an area in which the evidence is mostly anecdotal and not scientifically proven.
Flat Burrs
Flat burrs are flat plates with sharp ridges that face one other and crush the coffee beans between them. These are the most commonly used burrs that are used in both home and commercial grinders. They are also the most common burrs used in manual grinders.
Flat burrs may have a harder time maintaining an even distribution of grind sizes than conical ones because their cutting edges are angled and can leave behind grit or fines. This can lead to bitter tastes and poor extraction. This isn't a major issue for everyone, as new developments in burr geometries can provide the same grind size distribution as flat burrs.
When it comes to choosing the best conical or flat burr grinder, the decision will be largely based on your specific grinding requirements and particular preferences. For instance a barista who grinds a lot for several cups throughout the day could be more likely to opt for a flat burr grinder because it produces fewer fines and can reduce the time to oxidize which makes it easier to store and use again.
Another factor to consider is the quantity of heat a grinder produces during its operation. This is an important factor because it can affect the taste and quality of your cup of joe. The more friction grinders create and the higher the heat it generates. This can change the taste of your beans or result in excessive extraction. Flat burr grinders generate less heat than conical grinders, which will give you a more refined overall taste.
If you're looking for a coffee grinder that has flat burrs, there's a wide range of options available from reputable manufacturers like Baratza and Eureka. The Fellow Ode Gen 2 is well-known for its ease of calibration and has a high level of precision. It also has a 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 for espresso.
Variable Grind Settings
No matter what type you grind, the process produces different sizes of particles and shapes. It is difficult to measure this in a meaningful manner without expensive equipment, such as laser particle diffraction.
Instead of offering an exact measurement of the size of the particle, most coffee grinders have adjustable dials which allow users to choose from a range of grind sizes. Dials are marked by numbers or dots to indicate smaller and larger sizes. The numbers are often with arrows that indicate which direction the dial should be moving to make the grind coarser or more fine.
In addition to the numerical system, many grinders also have other visual representations to help in deciding on the best setting, like dots in a series or a stepped adjustment mechanism. These indicators are useful, but they are not exact guidelines and you'll need to test different settings.
If the dots or numbers are close together and are close together, then they are well set. If they are farther apart, then they are coarsely set. When selecting a grinder setting it is important to remember that even small adjustments can make huge differences, so take care not to go too far away from the range you want to be in when making your adjustments.
The dialing in of grinding is the process of determining the most optimal grind setting for the particular coffee and the method of brewing. The best grind setting allows the brew to have the fullest and most balanced flavor while staying within a reasonable range for extraction limitations. This is a continuous process since even minor deviations from the'sweet spot' can result in over- or under-extracted coffee.
A finer grind is ideal for espresso because it increases how much water will be in contact with the ground in the brief time needed for extraction. Pour-over, French Press, Aeropress and Turkish Coffee all benefit from a setting similar to powdered white sugar.
Easy Cleaning
As coffee grinds go through your grinder, oils and old grounds get stuck inside the nooks and crannies of the machine. The oils that accumulate eventually go rancid and begin to alter the taste of your espresso. Regular cleaning can prevent the accumulation of stale coffee in your grinder and keep it functioning at its peak.
To clean your grinder, begin by unplugging and removing the hopper and grounds bin. Then, you can remove the burrs. Be careful not to scratch the burrs' sharp edges, which could easily scratch or scratch the interior of your grinder. 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 have a cleaner brush, use a toothpick or soft brush to gently remove the ground coffee from the burrs. Once coffee grinders makers have removed the burrs and any other coffee particles from the machine, clean it down with a clean dry cloth.
Cleaning your grinder regularly is essential, regardless of regardless of whether you're using a blade or burr grinder. Coffee beans lose their aroma and flavor once they're ground. The best cup of coffee comes from a freshly ground batch. Too fine a grind can cause bitterness and over-extraction and a grind that is too coarse could result in under-extraction and the flavor is weak.
Regularly cleaning your grinder will ensure that it is in good condition and produces quality grounds for your morning cup of coffee. Leaving oil residues and old ground coffee to accumulate in the nooks and crannies can lead to clogged blades and poorer-quality coffee. The flavor of coffee can be affected by allowing coffee that is stale to accumulate on the burrs.
There are many ways to clean a grinder however, one of the easiest is using a tablet for cleaning coffee grinders (such as Urnex Grindz). These tablets are made of edible grains that bind to and remove coffee oil. They're an excellent alternative to washing your burrs in water, which could damage or dull them. You can also clean your burrs with a brush or by blowing them out using compressed air or an air blower for your keyboard.