Ten Things You Learned At Preschool That'll Help You With Coffee Grinders
The Benefits of Using a Coffee Grinder
Experts agree that purchasing and using a coffee grinder is among the most beneficial upgrades you can make to your daily routine. The more expensive models have burr grinders, which are made up of two grooved surfaces that can be adjusted to provide an even and consistent grind.
Unlike a blade grinder, these types of grinders ward off the formation of oxidation and ensure that your grounds are even in size.
Conical Burrs
Burr grinders have a higher capacity and use opposing angles cutting surfaces that grind whole beans into tiny pieces. They produce fewer fines (also called dust) than blade grinders, and they allow you to determine the size of particles are produced by adjusting the distance between the burrs.
There are two types of burrs - conical and flat. The differences between the two types of burrs are subtle but significant, and each has its own strengths.
Burr grinders crush beans with a pair of disc-shaped burrs, while blade grinders employ sharp blades that are shaped like blades. The two burrs can be moved closer or further apart to set the desired grind size, from coarse to fine. If they are set properly, they create a very consistent grind with fewer tiny fragments and without heat.
A high-quality burr grinder should include a lubricated mechanism that will reduce friction and extend the life of the blades. They should also be easily cleaned to reduce the buildup 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 can be supplied by the human hand by itself.
Within each category of burr shape there is a variation between different models and brands of grinders. These variations aren't due to the shape or the geometry of the burrs but how their pattern relates to the distribution of particle size. Some conical burr grinding machines, such as the Niche Zero, have very low retention. Other flat burr grinding machines like the Iberital MC2 have a high retention.
Certain coffee enthusiasts assert that different styles of burrs are more effective in bringing out specific flavors in the roast and bean. 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 to crush coffee beans between them. These are the most common burrs used in home and commercial grinders. They are also the most common burrs used in manual grinders.
Flat burrs can be more difficult to maintain the same distribution of sizes of grind 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, since new developments in burr geometries can provide the same consistency in grind size distribution as flat burrs.
When it comes down to selecting the best conical or flat burr grinder, the decision is largely dependent on your specific grinding requirements and individual preferences. For example, a barista who grinds large quantities for multiple cups throughout the day could prefer to go for a flat burr grinder due to the fact that it produces fewer fines and reduces oxidation time which makes it easier to store and use again.
The amount of heat the burr mill produces in operation is another factor to be considered. This is a significant aspect as it can affect the flavor and quality of your cup of joe. The more friction a grinder creates and the more it's likely to increase its temperature, which can change the flavor profile of your beans and lead to excessive extraction. Luckily, flat burr grinders generate less heat than their conical counterparts, so they will provide you with the best taste overall.
There are a variety of options for a grinder that features flat burrs from well-known manufacturers like Baratza and Eureka. For example the Fellow Ode Gen 2 is an extremely popular choice due to its easy to calibrate and offers a high degree of precision. It also has a low noise level and is ideal for espresso grinding. It doesn't produce the same quantity of fines as Baratza and other top models and it's difficult to get a medium-fine grind for espresso.
Variable Grind Settings
The grinding process regardless of the kind of grinder you choose to use, produces a range of particle sizes and shapes. Measuring this in any meaningful manner is a challenge, unless you have expensive equipment such as laser particle Diffraction Analysis.
Instead of providing an exact measurement of the size of a particle the majority of coffee grinders have a set of adjustment dials that let the user choose from a range of sizes for grinding. Dials are marked by numbers or dots to indicate larger and smaller sizes. The numbers are often followed by arrows that indicate the direction that the dial must be moved to make the grind finer or more coarse.
In addition to the numbering system, a lot of grinders have other visual representations to help in deciding on the best setting, like dots or a stepped adjustment mechanism. These visual representations are helpful, but they are only general guidelines and you will need to experiment with different settings.
For instance for instance, a dot that appears close together could indicate that the burrs are set very fine, while an asterisk or number that appears farther away indicates they're set extremely coarse. When selecting a setting for your grinder be sure to keep in mind that even small adjustments can make an enormous difference.
The dialing-in process of grinding is the process of finding the most optimal grind setting for a particular coffee and the brewing method. The ideal grind setting permits the brew to have the fullest and most balanced flavor that is possible while remaining within an acceptable range for extraction limitations. This is a constant pursuit, since even slight variations can result in coffee that has been either over- or underextracted.
For espresso, a very fine grind is the best because it maximizes the amount water that comes in contact with the ground during the time frame to extract. A setting that is similar in consistency to powdered sugar works for most methods of brewing, including pour-over, French press, Aeropress and Turkish coffee.
Easy Cleaning
When coffee grinds move through your grinder oils and old grounds get stuck in the crevices and corners of the machine. In time, these oil build-up becomes rancid and start to impact the taste of your coffee. Regular cleaning can to prevent the build-up of coffee oil and can keep your grinder running at its best.
To clean your grinder, begin by unplugging it and taking out the hopper and grounds bin. Then, you can remove the burrs. Be careful not to damage the sharp burrs, which can easily scratch or scrape the inner surfaces of your grinder. Use a grinder cleaning brush to remove any coffee stuck on the burrs. If you don't have a cleaner brush you can use a toothpick or soft brush to gently lift the ground coffee from the burrs. After you've removed the burrs as well as any other coffee particles, wipe the entire machine with a 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 flavor and aromatic properties once they are ground. The best cup of coffee is made from freshly ground beans. A grind that is too fine can cause bitterness and over-extraction and a grind that is too coarse can result in the coffee being under-extracted and having an unsavory flavor.
Regularly cleaning your grinder will ensure that it is in top condition and continues to produce quality grounds for your morning coffee. Coffee residues and oily grounds can cause the blades to become blocked and produce poor-quality coffee. The taste of coffee may be affected by allowing coffee that is stale to build up 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 with and remove coffee oils. They're an excellent alternative to washing your burrs with water, which can harm or dull them. You can also make use of a brush to clean your burrs or blow them off using compressed air or keyboard air blower.