Solutions To Problems With Blade Grinder
Blade Grinder - Why You Shouldn't Use One
Blade grinders have blades that look like a propeller (think blenders). They are used to chop coffee beans. They are cheaper than burr mills and are easy to clean, but they don't create a uniform ground and can cause bitterness and over-extraction in your brew.
A premium coffee experience requires uniform distribution of the particles which is only possible with the burr grinder. It's no wonder coffee snobs hate burr grinders.
Inconsistent Grinds
You may have noticed your grinding results aren't consistent when you've used a blade grinder for a long time. This is because the grinder has probably been worn down and dull. As the grinder gets older it will produce different-sized pieces of beans. This results in ground with varying levels of coarseness. It's difficult for your coffee brewer to create the same, balanced taste with these different-sized particles.
A blade grinder uses the same propeller-like blade to break the beans. Coffeee is basically a way of cutting beans into smaller and smaller pieces that are then thrown through a screen and into the catcher. This method is effective however it doesn't provide the best grind possible for your drink. Burr grinders are a better alternative. A burr grinder is a larger machine with a powerful motor and two grinding burrs. The burrs are set to an exact distance from each other, which determines the coarseness of the coffee that you grind.
If the burrs get too close, they will crush rather than cut the beans. The result is a finer, less coarse ground. They also tend to be fragile, which could negatively impact your coffee's taste. On the other however if the burrs are spaced too separated, they could create large chunks of coarsely-ground coffee. It is crucial to select a grinder that has an appropriate setting to match the level of coarseness you want.
A sharp blade, if adjusted properly, will produce an even and consistent grind for your coffee. If you notice that your grind is becoming more and more uneven, it's probably best to replace the blade or burrs. If you haven't done so, you should also alter the grind setting in order to achieve more even grinding.
If your grinder is producing clumped-up grounds it could be a sign that the blades are worn or damaged. The clumping occurs due to small particles adhering to each other and larger pieces of ground producing larger granules which aren't able to dissolve in water. This is more frequent as your burrs become duller.
Uneven Extraction
The size of your coffee grounds is vital for flavor extraction, regardless of whether you're making a French press pour-over, drip brew or pour-over. Uneven ground sizes can cause uneven extraction, leading to an unbalanced cup of coffee.
The beans are sliced and shredded randomly when they go through the blade mill, resulting in an unbalanced distribution of the size of the grind particles. A blade grinder produces an assortment of larger fragments, near-dust size particles and everything between. Different grind sizes extract at an uneven rate, resulting in the cup of coffee that is usually bitter and inconsistent.
Lack of uniformity can also cause problems with tamping or filtering. With a burr grinder you can achieve an evenly ground particle size allowing for more even tamping and filtering that prevents over-extraction and weak beers. With a blade grinder, it is more difficult to get an even grind, and you might find yourself tamping from side to side or using the Stockfleth method (which takes some time to master).
Another issue with blade grinders is their speed and high heat generation. This can burn the grounds and create a bitter taste. Burr grinders create less heat and are cooler, which preserves the flavor of beans.
The blade grinder has a final disadvantage: it is easy to grind your beans too fine. The grinder can generate plenty of heat and eventually your grounds will become over-extracted. This can result in a bitter brew. To avoid this, always stop the grinder before turning it back on again.
Blade grinders are a simple and inexpensive method of grinding coffee at home. However they're not the ideal option for those who are serious about their brewing. You'll want to stick with whole beans and a burr grinder to get the most effective results. Invest in a quality coffee grinder that will meet all your needs.
We've compiled a list of our top picks of best burr mills on market to upgrade your blade grinder. The type of grinder you choose will impact the quality of your brewing as well as your beverage. Consider your budget, space, and preferred method of brewing before making a choice.
Burned Grounds
A blade grinder employs sharp blades to grind the beans. The blade spins at high speeds, like blenders. As the blade moves at a rapid pace there is a lot of heat produced that may burn up the coffee grounds. These charred particles aren't good for the brewing process and can cause a bad taste in your cup of coffee.
A first-class coffee experience demands a uniform particle distribution to ensure optimal flavor extraction during the brewing process. Since the blade grinder breaks the beans into different sized pieces, large and small it is impossible to achieve this consistency. A burr mill, on the other hand produces an even distribution of particle sizes that can be reproduced over a variety of brews.
Blade grinders offer a variety of advantages, including their low price and quick operation. However, they do have a few disadvantages for instance, the fact that they generate heat when in use, produce inconsistent grind sizes and have no control over the final particle size. With a little practice there are ways to improve results despite the inherent limitations of this type of grinder.
When used with a burr mill, the user can easily alter their desired ground size by adjusting the distance between the discs. This lets them to extract the flavor they desire every time they drink their favorite roast beans. It takes a lot of time to make a good drink using a grinder blade.
An angle grinder is an extremely powerful tool that should only be used only by trained personnel. It could cause grinding burn if employed incorrectly. This causes localized changes to the metal surface of the workpiece. This can lead to cracking and is not properly checked, could eventually cause macropitting and tooth fracture.
Grinding burn can result from a variety of factors, including excessive grinding pressure or insufficient cooling. It could be caused by inadequate training for operators. Wear the proper safety equipment when using an angle grinder. This includes safety glasses with a face shield as well as steel toe boots. This will prevent hot sparks from flying off the wheel and hitting nearby equipment or people. Sparks can be capable of reaching temperatures as high as 3,600 degrees Fahrenheit, and they can cause damage to materials such as paint or even metal.
A disappointing Brew
A blade grinder chops up your beans indiscriminately and leaves you with ground that are all different sizes. This uneven ground extracts at different rates, resulting in the cup being bitter or weak of coffee. The problem with this is that it ruins the balance that makes a good cup of coffee. Soluble compounds in the beans are removed over time, which creates the flavor that makes your coffee delicious.
You've likely heard that using a burr grinder instead of a blade is the best way to ensure a great beverage. Many people don't even know what a burr mill is. They buy the flimsy, uncontrollable blade grinders they can purchase at the supermarkets or places like kitchens.
The grinders that are available for sale are essentially two-pronged blades that are located at the bottom of an enclosed chamber. It spins rapidly and chops everything it comes into contact with including your beans. Press a button to activate the device, and the blade chops up your beans into a plethora of differently sized pieces. Small pieces fall to the bottom and are chopped again, while the large pieces remain towards the top of the chamber. This makes for uneven grounds that are difficult to measure accurately. This is the reason you can't be sure of how much ground coffee your grinder produced.
Another problem with these grinders is that they create lots of heat when they grind, which could cause the beans to burn and ruin your coffee. The heat can also remove some of the flavor from your beans. The result is a an unappetizing cup of coffee.
If you have grind your coffee by yourself with a blade mill, it's time to upgrade to something more efficient. A burr mill will do the job for a fraction the price, and produce a much superior result. It's worth the investment. Try a manual burr mill like the Rhino Hand Grinder if you want to have more control over your beverage. These grinders feature burrs however they are powered by the crank, which gives more control than an electric or plug-in grinder.